THE GLORIES OF KARTIKA

Rules and regulations for observing Kartik plus additional explanation of Damodarastakam Prayer which should be sung and deeply meditated upon everyday during Radhika's holy month.

sarvatha saranapatti kartikadi-vrata, 'catuh-sasti anga' ei parama-mahattva

SYNONYMS sarvatha-in all respects; sarana-apatti-surrender; kartika-adi-vrata-to observe special vows in the month of Karttika; catuh-sasti anga-sixty-four parts; ei-this; parama-mahattva-very important items.

TRANSLATION "Thirty-four: One should surrender to Krsna in all respects. (35) One should observe particular vows like kartika-vrata. These are some of the sixty-four important items of devotional service. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 22.128)

Performing Devotional Service in Karttika

"One of the most important of these ceremonial functions is called Urja-vrata. Urja-vrata is observed in the month of Karttika (October-November); especially in Vrndavana, there is a specific program for temple worship of the Lord in His Damodara form. "Damodara" refers to Krsna's being bound with rope by His mother, Yasoda. It is said that just as Lord Damodara is very dear to His devotees, so the month known as Damodara or Karttika is also very dear to them.

"The execution of devotional service during Urja-vrata in the month of Karttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathura. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathura or Vrndavana and stay there during the month of Karttika specifically to perform devotional services during this period. In the Padma Purana it is said, "The Lord may offer liberation or material happiness to a devotee, but after some devotional service has been executed, particularly in Mathura during the month of Karttika, the devotees want only to attain pure devotional service unto the Lord." The purport is that the Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Karttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathura in India, are very easily awarded the Lord's personal service." (Srila Prabhupada in NOD chap. 12)

How to Observe?

(Srila Prabhupada Conversation with a disciple)

Devotee (2): Srila Prabhupada, today is the beginning of urja-vrata (the Kartik vrata). Can you describe what that is, urja-vrata, how it should be observed?

Prabhupada: Urja-vrata, you chant Hare Krsna twenty-four hours one month (laughter) That's all.

Gurudasa: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna...

Prabhupada: Yes. Don't sleep, don't eat. This is urja-vrata. Can you execute?

Devotee (1): I don't know. (laughter)

(Srila Prabhupada lecture 18/10/72 in Vrndavana Radha Damodara Mandir)

Quotes from Mathura Mahatyam by Srila Rupa Gosvami

Residing in Mathura During the Month of Karttika

In the Karttika-mahatmya, Narada says: By bathing in sacred places and giving charity during the month of Karttika, a person in any country attains piety equal to an agnihotra-yajna.

Text 168

krsna-salokya-do masah puja-snanais ca karttikah

anyah puryas tat-samana bhavanti mathuram vina

In Mathura bathing and worship during the month of Karttika place one on the same planet as Lord Krsna. No other holy place is equal to Mathura.

Text 169

damodaratvam hi hares tatraivasit yatah kila

mathurayam tatas turjo vaikuntha-priti-vardhanah

karttiko mathurayam vai paramavadhir isyate

The month of Karttika, when Lord Hari enjoyed His Damodara-pastime in Mathura, delights Lord Vaikuntha. The month of Karttika spent in Mathura brings the supreme destination.

Text 170

yatha maghe prayagah syad vaisakhe jahnavi tatha

karttike mathura sevya tatrotkarsah paro na hi

As Prayaga should be served in the month of Magha, and the Ganges in the month of Vaisakha, so Mathura should be served in the month of Karttika. Nothing is better than that service.

Text 171

mathurayam narair urje snatva damodaro 'rcitahkrsna-rupa hi te jneya natra karya vicarana

They who, after properly bathing, worship Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika, attain forms like that of Lord Krsna. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 172

durlabhah karttiko vipra mathurayam nrnam iha

yatrarcitah svakam rupam bhaktebhyah samprayacchati

O brahmanas, residence in Mathura during Karttika is a rare attainment for humans. To they who worship Him there and then the Lord gives their original spiritual forms.

Text 173

bhuktim muktim harir dadyad arcito 'nyatra sevinam

bhaktim tu na dadaty eva yato vasya-kari hareh

When He is worshiped in any other place, Lord Hari gives only liberation or sense-gratification to His servants. He does not give them pure devotional service, for that service brings Him under their dominion.

