Your Thakuraji’s Water Sports part one

Mahanidhi Swami

For the pleasure of your Thakurajis, devotees should place their Giriraja or Shaligrama shilas in a container of cool, fragrant water mixed with tulasi, flowers and sandalwood paste on the hot sunny days (above 32 C.). That means NOW from April to August (India), from 9 a.m. til sunset. Then remove Thakuraji and place Him on His singhasana.

For murtis i.e. Radha-Krishna, Gaura-Nitai, this seva means placing a small water fountain before Thakuraji. Srila Prabhupada describes, “Fountains can still be seen in various temples of Vrindavana during the summer season. It is a small, aromatic fountain of flowers fixed in front of the Deities.” (Krishna Book 45)

Here’s the details of this wonderful seva from Srila Sanatana Goswamipada’s Hari bhakti-vilasa (15.1-18):

The description starts with a prayer glorifying Gauranga’s grace. “By the mercy of Sri Chaitanya, even the most fallen can observe grand festivals i.e. water sports (jala vihara) for the pleasure of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. I take shelter of Sri Chaitanya.”

“After performing your regular daily puja, place Thakuraji in a container of water coming from either a gold, silver, copper or clay vessel. And please remember: DO NOT PUT Thakuraji in water on cloudy days.

“Because Vishnu created water; lies in it and because water is very dear to Vishnu, one should worship Hari by placing Him in water, especially during the hot season, jalsrashta yato visnur, jalashayi jalapriya, tasmad grishme visheshana, jalstham pujayed harim.”

Giriraja Dharan jala-keli utsava ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!