Sharad Purnima :The Divine Night of Love and Devotion

Sharad Purnima is one of the most auspicious Purnima in Hindu lunar calendar, celebrated in different parts of India with diffretn traditions & rituals. It will be observed on 6th October, 2025, in the holy month of Ashwin. This auspicious day is known for the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna - Rasa Lila.

It is the night for the soul to remember the beautiful and eternal bond of Lord Krishna with his devotees. And, remind us of the value of attaining selfless and pure devotion throughout our life.

What is Sharad Purnima

At the beginning of harvesting and at the end of the monsoon season, a divine festival is celebrated- ‘Sharad Purnima’. It is believed that all six of the sixteenth phases of the moon are especially bright on this day of the year. Also, the moon showers nectar everywhere on the earth. Devotees often prepare sweet offerings to offer to Lord Krishna.

Beyond everything, it is the devotional remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna and his topmost devotees(gopis). On this night, Lord Krishna invites the gopis with his flute, to meet him in the forest. This meeting is a mutual expression of unconditional love and devotion, which is impossible to understand with an undevoted & materialistic heart.

The Divine Rasa Lila:

Rasa Lila - It is defined as the divine expression of love and devotion. It is something spiritually transcendental that one can never understand with Dehatma Buddhi(Material Concept of life).

"Dehatma Buddhi" means the false identification- ‘I am this body’, but the truth is that we are the eternal soul, servant of Lord Krishna. Rasa Lila is the divine dancing of Lord Krishna with his devotees in the highest form of love. Now, when we say ‘highest form’, it can not be compared with anything materialistic. It is the dancing activity of Lord Krishna with the damsels of Vraja as an exchange of pure love.

Once the gopis gathered on Lord Krishna’s call, in the forest, he expanded himself into an exact number of gopis and danced with them. This rasa dance between the gopis and Lord Krishna represents the most intimate exchange between the infinitesimal soul (Jivatma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramatama) without any tinge of material desire for sense gratification.

The reason behind using the word ‘sense gratification’ is to clarify the wrong picture people have in their minds about Rasa-Lila. Anything the Lord does is obviously completely different from what we do, we do everything for the enjoyment of our senses(sense gratification). While, Lord is far above senses and their bondages.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, it is described that hearing the pastimes of Lord Krishna with faith in oneself can help overcome the lustiness of the materialistic sense of gratification.

“vikrīḍitaṁ vraja-vadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ

śraddhānvito ’nuśṛṇuyād atha varṇayed yaḥ

bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati pratilabhya kāmaṁ

hṛd-rogam āśv apahinoty acireṇa dhīraḥ”

SB 10.33.39

Translation: Anyone who faithfully hears or describes the Lord’s playful affairs with the young gopīs of Vṛndāvana will attain the Lord’s pure devotional service. Thus he will quickly become sober and conquer lust, the disease of the heart.

Although for the people without any faith— Prabhupada said: “A person who is free from all the material desires can understand the Rasa-Lila, Otherwise, one might confuse it with materialistic affairs”.

Hence, this festival serves as a reminder to awaken one’s soul to realize the ultimate truth—devotion.
Such devotion is cultivated through the continuous hearing of Krishna's pastimes under the guidance of His pure devotees. The journey of understanding the Supreme Lord begins with the study of the Bhagavad Gita, which provides the foundational knowledge of spiritual life. Thereafter, one should proceed to the Srimad Bhagavatam, studying it systematically from Canto 1 through Canto 9.

Although each canto is independent and spiritually complete, reading them in sequence is recommended to develop a proper philosophical understanding and devotional maturity. This disciplined approach enables one to fully grasp the transcendental nature of the Lord’s activities. With this firm foundation, one can then approach Canto 10, which reveals the intimate and divine pastimes of Lord Krishna—not as ordinary events, but as transcendental acts beyond the material realm.

Glories of Lord's Pastimes are beautifully described in Srimad Bhagavatam: 

तव कथामृतं तप्तजीवनं
कविभिरीडितं कल्मषापहम् ।
श्रवणमङ्गलं श्रीमदाततं
भुवि गृणन्ति ये भूरिदा जना: ॥ ९ ॥ 

~ SB 10.31.9

The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent.

Moonlight Kheer – A Tradition of Devotion

A very well-known tradition, the preparation of sweet kheer and left under the moonlight for a few hours before serving it to Lord Krishna, is followed by many Brajvasis. It is said that moonlight showers nectar on everyone and everything. Hence, people prepare offerings, get them nectarized by the moonlight and offer them to Lord Krishna, as an expression of love for the Lord.

Why do we need to nectarine the prasadam when it has to be served to the Lord? When we nectarize the prasadam, it is not just about nectarizing but honoring one of the powers of Lord Krishna- ‘The Moon’.

Also, In Vedic Puranas, the moon is considered to be associated with Dehatma Buddhi(mind). So, when we honor the moon with offerings, he blesses us with mind purification and clarification. And, it is ultimately required to focus on the name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead- ‘Lord Krishna’

Tradition of Kojagari – Staying Awake for Blessings

In the eastern states of India, Sharad Purnima is celebrated as Kojagari. It is defined as ‘Ko-jagari’, which means ‘who is awake’? It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi blessed those who stay awake the entire night on this day.

On the day of spiritual observance, staying awake is helpful in overcoming the tamasic quality(sleepiness) in oneself. Devotees often engage in devotional kirtans and chant the holy names of Lord Krishna throughout the night.

How Devotees Celebrate Sharad Purnima

There are several ways a devotee observes the auspicious day of Sharad Purnima. And, everyone must follow the same ways to honor the devotion of Lord Krishna’s devotees.

1. Wake up in the early morning dring Brahma Mahurata(4-6) AM and observe the fasting.

2. Prepare offerings for Lord Krishna- Fruits, sweet prasadam, flowers, tulsi leaves, etc.

3. Chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra throughout the day.

4. Visit the Hare Krishna Temple and attend the kirtan programs to fill your senses with the taste of Lord Krishna’s name.

5. Donate as per your capability to help the people/ animals in need. This is considered one of the most blissful activities to please Lord Krishna.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Which day is Sharad Purnima? In 2025, Sharad Purnima falls on Monday, 6th October in the full moon day(Purnima). It is considered one of the most divine festivals in the Hindu Lunar Calendar.

2. Why do we celebrate Sharad Purnima is celebrated? Sharad Purnima is celebrated to purify the mind and senses. It includes hearing about the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna, honoring the power of Chandra Dev (The Moon), which ultimately clarifies the mind for Bhakti.

3. Why donate on Sharad Purnima? In general, donation is considered an act of devotional service. On an auspicious day like Sharad Purnima, Charity is the opportunity to open a gate for spirituality in one’s life.

The Moon Rises, So May Our Devotion

“Once faith's seed is sown and grows, eternal devotion gently flows.”

Every living entity is bound by the three qualities of nature - Sattva-guṇa, Rajo-guṇa and Tamo-guṇa. These qualities interfere with the devotional desire of oneself, resulting in an unfaithful attitude towards the Lord’s divine activities. To conquer this, one should practice hearing the holy name of Lord Krishna, the pastimes of Lord Krishna and his pure Vaishnava devotees, visit the temple to receive the divine glance of Lord Krishna, and donate to the poor people/ helpless animals.

A very happy Sharad Purnima, May Lord Krishna bless your soul with purity and devotion. Visit Gupt Vrindavan Dham Today, and take the blessings of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram.