CHAPTER SEVEN

Unlimited Forms of Godhead

These twelve different Vaikuntha Forms of Lord Krishna are known as
the predominating deities for the twelve months. According to the Vaishnava
almanac, the months are called by the different Names of Krishna. This calen-
dar begins from the month of Margasirsa, equivalent to late October-Novem-
ber. The month of November is known by the Vaishnavas as Kesava.
December is called Narayan. January is called Madhab, and February is
Govinda. March is Vishnu, April Vasudeva, May Trivikram and June
Vamana. July is called Sridhar; August Hrishikesha, September is called
Padmanava and October is Damodar.

This Damodar is different from the Damodar in Vraja. The Name Damodar
was given when Krishna was bound by ropes by His mother—but the Damo-
dar Form in the month of October is a different manifestation. Similarly, the
Vaishnava community marks different parts of the body and each mark is
known by one of these twelve different Names of the Supreme Lord. The
mark on the forehead is called Kesava, and on the belly, the breast and on the
arms there are different Names, the same as those of the months.

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