Performing vrata in the month of Kartika (Damodara) is glorified profusely in the puranas. Since this month is very dear to Krsna by performing austerities, or restraining ones sense gratification and performing activities to please the senses of the Lord, one becomes very dear to the Krsna. As Satya yuga is the best of yugas, as the vedas are the best of scriptures, as ganga is the best of rivers, so kartika is the best of months, the most dear to Krsna. The vrata may begin on the ekadasi of the waxing moon of asvina, on the purnima, or (samkranti) when the sun enters the house of Libra.
Five activities are glorified: staying awake, early morning bath, worship of Tulasi, offering lamps and performing austerities.
One should practice brahmacarya, give charity, and perform homa and japa.
One is advised to give up eating beans, kalami saka, patola, eggplant, meat, fish, liquor, oil massage, illicit sex, grains cooked by others.
One should eat once a day havisana.
One should increase ones devotional service by performing more deity worship, hearing and speaking about the Lord, by extra japa of the Lord’s name, worshipping tulasi, staying awake at night chanting, visiting holy tirthas and offering lamps to the Lord.
One should worship Radha Damodara and recite the Damodarastaka daily.
LISTEN DHAMODHARASHTAKAM http://musicforkrishna.com/damodarastakam.mp3
Sri Dik Darshini Tika and Hari Bhakti Vilas on the Month of Karttika, Urja Vrata, Damodar Utsav seva, Akash Dipa:KARTIKE’SMIN VISESENA NITYAM KURVITA VAISNAVAH
DAMODARA ARCANAM PRATAH SNANA DANA VRATA ADIKAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/3 from SKANDA PURANA)
Specifically in the month of Damodara, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and take bath early in the morning, give charity and follow a fasting vow. This is the duty of Vaisnavas.
NIYAMENA VINA VIPRAH KARTIKAM YAH KSIPEN NARAH
KRSNA PARAN-MUKHAS TASYA YASMAD URJO’SYA VALLABHAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/24 from PADMA PURANA conversation between Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi)
Oh brahmanas, any person who tries to observe a Karttika month without following rules and regulations properly, Lord Sri Krsna remains against them because this month (Karttika) is very pleasing to Him.
YAIR NA DATTAM HUTAM JAPTAM NA SNANAM NA HARER VRATAM
NA KRTAM KARTIKE PUTRA DVIJAS TE VAI NARADHAMAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/25 from SKANDA PURANA)
Oh son Narada, those brahmanas who do not give charity in the month of Karttika, perform sacrifice, chant japa and fast for Lord Hari are the lowest of mankind.
KARTIKA KHALU VAI MASAM SARVA MASESU CA UTTAMAM
PUNYANAM PARAMAM PUNYAM PAVANANAM CA PAVANAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/36 from SKANDA PURANA)
The month of Karttika is the topmost of all other months. It is the most meritorious and purified of all other pure months.
NA KARTIKA SAMO MASO NA KRTENA SAMAM YUGAM
NA VEDA SADRSAM SASTRAM NA TIRTHA GANGAYA SAMAM
KARTIKAH PRAVARO MASO VAISNAVANAM PRIYAH SADA
KARTIKAM SKALAM YASTU BHAKTYA SEVATE VAISNAVAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/39,40 from SKANDA PURANA)
There is no other month equal to Karttika and there is no other yuga equal to Krta-yuga. There is no other scripture equal to Vedas. There is no other place of pilgrimage equal to Ganges, therefore, the month of Karttika is very dear to the Vaisnavas (people dedicated to Visnu).
DVADASU API MASESU KARTIKAH KRSNA VALLABHAH
TASMIN SAMPUJITO VISNUR ALPAKAIR APY UPAYANAIH
DADATI VAISNAVAM LOKAM ITI EVAM NISCITAM MAYA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/41 from PADMA PURANA)
Among all twelve months, the month of Karttika is dear to Lord Sri Krsna. If
somebody performs a little worship of Lord Sri Hari in this month, He offers
that devotee His own abode. This statement is true.
PRAVRTTANAM CA BHAKSANAM KARTIKE NIYAME KRTE
AVASYAM KRSNA RUPATVAM PRAPYATE MUKTIDAM SUBHAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/49 from SKANDA PURANA)
Whatever one usually eats, if he gives up some of the ingredients of it in the month of Karttika, then he achieves the same aupicious form as Lord Sri Krsna undoubtedly.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in the Digdarsini-tika, “Those who are engaged in eating daily and following the rules of Karttika, they should try to minimize and give up certain ingredients in eating. Obtaining the same form as Krsna means that it liberates one from the miseries of this material world and gives all auspiciousness and happiness.”
SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA KARTIKE KESAVA AGRATAH
SASTRA AVATARANAM PUNYAM SROTAVYAN CA MAHAMUNE
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/76 from SKANDA PURANA Lord Brahma speaks to Narada
Muni)
Oh great sage, after giving up all varieties of religious functions, one
should follow Karttika fast and listen to the narrations of Lord Sri Hari
before His Deity form.
PALASA PATRA BHOJI CA KARTIKE PURUSO NARAH
NISPAPAH SYAT TU NAIVEDYAM HARER BHUKTVA VIMUCYATE
MADHYASTHAM ISVARAM PATRAM VARJAYED BRAHMANE TARAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/87 from PADMA PURANA)
Any person in the month of Karttika, who eats on the leaf plate of Palasa the remnants of the Lord, becomes free from all sins and achieves liberation. Besides brahmanas (twice born persons), others are not advised to eat from this leaf because this leaf is said to be the leaf of the Supreme Lord.
SNANAM JAGARANAM DIPAM TULASI VANA PALANAM
KARTIKE YE PRAKURVANTI TE NARA VISNU MURTAYAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/90 from PADMA PURANA Lord Krsna speaks to Satyabhama)
Any person who performs bathing in the month of Karttika, remaining awake, offering lamps, giving charity or planting and transplanting Tulasi, he achieves the same form as Lord Sri Visnu.
KALPA KOTI SAHASRANI PATKANI BAHUNY API
NIMESA ARDHENA DIPASYA VILAYAM YANTI KARTIKE
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/99 from SKANDA PURANA)
If even for a short time somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Sri Hari, then whatever sins he has acquired for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed.
YATHA CA MATHANAD VAHNIH SARVA KASTHESU DRSYATE
TATHA CA DRSYATE DHARMO DIPADANE NA SAMSAYAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/120 from PADMA PURANA)
Just as by rubbing of two sticks of wood one can see fire, so by offering a burning ghee wick to the Lord in the month of Karttika, one can see his merits without a doubt.
In his Digdarsini-tika Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains, “Even though fire is present in all pieces of wood, still without rubbing fire does not manifest. Similarly, in all kinds of functions, although merit is available, by offering a lamp in this month, certainly one can see the merit. Not otherwise. Of this there is no doubt. Therefore, without offering lamps, all merits are unprofitable. This is the essence here.”
VAISNAVO NA SA MANTAVYAH SAMPRAPTE KARTIKE MUNE
YO NA YACCHATI MUDHATMA DIPAM KESAVA SADMANI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/122 from PADMA PURANA)
Oh sage, a person who does not offer a ghee lamp in Lord Kesava’s temple in Karttika, that foolish person is not addressed as a Vaisnava.
EKADASYAM PARER DATTAM DIPAM PRAJVALYA MUSIKA
MANUSYAM DURLABHAM PRAPYA PARAM GATIM AVAPA SA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/129 from SKANDA PURANA)
One rat (female mouse) had once burnt a ghee lamp which was offered by someone else on Ekadasi day. By doing so, she achieved a rarely achievable human form and at last attained the topmost destination.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes in his Digdarsini-tika, “In this verse it is found that it is possible to attain the results of directly offering a lamp on Ekadasi. This history of the mouse is very famous in the Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya. (In a temple of Lord Visnu, there was a mouse living who was eating the ghee from the extinguished ghee lamps which had been offered by others to Him. One day when she felt hungry to eat ghee, she tried to eat the ghee from a lamp which was not yet extinguished. While eating ghee from the lamp, the cotton wick got stuck in her teeth. Since the ghee wick had a flame, the mouse started jumping in front of the Lord’s Deity form and thus died due to fire. But Lord Sri Visnu accepted the jumping of that mouse with a lit ghee wick in her mouth as His aratik. In the end He gave her liberation, the topmost destination.)
MATHURAYAM NARAIR URJE SNATVA DAMODARO’RCITAH
KRSNA RUPA HI TE JNEYA NA ATRA KARYA VICARANA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/155 from PADMA PURANA)
Any person who worships Lord Damodara in the month of Karttika in the Mathura area, certainly achieves the same form as Lord Sri Krsna Himself.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments on this in his Digdarsini-tika, “Human beings achieving the same form as Krsna means that they see Lord Sri Krsna. In other words, they become as worshipable as Lord Sri Krsna. This this the understanding here.”
KARTIKE MATHURAYAM VAI PUJANAD DARSANAD DHRUVAH
SIGHRAM SAMPRAPTAVAN BALO DURLABHAM YOGA TATPARAIH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/161 from PADMA PURANA)
Although a child, Dhruva Maharaja during the month of Karttika in the area of Mathura worshiped Lord Sri Damodara and immediately became fixed in his devotion, became worshipable by Saunaka and the other sages and saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.
SULABHA MATHURA BHUMAU PRATY ABDAM KARTIKAS TATHA
TATHAPI SAMSARANTIHA NARA MUDHA BHAVA AMBUDHAU
YANI SARVANI TIRTHANI NADA NADYAH SARANSI CA
KARTIKE NIVASANTY ATRA MATHURE SARVA MANDALE
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/162,164 from PADMA PURANA)
Although Mathura (Vraja area) is easily available on the earth and Karttika is easily attainable in the year, but oh, what a great misfortune in the side of human beings who are still suffering in the ocean of material existence. In the month of Karttika, all of the places of pilgrimage, oceans, rivers and lakes come to Mathura area [but they do not take advantage of it.]
ASVINASYA TU MASASYA YA SUKLA EKADASI BHAVET
KARTIKASYA VRATA ANIHA TASYAM KURYAD ATANDRITAH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/168 from PADMA PURANA conversation between Lord Krsna
and Satyabhama)
One should take a fasting vow for the month of Karttika without any laziness on the Ekadasi which falls in the light part of the month of Asvina (September-October).
NA GRAHE KARTIKE KURYAD VISESENA TU KARTIKAM
TIRTHE TU KARTIKIM KURYAT SARVA YATNENA BHAVINI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/186 from SKANDA PURANA)
Oh beautiful lady, specifically, one should not take a vow of fasting in the Karttika month in the home or house. Always the endeavor should be made to go to a place of pilgrimage to make this vow and observe it there.
TATAH PRIYATAMA VISNO RADHIKA GOPIKASU CA
KARTIKE PUJANIYA CA SRI DAMODARA SANNIDHAU
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/195 from PADMA PURANA)
Among all other gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Lord Krsna. Therefore in the month of Karttika, one should worship Lord Damodara with Srimati Radharani near Him.
DAMODARA ASTAKAM NAMA STOTRAM DAMODARA ARCANAM
NITYAM DAMODARA AKARSI PATHET SATYA VRATA UDITAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/198)
In the month of Karttika, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and sing the Damodarastaka (the eight prayers of Lord Damodara) which pleases Lord Damodara, written by the sage named Satyavrata.
GOVARDHANA GIRAU RAMYE RADHAKUNDAM PRIYAM HAREH
KARTIKE BAHULA ASTAMYAM TATRA SNATVA HAREH PRIYAH
NARO BHAKTO BHAVED VIPRAS TADDHI TASYA PRATOSANAM
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/207 from PADMA PURANA)
Oh brahmanas, in the beautiful Govardhana area there is a Radhakunda (a lake of Radharani) which is very dear to Lord Sri Hari. One who takes bath in it on the eighth day of the dark moon night of Karttika, becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that, “Although by taking bath in Radhakunda one becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari, still, if he takes bath anywhere in the name of pleasing Lord Hari, he pleases Him as well.
SRI KRSNA DASA VARYO’YAM SRI GOVARDHANA BHUDHARAH
SUKLA PRATIPADI PRATAH KARTIKE’RCYU ‘TRA VAISNAVAIH
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/232 from SKANDA PURANA)
On the first day of the light part of the month of Karttika, a Vaisnava should certainly worship the topmost servant of Lord Sri Krsna, Sri Govardhana Hill, early in the morning as it is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th Canto, 21 chapter, verse 18.
MATHURAYAM TATHA SAKSAT KRATVA CAIVA PRADAKSINAM
VAISNAVAM DHAMA SAMPRAPYA MODATE HARI SANNIDHAU
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/249 from PADMA PURANA)
One who stays in the Mathura area, worships Govardhana, and goes around it, he goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari and stays there happily.
URJE SUKLA DVITIYAYAM MADHYAHE YAMA ARCAYET
SNANAM KRTVA BHANUJAYAM YAMA-LOKAM NA PASYATI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/267 from SKANDA PURANA and PADMA PURANA)
On the midpart of the second day of the light part of the month of Karttika one should worship Yamaraja and take bath in the Yamuna. If he does so, he will not have to go to the abode of Yamaraja.
PRABODHINIM UPOSYA EVA NA GARBHE VISATE NARAH
SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA TASMAT KURVITA NARADA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/289 from SKANDA PURANA spoken by Lord Brahma)
Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhini (when the Lord gets up) Ekadasi, does not enter again into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular Ekadasi day.
DUGDHABDHIH BHOGI SAYANE BHAGAVAN ANANTO
YASMIN DINE SVAPITI CA ATHA VIBHUDHYATE CA
TASMINN ANANYA MANASAM UPAVASA BHAJAM
KAMAM DADATY ABHIMATAM GARUDANKA SAYI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/293 from PADMA PURANA)
One who fasts with one pointed intelligence on the day when the Supreme Lord Sri Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garuda (snake) goes to take rest in the Milk ocean on the bed of Ananta Sesa and also the day He gets up, gets all of his desires fulfilled.
BHAKTIPRADA HAREH SATU NAMNA KSATA PRAVODHINI
YASA VISNOH PARA MURTIR AVYAKTA ANEKA RUPINI
SA KSIPTA MANUSE LOKE DVADADI MUNI PUNGAVA
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/301 from VARAHA PURANA conversation between Yamaraja and Narada Muni)
This Prabodhini Ekadasi is famous for rewarding devotion to Lord Sri Hari. Oh best of the sages (Narada Muni), the personality of Ekadasi is present on this earthly planet in an unmanifested form of Lord Hari.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that one who exactly observes the Ekadasi fast by observing this, he directly worships Lord Sri Hari. This is the meaning of this verse. Therefore, Ekadasi is said to be equal to Lord Sri Hari Himself.
CATUR DHA GRAHYA VAI CIRNAM CATUR MASYA VRATAM NARAH
KARTIKE SUKLAPAKSE TU DVADASYAM TAT SAMACARET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/412 from MAHABHARATA)
A person who observed Caturmasya fast stated in four different ways should end his fast on the Dvadasi day on the light fortnight of the month of Karttika.
