The Holy Dust of Vraja (Discourses on the Glories of Kesava-Vrata and Candana-Yatra)

Description

Our ācāryas have marked this Keśava–vrata, which is performed in the month of Vaiśākha, April/May, in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Calendar. This month is named after Śrī Viśākhā Devī. Viśākhā-devī is our śikṣā-guru, as written by Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī in his Manaḥ-śikṣā, verse 9, viśākhāṁ śikṣālī-vitaraṇa-gurutve priya-saro: O mind, always remember Śrī Viśākhā as the instructing spiritual master in the arrangements of service rendered unto the Divine Couple. Without a guardian—without guru—a person is destitute. He is like an orphan vulnerable to many dangers. Many dangerous tāmasika people will come to him because he has no knowledge or spiritual guide. Viśākhā Devī is śikṣā-guru. Lord Keśava took shelter of her. When this month comes it means that Viśākhā Devī has now arrived to take responsibility for our spiritual lives. She promises to train those who surrender to her during this month and to help them achieve spiritual perfection.” – Śrī Keśava-vrata