Basant Holi Khel: Celebrating Divine Love

by Goswami Anandbava on Feb 14th, 2009 · 41 comments

Basant Panchami: day of divine love and the significance of the Basant season in Pushtimarg.

Is it just coincidence that the day of divine love in Vraj: Basant Panchami and the day of temporal love in the mortal world: Valentine’s Day fall so near to each other? This year Basant Panchami (Maha Sud 5) was on the 31st of Jan and today, just a fortnight later you have the modern version.

shri-mukh-rose

I draw the parallel to put the bhav of the Basant Holi days into a modern perspective. But, that is where the similarity ends.

The channelization of the energy of love, towards Shri Krishna liberates you forever. On the other hand, attaching the same to more worldly objects keeps increasing your days in bondage.

Basant Panchami is the celebration of ‘Divine Desire’ flowing permanently and incessantly towards the Lord of Gokul, Shyam-sundar Shri Krishna.

The day signals the onset of the season of spring. Just as the flowers bloom so does the gopi’s longing for their beloved Madangopal.

As per the kirtans,

श्री पंचमी परम मंगल दिन, मदन महोत्सव आज…and आई ऋतु बसंत कि गोपिन कीयो श्रृंगार…
Basant Panchami is the most auspicious day, for it is the great festival of desire…the season of Basant has arrived and the gopis have dressed in all their finery for the darshan of their beloved.

According to Puranic literature ‘Madan’ is another name of Kamdev, the God of love. But for the residents of Vraj He ceased to exist the day Bhagwan Shivji reduced him to ashes for disturbing Him during meditation. The ruler of the hearts in Vraj is Shri Madanmohanji Shri Krishna. He alone is capable of giving and receiving the love that they seek. His swarup is,

कोटि कंदर्प लावण्यमय स्वरुप …One who is the abode of beauty of all Kamdevs combined

Meaning, in Him is vested all the beauty which we, due to our agyan, seek in worldly objects and beings. Shri Mahaprabhuji very clearly defines the meaning of ‘Kaam’ in relation to Pushtimarg as follows

यदि श्रीगोकुलाधीशो धृत: सर्वात्मना हृदि, तत: किम् – अपरम ब्रुहि लौकिकै…(चतु:श्लोकि 3)
…If the love of the Lord of Gokul has been instilled in your hearts then tell me, how can any worldly object be of any importance to you.

So, as we enjoy the days of Basant khel, applying chandan, choba, abeer & gulal to Shri Thakurji, remember, the energy of Love within us when converted to bhav has the power of delivering us to the feet of the One who is the abode of all beauty, Gopijan-Vallabh Shri Krishna.

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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }

Kokilaben June 25, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Je Je Dandvat Pranam – Aap Crawley padharia ame dhania thay gaya – Ap ne aganya ame bhulia nathi – but need
guidance to start please with Shree Vallabh Krup:)

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Amruta June 14, 2011 at 5:55 pm

This very nice blog…..
will be very interesting…..
thank u jai jai..Dandavat

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Bhavin Vaishnav April 8, 2011 at 8:32 pm

Dandvat Pranam,
I got ritu pranalika and thank you so much for this.and I also want full book for detail also but now not hurry for it.And I also Want to know that what is “Bunglow of Flowers”.so i can keep it in Seva for Shrijibava.

Jay Shri Krishna

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Biren chokshi March 2, 2011 at 6:08 am

J.J ne dandvat,

app shri nu koi video vachnramrut holi ustav uper hoi to mare tanu shravan karvu che.
app ne krupa hoi to.
also we can shar with other vaishnav.

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Goswami Anandbava March 2, 2011 at 10:21 am

Birenji,
Don’t have a recording right now. Will let you know if I get hold of one.
Ashirvad.

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VKD mukesh February 13, 2011 at 2:25 pm

SARKAR !

DANDVAT PRANAM .

CAN NOT DESCRIBE, I CAN FEEL IT ONLY, WHAT A BEAUTIFIL UTTERINGS ( VACHNAMRUT ) OF SHRI ANANDBAWASHRI.

…If the love of the Lord of Gokul has been instilled in your hearts then tell me, how can any worldly object be of any importance to you.

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Goswami Anandbava February 17, 2011 at 6:39 pm

Mukeshbhai,
I have just translated what Vakpati Shri Vallabh has said.

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shailesh February 8, 2011 at 11:08 pm

sastag dandvat pranam jai jai sunder first time blog joyo.aajthi thakorjine 40 divas abil gulal no chantkav karine khubaj anand aave chhe. savag na sukh karata thakorji ne khelavanu sukh ae vishesh chhe.

