In Pushtimarg, the days of Holi Khel which begin from Basant Panchami and culminate on Dol-Utsav are organized in a definite sequence to systematically guide the bhakta in achieving Sakha-bhav. It’s a deliberate process and must not be misunderstood as a casual arrangement of days.

Bhav means an intense emotion. Since emotions fall into intangible territory it is natural for a lay appreciator of Bhagvad Seva to suppose that even the “process of conceiving bhav – Seva”, must be quite vague too. Bhav and the subsequent ‘Ras’ may be spontaneous; but for the Vaishnav Vrajbhaktas however, the distinct pranalika of seva followed to achieve the bhav – that is certainly not of the hit or miss variety.

To stress the precise nature of Bhagvad seva, Shri Hariraiji Mahaprabhu has beautifully explained the bhav behind the forty one days of khel according to the principles of ‘Ras’. He begins by telling us that out of the forty days, the first ten are for the Udipan vibhav and the rest are for the Alamban vibhav. (I can just hear everybody saying, wow! That went clear over our heads.) So let us first tackle the theory part.

‘Ras or Rasa’ (pronunciation: rhymes with fuss!) is an oft repeated word in Pushtimarg which has been utilized in multiple ways. A simple explanation of the word would be ‘that which gives Anand’. Additional details can be found by reading about the Natya-Shastra, but here we shall discuss only those parts that are relevant to our understanding.

Each Ras has a Sthayi bhav. For example the full development of the bhav of Rati (Love) concludes in Shringar Ras. So Shringar is the Ras and Rati (Love) is the Sthayi bhav.

Further, each Sthayi bhav has Vibhavs. Vibhav means the cause of the bhav. These vibhavs are classified into Udipan vibhav and Alamban vibhav. Udipan basically means the factors due to which the bhav is generated; e.g. beautiful surroundings, season, physical features, attire etc. Alamban is what the factors of Udipan affect; e.g. the persons involved.

In the Udipan phase the basant season sets in, the harsh & dark days of winter are ending and the kunj & kandras are blooming with flowers and lush greenery. Kamdev lost his body when he was reduced to ashes by Shri Mahadevji. So he is ‘Anang’ – bodiless. When He first begins to manifest his swarup, He appears in the form of an environment conducive to desire. That is Udipan. The Vrajbhaktas may feel affection for Nandnandan Shri Krishna in every moment of their lives, but due to Kamdev’s handiwork the intensity of their attraction increases manifold during khel. Thus the gopi sings the rasiya…

होरी खेलोंगी श्याम संग जाय, बडे भागन से फागन आयो…
It is due to my great fortune that the month of Fagun is here; I shall now enjoy Holi with Shri Shyamsundar…

Listening to music or even a speech, even a lay appreciator will have noticed that there are broadly defined segments common to all good compositions. These segments are given distinct names in different genres of formal music. The Tabla player may call it taal – tihai – sum; First there is the slow – almost awkward beginning, with the increasing tempo the rhythm is then introduced, which forms the major part and is repeated, and eventually with the rising crescendo, the performance reaches its pinnacle, the climax.

Using this analogy of music we can easily understand what Shri Hariraiji wants to explain about the gradual maturity of sakha-bhav during the course of khel. Each quarter of the 40 days is assigned to four different groups of bhaktas according to their nature (Guna) which are Satvik, Rajas, Tamas and Nirgun. The first 10 days are the Udipan phase and are enjoyed by the satvik bhaktas. In addition, my personal understanding would be, the satvik guna within each of us is neutralized during those days. Then the rajasi, the tamasi and finally when all the gunas have been neutralized, the last 10 days for the nirgun; the days of the heaviest khel.

Let us now understand the actual sequence of days.

Basant Panchami (Maha Sud 5)

The khel begins. Basant is worshipped in the form of branches, leaves & flowers of mango, sarso etc inserted in a ghat (pot) covered with a red cloth. Bhautik kaam is not present in Vraj, adhyatmik kaam was reduced to ashes by Shri Mahadevji, and so for the Vrajvasis the adhidaivik Lord of Kaam, is Shri Krishna Himself. Khel is very light, kirtans in raag Basant are sung. Bhav – Udipan phase begins. (Additional information for this day is in my previous post)

An incident worth mentioning here would be when a vaishnav requested Shri Gusainji to tell him the reason why Shrijibava’s Charanarvind were covered with a cloth during the days of khel. Shri Gusainji benevolently explained to him that the darshan of Shri Charan gives rise to dasya- bhav (emotion of a servant) while to enjoy Khel they need to have sakha-bhav (emotion of a friend), so param Kripalu Shri Thakurji has His Shri Charans covered.