EVAM YA ACARET PARTHA SOBHANAM DHARMAM APNUYAT
AVASANE TU RAJENDRA VASUDEVA PURAM VRAJET
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/433 from BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)
Oh son of Prtha, Oh best of the kings, one who follows his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit and at last goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari, the son of Vasudeva.
MALATI MALAYA VISNUH PUJITO YENA KARTIKE
PAPAKSARA KRTAM MALAM HATHAT SAURIH PRAMARJJATI
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/92 from SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)
In the month of Karttika (October-November), any person, if he worships Lord Visnu with Malati (white Jasmine) flowers, whatever sinful activities are registered for him by Yamaraja, death personified, are removed.
KAMALAIH KAMALAKANTAH PUJITAH KARTIKE TU YAIH
KAMALA ANUGA TESAM JANMANTARA SATESU API
(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/102 from PADMA PURANA, UTTARA KHANDA)
Any person who offers lotus flowers to Lord Narayana, the dearest personality of Laksmidevi in the month of Karttika, Laksmidevi resides with him for hundreds of births.
Kartika mahatmya from 16th chapter Hari Bhakti Vilasa
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Text 1atha kärttika-kåtyaà
dämodaraà prapadye ‘haà
çré-rädhä-ramaëaà prabhum
prabhäväd yasya tat-preñöhaù
kärttikaù sevito bhavetatha-now; kärttika-kåtyam-the duties of Kärttika; dämodaram-to Lord Kåñëa; prapadye-surrender; aham-I; çré-rädhä-of Çré Rädhä; ramaëam-the lover; prabhum-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prabhavät-by the power; yasya-of whom; tat-preñöhaù-dear to Him; kärttikaù-Kärttika; sevitaù-served; bhavet-is.Duties in the Month of Kärttika
I surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was tied about the waist with a rope, and who is the lover of Çré Rädhä. By His power one is able to serve His favored month: the month of Kärttika.
Text 2
bhäti kärttika-kåtyädi
skända-pädmädiñu sphuöam
tathäpy ekatra saìgåhya
särato ‘tra vilikhyate
bhäti-manifested; kärttika-kåtyädi-the duties of Kärttika; skända-pädmädiñu-in the Skanda, Padma, and other Puräëas; sphuöam’clearly; tathäpi-still; ekatra-in one place; saìgåhya-collecting; särataù-the essence; atra-here; vilikhyate-is written.
The duties of the month of Kärttika are clearly described in the Skanda Puräëa, Padma Puräëa, and other scriptures. The essence of what they say is collected here in one place.
Text 3
kärttike ‘smin viçeñeëa
nityaà kurvéta vaiñëavaù
dämodarärcanaà prätaù-
snäna-däna-vratädikam
kärttike-in Kärttika; asmin-in this; viçeñeëa-specifically; nityam-always; kurvéta-should do; vaiñëavaù-a devotee of Lord Viñëu; dämodara-of Lord Dämodara; arcanam-the worship; prätaù-in the morning; snäna-bathing; däna-gifts; vrata-vows; ädikam-beginning with.
Especially in the month of Kärttika a Vaiñëava should regularly bathe in the morning, worship Lord Dämodara, give charity, follow vows, and perform other spiritual activities.
Text 4
tathä dina-viçeñe yad
bhagavat-püjanädikam
kuryäd vidhi-viçeñeëa
lekhyam agre vivicya tat
tathä-so; dina-viçeñe-on a specifé day; yat-what; bhagavat-püjanädikam-beginning with worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kuryät-should do; vidhi-viçeñeëa-with specifé rules; lekhyam-will be written; agre-in the beginning; vivicya-considering; tat-thus.
Here I will write when the month of Kåñëa begins and how one should worship the Lord during this month.
Text 5
atha kärttika-vrata-nityatä
skände brahma-närada-samväde
duñpräpyam- präpya mänuñyaà
kärttikoktaà caren na hi
dharmaà dharma-bhåtaà çreñöha
sa mätå-pitå-ghätakaù
atha-now; kärttika-vrata-nityatä-one should always follow the vow of worshiping the Lord in the month of Kärttika; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; brahma-närada-samväde-in a conversation of Brahma’ and Närada; duñpräpyam-difficult to attain; präpya-attaining; mänuñyam-human birth; kärttika-of the month of Kärttika; uktam-said; caren-follows; na-not; hi-indeed; dharmam-religion; dharma-bhåtäm-of the followers of religion; çreñöha-the best; sa-he; mätr„-pitr„-ghätakaù-the killer of his father and mother.
One Should Always Follow the Vow of Kärttika-vrata
In the Skanda Puräëa, in a conversation of Brahma’ and Närada, it is said:
“O best of the followers of religion, a person who does not follow the vow of Kärttika-vrata is a sinner. He is like a person who murders his father and mother.
Text 6
avratena kñiped yas tu
mäsaà dämodara-priyam
tiryag-yoëim aväpnoti
sarva-dharma-bahis-kåtaù
avratena-without following the vow; kñipet-spends; yaù-who; tu-indeed; mäsam-the month; dämodara-to Lord Dämodara; priyam-dear; tiryag-yoëim-birth as an animal; aväpnoti-attains; sarva-dharma-bahis-kåtaù-outside all religious principles.
“A person who does not follow the vow in this month that is dear to Lord Dämodara finds himself outside all religious principles. He takes birth in an animal’s womb.
Text 7
sa brahma-hä sa go-ghnaç ca
svarëa-steyé sadänåti
na karoti muni-çreñöha
yo naraù kärttike vratam
sa-he; brahma-hä-murderer of a brähmaëa; sa-he; go-ghnaù-killer of a cow; ca-and; svarëa-steyé-thief of gold; sadä-always; anåti-lying; na-not; karoti-does; muni-çreñöha-O best of sages; yaù-who; naraù-person; kärttike-in Kärttika; vratam-vow.
“O best of sages, a person who does not follow this vow in the month of Kärttika is a brähmaëa-killer, a cow-killer, a thief of gold, and a perpetual liar.
Text 8
vidhavä vä viçeñena
vrataà yadi na kärttike
karoti muni-çärdüla
narakaà yäti sa dhruvam
vidhavä-a widow; vä-or; viçeñena-specifically; vratam-vow; yadi’if; na-not; kärttike-in Kärttika; karoti-does; muni-çärdüla-O tiger of sages; narakam-to hell; yäti-goes; sa-she; dhruvam-indeed.
“O tiger of sages, a widow especially who does not follow the vow of Kärttika certainly goes to hell.
Text 9
vrataà tu kärttike mäse
yadä na kurute gåhé
iñöäpürtaà våthä tasya
yävad ähüta-näraké
vratam-vow; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäse-month; yadä-when; na-not; kurute-does; gåhé-a householder; iñöäpürtam-pious deeds; våthä-useless; tasya-of him; yävat-as; ähüta-screaming; näraké-a person in hell.
“If a householder does not follow the vow of Kärttika, his pious and charitable deeds do him no good. They become like the screams of a person in hell.
Text 10
sampräpte kärttike mäse
dvijo vrata-paräì-mukhaù
bhavanti vimukhäù sarve
tasya deväù sa-vävaräù
sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika; mäse-month; dvijaù-a brähmaëa; vrata-parän-mukhaù-averse to the vow; bhavanti-become; vimukhäù-averse; sarve-all; tasya-of him; deväù-the demigods; sa-väsaväù-with Indra’s followers.
“if a brähmaëa spurns the Kärttika vow, then Indra and all the demigods spurn him.
Text 11
iñövä ca bahubhir yajïaiù
kåtvä çräddha-satäni ca
svargaà näpnoti viprendra
akåtvä kärttike vratam
iñövä-worshiping; ca-and; bahubhiù-with many; yajïaiù-yajnas; kåtvä-doing; çräddha-satäni-a hundred sraddhas; ca-and; svargam-Svarga; na-not; äpnoti-attains; viprendra-O king of the brähmaëas; akåtvä-not doing; kärttike-in Kärttika; vratam-the vow.
“O king of brähmaëas, a person who performs a hundred çräddhas and a host of yajïas, but does not follow the Kärttika vow, cannot enter Svargaloka.
Text 12
yatiç ca vidhavä caiva
viçeñenä vanäçrämé
kärttikaà narakaà yänti
akåtvä vaiñëavaà vratam
yatiù-sannyasi; ca-and; vidhavä-widow; ca-and; eva-indeed; viçeñenä-specifically; vanäçrämé-vanaprastha; kärttikam-Kärttika; narakam-to hell; yänti-go; akåtvä-not doing; vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; vratam-the vow.
“Especially a sannyäsé, vänaprastha, or widow who do not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow go to hell.
Text 13
vedair adhétaiù kià tasya
puräëa-paöhanaiç ca kim
kåtaà yadi na viprendra
kärttike vaiñëavaà vratam
vedaiù-Vedas; adhétaiù-studied; kim-what is the use?; tasya-of him; puräëa-paöhanaiù-studying the Puräëas; ca-and; kim-what?; kåtam-done; yadi-of; na-not; viprendra-O king of the brähmaëas; kärttike-Kärttika; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow.
“O king of brähmaëas, what good will study of the Vedas and Puräëas do for a person who does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow?
Text 14
janma-prabhåti yat puëyaà
vidhivat samupärjitam
bhasmé-bhavati tat sarvaà
akåtvä kärttika-vratam
janma-prabhåti-beginning with birth; yat-what; puëyam-piety; vidhivat’properly; samupärjitam-earned; bhasmé-ashes; bhavati-becomes; tat-that; sarvam-all; akåtvä-not doing; kärttika-vratam-the Kärttika vow.
“A person who does not follow the Kärttika vow finds his life’s pious deeds burned to ashes.
Text 15
yad dattaà ca paraà japtaà
kåtaà ca su-mahat-tapaù
sarvaà viphalatäm eti
akåtvä kärttike vratam
yat-what; dattam-given; ca-and; param-more; japtam-chanted; kåtam-doen; ca-and; su-mahat-tapaù-great austerities; sarvam-all; viphalatäm-uselessness; eti-attain; akåtvä-not performing; kärttike’in Kärttika; vratam-the vow.
“A person who does not follow the Kärttika vow finds that all his charity, great austerities, and mantra-chanting is useless.
Text 16
sapta-janmärjitaà puëyaà
våthä bhavati närada
akåtvä kärttike mäsi
vaiñëavaà vratam uttamam
sapta-janmärjitam-earned in seven births; puëyam-piety; våthä-useless; bhavati-is; närada-O Narada; akåtvä-not doing; kärttike mäsi-in Kärttika month; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow; uttamam-transcendental.
“O Näarada, if one does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow, seven births of his pious deeds become useless.
Text 17
päpa-bhütaç ca te jïeyä
loke martyä mahä-mune
vaiñëaväkhyaà vrataà yais tu
na kåtaà kärttike çubham
päpa-bhütaù-sinners; ca-and; te-they; jïeyä-known; loke-in the world; martyä-people; mahä-mune-O great sage; vaiñëaväkhyam- vratam-the Vaiñëava vow; yaiù-by whom; tu-indeed; na-not; kåtam-done; kärttike-in Kärttika; çubham-auspicious.
“O great sage, they who do not follow the auspicious Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow are known as sinners in this world.”
Text 18
kià ca
akåtvä niyamaà viñëoù
kärttikaà yaù kñipen naraù
janmärjitasya puëyasya
phalaà näpnoti närada
kim- ca-furthermore; akåtvä-not doing; niyamam-vow; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; kärttikam-Kärttika; yaù-one who; kñipen-spends; naraù-a person; janmärjitasya-earned in an entire lifetime; puëyasya-of piety; phalam-the result; na-not; äpnoti-obtains; närada-O Narada.
It is further said:
“O Närada, a person who does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow loses the pious deeds of an entire life.”
Text 19
kià ca
niyamena vinä caiva
yo nayet kärttikaà mune
cäturmäsyaà tathä caiva
brahma-hä sa kulädhamaù
kim- ca-furthermore; niyamena-vow; vinä-without; ca-and; eva-indeed; yaù-who; nayet-leads; kärttikam-Kärttika; mune-O sage; cäturmäsyam-Caturmasya; tathä-so; ca-and; eva-indeed; brahma-hä-a ârähmaëa-killer; sa-he; kulädhamaù-the lowest of his family.
It is also said:
“O sage, a person who does not follow the Kärttika and Cäturmäsya vows is sinful like a brähmaëa-killer. He is the most degraded person in his family.
Texts 20-22
kià ca
piëòä-dänaà pitåëäà ca
pitå-pakñe na vai kåtam
vrataà na kärttike mäsi
çrävaëyäm åñi-tarpaëam
caitre nändolito viñëur
mägha-snänaà na saj-jale
na kåtämardaké puñye
çrävaëe rauhiëäñöamé
saìgame na kåtä yena
dvädaçé çravaëänvitä
kutra yäsyanti te müòhä
nähaà vedmi kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; piëòä-dänam-offering pinda; pitåëäm-to the pitas; ca-and; pitr„-pakñe-on pitr-paksa; na-not; vai-indeed; kåtam-done; vratam-vow; na-not; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; çrävaëyäm-in the month of Sravana; åñi-tarpaëam-offering tarpaëa to the sages; caitre-in the month of Sravana; na-not; ändolitaù-moved on a swing; viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; magha-in the month of Magha; snänam-bath; na-not; saê-jale-in clear water; na-not; kåta-done; ämardaké-the ämardaké vow; puñye-in Puñya; çravaëe-in Çravaëa; rauhiëäñöamé-Rauhiëäñöamé; saìgame-in the meeting; na-not; kåtä-done; yena-by which; dvädaçé-dvädaçé; çravaëänvitä-with sravana; kutra-where?; yäsyanti-will go; te-they; müòhä-foolish; na-not; aham-I; vedmi-know; kali-priya-O Närada.
What is the fate of the fools who do not offer piëòa’ to the ancestors on pitr„-pakña, who do not observe the vow of Kärttika, who do not offer tarpaëa to the sages in the month of Çrävaëa (July-August), who do not observe Lord Viñëu’s swing-festival in the month of Caitra (March-April), who do not bathe in clear water in the month of Mägha (January-February), who do not follow the ämardaké vow during the time of the star Puñya, and who do not observe the Rohiëäñöämé day when in the month of Çrävaëa the star çravaëa is present on the dvädaçé day? O Närada, I do not know.
Text 23
pädme ca çré-närada-çaunakädi-muni-gaëa-samväde
mänuñaù karma-bhümau yaù
kärttikaà nayate mudhä
cintämaëià kare präpya
kñipyate kardamämbuni
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-and; çré-närada-çaunakädi-muni-gaëa-samväde-in a conversation of Çré Narada anmd the sages headed by Çré Saunaka; mänuñaù-a human being; karma-of karma; bhümau-in the world; yaù-who; kärttikam-Kärttika; nayate-passes; mudhä-uselessly; cintämaëim-a ciontamani jewel; kare-in the hand; präpya-attaining; kñipyate-throws; kardamämbuni-in muddy water.