Text 174

sa tv anjasa harer bhaktir labhyate karttike naraih

mathurayam sakrd api sri-damodara-sevanat

By once serving Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika, the people can easily attain pure devotional service to Lord Hari.

Text 175

mantra-dravya-vihinam ca vidhi-hinam ca pujanam

manyate karttike devo mathurayam mad-arcanam

They who, even without proper mantras and offerings, and without properly following the rules, worship Him in Mathura during Karttika, the Lord considers His true devotees.

Text 176

yasya papasya yujyeta marananta hi niskrtih

tac-chuddhy-artham idam proktam prayascittam su-niscitam

karttike mathurayam vai sri-damodara-pujanam

The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is: worship Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika.Text 177

sulabha mathura loke pratyabdam karttikas tatha

tathapi samsarantiha nara mudha bhavambudhau

Although Mathura is easy to visit in this world, and although Karttika comes every year, the fools still swim in the ocean of repeated birth and death.

Text 179

yani sarvani tirthani nada nadyah saramsi ca

karttike nivasanty atra mathure sarva-mandale

All holy places and all holy rivers, streams, and lakes reside in the circle of Mathura during Karttika.

Text 180

Sparopahasam uddisya karttike hari-sevaya

mathurayam labhed bhaktim kim punah sraddhaya narah

They who as a joke serve Lord Hari during Karttika in Mathura will attain pure devotional service, what to speak of they who serve the Lord with faith and devotion.

Text 181

tatraiva dhumrakesam prati yama-vakyam

tasman nrpatmaja sreyah param kincin na-not; vidyate

karttike mathurayam ca sri-damodara-pujanat

Yamaraja says to Dhumrakesa:

Therefore, O prince, nothing is better than to serve Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika.

Residence in Mathura During Prabodhini tithi

In the Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya, it is said:

When Lord Visnu does not wake from His happy sleep on Prabodhini tithi, then all the holy places roar with asvamedha-yajnas. Note: Prabodhini tithi is the first ekadasi in the month of Karttika. On that day the Lord awakens from His four-month-long nap.

Text 186

mathurayam tu kim vacyam jagare hari-sannidhau

karttike bodhinim prapya tatah sreyah param hi na

What can be said about approaching the Deity of Lord Hari when He awakens in Mathura? No day is better than the Prabodhini day in the month of Karttika.

Text 187

rajyam anyatra santyajya sphitam nihata-kantakam

karttike mathurayam vai kaimutyam jagaram caret

One should leave any other great and peaceful kingdom, and in Mathura stay awake through the night during Prabodhini in the month of Karttika. What place is better than Mathura for this?

Residing in Mathura During Dvadasi in Karttika Month

In the Visnu Purana it is said:

A person who during the Sukla-dvadasi in the month of Karttika bathes in the Yamuna and sees the Deity of Lord Hari in Mathura attains the supreme destination.

Text 189

atha bhisma-pancake padme bhismam prati sri-krsna-vacanam

tvaya krte vrate pascat khyasyate bhisma-pancakam

ye tatra janma-bhumau me karisyanti maha-vratam

mathurayam tu gangeya tesam bhaktih kare sthita

Residing in Mathura During Bhisma-pancaka (goes from Utthana Ekadasi til Purnima)

In the Padma Purana, Sri Krsna says to Bhisma:

O Gangeya, this vow you have followed will henceforth be known as Bhisma-pancaka. They who follow this great vow in My birthplace, Mathura, find pure devotional service resting in their hand.

Text 191

durlabho bhakti-yogo me mama vasya-vidhayakah

karttike mathurayam ca vratenanena labhyate

Pure devotional service to Me which, becausae it places Me under My devotee's dominion, is very difficult to attain, is easily attained by following this vow in Mathura during Karttika.

Text 192

puranantare ca sarvabhista-pradam proktam

mathure bhisma-pancakam

In another place in the Puranas it is said: Following the vow of Bhisma-pancaka in Mathura is said to fulfill all desires.

Text 193

yatha bhavisye bhisma-panca-dine prapte

mathura-mandale hareh nidra-ccheda-kare punye

paduke cavalokayet

In the Bhavisya Purana it is said: A person who observes Bhisma-pancaka and Prabodhini tithi in Mathura will see Lord Hari's splendid sandals.