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sejalhirpara September 7, 2010 at 4:19 pm

j dandavat, AANAND ke ANURAGI bane kripa esi kijiye, AANAND ke ANURAGI ka sang aharnish dijiye, Danvat from all of our family.

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sejalhirpara September 7, 2010 at 4:09 pm

j dandvat, j aapnu shri ANGA kem che?

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archana soni August 28, 2010 at 10:59 pm

Dandwat Pranaam JaiJai,

after reading this article I feel the sense of neverending youth-era which is inevitable of being a Pushtimargiya Vaishnav!!!
Thanks JaiJai after reading this i got a feeling of being Jawaan always irrespective of my age with my beloved Shri Thakurji!!
JaiJai AApne Charnoma Prarthana che ke emach AAp Pushti Vartajina marm discuss karo ane Ashirwad aapo ke hu sada sarvada ae bhawana ni bhul naa pade…….

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Poonam July 25, 2010 at 10:55 am

Pranaam Prabhuji..

I had a look over a few quotes mentioned here.. The best appreciative part is its Simplicity, stress relieving, interesting and above all, Realizing the importance of God’s Love for us! people seeks love in the worldly affairs even after the presence of God’s Love in our heart.. I guess His love for us makes up the best inspirational source!!..

Mind Blowing!

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mukesh VKD March 10, 2010 at 9:31 pm

SARKAR ! DANDAVAT FROM VKD MUKESH,

PL DO THE KRIPA OF SOME VACHANAMRUT ON VASANT KHEL OF FEB.2010 FROM VASANT TO DOLOTSAV AT THE ALAUKIK, APRATIM SHRI VALLABHALAY HAVELI.

PLEASE !!!!!!

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ANURAAG BURMAN March 5, 2010 at 9:06 am

Dandavat Pranaam Maharaaj,
Could you kindly tell me where are the works written by mahaprabhuji and shree gusainji available ?

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Madhavi January 20, 2010 at 1:03 pm

the most beautiful time of year has come,
laal gopaal gulal hamari akhiyan mein jinn na daa ro ju…
aapna shree charano ma basant panchami na koti dandwat ane vinanti ke amara ma bhaav ni vrudhi thay jjshree.
dandwat,
madhavi.

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Goswami Anandbava February 22, 2010 at 10:16 pm

Madhaviji,
He throws Gulal in our eyes, but removes the darkness of ignorance which is there – dosen’t He ? (Laal Gopal Gulal hamari…)
Ashirvad

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mukesh obviously VKD !!!!!!!! January 20, 2010 at 8:00 am

pu.pa. g.shri ANANDBAVASHRI,

BASANT PANCHAMI KI BADHAI WITH KOTI KOTI DANDVAT PRANAM.

-mukesh obviously VKD !!!!!!!!

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deepanshuparasher April 20, 2009 at 11:27 pm

Jaishrikrishna
jaijai dandvat pranam

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Paras Devani April 4, 2009 at 8:39 am

Lal ke gun gavu shri vallabh………. lal ke gun gavu……….
Dandvat Pranam, Jai Gokul ke chand ki.
Paras Devani

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Paras Devani April 4, 2009 at 2:39 am

Lal ke gun gavu shri vallabh………. lal ke gun gavu……….
Dandvat Pranam, Jai Gokul ke chand ki.
Paras Devani

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Daksha Pattni April 3, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Danvat JeJe,
Again a very interesting article definately the young generation will learn something from this article i have enjoyed the new concept and how sunder does Shriji Bava looks with all the red roses around my beloved Shriji Bava.
Apne krupa thi hamne a laab male che.

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Goswami Anandbava April 3, 2009 at 11:20 am

Bhavikaji,
Your feedback is inspiring.
We do try to choose subjects that would with a few verbal changes be involving and informational for vaishnav children.
Ashirvad.

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Goswami Anandbava April 3, 2009 at 11:12 am

Dakshaji,
Interaction leading to lasting involvement with Shri Vallabh's philosophy is
the purpose behind the blog. Prabhu Kripa se, time permitting, have planned
some expansion in the near future.

Glad to know your views,
Ashirvad.

Reply

Daksha Pattni April 3, 2009 at 9:46 am

Danvat JeJe,
Again a very interesting article definately the young generation will learn something from this article i have enjoyed the new concept and how sunder does Shriji Bava looks with all the red roses around my beloved Shriji Bava.
Apne krupa thi hamne a laab male che.