In the Padma Puräëa, in a conversation of Çré Närada and the sages headed by Çré Çaunaka it is said:
“A human being in this world of karma who does not follow the vow of Kärttika takes the cintämaëi jewel placed in his hand and throws it into muddy water.
Text 24
niyamena vinä vipräù
kärttikam- yaù kñipen naraù
kåñëaù parän-mukhas tasya
yasmäd ürjo ‘sya vallabhaù
niyamena-vow; vinä-without; vipräù-O brähmaëas; kärttikam-Kärttika; yaù-who; kñipen-spends; naraù-a person; kåñëaù-Lord Kåñëa; parän-mukhaù-averse; tasya-of him; yasmät-because; ürjaù-Kärttika; asya-to Him; vallabhaù-dear.
“O brähmaëas, the month of Kärttika is very dear to Lord Kåñëa. That is why Lord Kåñëa turns His face from anyone who does not follow the Kärttika vow.
Text 25
atha tatra viçeñena snäna-dänädi-tat-karma-nityatä
skände tatraiva
yair na dattaà hutaà japtaà
na snänaà na harer vratam
na kåtaà kärttike putra
dvijäs te vai narädhamäù
atha-now; tatra-there; viçeñena-specifically; snäna-bathing; däna-giving charity; ädi-beginning with; tat-karma-those activities; nityatä-should be done regularly; skände-in thekanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yaiù-by whom; na-not; dattam-given; hutam-yajna; japtam-chanted japa; na-not; snänam-bathed; na-not; hareù-of Lord Kåñëa; vratam-the vow; na-not; kåtam-done; kärttike-in Kärttika; putra-O son; dvijäù-brähmaëas; te-they; vai-indeed; narädhamäù-the lowest of men.
One Should Always Follow the Kärttika Bow by Bathing, Giving Charity, and Performing Other Pious Deeds
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
“O son, brähmaëas who in the month of Kärttika do not give charity, perform yajïas, chant japa, bathe, or follow the vow to please Lord Kåñëa are the lowest of men.”
Text 26
kià ca
yair na dattaà hutaà japtaà
kärttike na vrataà kåtam
tenätmä härito nünaà
na präptaà prärthitaà phalam
kim- ca-furthermore; yaiù-by whom; na-not; dattam-given charity; hutam-offered yajnas; japtam-chanted japa; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; vratam-vow; kåtam-done; tena-by that; ätmä-slef; häritaù-robbed; nünam-indeed; na-not; präptam-attained; prärthitam-requested; phalam-result.
It is further said:
“They who in the month of Kärttika do not give charity, perform yajïas, chant japa, or follow vows are thieves who roâ themselves of their own valuables. They do not attain what they wish.”
Text 27
kià ca
sampräpte kärttike mäsi
ye ratä na janärdane
teñäà sauri-pure väsaù
pitåbhiù saha närada
kim- ca-furthermore; sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika; mäsi-month; ye-who; ratä-engaged; na-not; janärdane-in Lord Kåñëa; teñäm-of them; sauri-pure-in the city of Yamaräja; väsaù-residence; pitåbhiù-ancestors; saha-with; närada-O Narada.
It is further said:
“O Närada, they who do not worship Lord Kåñëa during the month of Kärttika reside, along with their ancestors, in hell.”
Text 28
kià ca
kärttike närcito yais tu
bhakti-bhävena keçavaù
narakaà te gamiñyanti
yamadütais tu yantritäù
kim- ca-furthermore; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; ärcitaù-worshiped; yaiù-by whom; tu-indeed; bhakti-bhävena-with love and devotion; keçavaù-Lord Kåñëa; narakam-to hell; te-they; gamiñyanti-will go; yamadütaiù-by the Yamadütas; tu-indeed; yantritäù-chained.
It is further said:
“They who in the month of Kärttika do not worship Lord Kåñëa with love and devotion are chained and dragged to hell by the messengers of Yamaräja.
Text 29
janma-koöi-sahasrais tu
mänuñyaà präpya durlabham
kärttike närcito viñëur
häritaà tena janma vai
janma-koöi-sahasraiù-by thousands and millions of births; tu-indeed; mänuñyam-human; präpya-attaining; durlabham-rare; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; arcitaù-worshiped; viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; häritam-removed; tena-by him; janma-birth; vai-indeed.
“He loses the rare human life he attained after many thousands and millions of births who does not worship Lord Viñëu in the month of Kärttika.
Text 30
viñëoù püjä kathä viñëor
vaiñëavänäà ca darçanam
na bhavet kärttike yasya
hanti puëyaà daçäbdikam
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; püjä-worship; kathä-topics; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; vaiñëavänäm-of the Vaiñëavas; ca-qand; darçanam-sight; na-not; bhavet-is; kärttike-in Kärttika; yasya-of whom; hanti-kills; puëyam-piety; daça-ten; abdikam-years.
“A person who in the month of Kärttika does not worship Lord Viñëu, chant Lord Viñëu’s glories, or associate with the Vaiñëavas, kills ten years of pious deeds.”
Text 31
atha kärttika-mähätmyaà
kärttikasya tu mähätmyaà
präk sämänyena likhyate
tato viçeñatas tatra
karma-deçädi-bhedataù
atha-now; kärttika-mähätmyam-the glories of Kärttika; kärttikasya-of Kärttika; tu-indeed; mähätmyam-the glory; präk-first; sämänyena-in a general way; likhyate-is written; tataù-then; viçeñataù-specifically; tatra-there; karma-deçädi-bhedataù-differences beginning with work and place.
The Glories of Kärttika
First I will write of the glories of Kärttika in a general way and then I will write of the different situations beginning with the differences of work and place.
Text 32
atha sämänya-kärttika-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
kärttikasya tu mäsasya
koöy-aàçenäpi närhati
sarva-tértheñu yat snänaà
sarva-däneñu yat phalam
atha-now; sämänya-in a general way; kärttika-of Kärttika; mähätmyam-the glory; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttikasya-of Kärttika; tu-indeed; mäsasya-glory; koöy-aàçena-with a ten-millionth part; api-even; na-not; arhati-is worthy; sarva-in all; tértheñu-holy places; yat-what; snänam-bathing; sarva-däneñu-in all charities; yat-what; phalam-result.
A General Description of Kärttika’s Glories
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
“The pious result obtained by bathing in all holy places and giving all charities is not equal to one ten-millionth part of the result obtained by following the vow of Kärttika.
Texts 33 and 34
ekataù sarva-térthäni
sarve yajïäù sa-dakñiëäù
ekataù puñkare väsaù
kurukñetre himäcale
meru-tulya-suvarëäni
sarva-dänäni caikataù
ekataù kärttiko vatsa
sarvadä keçava-priyaù
ekataù-as one; sarva-térthäni-all holy places; sarve-all; yajïäù-yajnas; sa-dakñiëäù-with daksina; ekataù-as one; puñkare-in Puñkara; väsaù-residence; kurukñetre-in Kurukñetra; himäcale-in the Himalayas; meru-tulya-suvarëäni-gold equal to Mount Meru; sarva-dänäni-all charity; ca-ad; ekataù-as one; ekataù-as one; kärttikaù-Kärttika; vatsa-child; sarvadä-in all ways; keçava-to Lord Kåñëa; priyaù-dear.
“All holy places, yajïas, dakñiëäs, residence in Puñkara, Kurukñetra, and the Himalayas, and all giving in charity a pile of gold like Mount Meru, reside in Kärttika, Lord Kåñëa’s favorite month.
Text 35
yat kiïcit kriyate puëyaà
viñëum uddiçya kärttike
tad akñayaà bhavet sarvaà
satyoktaà tava närada
yat-waht; kiïcit-something; kriyate-is done; puëyam-piety; viñëum-to Lord Viñëu; uddiçya-in relation to; kärttike-in Kärttika; tat-that; akñayam-eternal; bhavet-is; sarvam-all; satya-truth; uktam-said; tava-of you; närada-O Narada.
“The service one does to Lord Viñëu in the month of Kåñëa is all eternal. O Närada, I tell you the truth.
Text 36
kärttikaà khalu vai mäsaà
sarva-mäseñu cottamam
puëyänäà paramaà puëyaà
pävanänäà ca pävanam
kärttikam-Kärttika; khalu-indeed; vai-indeed; mäsam- -month; sarva-mäseñu-in all months; ca-and; uttamam-the best; puëyänäm-of pious deeds; paramam-the best; puëyam-pious deed; pävanänäm-of purifiers; ca-and; pävanam-the purifier.
“Kärttika is the best of months, the most pious of pious deeds, the most purifying of all that purify.”
Text 37
kià ca
yathä nadénäà viprendra
çailänäà caiva närada
udadhénäà ca viprarñe
kñayo naivopapadyate
kim- ca-furthermore; yathä-as; nadénäm-of rivers; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; çailänäm-of mountains; ca-and; eva-indeed; närada-O Narada; udadhénäm-of oceans; ca-and; viprarñe-O sage of brähmaëas; kñayaù-destruction; na-not; eva-indeed; upapadyate-is.
It is further said:
“O Närada, O king of brähmaëas, O great sage, rivers, mountains, and oceans will all be destroyed, but the month of Kärttika will never be destroyed.
Text 38
puëyaà kärttika-mäse tu
yat kiïcit kriyate mune
na tasyästi kñayo brahman
päpasyäpy evam eva ca
puëyam-piety; kärttika-mäse-in the month of Kärttika; tu-indeed; yat-what; kiïcit-something; kriyate-does; mune-O sage; na-not; tasya-of that; asti-is; kñayaù-destruction; brahman-O brähmaëa; päpasya-of sin; api-also; evam-thus; eva-indeed; ca-and.
“O sage, in the month of Kärttika neither pious deeds nor sins are ever destroyed.”
Text 39
na kärttika-samo mäso
na kåtena samaà yugam
na veda-sädåçaà çästraà
na térthaà gaìgayä samam
na-not; kärttika-samaù-equal to Kärttika; mäsaù-month; na-not; kåtena-Satya; samam-equal; yugam-yuga; na-not; veda-sädåçam-like the Vedas; çästram-scripture; na-not; tértham-holy place; gaìgayä-the Gaìgä; samam-like.
“No month is like Kärttika. No yuga is like Satya-yuga. No scripture is like the Vedas. No holy place is like the Gaìgä.
Text 40
kärttikaù pravaro mäso
vaiñëavänäà priyaù sadä
kärttikaà sakalaà yas tu
bhaktyä seveta vaiñëavaù
pitån uddharate sarvän
naraka-sthän mahä-mune
kärttikaù-Kärttika; pravaraù-best; mäsaù-month; vaiñëavänäm-of ther Vaiñëavas; priyaù-dear; sadä-always; kärttikam-Kärttika; sakalam-all; yaù-who; tu-indeed; bhaktyä-with devotion; seveta-serve; vaiñëavaù-Vaiñëava; pitån-the pitas; uddharate-delivers; sarvän-all; naraka-sthän-staying in hell; mahä-mune-O great sage.
“Kärttika is the best of months. Kärttika is always dear to the Vaiñëavas. O great sage, a Vaiñëava who with devotion serves Kärttika delivers his ancestors from hell.
Text 41
pädme ca
tatraiva dvadaçeñv api mäseñu
kärttikaù kåñëa-vallabhaù
tasmin sampüjito viñëur
alpakair apy upäyanaiù
dadäti vaiñëavaà lokam-
ity evaà niçcitaà mayä
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; dvadaçeñv-in the twelve; api-even; mäseñu-months; kärttikaù-Kärttika; kåñëa-to Lord Kåñëa; vallabhaù-dear; tasmin-in that; sampüjitaù-worshiped; viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; alpakaiù-with slight; api-even; upäyanaiù-vow; dadäti-gives; vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; lokam-the world; iti-thus; evam-thus; niçcitam-concluded; mayä-by me.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“Of the twelve months, Kärttika is the most dear to Lord Kåñëa. To anyone who even slightly worships Lord Viñëu during its time, the month of Kärttika gives residence in Lord Viñëu’s transcendental abode.
Text 42
yathä dämodaro bhakta-
vatsalo vidito janaiù
tasyäyaà tädåço mäsaù
sv-alpam apy uru-kärakaù
yathä-as; dämodaraù-Lord Damodara; bhakta-the devotees; vatsalaù-loves; viditaù-known; janaiù-by the people; tasya-of Him; ayam-this; tädåçaù-like this; mäsaù-month; sö-alpam-very slight; api-even; uru-kärakaù-making big.
“As everyone knows, Lord Dämodara loves His devotees. Lord Dämodara’s month, the month of Kärttika, also loves the devotees. The month of Kärttika thinks even the slightest devotional service is very big and important.
Text 43
durlabho mänuño deho
dehinäà kñaëa-bhaìguraù
taträpi durlabhaù kälaù
kärttiko hari-vallabhaù
durlabhaù-rare; mänuñaù-human; dehaù-body; dehinäm-of they who possess bodies; kñaëa-bhaìguraù-breaking in a moment; taträpi-still; durlabhaù-rare; kälaù-time; kärttikaù-Kärttika; hari-vallabhaù-dear to Lord Kåñëa.
“Even though its lasts for only a brief moment, the human form of life is very rare and valuable. In the same way the brief month of Kärttika is also very rare and valuable.
Text 44
dépenäpi hi yaträsau
préyate harir éçvaraù
su-gétaà ca dadäty eva
para-dépa-prabodhanät
dépena-with a lamp; api-even; hi-indeed; yatra-where; asau-He; priyate-is pleased; hariù-Lord Hari; éçvaraù-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; su-gétam-glorified; ca-and; dadäti-gives; eva-indeed; para-dépa-prabodhanät-from liughting another’s lamp.
“Lord Kåñëa is pleased by the offering of a single lamp during the month of Kärttika. Lord Kåñëa glorifies anyone who lights a lamp for someone else to offer.”
Text 45
atha tatra vrata-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
vratänäm iha sarveñäà
eka-janmänugaà phalam
kärttike tu vratasyoktaà
phalaà janma-çatänugam
atha-now; tatra-there; vrata-mähätmyam-glory of the vow; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; vratänäm-of vows; iha-here; sarveñäm-all; eka-one; janma-birth; anugam-following; phalam-result; kärttike-in Kärttika; tu-indeed; vratasya-of the vow; uktam-spoken; phalam-result; janma-births; çata-a hundred; anugam-following.
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
“Other vows bring the results of a lifetime of pious deeds. The vow of Kärttika brings the result of a hundred lifetimes of pious deeds.
Text 46
akrüra-térthe viprendra
kärttikyaà samupoñya ca
snätvä yat phalam äpnoti
tä chrutvä vaiñëavaà vratam
akrüra-térthe-at Akrüra-tértha; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; kärttikyam-in Kärttika; samupoñya-fasting; ca-and; snätvä-bathing; yat-what; phalam-result; äpnoti-attains; tat-that; çrutvä-hearing; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow.
“O king of brähmaëas, a person who simply hears the glories of the Kärttika vow attains the result of fasting and bathing at sacred Akrüra-tértha.
