Sri Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June)?
I wish to hear from You the glories of this sacred day of Hari.
Please narrate everything to me"
Lord Sri Krishna said, "Oh king, your inquiry is wonderful because the answer will benefit the whole human society.
This Ekadasi is so sublime and meritorious that even the greatest sins can be erased by its purity.
"Oh great saintly king, the name of this unlimitedly meritorious Ekadasi is Apara Ekadasi.
Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe.
Even such sins as killing a brahmana, a cow, or an embryo; blasphemy; or having sex with another man's wife are completely eradicated by observing Apara Ekadasi.
Oh king people who bear false witness are most sinful.
A person who falsely or sarcastically glorifies another; one who cheats while weighing something on a scale; one who fails to execute the duties of his varna or Ashrama (an unqualified man's posing as a brahmin, for example, or a person's reciting the Vedas wrongly); one who invents his own scriptures; one who cheats others; one who is a charlatan astrologer, a cheating accountant, or a false Ayurvedic doctor.
All these are surely as bad as persons who bears false witness, and they are all destined for hellish punishments.
But simply by observing Apara Ekadasi, all such sinners become completely free of their sinful reactions.
Warriors who fall from their kshatriya-dharma and flee the battlefield go to a ferocious hell.
But, Oh Yudhishthira, even such a fallen kshatriya, if he observes fasting on the Apara Ekadasi, is freed of that great sinful reaction and goes to heaven.
That disciple is the greatest sinner who, after receiving a proper spiritual education from his spiritual master, turns around and blasphemes him.
Such a so-called disciple suffers unlimitedly.
But even he, rascal though he be, if he simply observes Apara Ekadasi, can attain to the spiritual world.
Listen, Oh king, as I describe to you further glories of this amazing Ekadasi.
The merit attained by one who performs all of the following acts of piety is equal to the merit achieved by one who observes Apara Ekadasi:
bathing three times daily in Pushkara-kshetra during Kartika (October-November); bathing at Prayag in the month of Magh (January-February) when the sun is in the zodiac of Capricorn; rendering service to Lord Shiva at Varanasi (Benares) during Shiva-ratri; offering oblations to one's forefathers at Gaya; bathing in the sacred Gautami River when Jupiter transits Leo (Simha); having darshan of Lord Shiva at Kedarnatha; seeing Lord Badrinath when the Sun transits the sign of Aquarius (Kumbha); and bathing at the time of a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra and giving cows, elephants, and gold there in charity.
All the merit one gets from performing these pious acts is gained by a person who observes the Apara Ekadasi fast.
Also, the merit attained by one who donates a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land, is attained by one who fasts on this day.
In other words, Apara Ekadasi is an axe that cuts down the fully matured forest full of trees of sinful deeds, it is a forest fire that burns sins as if they were kindling firewood, it is the sun blazing before one's dark misdeeds, and it is a lion stalking the meek deer of impiety.
Therefore, Oh Yudhishthira, whoever truly fears his past and present sins must observe Apara Ekadasi very strictly.
One who does not observe this fast must be born again in the material world, like one bubble among millions in a huge body of water, or like a small ant among all other species.
Therefore one must faithfully observe the sacred Apara Ekadasi and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Trivikrama.
One who does so is freed of all his sins and promoted to the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Oh Bharata, for the benefit of all humanity I have thus described to you this the importance of the holy Apara Ekadasi.
Anyone who hears or reads this description is certainly freed from all kinds of sins, oh best of saintly kings, Yudhishthira.
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-krishna Ekadasi, or Apara Ekadasi, from the Brahmanda Purana.
NOTES:
1. Pushkara-kshetra, in western India, is the only place on Earth where a bonafide temple of Lord Brahma is to be found.
2. The Vedas declare, narah budbuda samah: "The human form of life is like a bubble in water".
In water, many bubbles form and then suddenly burst a few seconds later.
Thus if a person does not utilize his rare human body to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, his life has no more value or permanence than a bubble in water.
Therefore, as the Lord herein recommends, we should serve Him by fasting on Hari-vasara, or Ekadasi.