Reply

bhavika kataria March 31, 2009 at 10:33 am

jj dandavat pranam ,i have just joined the and really amazed 2 see this ;really a well thought thing 2 divert the young generation towards pushti in their own modren n cool way .will always follow and guide my children towards it.

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bhavika kataria March 31, 2009 at 4:33 am

jj dandavat pranam ,i have just joined the and really amazed 2 see this ;really a well thought thing 2 divert the young generation towards pushti in their own modren n cool way .will always follow and guide my children towards it.

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Kushal Gujarati March 14, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Especially Bhave of 'shree Chatushloki'

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Kushal Gujarati March 14, 2009 at 6:16 pm

This very nice blog…..
will be very interesting…..
thank u jai jai..Dandavat

Reply

Vijay khatri February 24, 2009 at 6:42 pm

j j dandvat pranam
Awesome!!!!!!!
The new way to know our pusti sampraday!
Amazing!!!!
Ame dhanya banya aapshri sathe satsang thase
Ramayanji ms lakhayelu chhe k binu hari Krupa mile nahi Santa
Aaj amara upar sshri hari ni Krupa thai aapshri no satsang thase
Blessing us always
Jay jay Shri gokulesh.

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Deepika Kaviraj February 21, 2009 at 11:02 am

Humble Dandvat jj,
May your grace always shower. Blessed with pushtimargiya blog, It would help me create the same environment of Shri Chhabilaji haveli in my heart.
Dandvat pranam.

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Anil Patel. February 17, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Dandvat Krupanath.
This is a new and unique way to explain Pushti Bhkti and Pushti Riti to everyone,especially to the younger generation in India and Abroad.
Shree Vallabhcharyji and Shree Vitthalnathji has always been the most innovative to adopt Pushti Seva Prakar and adopt all kind of people through Various Seva Prakar which accepted Rag, Bhog, Shringar, Kirtan Sangeet,Samagree,Pushti Sahitya and People especially Wemen and Shudras as inspired and desired by Shreenathji.
To bless,adopt and accept the new generation at present time, To Continue and Up Grade Pushti Prachar Karya of Vallabh Kul, Apshree has choosen such a new, Unique and innovative method as always done by Shree Valllbhkul. Please continue to bless us as ALWAYS.

Shree Vallabh jug jug Raj Karo. Shree Vallabh Jug Jug Raj karo.
Shree Vallbh Jug Jug Raj karo.

Dandvat Pranam.

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jay February 16, 2009 at 9:55 pm

dandvat JeJe
the last line that aapshri has mentioned from chatushloki is so fitting..
“If the love of the Lord of Gokul has been instilled in your hearts then tell me, how can any worldly object be of any importance to you.”
how true.
i am really happy that i will get aapshri’s thoughts and guiding on pushtimarg at the click of a mouse
dandvat
jay

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Nirav February 16, 2009 at 7:15 pm

Wow, JeJe, this is soo Sundar.The way Aapshri have blended divine love & temporal love.. well i guess it shows The Vallabh’s point of view of looking at things!!

Badhai on Shreenathji’s Patotsav

Jai Gokulke Chandki

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Goswami Anandbava February 16, 2009 at 7:45 pm

Ha, Ha…so you are not in 100% agreement with Shri Vallabh’s view, is it? No worries, everybody comes around at the appropriate time.
Badhai & Ashirvad for today. Jai Gokulke Chandki.

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Goswami Anandbava February 25, 2009 at 5:40 pm

Ashirvad Vijaybhai, Glad to know you liked the concept behind the blog. Prabhu Kripa se you must all be doing well.

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Goswami Anandbava March 15, 2009 at 1:36 am

Glad you liked it, Shri Kushal Gujarati. Keep commenting. Ashirvad, Anandbava.

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Goswami Anandbava April 4, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Bhavikaji,
Your feedback is inspiring.
We do try to choose subjects that would with a few verbal changes be involving and informational for vaishnav children.
Ashirvad.

Reply

Goswami Anandbava April 4, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Dakshaji,
Interaction leading to lasting involvement with Shri Vallabh’s philosophy is
the purpose behind the blog. Prabhu Kripa se, time permitting, have planned
some expansion in the near future.
Glad to know your views,
Ashirvad.

Reply

Goswami Anandbava April 4, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Paras
Will be expecting to hear ‘Lal ke Gun’ during the prastav at Ghatkopar on 15th.
Ashirvad & Jai Gokulke Chandki.

Reply

deepanshuparasher April 20, 2009 at 11:28 pm

dandvat pranam jaijai

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Goswami Anandbava April 23, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Deepanshuji, Welcome to the blog.
Ashirvad.

Reply

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