Text 47
väräëasyäà kurukñetre
naimiñe puñkare ‘rbude
gatvä yat phalam äpnoti
vrataà kåtvä tu kärttike
väräëasyäm-in Varanasi; kurukñetre-at Kuruksetra; naimiñe-in Naimisaranya; puñkare-in Puskara; arbude-in Arbuda-tirtha; gatvä-going; yat-what; phalam-result; äpnoti-attains; vratam-vow; kåtvä-doing; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
“By following the Kärttika vow one attains the result of going on pilgrimage to Väräëasé, Kurukñetra, Naimiñäraëya, Puñkara, and Arbuda-tértha.
Text 48
aniñövä ca sadä yajïair
na kåtvä pitåbhiù svadhäm
vratena kärttike mäsi
vaiñëavaà tu padaà vrajet
aniñövä-not worshiping; ca-and; sadä-always; yajïaiù-with yajnas; na-not; kåtvä-doing; pitåbhiù-with the pitas; svadhäm-sraddha; vratena-with a vow; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; tu-indeed; padam-to the abode; vrajet-goes.
“A person who never performs yajïas or offers çräddha to the ancestors, but who does follow the vow of Kärttika, will go to the abode of Lord Viñëu.
Text 49
pravåttänäà ca bhakñyänäà
kärttike niyame kåte
avaçyaà kåñëa-rüpatvaà
präpyate muktidaà çubham
pravåttänäm-done; ca-and; bhakñyänäm-of food; kärttike-in Kärttika; niyame-in restriction; kåte-done; avaçyam-inevitably; kåñëa-rüpatvam-a form, like that of Lord Kåñëa; präpyate-attains; muktidam-giving liberation; çubham-auspicious.
“One who sometimes fasts during Kärttika attains liberation. He attains a glorious spiritual form like Lord Kåñëa’s.
Text 50
kià ca
brähmaëaù kñatriyo vaiçyaù
çüdro vä muni-sattama
viyoëià na vrajaty eva
vrataà kåtvä tu kärttike
kim- ca-furthermore; brähmaëaù-a brähmaëa; kñatriyaù-a ksatriya; vaiçyaù-a vaisya; çüdraù-a sudra; vä-or; muni-sattama-O best of sages; viyoëim-a bad womb; na-not; vrajati-attains; eva-indeed; vratam-vow; kåtvä’doing; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
It is further said:
“O best of sages, a brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya, or çüdra who follows the Kärttika vow will not take birth in a sinful family.
Text 51
kià ca
kärttike muni-çärdüla
sva-saktyä vaiñëavaà vratam
yaù karoti yathoktaà tu
muktis tasya kare sthitä
kim- ca-furthermore; kärttike-in Kärttika; muni-çärdüla-O tiger of sages; sva-saktyä-own power; vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; vratam-the vow; yaù-one who; karoti-does; yathä-as; uktam-described; tu-indeed; muktiù-liberation; tasya-of him; kare-in the hand; sthitä-staying.
It is further said:
“O tiger of sages, liberation stands in the hand of anyone who follows the Kärttika vow as I have described it to you.
Text 52
su-puëye kärttike mäsi
devarñi-pitå-sevite
kriyamäëe vrate nånäà
sv-alpe ‘pi syän mahä-phalam
su-puëye-very sacred; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; devarñi-pitr„-sevite-served by the demigods, sages, and pitas; kriyamäëe’being done; vrate-in the vow; nånäm-of the people; sö-alpe-very slight; api-even; syän-is; mahä-phalam-great result.
“He attains a great result who even very slightly follows the very sacred Kärttika vow, which is served by the demigods, sages, and pitäs.
Text 53
atha tatra karma-viçeña-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
dänaà dattaà hutaà japtaà
tapaç caiva tathä kåtam
tad akñaya-phalaà proktaà
kärttike ca dvijottama
atha-now; tatra-there; karma-viçeña-mähätmyam-the glory of specifé activities; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; dänam-charity; dattam-given; hutam-yajna; japtam-japa; tapaù-austerity; ca-and; eva-indeed; tathä-so; kåtam-done; tat-that; akñaya-phalam-eternal result; proktam-said; kärttike-in Kärttika; ca-and; dvijottama-O best of brähmaëas.
The Glories of Specifé Pious Activities Performed During Kärttika
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
“Charity, yajïa, japa, and austerity performed in the month of Kärttika bring a result, O best of brähmaëas, that will never be destroyed.”
Text 54
kià ca
yat kiïcit kärttike dattaà
viñëum uddiçya mänavaiù
tad akñayaà labhyate vai
anna-dänaà viçeñataù
kim- ca-furthermore; yat-what; kiïcit-something; kärttike-in Kärttika; dattam-given; viñëum-to Lord Viñëu; uddiçya-in relation to; mänavaiù-by human beings; tat-that; akñayam-imperishable; labhyate-is attained; vai-indeed; anna-dänam-gift of food; viçeñataù-specifically.
It is further said:
“One who during the month of Kärttika gives a small gift to Lord Viñëu attains a result that will never be destroyed. This is especially true when the gift is food.
Text 55
kià ca
yas tu samvatsaraà pürëaà
agnihotram upäsate
kärttike svastike kåtvä
samam etan na saàçayaù
kim- ca-furthermore; yaù-one who; tu-indeed; samvatsaram-for a year; pürëam-full; agnihotram-agnihotra-yajna; upäsate-worships; kärttike-in Kärttika; svastike-auspicious; kåtvä-doing; samam-equal; etan-this; na-no; saàçayaù-doubt.
“One who follows the auspicious Kärttika vow attains the result of an entire year of performing agnihotra-yajïas. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 56
kärttike yä karoty evaà
keçavasyaiva maëòalam
svarga-sthä çobhate sä su
kapoté pakñiëé yathä
kärttike-in Kärttika; yä-who; karoti-does; evam-thus; keçavasya-of Lord Kåñëa; eva-indeed; maëòalam-the circle; svarga-sthä-staying in Svargaloka; çobhate-is splendid; sä-she; su-indeed; kapoté-a dove; pakñiëé-bird; yathä-as.
“A woman who spends the month of Kärttika in the circle where Lord Keçava stays becomes splendid like a dove in Svargaloka.
Text 57
yaù karoti naro nityaà
kärttike patra-bhojanam
na sa durgatim äpnoti
yävad indräç caturdaça
yaù-who; karoti-does; naraù-a person; nityam-always; kärttike-in Kärttika; patra-bhojanam-offering food; na-not; sa-he attains; durgatim-misfortune; äpnoti-attains; yävat-as; indraù-Indras; caturdaça-fourteen.
“One who regularly offers food to Lord Kåñëa during the month of Kärttika does not suffer troubles. For as long as the fourteen Indras rule, he is free of troubles.
Text 58
janma-prabhåti yat päpaà
mänavaiç ca kåtaà bhavet
tat sarvaà näçam äpnoti
brahma-patreñu bhojanät
janma-with birth; prabhåti-beginning; yat-what; päpam-sin; mänavaiù-by human beings; ca-and; kåtam-done; bhavet-may be; tat-indeed; sarvam-all; näçam-destruction; äpnoti-attains; brahma-of a paläça tree; patreñu-in the leaves; bhojanät-from eating.
“One who during the month of Kärttika eats prasädam from a paläça-leaf plate destroys all sins committed since the time of his birth.
Text 59
sarva-käma-phalaà tasya
sarva-tértha-phalaà labhet
na väpi narakaà paçyed
brahma-patreñu bhojanät
sarva-all; käma-desires; phalam-result; tasya-of him; sarva-tértha-phalam-the result of all pilgrimages; labhet-attains; na-not; vä-or; api-even; narakam-hell; paçyet-sees; brahma-patreñu-in a palasa-leaf plate; bhojanät-from eating.
“One who during the month of Kärttika eats prasädam from a paläça-leaf plate attains all his desires. He attains the result of all pilgrimages. He never sees hell.
Text 60
brahma caiña småtiù sakñät
paläçaù sarva-käma-daù
madhyamaà varjitaà patraà
çüdrasya muni-sattama
bhuïjan narakam äpnoti
yävad indräç caturdaça
brahma-Brahma; ca-and; eña-this; småtiù-remembered; sakñät-directly; paläçaù-palasa; sarva-käma-daù-fulfilling all desires; madhyamam-middle; varjitam-without; patram-leaf; çüdrasya-of a sudra; muni-sattama-O best of sages; bhuïjan-eating; narakam-hell; äpnoti-attains; yävat-as; indräù-Indras; caturdaça-fourteen.
“The paläça tree, which is called by the name Brahma, fulfills all desires. O best of sages, a çüdra should avoid the middle leaf of the paläça tree. A çüdra who eats from such a middle-leaf plate goes to hell for as long as the fourteen Indras live.
Text 61
tila-dänam- nadé-snänaà
sat-kathä sädhu-sevanam
bhojanaà brahma-patreñu
kärttike mukti-däyakam
tila-of sesame; dänam-charity; nadé-in a river; snänam-bathing; sat-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kathä-topics; sädhu-sevanam-service to the devotees; bhojanam-eating; brahma-patreñu-from a paläça-leaf plate; kärttike-in Kärttika; mukti-däyakam-giving liberation.
“During the month of Kärttika giving sesame seeds in charity, bathing in a sacred river, talking about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, serving the devotees, and eating prasädam from a paläça-leaf plate, all grant liberation.
Text 62
jägaraà kärttike mäsi
yaù karoty aruëodaye
dämodarägre viprendra
go-sahasra-phalaà labhet
jägaram-staying awake; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; yaù-who; karoti-does; aruëodaye-to sunrise; dämodarägre-before Lord Dämodara; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; go-sahasra-phalam-the result of a thousand cows; labhet-attains.
“O king of brähmaëas, a person who during the month of Kärttika keeps an all-night vigil, in the presence of Lord Dämodara staying awake until sunrise, attains the pious result of giving a thousand cows in charity.
Text 63
jägaraà paçcime yäme
yaù karoti mahä-mune
kärttike sannidhau viñëos
tat-padaà kara-saàsthitam
jägaram-a vigil; paçcime-the last; yäme-yama; yaù-who; karoti-does; mahä-mune-O great sage; kärttike-in Kärttika; sannidhau-in the presence; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; tat-padam-His abode; kara-saàsthitam-staying in the hand.
“O king of brähmaëas, a person who during the month of Kärttika keeps an all-night vigil, in the presence of Lord Viñëu staying awake until the last portion of the night, finds Lord Viñëu’s spiritual abode in the palm of his hand.
Text 64
sädhu-sevä gaväà gräsaù
kathä viñëos tathärcanam
jägare paçcime yäme
durlabhaù kärttike kalau
sädhu-to the devotees; sevä-service; gaväm-of the cows; gräsaù-feeding; kathä-talking; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; tathä-so; arcanam-worship; jägare-vigil; paçcime-to the last; yäme-yama; durlabhaù-rare; kärttike-in Kärttika; kalau-in Kali-yuga.
“During the month of Kärttika serving the devotees, feeding the cows, talking about and worshiping Lord Viñëu, and keeping a vigil until the last part of the night bring, in the Kali-yuga, a very rare result.”
Text 65
kià ca
jala-dhenu-sahasraà ca
våña-saàsthe diväkare
toyaà dattvä yad äpnoti
snänaà kåtvä tu kärttike
kim- ca-furthermore; jala-dhenu-sahasram-a thousand jaladhenus; ca-and; våña-saàsthe-situated in Taurus; diväkare-in the sun; toyam-water; dattvä-giving; yat-which; äpnoti-attains; snänam-bath; kåtvä-doing; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
It is further said:
“One who bathes during the month of Kärttika attains the pious result of giving water and a thousand jaladhenus in charity when the sun is in Taurus.
Text 66
sannihatyäà kurukñetre
rähu-graste diväkare
sürya-väreëa yat snänaà
tad ekähena kärttike
sannihatyäm-Sannihatya; kurukñetre-at Kuruksetra; rähu-graste-swallowed by Rahu; diväkare-when the sun; sürya-väreëa-on sunday; yat-what; snänam-bath; tat-that; ekähena-by one day; kärttike-in Kärttika.
“By once bathing during the month of Kärttika one attains the pious result of bathing in Lake Sannihatya’ at Kurukñetra during a solar eclipse on a Sunday.
Text 67
pitån uddiçya yad dattaà
kärttike kåñëa-vallabhe
annodakaà muni-çreñöha
akñayaà jäyate nåëäm
pitån uddiçya-to the pitas; yat-what; dattam-given; kärttike-in Kärttika; kåñëa-vallabhe-dear to Lord Viñëu; anna-food; udakam-water; muni-çreñöha-O best of sages; akñayam-immortal; jäyate-is born; nåëäm-of men.
“O best of sages, they become free from death who offer food and water to the pitäs during the month of Kärttika, which is dear to Lord Kåñëa.”
Text 68
kià ca
géta-çästra-vinodena
kärttikaà yo nayen naraù
na tasya punar ävåttir
mayä dåñöä kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; géta-çästra-vinodena-by happily reading Bhagavad-gétä; kärttikam-in Kärttika; yaù-who; nayen-pass; naraù-a person; na-not; tasya-of him; punaù-again; ävåttiù-return; mayä-by me; dåñöä-seen; kali-priya-O Narada.
It is further said:
“O Närada, I have personally seen that a person who happily reads Bhagavad-géta’ during the month of Kärttika does not return to the world of birth and death.”
Text 69
kià ca
pradakñiëaà ca yaù kuryät
kärttike viñëu-sadmani
pade pade ‘çvamedhasya
phala-bhägé bhaven naraù
kim- ca-furthermore; pradakñiëam-circumambulation; ca-and; yaù-who; kuryät-does; kärttike-in Kärttika; viñëu-sadmani-in the abode of Lord Viñëu; pade pade-at every step; açvamedhasya-of an asvamedha-yajna; phala-bhägé-attaining the result; bhaven-is; naraù-a person.
It is further said:
“By circumambulating a temple of Lord Viñëu during the month of Kärttika one attains at every step the pious result of performing an açvamedha-yajïa.
Text 70
gétaà vädyaà ca nåtyaà ca
kärttike purato hareù
yaù karoti naro bhaktyä
labhate cäkñayaà padam
gétam-singing; vädyam-playing musical instruments; ca-and; nåtyam-dancing; ca-and; kärttike-in Kärttika; purataù-before; hareù-Lord Hari; yaù-one who; karoti-does; naraù-a person; bhaktyä-with devotion; labhate-attains; ca-and; akñayam-imperishable; padam-result.
“During the month of Kärttika a person who with devotion sings, plays a musical instrument, and dances before the Deity of Lord Hari attains a pious result that will never be lost.
Text 71
harer näma-sahasräkhyaà
gajendrasya ca mokñaëam
“They who with great devotion gaze at a palatial temple lit with a splendid lamp have not a single relative that lives in hell.
