Bhadra Purnima

What is Bhadra Purnima?

Bhadra Purnima is the full moon day of Bhadra, the month also called Bhadrapada, and Vaishnavas keep it in honour of Srimad-Bhagavatam. In 2027 it falls on Wednesday, 15 September.

Significance

In its final chapter, Srimad-Bhagavatam names this full moon and the gift that suits it:

If on the full moon day of the month of Bhādra one places Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam on a golden throne and gives it as a gift, he will attain the supreme transcendental destination.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.13.13

In his purport Srila Prabhupada explains why the book is placed on a golden throne. The Bhagavatam is the king of all literature, and on this full moon the sun, to which the book is compared, stands in the sign of Leo as if seated on a royal throne. In 2027 the day is also Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava, and devotees remember that on this day Srila Prabhupada accepted sannyasa.

How to observe it

Honour the Bhagavatam in a practical way. Give a full set, or a single canto, to someone close to you, or bring a copy into your home and place it on a clean, raised seat. You might also begin reading today and take up one verse each day. The Varaha Purana speaks of honouring the Bhagavatam with clothes, flowers, incense and a lamp, so decorating your copy with flowers is a fitting offering.