Hori Danda (Maha Sud 15)

This occurs exactly on the 10th day of khel. It signifies the end of the days of Udipan and since the bhav has taken root firmly in the hearts of vrajbhaktas and Shri Shyamsundar Himself; the Alamban phase starts. A branch of a tree is planted in the ground on the outskirts of the village where the khel is to take place. It is to depict that the alaukik kaam has firmly taken root in Vraj. A Brahmin performs the pujan for the surety of the completion of khel. Kirtans in Dhamar are now sung – the duf (tambourine) is introduced, signifying the increase in the pace of khel. Shri Yashodaji wakes up a very sleepy Shri Nandnandan saying…

डंडा रोपन नन्द जायेंगे संग लिये वृजवासी…इत प्यारो उत प्यारि को दल, को जीते को हारी.
Shri Nandraiji along with Vrajvasis will proceed for the Danda ropan soon…on one side will be Shri Radha’s group and on the other, yours. Let’s see who wins and who loses.

Shrinathji Patotsav (Vraj Fagun Vad 7)

This is the day when Shrijibava visited Satghara in Mathura. Satghara means the house of Shri Gusainji’s seven Balaks. A very important prasang of Pushtimarg occurred at the time; that of “sarvasva samarpan”.  The entire Vallabhkul parivar (Balaks, Bahujis & Betijis) were so overwhelmed with emotion due to Shrijibava’s Kripa that they placed before Him all that they had and requested Him not to leave behind even a trivial portion in His acceptance. Even Shrijibava didn’t want their manorath to remain unfulfilled, so He asked a little betiji who had not noticed the nath (nose ring) that she was wearing, to give even that to Him. Such wonderful Kripa!

• Chhadi (Stick) Gaind (Ball) made of flowers are now offered to Shriji. I suppose since things get out of hand during Holi, a stick made of flowers would be safer!
• Vraj Rasiyas are now sung in addition to Dhamar. Rasiyas are in a simpler language and thus the mischief in Shriji – the Rasiya’s deeds is quite apparent…

खातर करले नई गुजरीया, रसीया ठाडो तेरे द्वार…जो कछु रसिया कहे सो करियो, सास नणन्द को डर मत रखियो…
Newly arrived Gopi! Attend to the Rasiya, for He is at your door…do as the Rasiya says, leave the fear of your in-laws aside…!!

Kunj Ekadashi (Fagun Sud 11)

Shri Thakurji now visits Vraj-Bhakts in the Kunj (garden) prepared by them. From today onwards the khel is celebrated even in shayan (evening). Vraj-Bhakts now reach the pinnacle of Sakhya-bhav and start speaking in a language that would normally be considered rude. But Shrijibava is all the more ecstatic on hearing it! Suffice to say that my blog would be banned if I put down all that is said!!

Dol Utsav (Vraj Chaitra Vad 1)

The ‘no holds barred’ days reach their final stage, the falatmak stage – peak. Shri Yashodaji is clearly worried for Her son. He has started skipping Bhog, and calls it a disturbance in Khel. She thinks it should be the other way round. An urgent meeting is organized with all the sakhas and gopis in attendance. Full of vatsalya bhav Shri Yashodaji issues a one point agenda – an ultimatum. Today the khel has to conclude. Fulfill all your manoraths and that of Shri Nandnandan’s to such an extent that a point of full satiation is reached.

But the problem is how to convince Shrijibava. A strategy is worked out. A special ‘Dol’ (A swing bedecked with greenery & flowers) is erected. Shri Thakurji is placed there by Shri Yashodaji, all the Vrajbhaktas now are fully involved in khel. As soon as it seems Shri Thakurji is even a bit satisfied, various samagris are served so that He may have at least something. It takes a total of four such khels in succession to wean away Shri Thakurji from khel. As he proceeds for His snaan, Shri Yashodaji immediately orders the bhaktas to wipe the Nandalaya so clean that not even a speck of colour should be seen; lest, should Her lad see them and want to indulge again. (Even today, ‘good’ vaishnavs give great importance to be involved in cleaning the Haveli esp. after Dol, more than just decorum; it is a compliance of Shri Yashodaji’s direct order and a reinstatement of their Dasya-bhav)

Dwitiya Patotsav (Vraj Chaitra Vad 2)

Khel may have ended, but this day is related to it and equally important. Patotsav is composed of two words ‘Pat’ & ‘Utsav’. Pat symbolizes the ‘Sinhasan – throne’. Thus Patotsav is the festival celebrated when Nandrajkumar Shri Krishna ascends the alaukik Sinhasan of Vraj. The term ‘Dwitiya’ stands for second (2nd). Each and every swarup will have distinct days of Patotsav, when Shri Vallabh Kul out of Grace ‘Pusht’ the Swarup but the Dwitiya Patotsav is common to all Swarups. It signifies the formal ending of the bhav of equality – sakhya and reinstating the swami – sevak relation.

Whew! That must be the longest post that I ever write. Maybe I will break it up in parts later on. It’s already late; the only saving grace is that Dol is tomorrow according to the Nathdwara tippani. Do remember that Shri Hariraiji has brought to light so many aspects of khel in addition to the Leelas & Kirtans present in Pushtimarg; I haven’t even been able to scratch the surface.

Dolotsav ki Hardik Badhai!

Related posts:

1. Basant Holi Khel: Celebrating Divine Love