Text 136
divi devä nirékñyante
viñëu-dépa-pradaà naram
kadä bhaviñyaty asmäkaà
saìgamaù puëya-karmaëä
divi-in the higher planets; devä-the demigods; nirékñyante-are seen; viñëu-dépa-pradam-offering lamps to Lord Viñëu; naram-a human; kadä-when?; bhaviñyati-will be; asmäkam-of all; saìgamaù-the company; puëya-karmaëä-by pious deeds.
“When they see a human being offering a lamp to Lord Viñëu, the demigods in Devaloka think: When, by performing that single pious deed, will this person join us here?
Text 137
kärttike kärttikéà yävat
präsädopari dépakam
yo dadäti muni-çreñöha
tasyendratvaà na durlabham
kärttike-in Kärttika; kärttikém-in Kärttika; yävat-when; präsäda-a temple; upari-above; dépakam-a lamp; yaù-who; dadäti-places; muni-çreñöha-O best of sages; tasya-of him; indratvam-the post of Indra; na-not; durlabham-difficult to attain.
“O best of sages, a person who places a lamp on a temple roof during the month of Kärttika does not find it difficult to attain the post of Indra.
Text 138
atha tatra dépa-mälä-mähätmyam-
skände tatraiva
dépa-paìktes” ca racanäà
sa-bähyäbhyantare hareù
viñëor vimäne kurute
sa naraù çaìkha-cakra-dhåk
atha-now; tatra-there; dépa-mälä-mähätmyam-the glory of a row of lamps; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; dépa-paìkteù-of a row of lamps; ca-and; racanäm-creation; sa-bähya-outside; abhyantare-and inside; hareù-of Lord Hari; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; vimäne-on a palatial temple; kurute-does; saù-He; naraù-a person; çaìkha-cakra-dhåk-holding a conch and cakra.
The Glories of Offering Many Lamps During the Month of Kärttika
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
“A person who lights many lamps inside and outside Lord Viñëu’s temple becomes a liberated soul. Holding a diñ and conch, he attains a spiritual form like Lord Viñëu’s.
Text 139
dépa-paìkteç ca racanäà
kurute keçavälaye
tasyänvaye prasütänäà
lakñäëäà narakaà na hi
dépa-paìkteù-of many lamps; ca-and; racanäm-creation; kurute-does; keçavälaye-in Lord Kåñëa;’s temple; tasya-of him; anvaye-in the family; prasütänäm-born; lakñäëäm-of hundred thousand; narakam-hell; na-not; hi-indeed.
“When a person lights many lamps in Lord Keçava’s temple, not a single of his hundred thousand closest relatives lives in hell.
Text 140
viñëor vimänaà dépäòhyaà
sa-bähyäbhyantare mune
dépodyata-kare märge
tena präptaà paraà padam
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; vimänam-the temple; dépäòhyam-opulent with lamps; sa-bähyäbhyantare-within and without; mune-O sage; dépodyata-kare-with shining lamps; märge-on the path; tena-by him; präptam-attained; param-the supreme; padam-abode.
“O sage, a person who makes Lord Viñëu’s temple splendid with many lights inside and outside, travels to the supreme abode on the path shining with light.”
Texts 141 and 142
bhaviñye ca
yaù kuryät kärttike mäsi
çobhanaà dépa-mälikäm
prabodhe caiva dvädaçyäà
ekädaçyäà viçeñataù
süryäyuta-prakäças tu
tejasä bhäsayan diçaù
tejo-räçi-vimäna-stho
jagad uddyotayaàs tviñä
bhaviñye-in the Bahviñya Puräëa; ca-and; yaù-who; kuryät-does; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; çobhanam-beauty; dépa-mälikäm-a garland of lamps; prabodhe-lighting; ca-and; eva-indeed; dvädaçyäm-on dvadasi; ekädaçyäm-on ekädaçé; viçeñataù-specifically; sürya-suns; ayuta-tne thousand; prakäçaù-shining; tu-indeed; tejasä-with light; bhäsayan-illuminating; diçaù-the directions; tejo-räçi-vimäna-sthaù-on an airplane filled with light; jagat-the universe; uddyotayaàù-illuminates; tviñä-with light.
In the Bhaviñya Puräëa it is said:
“A person who makes the Lord’s temple splendid with many lamps during the month of Kärttika, and especially during the ekädaçé or the dvädaçé of that month, becomes glorious like ten thousand suns. Traveling in a splendid airplane that fills the universe with light, he leaves this world of birth and death.
Text 143
yävat pradépa-saìkhyä tu
ghåtenäpürya bodhitä
tävad varña-sahasräëi
viñëuloke mahéyate
yävat-as; pradépa-saìkhyä-with a number of lamps; tu-indeed; ghåtenäpürya-filled with ghee; bodhitä-lighted; tävat-so; varña-sahasräëi-for a thousand years; viñëuloke-in Viñëuloka; mahéyate-is glorified.
“For each lamp that he lit on the earth he is glorified on Viñëuloka for a thousand years.
Text 144
pädme tatraiva
uccaiù pradépam äkäçe
yo dadyät kärttike naraù
sarvaà kulaà samuddhåtya
viñëulokam aväpnuyät
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; uccaiù-greatly; pradépam-lamp; äkäçe-in the sky; yaù-who; dadyät’-places; kärttike’in Kärttika; naraù-a person; sarvam-all; kulam-family; samuddhåtya-delivering; viñëulokam’to Viñëuloka; aväpnuyät-attains.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“A person who places a great lamp high in the sky during the month of Kärttika takes all his relatives with him to Viñëuloka.
Text 145
viñëu-keçavam uddiçya
dépaà dadyät tu kärttike
äkäça-sthaà jala-sthaà ca
çåëutäsyäpi yat phalam
viñëu-keçavam-Lord Kåñëa; uddiçya-in relation to; dépam-lamp; dadyät-gives; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; äkäça-stham-in the sky; jala-stham-in the water; ca-and; çåëuta-please hear; asya-of that; api-also; yat-what; phalam-result.
“Please hear the result obtained by a person who offers a lamp to Lord Kåñëa in the sky or over the water during the month of Kärttika.
Text 146
dhanaà dhanyaà samåddhiç ca
putravän éçvaro gåhe
locane ca çubhe tasya
vidvän api ca jäyate
dhanam-wealth; dhanyam-good fortune; samåddhiù-prosperity; ca-and; putravän-good children; éçvaraù-controller; gåhe-in the home; locane-in the eye; ca-and; çubhe-beautiful; tasya-of him; vidvän-learned; api-also; ca-and; jäyate-is born.
“He becomes wealthy, fortunate, and prosperous. He becomes a controller of others. He has good children. Everything before his eyes and in his home is beautiful. He becomes wise and learned.”
Text 147
kià ca
vipra-veçmani yo dadyät
kärttike mäsi dépakam
agniñöoma-phalaà tasya
pravadanti manéñiëaù
kim- ca-furthermore; vipra-veçmani-in a brähmaëa’s home; yaù-who; dadyät-offers; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; dépakam-lamp; agniñöoma-phalam-the result of an agniñöoma-yajna; tasya-of him; pravadanti’say; manéñiëaù-the wise.
It is further said:
“The wise say that a person who offers a lamp in a brähmaëa’s home during the month of Kärttika attains the result of offering an agniñöoma-yajïa.
Text 148
catuñpaöheñu rathyäsu
brähmaëävasatheñu ca
våkña-müleñu goñöheñu
käntare gahaneñu ca
dépa-dänäd dhi sarvatra
mahä-phalam aväpnuyät
catuñpaöheñu-at a crossway; rathyäsu-on royal roads; brähmaëävasatheñu-in brähmaëas’ homes; ca-and; våkña-müleñu-at the roots of trees; goñöheñu-in cow barns; käntäre-in a great forest; gahaneñu-in hidden places; ca-and; dépa-dänät-by offering lamps; hi-indeed; sarvatra-everywhere; mahä-phalam-a greta result; aväpnuyät-attains.
“A person who places lamps on the royal roads, on crossroads, in brähmaëas’ homes, at tree roots, in cow barns, in forests, in hidden places, and everywhere, attains a great result.
Text 149
äkäça-dépa-däna-mantraù
tatraiva
dämodaräya nabhasi
tuläyäà lolayä saha
pradépaà te prayacchämi
namo ‘nantäya vedhase. iti.
äkäça-in the sky; dépa-light; däna-placing; mantraù-mantra; tatra-there; eva-indeed; dämodaräya-to Lord Dämodara; nabhasi-in the sky; tuläyäm-during Kärttika; lolayä-the goddess of fortune; saha-with; pradépam-lamp; te-they; prayacchämi-offer; namaù-obeisances; anantäya-to the unlimited; vedhase-to the creator; iti-thus.
A Mantra For Offering a Lamp in the Sky
In the scriptures it is said:
“Reciting the mantra ‘namo ‘nantäya vedhase’ (Obeisances to the unlimited, to the Supreme Creator), the devotees offer a lamp to Lord Dämodara and the goddess of fortune in the sky.
Text 150
atha deça-viçeñe kärttika-mähätmya-viçeñah
pädme tatraiva
yatra kuträpi deçe yaù
kärttika-snäna-dänataù
agnihotra-sama-phalaù
püjäyäà ca viçeñataù
atha-now; deça-places; viçeñe-in specific; kärttika-mähätmya-viçeñah-the glories of Kärttika; pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yatra kutra-wherever; api-even; deçe-in the country; yaù-one who; kärttika-in Kärttika; snäna-bathing; dänataù-and giving charity; agnihotra-sama-equal to an agnihotra-yajna; phalaù-the result; püjäyäm-in worship; ca-and; viçeñataù-specifically.
The Glories of Observing the Kärttika Vow in Certain Specifé Places
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“Wherever one may be, by bathing, giving charity, or especially by worshiping the Lord during the month of Kärttika one attains the result of performing an agnihotra-yajïa.
Text 151
kurukñetre koöi-guëo
gaìgäyäà cäpi tat-samaù
tato ‘dhikaù puñkare syäd
dvärakäyäà ca bhärgava
kåñëa-sälokya-do mäsaù
püjä-snänaiç ca kärttikaù
kurukñetre-in Kuruksetra; koöi-guëaù-tne million times; gaìgäyäm-by the gaìgä; ca-and; api-also; tat-samaù-equal to that; tataù-than that; adhikaù-more; puñkare-at Puskara; syät-is; dvärakäyäm-in Dvärakä;
ca-and; bhärgava-O descendent of Bhågu; kåñëa-sälokya-daù-giving residence on Lord Kåñëa’s planet; mäsaù-month; püjä-worship; snänaiù-bathing; ca-and; kärttikaù-in Kärttika.
“Observing the vow of Kärttika brings a result ten million times greater when performed at Kurukñetra or by the Gaìgä’s shore. The result is even greater at Puñkara-tértha. Bathing and worship at Dväraka’ during the month of Kärttika carries one to the abode of Lord Kåñëa.
Text 152
anyäù puryas tat-samänä
munayo mathuräm- vinä
dämodaratvam- hi hares
tatraiväséd yataù kila
anyäù-other; puryaù-cities; tat-samänä-equal to them; munayaù-sages; mathuräm-Mathurä; vinä-except for; dämodaratvam-the nature of Dämodara; hi-indeed; hareù-of Lord Hari; tatra-there; eva-indeed; äsét-was; yataù’because; kila-indeed.
“O sages, other holy cities bring similar results. The district of Mathurä, however, is different, because Lord Kåñëa revealed His Dämodara pastimes in the district of Mathurä.
Text 153
mathuräyäà tataç corje
vaikuëöha-préti-vardhanaù
kärttike mathuräyäà vai
paramävadhir iñyate
mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; tataù-therefore; ca-and; ürje-in Kärttika; vaikuëöha-préti-vardhanaù-increased love for Lord Kåñëa; kärttike-in Kärttika; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; vai-indeed; parama-greatly; avadhiù-the greatest; iñyate-is attained.
“Observing the vow of Kärttika in Mathura’ brings love for Lord Kåñëa. In this way the best result is obtained in Mathurä.
Text 154
yathä mäghe prayägaù syäd
vaiçäkhe jähnavé yathä
kärttike mathurä sevyä
tatotkarñaù paro na hi
yathä-as; mäghe-in the month of Magha; prayägaù-Prayaga; syät-is; vaiçäkhe-in Vaiskha; jähnavé-the Gaìgä; yathä-as; kärttike-in Kärttika; mathurä-Mathurä; sevyä-to be served; tatotkarñaù-superiority; paraù-great; na-not; hi-indeed.
“As Prayäga should be served in the month of Mägha (January-February), and as the Gaìga’ should be served in the month of Vaiçäkha (April-May), so Mathura’ should be served in the month of Kärttika. Nothing is better than service to Mathura’ in Kärttika.
Text 155
mathuräyäà narair ürje
snätvä dämodaro ‘rcitaù
kåñëa-rüpä hi te jïeyä
nätra käryä vicäraëä
mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; naraiù-by people; ürje-in Kärttika; snätvä-bathing; dämodaraù-Dämodara; arcitaù-worshiped; kåñëa-rüpä-the form of Lord Kåñëa; hi-indeed; te-they; jïeyä-should be known; na-not; atra-here; käryä-to be done; vicäraëä-doubt.
“They who bathe and then worship Lord Dämodara in Mathura’ during the month of Kärttika attain spiritual forms like Lord Kåñëa’s. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 156
durlabhaù kärttiko vipra
mathuräyäà nåëäm iha
yaträrcitaù svakaà rüpaà
bhaktebhyaù samprayacchati
durlabhaù-rare; kärttikaù-Kärttika; vipra-O brähmaëa; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; nåëäm-of the people; iha-here; yatra-where; arcitaù-worshiped; svakam-own; rüpam-form; bhaktebhyaù-to the devotees; samprayacchati-gives.
“O brähmaëa, it is rare that one is allowed to spend the month of Kärttika in Mathurä. To they who worship Him in Mathura’ during Kärttika, Lord Kåñëa reveals His own transcendental form.
Text 157
bhuktià muktià harir dadyäd
arcito ‘nyatra sevinäm
bhaktià ca na dadäty eña
yato vaçya-karé hariù
bhuktim-happiness; muktim-;liberation; hariù-Lord Kåñëa; dadyät-gives; arcitaù-worshiped; anyatra-another place; sevinäm-of the servants; bhaktim-devotional service; ca-and; na-not; dadäti-gives; eña-He; yataù-because; vaçya-karé-brought under control; hariù-Lord Kåñëa.
“To the devotees who worship Him in other places, Lord Kåñëa gives happiness and liberation, but He does not give devotional service, for devotional service turns Him into His devotee’s servant.
Text 158
sa tö aïjasä harer bhaktir
labhyate kärttike naraiù
mathuräyäà sakåd api
çré-dämodara-püjanät
saù-He; tv-indeed; aïjasä-easily; hareù-of Lord Kåñëa; bhaktiù-dfevotional service; labhyate-is obtained; kärttike-in Kärttika; naraiù-by people; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; sakåt-once; api-even; çré-dämodara-püjanät-by worshiping Lord Dämodara.
