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