Adhishthata Bhagwan

Every Sacred Occasion Has a Presiding Lord

Indian civilization has assigned a presiding deity — an Adhishthata Dev — to every festival, observance, ritual, sacrifice, and even to the various elements of nature. Different celebrations for children, women, men, youth, elders, villagers, farmers, and servants have been a hallmark of Hindu civilization. This ensured honouring the priorities of different people — according to their abilities, circumstances, and inclinations. Behind this lay the Aryan vision of inclusiveness and acknowledging the divine glory within diversity.

The Month That Had No Lord

The Pauranik (ancient scriptural) story of Adhik Maas is just such a tale. Each of the twelve months of the year had its own presiding Sun deity namely: Varuna, Surya, Bhanu, Tapan, Chanda, Ravi, Gabhasti, Aryama, Hiranyareta, Divakar, Mitra, and Vishnu. But Adhik Maas — the extra month — had no presiding deity. And hence it was known as "Mal Maas" — the impure month. Because no solar transit (Surya Sankranti) occurs during this additional month, with the sun remaining in a single zodiac sign, it was considered inauspicious by all.

This deity-less month, heavy with sorrow, went to Bhagwan. And Bhagwan, pleased with its sincerity, claimed it as His own. He gave it His own name, bestowing upon it the title "Purushottam Maas." Not only that — He granted it special merit for auspicious deeds and the highest Punya (spiritual merit). The impure became spotless, the lowly became the most exalted.

You may know that the Bhagavatam itself is also called the Amal Puran — the spotless scripture.

When No One Else Is There, Bhagwan Is

The deeper meaning of this story is simply this: the one whom nobody claims, even that one belongs to Bhagwan. As a matter of fact, every creation in this universe is Ishwar's, and Bhagwan never rejects, scorns, or disowns anyone.

There is a well-known saying among us: "Bhagwan is the companion of the broken." In Hindi: Jiska koi nahi hota, uska bhi Khuda hota hai. The saints have said: "Nirbal ke bal Ram" — Ram is the strength of the powerless. The weak should never consider themselves weak, because Ram — the Supreme being of this universe — is their strength. Even when one has no position, prestige, power, or wealth, the understanding that Bhagwan is with me, he dwells within me — this understanding gives real strength.

Narsinh Mehta sang: "Who will offer a hand to the drowning?" Only Bhagwan can grasp our hand and carry us across. If we are to call anyone our master, let it be Bhagwan and no one else — this is a truth worth holding close.

Footprints in the Sand

Bhagwan never leaves anyone. He stands by everyone and always. Our friends, relatives, spouse, children, the wealth we have earned — all of these may step away in times of trial. But Bhagwan never abandons us. 1. He exists. 2. He is with us. 3. He is fully capable of protecting us. And 4. He is ever eager to love us.

A beautiful story comes to mind. A man in his later years sat reflecting on his life. On the screen of memory, the significant events of his life appeared one after another, as if unfolding along a seashore. Alongside each event, he could see two sets of footprints in the sand. He understood that one set was his own, and the other belonged to Bhagwan.

Suddenly, he noticed that during certain stretches, there was only one set of footprints. He connected the dots and realized these were the very periods when he had been passing through the toughest times of his life. He said: "Prabhu! You told me You would always be with me. That You would never leave my side. Then where did You disappear during my darkest days, when I needed You the most? Here I see only one set of footprints — what is the meaning of this?"

Prabhu smiled and replied: "My child, what I told you stands true. You are my beloved. I have never ever deserted you — not even in the hardest times. Look more carefully at those single footprints. Dear one, those are My footprints. Because in those difficult moments, I had lifted you up and carried you."

A Prayer

Let us make Bhagwan — our eternal companion — the Adhishthata (presiding Lord) of our lives. Let us understand that He already is. And may we rest our heads in the lap of that powerful, loving, ever-near God and live without fear — this is our prayer. The power to transform the "impure" into "Purushottam" lies only with Prabhu. O Lord, do the same with my life as well.