“Still, one can very easily attain devotional service by once worshiping Lord Dämodara in Mathura’ during Kärttika.
Text 159
mantra-dravya-vihénaà ca
vidhi-hénaà ca püjanam
manyate kärttike devo
mathuräyäà yad-arcanam
mantra-matras; dravya-things; vihénam-without; ca-and; vidhi-hénam-without rules; ca-and; püjanam-worship; manyate-considers; kärttike-in Kärttika; devaù-the Lord; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; yad-arcanam-whose worship.
“Even if it is performed without the proper mantras and offerings and without following the rules and regulations, Lord Kåñëa considers worship of Him in Mathura’ during Kärttika to be the most perfect kind of worship.
Text 160
yasya päpasya yujyeta
maraëäntä viniñkåtiù
tac-chuddhy-artham idaà proktaà
präyaçcittaà su-niçcitam
kärttike mathuräyäà vai
çré-dämodara-püjanam
yasya-of which; päpasya-sin; yujyeta-engaged; maraëäntä-until death; viniñkåtiù-atoned; tä-chuddhy-artham-for purification; idam-this; proktam-said; präyaçcittam-atonement; su-niçcitam-concluded; kärttike-in Kärttika; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; vai-indeed; çré-dämodara-püjanam-worship of Lord Dämodara.
“Worship of Lord Dämodara in Mathura’ during the month of Kärttika is the proper atonement for a lifetime of sins.
Text 161
kärttike mathuräyäà vai
püjanäd darçanaà dhruvaù
çéghraà sampräptavän bälo
durlabhaà yoga-tat-paraiù
kärttike-in Kärttika; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; vai-indeed; püjanät-from thew worship; darçanam-seeing; dhruvaù-Dhruva; çéghram-quickly; sampräptavän-attained; bälaù-a child; durlabham-rare; yoga-tat-paraiù-by the great yogis.
“By worshiping the Lord in Mathura’ during the month of Kärttika, the child Dhruva was quickly able to see Lord Kåñëa directly, an attainment rare even for the great yogés.
Text 162
sulabhä mathurä bhümau
praty-abdaà kärttikas tathä
tathäpi saàsarantéha
narä müòhä bhavämbudhau
sulabhä-easily attained; mathurä-Mathurä; bhümau-on the earth; praty-abdam-every year; kärttikaù-Kärttika; tathä-so; tathäpi-still; saàsaranti-take birth again andagain; iha-here; narä-the people; müòhä-bewildered; bhavämbudhau-in the ocean of birth and death.
“Even though every year there is a Kärttika, and even though it is easy to go to Mathurä, still the bewildered people, miss the opportunity placed before them. That is why they take birth again and again in the ocean of material life.
Text 163
kià yajïaiù kià tapobhiç ca
térthair anyaiç ca sevitaiù
kärttike mathuräyäà ced
arcyate rädhikä-priyaù
kim-what is the use?; yajïaiù-of yajnas; kim-what is the use?; tapobhiù-of uasterities; ca-and; térthaiù-pilgrimages; anyaiù-other; ca-and; sevitaiù-served; kärttike-in Kärttika; mathuräyäm-in mathurä; cet-if; arcyate’worshiped; rädhikä-priyaù-the beloved of Rädhä.
“What is the use of yajïas, austerities, and pilgrimages to a person who has the opportunity to worship Lord Kåñëa, the beloved of Rädhä, in Mathura’ during the month of Kärttika?
Text 164
yäni sarväëi térthäni
nadä nadyaù saräàsi ca
kärttike nivasanty atra
mäthure sarva-maëòale
yäni-which; sarväëi-all; térthäni-holy places; nadä-streams; nadyaù-rivers; saräàsi-lakes; ca-and; kärttike-in Kärttika; nivasanti-stay; atra-there; mäthure-in Mathurä; sarva-maëòale-in the circle.
“During the month of Kärttika all holy streams, rivers, and lakes reside in the circle of Mathurä.
Text 165
kärttike janma-sadane
keçavasya ca ye naräù
sakåt praviñöäù çré-kåñëaà
te yänti param avyayam
kärttike-in Kärttika; janma-sadane-in the birthplace; keçavasya’of Lord Kåñëa; ca-and; ye-which; naräù-people; sakåt-once; praviñöäù-entered; çré-kåñëam-Çré Kåñëa; te-they; yänti-attain; param’supreme; avyayam-eternal.
“They who once enter Lord Kåñëa’s birthplace in Mathura’ will enter the spiritual world and meet Lord Kåñëa, the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Text 166
paropahäsam uddiçya
kärttike hari-püjayä
mathuräyäà labhed bhaktyä
kià punaù çraddhayä naraù. iti.
paropahäsam-joking; uddiçya-in relation to; kärttike-in Kärttika; hari-püjäyä-worship of Lord Kåñëa; mathuräyäm-in Mathurä; labhet-attain; bhaktyä-with devotion; kim-what?; punaù-again; çraddhayä-with faith; naraù-a person; iti-thus.
“A person who as a joke worships Lord Kåñëa in Mathura’ during Kärttika attains the Lord’s supreme abode. What, then, can be said of they who worship the Lord with faith and devotion?”
Text 167
itthaà kärttika-kåtyäni
vyaktäny eva svato ‘bhavan
tatra kiïcid viçeñena
tad-vidhir likhyate ‘dhunä
ittham-thus; kärttika-kåtyäni-the duties of Kärttika; vyaktäni-manifested; eva-indeed; svataù-spontaneously; abhavan-became; tatra-there; kiïcit-something; viçeñena-specifically; tad-vidhiù-the way of that; likhyate-is written; adhunä-now.
Thus, in a general way I have written about the duties of Kärttika. Now I will write specifically how these duties should be performed.
Text 168
atha kärttika-kåtya-vidhiù
tatropakrama-kälaù
çré-kåñëa-satyä-samvädéya-kärttika-mähätmye
açvinasya tu mäsasya
yä çuklaikädaçé bhavet
kärttikasya vratänéha
tasyäà kuryäd atandritaù
atha-now; kärttika-kåtya-vidhiù-the way the duties of Kärttika should be performed; tatra-there; upakrama-beginning; kälaù-time; çré-kåñëa-of Lord Kåñëa; satyä-and Satyabhämä; samvädéya-in a conversation; kärttika-mähätmye-in the glories of Kärttika; açvinasya-of asvina; tu-indeed; mäsasya-the month; yä-which; çuklaikädaçé-çukla-ekädaçé; bhavet-is; kärttikasya-of Kärttika; vratäni-vows; iha-here; tasyäm-in that; kuryät-should do; atandritaù-diligently.
How the Duties of Kärttika Should Be Performed
When Kärttika Begins
In the Kärttika-mähätmya, Lord Kåñëa tells Satyabhämä:
“One should diligently follow the vow of Kärttika, which begins on the çukla-ekädaçé of the month of Açvina.
Text 169
nityaà jägaraëäyäntye
yäme rätreù samutthitaù
çucir bhütvä prabodhyätha
stotrair néräjayet prabhum
nityam-regularly; jägaraëäya-for waking; äntye-in the last; yäme-portion; rätreù-of the night; samutthitaù-risen; çuciù-pure; bhütvä-becoming; prabodhya-waking; atha-then; stotraiù-with prayers; néräjayet-should offer arati; prabhum-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
“In this vow one should rise at the end of night, waken the Deity with prayers, and then offer ärati.
Text 170
niçamya vaiñëavän dharmän
vaiñëavaiù saha harñitaù
kåtvä gétädikaà prätar
devaà néräjayet prabhum
niçamya-hearing; vaiñëavän-of Lord Viñëu; dharmän-the religion; vaiñëavaiù-the Vaiñëavas; saha-with; harñitaù-happy; kåtvä-doing; gétädikam-beginning with songs; prätaù-early in the morning; devam-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; néräjayet-should offer arati; prabhum-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
“In the company of the Vaiñëavas in the morning one should happily hear about the religion of devotional service to Lord Viñëu, sing songs glorifying Lord Viñëu, and offer ärati to Lord Viñëu.
Text 171
nady-ädau ca tato gatvä-
camya saìkalpam äcaret
prabhuà prärthyätha tasmai ca
dadyäd arghyaà yathä-vidhi
nady-ädau-beginning with rivers; ca-and; tataù-then; gatvä-going; äcamya-sipping; saìkalpam-desire; äcaret-should do; prabhum-to the Lord; prärthya-praying; atha-then; tasmai-to Him; ca-and; dadyät-should offer; arghyam-arghya; yathä-vidhi-according to the rules.
“Then one should go to a river or other source of water, perform äcamana, recite the saìkalpa mantra, recite the prärthana’ mantra, and then properly offer arghya to the Lord.
Text 172
tatra saìkalpa-mantraù
kärttike ‘haà kariñyämi
prätaù snänaà janärdana
préty-arthaà tava deveça
dämodara mayä saha
tatra-there; saìkalpa-mantraù-the saìkalpa-mantra; kärttike-in Kärttika; aham-I; kariñyämi-will do; prätaù-in the morning; snänam-bath; janärdana-O Lord Kåñëa; préty-artham-for the satisfaction; tava-of You; deveça-O master of the demigods; dämodara-O Dämodara; mayä-the goddess of fortune; saha-with.
The Saìkalpa mantra
“O Lord Dämodara, O Lord who rescues the devotees from sufferings, O master of the demigods, to please You and Goddess Rädhä, I shall bathe every morning during the month of Kärttika.”
Text 173
atha prärthanä-mantraù
tava dhyänena deveça
jale ‘smin snätum udyataù
tvat-prasädäc ce me päpaà
dämodara vinaçyatu
atha-then; prärthanä-mantraù-the prarthana mantra; tava-of You; dhyänena-by meditation; deveça-O master of the demigods; jale-in water; asmin-in this; snätum-to bathe; udyataù-about; tvat-prasädät-by Your mercy; ca-and; me-of me; päpam-the sin; dämodara-O Lord Dämodara; vinaçyatu.-will be destroyed.
The Prärthanä mantra
“O master of the demigods, rapt in meditation on You, I am about to take my bath. O Lord Dämodara, by Your grace may all my sins be destroyed.”
Text 174
atha arghya-mantraù
vratinaù kärttike mäsi
snätasya vidhivan mama
dämodara gåhäëärghyaà
danujendra-nisüdana
atha-now; arghya-mantraù-arghya mantra; vratinaù-following the vow; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; snätasya-bathing; vidhivat-properly; mama-of me; dämodara-O Lord Dämodara; gåhäëa-please accept; ärghyam-arghya; danujendra-nisüdana-O killer of the great demons.
The Arghya mantra
“O Lord Dämodara, O killer of the kings of the demons, please accept this arghya that I, who have bathed and who follow this vow, properly offer to You.
Text 175
nitye naimittike kåtsne
kärttike päpa-çoñaëe
gåhäëärghyaà mayä dattaà
rädhayä sahito hare
nitye-regular; naimittike-occasional; kåtsne-all; kärttike-in Ka’rttika; päpa-çoñaëe-drying up sins; gåhäëa-please accept; arghyam-arghya; mayä-by me; dattam-offered; rädhayä’Rädhä; sahitaù-with; hare-O Kåñëa.
“O Lord Kåñëa accompanied by Goddess Rädhä, please accept this arghya I offer to You. May the regular and occasional duties I perform during this month of Kärttika dry up all my sins.”
Text 176
tilair älipya dehaà svaà
nämoccäraëa-pürvakam
snätvä sa-vidhinä sandhyäà
upäsya gåham ävrajet
tilaiù-with oil; älipya-anointing; deham-body; svam-own; nämoccäraëa-pürvakam’calling out the holy name; snätvä-bathing; sa-vidhinä-properly; sandhyäm-gayatri; upäsya-worshiping; gåham-home; ävrajet-should go.
Then one should anoint his body with oil, chant the Lord’s holy names, bathe, properly chant the gäyatré mantra, and then return home.
Text 177
upalipyätha devägre
nirmäya svastikaà prabhum
tulasé-mälaté-padmä-
gastya-puñpädinärcayet
upalipya-anointing; atha-then; deva-of the Lord; agre-in the presence; nirmäya-doing; svastikam-svastika; prabhum-the Lord; tulasé-with Tulasé; mälaté-padmä-gastya-puñpädinä-with mälaté, lotus, agastya, and others; puñpa-flowers; ädinä-beginning; arcayet-should worship.
Then, after anointing and making a svastika, one should worship the Deity with Tulasé and with mälaté, lotus, agastya, and other flowers.
Text 178
nityaà vaiñëava-saìgatyä
seveta bhagavat-kathäm
sarpiñähar-niçäà dépaà
tila-tailena cärcayet
nityam-regularly; vaiñëava-saìgatyä-in the company of the Vaiñëavas; seveta-one should serve; bhagavat-kathäm-the message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sarpiñä-with ghee; ahar-niçäm-day and night; dépam-lamp; tila-tailena-with sesame oil; ca-and; arcayet-should worship.
In the company of the Vaiñëavas one should regularly serve the words glorifying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Day and night a lamp of ghee or sesame oil should be used to worship the Lord.
Text 179
viçeñataç ca naivedyäny
arpayed arcayet tathä
praëamaàç ca yathä-çaktyä
eka-bhaktädika-vratam
viçeñataù-specifically; ca-and; naivedyäni-offerings of food; arpayet-should place; arcayet-should worship; tathä-then; praëaman-bowing down; ca-and; yathä-çaktyä-as far as one is able; eka-bhaktädika-vratam-with a vow of being devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead alone.
One should place offerings of food before the Lord, worship the Lord, and bow down before Him. In this way as far as one is able one should follow this vow of being devoted to the Lord alone.
Text 180
tathä ca pädme tatraiva
prätar utthäya çaucädi
kåtvä gatvä jaläçaye
kåtvä ca vidhivat snänaà
tato dämodarärcanam
tathä-so; ca-and; pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; prätaù-in the m,orning; utthäya-rising; çauca-cleanliness; ädi-beginning with; kåtvä-doing; gatvä-going; jaläçaye-in a body of water; kåtvä-doing; ca-and; vidhivat-according to the rules; snänam-bath; tataù-then; dämodarärcanam-the worship of Lord Dämodara.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“Early in the morning one should rise, go to a body of water, properly bathe, and then worship Lord Dämodara.
Text 181
kià ca
maunena bhojanaà käryaà
kärttike vrata-dhäriëä
ghåtena dépa-dänaà syät
tila-tailena vä punaù
kim- ca-furthermore; maunena-in silence; bhojanam-eating; käryam-should be done; kärttike-in Kärttika; vrata-dhäriëä-following the vow; ghåtena-with ghee; dépa-dänam-offering a lamp; syät-should be; tila-sesamum; tailena-with oil; vä-or; punaù-again.
It is further said:
“One who follows the Kärttika vow should take his meals in silence. He should offer a lamp of ghee or sesame oil.
