Sharad Purnima: Celebrating Krishna's Divine Raas Lila

What is Sharad Purnima?

Among the many auspicious festivals in Vedic Calendar, Sharad Purnima, also called as Raas Purnima, Kojagiri Purnima, and Ashwin Purnima holds a special place. It falls in Ashwin month, which is the Sharad or the autumn season, when the atmosphere is neither too hot nor too cold, making it one of the most pleasant and refreshing times of the year.

Every festival in the Vedic calendar is observed in different moods, reflecting the diverse levels of consciousness and spiritual understanding among people. Some follow traditional ritualistic way, while devotees choose to celebrate with loving devotion to the Lord.

On Kojagiri Purnima, people stay awake throughout the night, seeking the blessings of Lakshmi Devi, who bestows prosperity upon those who sincerely worship Her. In regions like Odisha, the day is also known as Kumar Purnima, where unmarried girls pray to Lord Kartikeya for a good Husband.

Sharad (or Kaumudi) Purnima is considered the night when the Moon is nearest to Earth and radiates its purest beams. These moonbeams are believed to pour down streams of amrita (nectar)- purifying, healing, and spiritually uplifting.

Raas Purnima: The Supreme Pastime of Sri Krishna

Scriptures glorify Sharad Purnima as the night when the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Lord Krishna performed His most exalted pastime, the Raas-lila on this night. This lila is not mundane or worldly, but supremely pure, spiritual, and transcendental.

Lord Krishna is sat-chit-anand vigraha, the embodiment of eternity, knowledge and bliss. The Gopis too are of the same nature, having spiritual bodies, not material ones. Because both Krishna and the Gopis are on the spiritual platform, their relationship and loving exchanges are completely transcendental and pure.

By hearing and meditating on this sublime pastime, our own hearts are cleansed of material impurities. Unlike worldly tales of human love, which may stir lower desires, the transcendental pastimes of Krishna with the Gopis uplifts our soul, inspiring pure devotion (suddha-bhakti).

How the Pastime Unfolded?

On that beautiful night by the banks of Yamuna, Krishna played His flute at the vamshi-vata. The melody enchanted the hearts of all. The Gopis, irresistibly drawn by His sound, abandoned everything and came to join Him.

At that divine gathering, the beautiful Raas dance was performed. The very famous Gopi Geet was also sung by the Gopis on this day. These pastimes are narrated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapters 29–33, also called Raas-Panchadhyaya (the five chapters of Raas).

For this reason, Sharad Purnima is especially cherished by devotees, as it marks the night when Krishna performed His most beautiful pastime. Thousands of Gopis gathered, and the Lord expanded Himself into thousands of forms to dance and reciprocate with each one. Such is the boundless affection of the Lord for His devotees.

How to observe Sharad Purnima?

Raas Purnima is celebrated with immense joy and devotion at the ISKCON Bhiwandi temple. Devotees engage in singing bhajans and kirtans to delight the Lord, while discourses on the Raas-lila pastimes are also organized. The deities are adorned in new attire, accompanied by special decorations featuring the moon and stars. In Vrindavan, on this sacred night, devotees offer kheer (sweet rice preparation) under moonlight. Later, this kheer is shared as prasadam.

The next day marks the beginning of Kartik month, also known as urja-vrata. This month is especially dear to Srimati Radharani. Devotees intensify their spiritual practices and devotional service. During Kartik, devotees offer ghee lamps to Yashoda–Damodar deities twice daily. Many also undertake Dhaam Yatra, pilgrimages to holy places, in Kartik as part of heightened devotional expression.

Let’s honour Sharad Purnima by reflecting on Krishna’s divine pastimes and nurturing our devotion. You may also contribute to the temple’s service, spreading His mercy to many more devotees.

Kindly visit:https://www.iskconbhiwandi.org/kartik