In this regard, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes in the Srimad Bhagavatam (SB 2:1:4 purport) :
"The great ocean of material nature is tossing with the waves of time, and the so-called living conditioned are something like foaming bubbles, which appear before us as bodily self, wife, children, society, countrymen, etc.
Due to a lack of knowledge of self, we become victimized by the force of ignorance and thus spoil the valuable energy of human life in a vain search after permanent living conditions, which are impossible in this material world."
For Ekadashi Seva: https://www.mayapur.com/donations/donationform/general
Hare Krishna Dear Devotees & Well-wishers,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
With hearts full of gratitude, we would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you who came forward to support and be part of the sacred celebrations of Sri Narasimhadeva.
This entire festival, from Narasimha Navaratri to the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadeva procession, and culminating in the grand Narasimha Mahotsava appearance day, carried a depth that is difficult to capture in words. There was a tangible sense of auspiciousness and mercy present throughout, something that could be felt in every moment.
Devotees of all ages came together, young children, newborns in their mothers’ arms, adults, elders, each one present not only physically, but with full heart and consciousness, gathered to receive the Lord’s mercy. Taking darshan felt like being carried in a flowing wave of devotion, as the crowd moved steadily, drawn in one direction, with a shared longing to catch even a single glimpse of the Lord on His appearance day.
From the yajnas to the sankalpa offerings, from the heartfelt prayers to the continuous kirtan, every moment held a blissfful intensity. During these sacred ceremonies, all of your names were included in the offerings, and prayers were made on your behalf, seeking the protection, mercy, and blessings of Sri Narasimhadeva for you and your loved ones.
The Abhishek ceremony unfolded with great devotion. From the offering of various sacred items, to the chanting of mantras, to the flower abhishek, each step was performed with attention and sincerity. The kirtan resonated deeply, creating an atmosphere that drew the heart inward.
As the evening progressed, bhoga was offered to the Lord, and shortly after, He gave darshan adorned in golden armor. It was a moment that left a lasting impression, deeply moving and spiritually grounding for all ther hearts that has been waiting to get the Lord last darshan for the day!
Behind all of this was the steady, dedicated service of many hands and hearts. From the tireless efforts of HG Krishna Caitanya Prabhu and the pujari departments, to the wider devotee community who set aside their personal schedules to serve, each contribution played its part. The altar was transformed with artistry, ornaments and jewelry were prepared with attention and devotion, and every offering, from the kitchen to the temple hall, reflected a shared intention to serve the Lord with sincerity.
It came together as something deeply heartfelt, an offering shaped by devotion, care, and collective service.
None of this would have been possible without your support. Your contributions and willingness to serve made you a part of this sacred offering, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
We would also like to warmly invite you to be part of next year’s Sri Narasimhadev Caturdashi celebrations.
Additionally, an upcoming very special time is approaching, Purushottama Month, which occurs once every three years. This highly auspicious month will be observed from May 17 to June 15. It is a rare opportunity to deepen one’s spiritual practice and receive special blessings, and we invite you to participate in this sacred period as well.
Also, today there will be festival celebrations at Rajapur Jagannath. We warmly encourage you to take this opportunity to have darshan.
Once again, thank you for your heartfelt support and seva.
May Sri Narasimhadeva always protect and guide you.
With gratitude and prayers,
Mayapur.com Team
Haribol
His Grace Agnidev Prabhu was a deeply cherished devotee within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, known across the world for his heartfelt kirtans, gentle nature, and lifelong dedication to spreading the holy name. Born in Trinidad and Tobago and later raised in New York, he came into contact with devotees in the early years of the movement and formally joined ISKCON in 1973 under the guidance of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. From that moment, his life became fully centered on devotional service.
Though he had natural musical talent and once aspired toward a musical career, he chose instead to offer his voice completely in service to Krishna. What began as simple participation in kirtan gradually blossomed into a lifetime of service that spanned more than four decades. Agnidev Prabhu became widely known as a deeply meditative and powerful kirtaniya, whose singing carried sincerity, emotion, and spiritual depth. His kirtans were not performances, but genuine offerings, able to uplift hearts, unite devotees, and create a sacred atmosphere wherever he went.
