Śāstra teaches many things, but it does not openly teach about Kātyāyanī-vrata. This
vrata is hidden. It is not meant for everyone. Following it is only possible for someone who,
inspired by Śrī Guru-pāda-padma, has a strong desire to do so.
Kātyāyanī-vrata is not for karmīs, jñānis, andyogīs. It is specifically meant for those who wish to serve Śrīmatī Rādhārānī under the guidance of the Vraja-devīs. It is not for those in śānta, dāsya, sakhya, or vātsalya-rasa, but only for those who aspire to serve Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in mādhurya-rasa.
By truly following this vrata, you will become naked—naked of material desires, possessions, and everything you previously valued. Following this vrata will make you a sannyāsī. If you do not fear renouncing everything, becoming a destitute beggar in rags, going door to door, having no more helpers, friends, or relatives, then you can try to follow this vrata. But if you want sense gratification, like the opulence of Dvārakā, health,
wealth, name and fame, followers, disciples, temples, and so on, then there is no need for you to follow this vrata. This vrata has a completely different goal. It is against this material world, against the material body, mind, and senses.
For those who are determined to follow this vrata despite all forewarnings, and who want to
learn about the transcendental result of following this vrata, for them we will discuss the origin of this vrata and its benefits.
At the end of Dvāpara-yuga, five thousand years ago, Śukadeva Gosvāmī spoke the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to Parīkṣit Mahārāja. Parīkṣit Mahārāja heard how, in Tretā-yuga, Lord Rāmacandra went to the Daṇḍakāraṇya forest and met with the sages there. The sages prayed to Lord Rāma for a loving relationship with Him. They had been chanting the
gopāla-mantra for a long time. Rāmacandra said, “In this present incarnation I cannot accept you as you desire, but when I next appear as Kṛṣṇa, in Dvāpara-yuga, you will take birth in Vraja in the families of gopas. At that time, I will accept you as
My beloveds.”
As the Lord declared, so it came to be. The sages achieved svarūpa-siddhi and took birth in
Vraja from the wombs of gopīs. This is described by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī in Gopāla-campū.
Early in the morning, at the age of three, these sādhana-siddha gopīs were collecting flowers and peacock feathers near the bank of the Yamunā. They had natural love for Kṛṣṇa and thus collected all kinds of things that give Kṛṣṇa happiness.
As the young gopīs were doing this, a beautiful flute sound entered their ears and made their hearts restless. They sat and closed their eyes and only drank this nectar, losing taste for everything else. After a long time, their external sense returned, but their bodies had no more strength—they felt empty and lost. When they returned home, their parents were concerned for them, seeing that they did not eat anything and appeared morose. The gopīs would not respond to the inquiries of their parents and only remained in a corner of their rooms weeping. When other gopīs came to visit, they did not speak to each other, but only sat and cried together without expressing the pain that had overwhelmed their hearts.
The next morning at three, these gopīs went in groups to the bank of the Yamunā. As they walked, they sang together and this uplifted their hearts somewhat. Arriving at the Yamunā, they prayed there, bathed, and sang of the beauty and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa. For some days the gopīs continued this practice. Gradually, their longing for Kṛṣṇa increased until it was unbearable.
On the first day of the hemanta season, Bhagavatī Paurṇamāsī arrived at the Yamunā and came amidst the sādhana-siddha gopīs. She told them, “Dear gopīs, I understand the pain in your heart. I know why you are suffering. You heard the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute and drank its nectar. Now you cannot bear being apart from Him. Although you are quite young, your desire has matured. I understand everything. Today I will give you a mantra to follow as a vrata for this month. By doing so, all your desires will be fulfilled. Every morning, continue to come here to the Yamunā. Make a deity of Devī out of sand and worship her with āsana, pādya, ācamana, arghya, bhoga, śṛṅgāra, ārati, and puṣpāñjali. Then chant this mantra intently while meditating on your objective. Devī will directly accept your pūjā and fulfill your desire.”
This pastime is explained with slight differences by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī and Śrīla Kavi Karṇapura Gosvāmī.
Hari-katha spoken by Sripada Premananda Prabhu; rendition by Rasik Mohan Das
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