Srila Bhaktivinoda's article quoted in Bhakti-prajnan Kesava Maharaja's book commenting on the Damodarastaka Prayers by Satyavrata Muni: "The observance of the Karttika-vrata is one of the most important things for the Vaisnavas. In accordance with these words, the vrata therefore begins on the waxing ekadasi that comes the day after Vijaya-dasami in the month of Asvina. And the vrata will be concluded on Utthana-ekadasi. That vrata which is observed during the month between these two dates is called niyama-seva. The rules of niyama-seva are: every day during this month, one must rise upon the last hour of the night, purify oneself and perform the mangala-arati of Sri Krsna. Then, after bathing in the morning, one should worship Lord Damodara. At night, one should light brilliant lamps filled with either ghee or sesame-seed oil, and place them in these places - in the Lord's temple, around the base of

tulasi plants, and in the sky. During the month of Kartika, one should eat only vegetarian foodstuffs and Bhagavan's prasad remnants. One should renounce excessive eating and sleeping, plus avoid using oil, wine, and bell-metal utensils. After honouring prasad, one should hear or recite scriptures headed by Srimad Bhagavatam in the company of Vaisnavas. There should be incessant harinama-kirtana and smarana. Thus passing the entire month in observance of such regulations, on the final Utthana-ekadasi day one should fast from everything including water and stay awake all night absorbed in Krsna-katha. On the next day, after first purifying oneself and engaging in hari-kirtana, one should serve the Lord's prasad to one's dearmost intimate Vaisnava associates, and when they are finished one may then honour prasad. That day, at the end of the night, the vrata will be completed.

The chief aim of observing this Urjja-vrata is to please Sri Radha-Damodara. Srimati Radharani is called Urjjesvari (the Queen of the Urjja-vrata). Only because of this, in order to establish the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara, the sage Satyavrata Muni uttered (in the eight verse of Damodarastaka) the words namo radhikayai tvadiya priyayai - "My obeisances unto Radhika, You most beloved." By this statement, he indicated that the sole activity to be done during the observance of Damodara-vrata is the worship of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara.

Among the 64 branches of bhakti followed by our Gaudiya Vaisnavas, we see that the observance of Urjja is listed. It is to be understood that one follows the Catur-masya-vrata completely only if one honours Urjja during it. Some devotees are of the opinion - "Because Catur-masya-vrata is not listed among the 64 branches of devotion, we will only follow the (one-month long) vow of Urjja; we will not undergo the difficulty of observing the entire four-month-long vow." In this way, those persons who attempt performing bhajana, but who are unaware of the deep meaning of the sastras, thereby remain in the indulgences of in discipline. Sriman Mahaprabhu Himself observed the Catur-masya-vrata while situated in many different places, and has thereby taught the practice by His own example. We cannot consider such persons, who are unable to follow the instructions that were enacted and preached by Mahaprabhu, to be part of the lineage of pure Vaisnavas.

At this point, we would like to mention that the principle of atma-nivedana is listed as one of the nine types of devotion (which are counted among the six types of surrender, saranagati). Is it understood, then, that by performing atma-nivedana (offering one's soul), the other five types of surrender are therefore unnecessary? The ultimate surrender among the six processes of saranagati is atma-nivedana - by this being listed as such, it is understood that engaging in the other forms of surrender are also recommended for the sadhaka. Thus it is accepted that a single sadhana takes the form of several different aspects.

Due to the eternal nature of Sri Sri Damodarastaka, it is necessary to study it every day during the month of Karttika (or Damodara).

PADMA PURANA ON KARTIKA VRATA quoted by Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Hari-bhakti Vilasa (the standard lawbook for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas)

Intro-if one neglects to perform the Kartika Vrata all his pious merits amassed in the passed are burned to ashes; his study of the Vedas becomes futile; and his performance of japa, charity, and austerity becomes fruitless.

Glories of Kartika Vrata-Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartika month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartika Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, whereas ordinary vratas only last for one lifetime! As Krsna says in Gita that He is the month of Nov-Dev, similarly, Srimati Radhika is the holy month of Kartik which precedes His month. Rupa Gosvami and others refer to Radharani as the

Kartika-devata or Kartika Devi, in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the Kartika Vrata.