Throughout his life, he served not only through kirtan but also as a teacher and leader within the movement. He traveled extensively, sharing the holy name across countries and communities, conducting kirtans, harinams, and festivals. He also served as a temple president and guide to many, always encouraging others in their spiritual lives with humility and warmth. To countless devotees, his voice became familiar, present in temples, gatherings, and even in their homes, bringing a sense of shelter, connection, and remembrance of Krishna.
In more recent years, especially during the Covid period and beyond, his association became even more meaningful for so many. Through kirtans and online gatherings, he continued to nourish the hearts of devotees around the world, offering strength and spiritual comfort during uncertain times. His dedication never wavered, he gave himself fully, again and again, simply to share the holy name with others.
As shared by devotees, Agnidev Prabhu departed this world surrounded by Vaishnavas, immersed in kirtan, a deeply peaceful and sacred moment that reflected the very essence of his life. Even those present who were not familiar with devotional culture were touched by the spiritual atmosphere, witnessing something rare and profound. It was a passing filled with the same devotion he had embodied throughout his life.
Though his physical presence is no longer with us, his legacy continues to live on, in every kirtan melody he shared, in every heart he touched, and in every soul inspired by his devotion. His memories remain like precious jewels in our hearts, especially within the Mayapur community, where his association has been so deeply felt. He may no longer be physically present among us, but through his kirtans and his service, he remains with us always.
With this spirit of love, gratitude, and remembrance, we warmly invite you to gather together as a community to honor His Grace Agnidev Prabhu. We will come together in kirtan, bhajans, and heartfelt glorifications, remembering his life, his service, and the profound impact he had on all of us.
Date: Sunday, 3rd May 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Soul to Soul (Mayapur)
Please come and be part of this offering as we gather with love, gratitude, and devotion, remembering him through the very kirtans he so selflessly gave to the world.
Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna Dear Devotees & Well-wishers,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
As we continue through the sacred days of Narasimha Navaratri, the anticipation is building with just **2 days remaining** before the divine appearance of **Sri Narasimhadeva**, the protector of the universe.
Yesterday, April 27th, was truly unforgettable…
The beginning of the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadeva Parikrama was simply magical as the Lord rode on His Simha Vahana.
As the Lord came out to give His merciful darshan, devotees eagerly gathered to receive His blessings. The path was decorated with vibrant rangolis. The Lord made several stops along the way, gracefully parading across the campus, accepting offerings and arati from devotees—just as is the cherished tradition here in Mayapur, and the sound of kirtan created a deeply spiritual and uplifting mood.
It truly felt like a moment of grace, simple, powerful, and unforgettable.
Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadeva Shobha Yatra (April 27–29)
For three auspicious days, Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadeva continues to bless all devotees through His **grand procession (Shobha Yatra)**, riding on three divine vahanas:
Gaja Vahana – Elephant carrier
Garuda Vahana – Garuda carrier
Simha Vahana – Lion carrier
Each day offers a unique darshan and a chance to connect more deeply with the Lord.
April 28 (Dvadasi): Maha Sudarshana & Narasimha Yajna
On this sacred Dvadasi, the powerful **Maha Sudarshana Yajna** along with the **Narasimha Yajna** will be performed.
These yajnas are performed for:
Protection from obstacles and negativity
Spiritual purification and strength
Invoking divine blessings for all
We warmly invite you to take darshan and be part of this sacred offering.
April 29–30: Narahari Nama Kirtan
Continuing the celebrations, we will have **non-stop Narahari Nama Kirtan**:
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (both days)
Let us come together and immerse ourselves in the holy names, creating a space of devotion and joy.
A Loving Invitation to Serve
These sacred festivals are carried out through the devotion and support of the Vaishnava community.
If you feel inspired, you can offer your seva by contributing towards:
Yajna arrangements
Bhoga offerings
Decorations and festival seva
Supporting kirtan and devotee services
Every offering becomes a direct service to Sri Narasimhadeva.
Donate Now: https://www.mayapur.com/festivals/Narasimha-Caturdasi
As we approach this divine appearance day, let us take shelter with sincerity and faith.
May Sri Narasimhadeva protect and guide us always.
With prayers and gratitude,
Gopijanavallabha Das
Haribol