Text 182
dinaà ca kåñëa-kathayä
vaiñëavänäà ca saìgamaiù
néyatäà kärttike mäsi
saìkalpa-vrata-pälanam
dinam-the day; ca-and; kåñëa-kathayä-with talks of Lord Kåñëa; vaiñëavänäm-of the Vaiñëavas; ca-and; saìgamaiù-with association; néyatäm-should be passed; kärttike mäsi-in Kärttika month; saìkalpa-vrata-pälanam-to keep the vow he made with the saìkalpa mantra.
“To keep the vow he made with the saìkalpa mantra he should pass his days talking of Lord Kåñëa in the company of the devotees.
Texts 183 and 184
äçvine çukla-pakñasya
prärambhe hari-väsare
athavä paurëamäsétaù
saìkrantau vä tulägame
dépa-dänam akhaëòaà ca
dadyäd vai viñëu-sannidhau
devälaye tulasyäà vä
äkäçe vä tad uttamam
äçvine-of Asvina; çukla-pakñasya-on the bright fortnight; prärambhe-beginning; hari-väsare-on ekädaçé; athavä-or; paurëamäsétaù-from the full moon; saìkrantau-on sankranti; vä-or; tulägame-on Tulagama; dépa-lamp; dänam-offering; akhaëòam-unbroken; ca-and; dadyät-should offer; vai-indeed; viñëu-sannidhau-to Lord Viñëu; devälaye-in the temple; tulasyäm-to Tulasé; vä-or; äkäçe-to the sky; vä-or; tat-that; uttamam-then.
“Beginning in the month of Açvina, either on the çukla-ekädaçé, or on the full moon day, or on the tula-saìkranti day, he should offer a lamp to Lord Viñëu in the temple, or he should offer the lamp to Tulasé-devé, or to the sky.”
Text 185
kià ca
rajataà kanakaà dépän
mani-muktäphalädikam
dämodarasya préty-arthaà
pradadyät kärttike naraù
kim- ca-furthermore; rajatam-silver; kanakam-gold; dépän-lamps; maëi-jewels; muktäphala-pearls; ädikam-beginning; dämodarasya-of Lord Dämodara; préty-artham-for the pleasure; pradadyät-should give; kärttike-in Kärttika; naraù-a person.
It is further said:
“During the month of Kärttika a person should offer silver, gold, lamps, jewels, pearls, and other valuables to please Lord Dämodara.”
Text 186
skände ca çré-rukmäìgada-mohiné-samväde
na gåhe kärttike kuryäd
viçeñena tu kärttikam
térthe tu kärttikéà kuryät
sarva-yatnena bhävini. iti.
skände ca çré-rukmäìgada-mohiné-samväde-in the Skanda Puräëa, in a conversation of Çré Mohiné and Çré Rukmäìgada; na-not; gåhe-in the home; kärttike-during Kärttika; kuryät-should do; viçeñena-specifically; tu-indeed; kärttikam-Kärttika; térthe-in a holy place; tu-indeed; kärttikém-the vow of Kärttika; kuryät-should do; sarva-all; yatnena-with endeavor; bhävini-O goddess; iti-thus.
In the Skanda Puräëa, Çré Rukmäìgada tells Çré Mohiné:
“O goddess, one should not follow the Kärttika vow at home. One should go to a holy place and follow it there very carefully.”
Text 187
atha kärttike varjyäni
tatraiva brahma-närada-samväde
kärttike tu viçeñena
räja-mäñäàç ca bhakñayan
niñpävän muni-çärdüla
yävad ähüta-näraké
atha-now; kärttike-in Kärttika; varjyäni-waht should be avoided; tatra-there; eva-indeed; brahma-närada-samväde-in a conversation of Brahma’ and Närada; kärttike-in Kärttika; tu-indeed; viçeñena-specifically; räja-mäñän-rajamasa beans; ca-and; bhakñayan-should eat; niñpävän-kidney beans; muni-of sages; çärdüla-O tiger; yävat-as; ähüta-called; näraké-a resident of hell.
What Should Be Avoided During the Month of Kärttika
In the Skanda Puräëa, in a conversation of Brahma’ and Närada, it is said:
“O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Kärttika eats räjamäña beans or kidney beans becomes a resident of hell.
Text 188
kaliìgäni paöoläni
våntakaà sandhitäni ca
na tyajet kärttike mäsi
yävad ähüta-näraké
kaliìgäni-kaliìga; paöoläni-paöola; våntakam-eggplant; sandhitäni-pickles; ca-and; na-not; tyajet-abandons; kärttike mäsi-in Kärttika month; yävat-as; ähüta-näraké-is called a resident of hell.
“A person who during the month of Kärttika does not avoid eating kaliìga, paöola, eggplant, and pickles becomes a resident of hell.
Text 189
kärttike mäsi dharmätmä
matsyaà mäàsaà na bhakñayet
tatraiva yatnatas tyäjyaà
çäçakaà çaukaraà tathä
kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; dharmätmä-a religious person; matsyam-fish; mäàsam-meat; na-not; bhakñayet-eats; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yatnataù-carefully; tyäjyam-ot be avoided; çäçakam-rabbit; çaukaram-pork; tathä-so.
“During the month of Kärttika a religious person will carefully avoid eating fish, rabbit, pork, or any kind of flesh.”
Text 190
kià ca
parännaà para-çayyäà ca
para-däraà paräìganäm
sarvadä varjayet präjïo
viçeñena tu kärttike
kim- ca-furthermore; parännam-sumptuous food; para-çayyäm-comfortable bed; ca-and; para-däram-another’s wife; paräìganäm-prostitute; sarvadä-always; varjayet-should avoid; präjïaù-intelligent; viçeñena-specifically; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
It is further said:
“During the month of Kärttika an intelligent person should stay away from sumptuous food, comfortable bed, prostitutes, and other’s wives.
Text 191
tailäbhyaìgaà tathä çayyäà
parännaà kaàsya-bhojanam
kärttike varjayed yas tu
paripürëa-vraté bhavet
taila-oil; abhyaìgam-anointing; tathä-so; çayyäm-bed; parännam-suptuous food; kaàsya-bhojanam-eating from a bell-metal plate; kärttike-in Kärttika; varjayet-should avoid; yaù-who; tu-indeed; paripürëa-vraté-completely following the vow; bhavet-should be.
“A person who properly follows the Kärttika vow should avoid being anointed with oil, eating sumptuous food, sleeping in a comfortable bed, and eating from a bell-metal plate.
Text 192
sampräpte kärttike dåñövä
parännaà yas tu varjayet
dine dine tu kåcchrasya
phalaà präpnoti mänavaù
sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika; dåñövä-seeing; parännam-sumtuous food; yaù-who; tu-indeed; varjayet-avoids; dine-day; dine-after day; tu-indeed; kåcchrasya-of severe austerities; phalam-the result; präpnoti-attains; mänavaù-a person.
“A person who avoids sumptuous food during the month of Kärttika attains every day the benefit of having performed severe austerities.”
Text 193
tatraiva çré-rukmäìgada-mohiné-samväde
kärttike varjayet tailaà
kärttike varjayen madhu
kärttike varjayet kaàsyaà
kärttike çukla-sandhitaà
tatra-there; eva-indeed; çré-rukmäìgada-mohiné-samväde-in a conversation of Çré Rukmäìgada and Çré Mohiné; kärttike-in Kärttika; varjayet-should avoid; tailam-oil; kärttike-in Kärttika; varjayen-should avoid; madhu-wine; kärttike’in Kärttika; varjayet-should avoid; kaàsyam-bell-metal; kärttike-in Kärttika; çukla-sandhitam-stale and sour.
Çré Rukmäìgada tells Çré Mohiné:
“During Kärttika one should avoid oil. During Kärttika one should avoid wine. During Kärttika one should avoid bell-metal. During Kärttika one should avoid food that is not fresh.
Text 194
na matsyaà bhakñayen mäàsaà
na kaurmaà nänyad eva hi
cäëòälaù sa bhavet su-bhru
kärttike maàsa-bhakñaëät
na-not; matsyam-fish; bhakñayen-should eat; mäàsam-meat; na-not; kaurmam-turtle; na-not; anyat-another; eva-indeed; hi-indeed; cäëòälaù-an outcaste; sa-he; bhavet-becomes; su-bhru-O girl with the beautiful eyebrows; kärttike-in Kärttika; maàsa-bhakñaëät-by eating flesh.
“O girl with the beautiful eyebrows, one should not eat fish, turtle, or any other kind of flesh. By eating meat during the month of Kärttika one becomes an outcaste.
Text 195
atha çré-rädhä-dämodara-püjä-vidhiù
pädme tatraiva
tataù priyatamä viñëo
rädhikä gopikäsu ca
kärttike püjanéyä ca
çré-dämodara-sannidhau
atha-now; çré-rädhä-dämodara-püjä-vidhiù-the Way to Worship Çré Çré Rädha’-Dämodara; pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; tataù-from that; priyatamä-most dear; viñëaù-of Lord Viñëu; rädhikä-Rädhä; gopikäsu-among the gopés; ca-and; kärttike-in Kärttika; püjanéyä-to be worshiped; ca-and; çré-dämodara-sannidhau-near Lord Dämodara.
The Way to Worship Çré Çré Rädhä-Dämodara
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“Because She is the gopé most dear to Lord Viñëu, Çré Rädha’ should be worshiped along with Lord Dämodara during the month of Kärttika.
Text 196
dvijaà dämodaraà kåtvä
tat-patnéà rädhikäà tathä
kärttike püjanéyau tau
vaso-‘laìkära-bhojanaiù
dvijam-a brähmaëa; dämodaram-Lord Dämodara; kåtvä-making; tat-patném-His wife; rädhikäm-Rädhä; tathä-so; kärttike-in Kärttika; püjanéyau-to be worshiped; tau-Them both; vasaù-with garments; alaìkära-ornaments; bhojanaiùand food.
“Dressing Lord Dämodara as a brähmaëa and Çré Rädha’ as His wife, one should worship them with nice garments, ornaments, and foods during the month of Kärttika.
Text 197
rädhikä-pratimäà vipraù
püjayet kärttike tu yaù
tasya tuñyati tat-prétyai
çrémän dämodaro hariù. iti.
rädhikä-of Çré Rädhä; pratimäm-the Deity; vipraù-a brähmaëa; püjayet-should worship; kärttike-in Kärttika; tu-indeed; yaù-who; tasya-of him; tuñyati-is pleased; tat-prétyai-for His satisfaction; çrémän-glorious; dämodaraù-Lord Dämodara; hariù.-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; iti-thus.
“O brähmaëas, during the month of Kärttika one should worship the Deity of Çré Rädhä. To please Çré Rädhä, Lord Dämodara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will be pleased with that worshiper.”
Text 198
dämodaräñöakaà näma
stotraà dämodarärcanam
nityaà dämodaräkarñi
paöhet satyavratoditam
dämodaräñöakam-Dämodaräñöaka; näma-named; stotram-prayer; dämodarärcanam-worship of Lord Dämodara; nityam-always; dämodaräkarñi-attarctive to Lord Dämodara; paöhet-should recite; satyavrata-by King Satyavrata; uditam-spoken.
One should regularly recite the prayer called Dämodaräñöaka, which was spoken by Satyavrata, which attracts Lord Dämodara, and which describes the worship of Lord Dämodara.
Text 199
atha çré-dämodaräñöakam
namäméçvaraà sac-cid-änanda-rüpaà
lasat-kuëòalaà gokule bhräjamänam
yaçodä-bhiyolükhaläd dhävamänaà
parämåñöam atyantato drutya gopyä
atha=now; çré-dämodaräñöakam-çré-dämodaräñöaka; namämi-I offer my respectful obeisances; éçvaram-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sä-cid-änanda-rüpam-whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss; lasat-kuëòalam-with glistening earrings; gokule-in Gokula; bhräjamänam-splendidly manifested; yaçodä-by Yaçodä; bhiyä-with fear; ulükhalät-from the wooden mortar; dhävamänam-fleeing; para-greatly; ämåñöam-caught; atyantataù-greatly; drutya-quickly; gopyä-by the gopé.
Çré Dämodaräñöaka
“I offer my humble obeisances to the Supreme Controller, who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose earrings glisten, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who ran from the wooden mortar in fear of Mother Yaçoda’ but was ultimately caught, . . .
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
Offering my respectful obeisances to Çré Çré Rädha’-Dämodara, I will now comment on the Dämodaräñöaka. In the beginning of this prayer the author offers his respectful obeisances as with devotion he describes the great treasure that is the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which was manifested in Gokula, and which is glorious with the most excellent handsomeness, pastimes, virtues, and other qualities.
What is the Supreme Personality of Godhead like? He is “éçvara”, which means “all-powerful”, “the master of the universes”, or “my master”. His form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss. He is handsome and attractive.
The gopés describe His handsomeness in these words (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.29.40,:
trailokya-saubhagam idaà ca nirékñya rüpaà
yad go-dvija-druma-mågäù pulakäny abibhran
“O Kåñëa, even the cows, birds, trees, and deer become stunned in ecstasy when they gaze at Your form, the most handsome in all the three worlds.”
Çrémad-Bhägavatam (3.2.12, again explains:
vismäpanaà svasya ca saubhagarddheù
paraà padaà bhüñaëa-bhüñänäìgam
“The Lord appeared in this mortal world by His internal potency, yogamäyä. He came in His eternal form, which is just suitable for His pastimes. These pastimes were wonderful for everyone, even for those proud of their own opulence, including the Lord Hismelf as the Lord of Vaikuëöha. Thus His (Çré Kåñëa’s, transcendental body is the ornament of all ornaments.”ª
Lord Kåñëa’s alkl-attractuve form was splendidly manifest in Gokyla, where many cows, gopas, and gopés lived. Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.32.14, explains:
cakäsa gopé-pariñad-gato ‘rcitas
trailokya-lakñmy-eka-padaà vapur dadhat
“Worshiped by the gopés, Lord Kåñëa’s transcendental form, the only home of all glory and handsomeness in the three worlds, was splendidly manifest.”
