Puran Purushottam Prabhu Shri Krishna is an ocean of 16 divine qualities. His lilas span the 6 seasons. 16 multiplied by 6 is 96. If this is multiplied by 3, representing the three types of devotees, rajas, tamas and satvik, it reaches the sum of 288. Adding to that, the 12 months, one reaches 300. By adding the 60 minutes of an hour a total of 360 is obtained and therefore a 360 thread cotton pavitra is offered to Prabhu.

One year has 360 days. After taking Brahm Sambandh each vaishnav should perform seva daily offering new clothes and food preparations to Thakurji. However, human beings have limited capacity and are unable to fulfill this in totality. Therefore, by offering a 360 thread pavitra, the clothing seva of an entire year is represented. Prabhu is compassionate and bestows His grace by accepting this as a full year's seva.

WHY IS A COTTON PAVITRA CALLED 'PAVITRA' (SACRED)

That which is most beloved to us, the most pure and sacred, should be offered to Prabhu. Cotton is considered to be the most beautiful, pure and sacred and therefore is utilized in all vedic rituals. Of all things, cotton is the most quickly consumed by fire and for these reasons is considered to be sacred.

Shri Hariraiji wrote a treatise entitled 'PA VITRAMANDAN'. In a 360 thread cotton pavitra 108 knots are tied just as there are 108 knots in a mankamala (Japmala) through which, Bhagavad bhajan and bhava is perfected. In a couplet from the scriptures:

Kruthe lashamtu varshanitrathayamyutam ththa
Dhuvapure thu sastrani kaloo varshratam samrutam

These words express that in Satyuga, life spans one lakh years, in Tretayuga ten thousand years, Dwaparyuga one thousand years and in Kaliyuga life span is not subject to any rules. One can be freed of one destined span and obtain pleasure even in a moment, by the repetition of Bhagvad name one hundred times is sufficient to absolve one of their faults.

According to Shri Mahaprabhuji's instructions, four kinds of pavitras are prepared and offered, each with its own individual bhava.

Kesri, Champa, yellow-satvik, predominant Swaminiji, Radhaji's bhava red, pink-rajas, Chandrvaliji's bhava green-tamas, Radha sahacheri, kumarika's bhava blue, purple-nirguna, Yamunaji's bhava.

The great Ashtasakha poet and Bhagvad bhakta

Paramananddasji describes pavitra:
Paitra peharth rajkumar
Thinulok pavitra kiya hai shri vithalgirdhar
Aathi hi pavitra priya bahu bileshAt
Nirkhat bhavan bhayo bhar
Parmanand pavitra kimala
Gokul ki brajnari.

16.1

continued

INDEX    1    1.1   2     3     3.1    4    5     6    7    8     9     10    10.1    10.2   

11     11.1     11.2     11.3    11.4    11.5    11.6    11.7    11.8    12    12.1     12.2     12.3     12.4     13     14     14.1    15    15.1    16    16.1    16.2

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