Daily Offer-tulsi arotik, ghee lamp to Krsna and sing Damodarastakam, bathe in Yamuna if possible, give charity to pure devotees.

Dont Eat: grains given by others, honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods like sweets and fried foods, samosas, pakoras.

Dont Do: cut hair, nails, use things of others, criticize Vaisnavas, Vedas or anyone, no oil on body, do not find faults in others or be envious.

Prayer before beginning: "O gopikas! By your mercy may Radha and Krsna be pleased with my Kartika Vrata."

Benefits Observing Kartik Vrata: All sins flee from the heart. Perform other vratas one hundred times not equal to one performance of Kartik Vrata. All the holy places will live within your body. Proper performance of Kartik Vrata gives one a million times the result of chanting mantras, do yatras and other types of vratas. Those who worship Damodara in Vrndavana even once easily attain Krsna bhakti. Dhruva Maharaja attained Hari darsana by worshiping Krsna in Mathura during the Kartika month.

Summary of How to Follow the Kartika Vrata:

Remember--Kartika Vrata is a special time to worship Radha Damodara, and especially get the mercy of Radhika, since it is Her month, and She is very very easily pleased this month if one worships Her along with Her beloved Damodara.

Srila Prabhupada on When to Start Kartika Vrata: "In Vrndavana we should have Kartika Vrata, Urja Vrata, for one month beginning on Ekadasi (Pasanukusa) (Srila Prabhupada Tape 10/6/72)

Pasanukusa Ekadasi Morning: Offer prayer-"O Janardana, O Damodara, O Devesa who are accompanied by Radhika. During the month of Kartika, I will bathe early every morning for Your satisfaction."

1. Rise early every day by Brahma Muhurta, bathe, chant japa offer Mangala Arotik

2. Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, especially Radha and Krsna pastimes in Vrndavana,

daily in association of exalted Vaisnavas, if possible. By regularly reading Srimad Bhagavatam during Kartika month, one gets the benefit of reading all the eighteen 18 Puranas. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month.

3. Chant continually in japa and kirtan, Krsna nama, do extra rounds and more kirtana with family.

Must maintain celibacy for entire month

Give up favorite food article for entire month (sweets, salties) Try to eat only once in a day. *if you can do and carry on ordinary works*

Eat your meals only on palasa leaves (if possible, will give tremendous punya.)

No oil on body and NO EATING honey, eggplant, portal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame seeds, or urad dahl (no kichoris)

Daily sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning

Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krsna Deity or photo (no need Yasoda-Damodara photo)

Daily offer arotik and prayers to Tulsi devi praying for eternal residence in Vrndavana and eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna.

Daily chant the Radha-krpa katakasam, and Krsna krpa kataksam in Giti Guccha songbook

Also chant other prayers to Radha and Radha Krsna Yugala from the Giti Guccha songbook

ON Ekadasi, Dvadasis, and Purnima chant the one-thousand names of Radha

On the three Ekadasis in Kartik try to observe Nirjala Vrata and stay awake chanting hari nam, especially on the last one, Uttana Ekadasi, when Lord Visnu and all the demigods awake after four months slumber.

Donate charity to pure devotees

Offer special nice foods to Krsna for entire month. For example every day make sweet rice,(khira) which is the favorite food of Krsna.

BAHULASTAMI BATH IN Radha KUNDA- "Anyone who bathes in Radha-kunda on Bahulastami becomes a dear devotee of Lord Krsna, because this act highly pleases Him." (Hari-bhakti-vilasa)

BREAKING THE Kartika Vrata FAST: After sunrise and within the paran breaking period on the Dvadasi day after Uttana Ekadasi (if you started your Kartik Vrata on Pasanukusa Ekadasi),-offer arotik to Krsna and dedicate your vrata to Radha and Krsna for Their pleasure, worship the Vaisnava brahmanas by offering them presents plus a prasadam feast including the items that you fasted from during Kartika (sweets, milk products etc.) After honoring the brahmanas then break your Kartika Vrata fast by honoring the foods you abstained from (such as urad dahl, sweets, or whatever items.) Chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and Radhe Radhe Govinda, Govinda Radhe.....and taste the sweet feeling of spending the entire month absorbed in pleasing Radha and Krsna.