The specifé pastime described in this verse of Dämodaräñöaka, where Lord Kåñëa broke the yogurt pot and fled in fear of Mother Yaçodä, is described these words of Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.9.8-9):
ulükhalaìghrer upari vyavasthitaà
markäya kämaà dadataà çici sthitam
haiyaìgavaà caurya-viçaìkitekñaëaà
nirékñya paçcät sutam ägamä chanaiù
“Kåñëa, at that time, was sitting on an upside-down wooden mortar for grinding spices and was distributing milk preparations, such as yogurt and butter, to the monkeys as he liked. Because of having stolen He was looking all around with great anxiety, suspecting that He might be chastised by His mother. Mother Yaçodä, upon seeing HIm, very cautiously approached Him from behind.*
täm ätta-yañöià prasamékñya sa-tvaras
tato ‘varuhyäpasära bhétavat
gopy anvadhävan na yam äpa yoginäà
kñamaà praveñöuà tapaseritaà manaù
“When Lord Kåñëa saw His mother, stick in hand, He very quickly got down from the top of the mortar and began to flee as if very much afraid. Although yogés try to capture Him as Paramätma’ by meditation, desiring to enter into the effulgence of the Lord with great austerities and penances, they fail to reach Him. But Mother Yaçodä, thinking that same Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, to be her son, began following Kåñëa to catch Him.”*
Then Mother Yaçoda’ chased Lord Kåñëa and caught Him from behind. Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.9.10, explains:
avaïcamänä janané båhac-calac-
chroëi-bharäkränta-gatiù su-madhyamä
javena visraàsita-keça-bandhana-
cyuta-prasünänugatiù parämåçat
“While following Kåñëa, Mother Yaçodä, her thin waist overburdened by her heavy breasts, naturally had to reduce her speed. Because of following Kåñëa very swiftly, her hair became loose, and the flowers in her hair were falling after her. Yet she did not fail to capture her son Kåñëa.”*
Text 200
rudantaà muhur netra-yugmaà måjantaà
karämbhoja-yugmena sätäìka-netram
muhuù çväsa-kampa-trirekhäìka-kaëöha-
sthita-graiva-dämodaraà bhakti-baddham
rudantaàcrying; muhuù-again and again; netra-yugmam-two eyes; måjantam-rubbing; karämbhoja-yugmena-with two lotus hands; sa-with; ätäìka-fear; netram-eyes; muhuù-again and again; çväsa-breathing; kampa-trembling; tri-three; rekhä-lines; aìka-marked; kaëöha-neck; sthita-situated; graiva-necklaces; dämodaram-Lord Kåñëa; bhakti-with devotion; baddham-bound.
. . . who cried and rubbed His frightened eyes again and again with His two lotus hands, whose necklace on His three-lined neck trembled as He breathed again and again, whose waist was surrounded by a rope, and who was finally bound by love.
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
This pastime is described in the following words (Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.9.11):
kåtägasaà taà prarudantam akñiëé
kañantam aïjan-mañini sva-päëinä
udvékñamänaà bhaya-vihvalekñaëaà
haste gåhétva bhiñayanty avägurat
“When caught by Mother Yaçodä, Kåñëa became more and more afraid and admitted to being an offender. As she looked upon Him, she saw that He was crying, His tears mixing with the black ointment around His eyes, and as He rubbed His eyes with His hands, He smeared the ointment all over His face. Mother Yaçodä, catching her beautiful son by the hand, mildly began to chastise Him.”*
Mother Yaçoda’ then bound Him with a rope. Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.9.14, explains:
gopikolülukhe dämnä
babandha präkåtaà yathä
“Mother Yaçodä, considering Kåñëa her own ordinary child, bound Him to the wooden mortar with a rope.”*
Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.9.18-21, continues:
sva-mätuù svinna-gätåaya
visrasta-kabara-srajaù
dåñövä pariçramaà kåñëaù
kåpayäsét sva-bandhane
“Because of Mother Yaçodä’s hard labor, her whole body became covered with perspiration, and the flowers and comâ were falling from her hair. When child Kåñëa saw His mother thus fatigued, He became merciful to her and agreed to be bound.*
evam sandarçitä hy aìga
hariëä bhåtya-vaçyatä
sva-vaçenäpi kåñëena
yasyedaà seçvaraà vaçe
“O Mahäräja Parékñit, this entire universe, with its great exalted demigods like Lord Çiva, Lord Brahmä, and Lord Indra, is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the Supreme Lord has one transcendental attribute: He comes under the control of His devotees. This was now exhibited by Kåñëa in this pastime.*
nemaà viriïco na bhavo
na çrér apy aìga-saàçrayä
prasädaà lebhire gopé
yat tat präpa vimuktidät
“Neither Lord Brahmä, nor Lord Çiva, nor even the goddess of fortune, who is always the better half of the Supreme Lord, can obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the deliverer from this material world, such mercy as received by Mother Yaçodä.*
näyaà sukhäpo bhagavän
dehinäà gopikä-sutaù
jïäninäà cätma-bhütänäà
yathä bhaktimatäm iha
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, the son of Mother Yaçodä, is accessible to devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not as easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realization by severe austerities and penances, or to those who consider the body the same as the self.”*
Text 201
itédåk-sva-léläbhir änanda-kuëòe
sva-ghoñaà nimajjantam äkhyäpayantam
tadéyeçita-jïeñu bhaktair jitatvaà
punaù prematas taà çatävåtti vande
itédåk-like this; sva-own; léläbhiù-with pastimes; änanda-of bliss; kuëòe-in a lake; sva-own; ghoñam-cowherd village; nimajjantam-plunging; äkhyäpayantam-declaring; tadéya-own; éçita-supremacy; jïeñu-among they who know; bhaktaiù-by the devotees; jitatvam-the state of being defeated; punaù-again and again; premataù-out of love; tam-to Him; çata-a hundred; ävåtti-repetitions; vande-I offer my respectful obeisances.
“A hundred times I bow down before Lord Kåñëa, who with pastimes like these plunges His own cowherd village of Vraja in pools of ecstasy, and who declares to they who know Him only as the supreme master and controller: I am conquered by My loving devotees.
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
That Lord Kåñëa is controlled by the love of His devotees is described in the following words of Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.11.7-8):
gopébhiù stobhito ‘nåtyad
bhagavän bälavat kvacit
udgäyati kvacin mugdhas
tad-vaço däru-yantravat
“The gopés would say: ‘If You dance, my dear Kåñëa, then I shall give You half a sweetmeat.’ By saying these words or by clapping their hands, all the gopés encouraged Kåñëa in different ways. At such times, although He was the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead, he would smile and dance according to their desire, as if He were a wooden doll in their hands. Sometimes he would sing very loudly, at their bidding. In this way Kåñëa came completely under the control of the gopés.*
bibharti kvacid ajïäptaù
péöhakonmäna-pädukam
bahu-kñepaà ca kurute
svänäà ca prétim ävahan
“Sometimes Mother Yaçoda’ and her gopé friends would tell Kåñëa, ‘Bring this article’ or ‘Bring that article.’ Sometimes they would order Him to bring a wooden plank, wooden shoes, or a wooden measuring pot, and Kåñëa, when thus ordered by the mothers, would try to bring them. Sometimes, however, as if unable to raise these things, He would touch them and stand there. Just to invite the pleasure of his relatives, He would strike His body with His arms to show that He had sufficient strength.”*
Çrémad-Bhägavatam (10.11.9, again says:
darçayaàs tad-vidäà loka
ätmano bhåtya-vaçyatäm
“To pure devotees throughout the world who could understand His activities, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, exhibited how much He can be subdued by His devotees, His servants.”*
Text 202
varaà deva mokñaà na mokñävadhià vä
na cänyaà våëe ‘haà vareçäd apéha
idaà te vapur nätha gopäla-bälaà
sadä me manasy ävirästäà kim anyaiù
varam-benediction; deva-O Lord; mokñam-liberation; na-not; mokña-liberation; ävadhim-highest limit; vä-or; na-not; ca-and; anyam-another thing; våëe-choose; aham-I; vara-of benedictions; éçät-from the master; api-even; iha-here; idam-this; te-of You; vapuù-the form; nätha-O master; gopäla-bälam-a cowherd boy; sadä-always; me-of me; manasi-in the mind; ävirästäm-may be manifested; kim-what is the use?; anyaiù-of other things.
“O Lord, I do not ask for liberation, something better than liberation, or any other thing. O Lord, all I ask from You, the master of all blessings, is that Your form as a cowherd boy always be manifest in my heart. What need have I for any other blessing?
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
The thing better that liberation here is residence in Vaikuëöhaloka. Better than impersonal liberation is residence in Vaikuëöhaloka, and better than residence in Vaikuëöhaloka is pure devotional service, which begins with hearing the glories of Lord Kåñëa. That pure devotional service is better than residence in Vaikuëöhaloka is described in the following words (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.15.49):
“O Lord, we pray that You let us be born in any hellish condition of life, just as long as our hearts and minds are always engaged in the service of Your lotus feet, our words are made beautiful by speaking of Your activities just as tulasé leaves are beautified when offered unto Your lotus feet, and as long as our ears are always filled with the chanting of Your transcendental qualities.”*
Text 203
idaà te mukhämbhojam atyanta-nélair
våtaà kuntalaiù sìgdha-raktaiç ca gopyä
muhuç cumbitaà bimba-raktädharaà me
manasy ävirästäm alaà lakña-läbhaiù
idam-this; te-of You; mukha-face; ambhojam-lotus; atyanta-nélaiù-very dark; våtam-covered; kuntalaiù-with hairs; snigdha-glistening; raktaiù-red; ca-and; gopyä-by the gopé; muhuù-again and again; cumbitam-kissed; bimba-bimba fruit; rakta-red; adharam-lips; me-of me; manasi-in the heart; ävirästäm-may be manifested; alam-what is the need; lakña-of a hundred thousand; läbhaiù-attainments.
“May Your lotus face, decorated with glistening locks of hair and with bimba-fruit lips again and again kissed by the gopé Yaçodä, always be manifest in my heart. What need have I for a hundred thousand other blessings?
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
Lord Kåñëa’s face is like a blossoming lotus flower. It is blissful and the sight of it removes all sufferings.
Text 204
namo deva dämodaränanta viñëo
praséda prabho duùkha-jaläbdhi-magnam
kåpä-dåñöi-våñöyäti-dénaà batänu-
gåhäëeça mäm ajïam edhy akñi-dåçyaù
namaù-obeisances; deva-O Lord; dämodara-O Dämodara; ananta-unlimited; viñëaù-O Viñëu; praséda-please be merciful; prabhaù-O master; duùkha-of torments; jaläbdhi-in an ocean; magnam-drowning; kåpä-of mercy; dåñöi-glance; våñöyä-with a shower; ati-very; dénam-poor; bata-indeed; anugåhäëa-please be kind; éça-O Lord; mäm-to me; ajïam-foolish; edhi-please come; akñi-by the eyes; dåçyaù-visible.
“O unlimited, all-pervading Lord whose belly was bound by a rope, I bow down before You. O master, please be kind to me, who am now drowning in an ocean of sufferings. Please shower Your glance of mercy on me, who am very poor, wretched, and foolish. O master, please come before my eyes.
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
Here the author says that he is so distressed that he is on the verge of death. He is like a living corpse. He says: “Please be kind to me! Please rescue me! Please restore my life!”
Here the word “prabho” (O master, means “O master of great, inconceivable, limitless, wonderful potencies!” This shows that the Lord’s potencies cannot be understood by the material senses. The word “éça” (O master, means “O supremely independent one!” This shows that the Lord can do as He likes, and therefore He can bestow His mercy even on a person who is not really worthy to receive it. The word “viñëo” means “O all-pervading one!” or it also means “O Lord who stays in Våndävana!”
Text 205
kuverätmajau baddha-mürtyaiva yadvat
tvayä mocitau bhakti-bhäjau kåtau ca
tathä prema-bhaktià svakäà me prayaccha
na mokñe graho me ‘sti dämodareha
kuverätmajau-the two sons of Kuvera; baddha-bound; mürtyä-by the form; eva-indeed; yadvat-as; tvayä-by You; mocitau-freed; bhakti-bhäjau-devotees; kåtau-made; ca-and; tathä-so; prema-bhaktim-love and devotion; svakäm-own; me-to me; prayaccha-please give; na-not; mokñe-in liberation; grahaù-acceptance; me-of me; asti-is; dämodara-O Lord Dämodara; iha-here.
“Even though You were tied up, You still freed Kuvera’s two sons and made them devoted to You. Please give to me love and devotion as You gave it to them. O Lord Dämodara, I will not accept impersonal liberation.
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
Here, rejecting impersonal liberation, the author prays for pure devotional service. Even though, as part of His beautiful pastimes, the Lord Himself was tied up by the gopé Yaçodä, He was able to free the sons of Kuvera. Giving them the gift of pure devotional service, He said to them (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.10.42):
“O Nalaküvara and Maëigréva, now you may both return home. Since you desire to be always absorbed in My devotional service, your desire to develop love and affection for Me will be fulfilled, and now you will never fall from that platform.”*
Text 206
namas te ‘stu dhämne sphurad-dépti-dhämne
tvadéyodaräyätha viçvasya dhämne
namo rädhikäyai tvadéya-priyäyai
namo ‘nanta-léläya deväya tubhyam
namaù-obeisances; te-of You; astu-may be; dhämne-to the rope; sphurad-dépti-dhämne-splendid; tvadéya-to You; udaräya-abdomen; atha-then; viçvasya-of the universe; dhämne-the resting place; namaù-obeisances; rädhikäyai-to Çré Rädhä; tvadéya-priyäyai-dear to You; namaù-obeisances; ananta-unlimited; léläya-whose pastimes; deväya-to the Lord; tubhyam-to You.
“Obeisances to Your rope, the abode of great splendor! Obeisances to Your belly, the resting-place of the universe! Obeisances to Your beloved, Çré Rädhä! Obeisances to You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose pastimes have no end!”
Commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé
Here the word “dhämne” means “the great rope that was tied around Your belly”. What was that rope like? It is described here as “the abode of splendor”. That means the rope was spiritual in nature.
Next the author says, “Obeisances to Your belly!” What is the Lord’s belly like? It is the resting place of the universe, where the moving and unmoving beings live. This is so because from it sprouted the lotus flower that is the home of the fourteen worlds. By tying a rope around this belly, Mother Yaçoda’ showed that she had the entire universe under her control. Actually no one has the power to tie up the Lord in that way, but out of love for His mother, Lord Kåñëa allowed her to tie Him up.
Çré Rädha’ is the most important of all the gopés. She is most dear to Lord Kåñëa. Lord Kåñëa’s transcendental pastimes with Çré Rädha’ have no end. Therefore the Lord is described here as having pastimes that have no end.
Text 207
pädme tatraiva
govardhana-girau ramye
rädhä-kuëòaà priyaà hareù
kärttike bahuläñöamyäà
tatra snätvä hareù priyaù
naro bhakto bhaved vipräs
tad dhi tasya pratoñaëam
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; govardhana-girau-on Govardhana Hill; ramye-beautiful; rädhä-kuëòam-Rädha’-kuëòa; priyam-dear; hareù-to Lord Kåñëa; kärttike-in Kärttika; bahuläñöamyäm-on Bahulastami; tatra-there; snätvä-bathing; hareù-to Lord Kåñëa; priyaù-dear; naraù-a person; bhaktaù-devotee; bhavet-may be; vipräù-O brähmaëas; tat-that; hi-indeed; tasya-of Him; pratoñaëam-pleasing.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“O brähmaëas, a person who during the month of Kärttika, on the Bahuläñöamé, day bathes in Rädha’-kuëòa, which is by beautiful Govardhana Hill and which is very dear to Lord Kåñëa, becomes a great devotee. He is very pleasing to Lord Kåñëa.
Text 208
yathä rädhä priyä viñëos
tasyäù kuëòaà priyaà tathä
sarva-gopéñu saivaikä
viñëor atyanta-vallabhä
yathä-just as; rädhä-Çrématé Rädhäräëé; priyä-very dear; viñëoù-to Lord Kåñëa; tasyäù-Her; kuëòam-bathing place; priyam-very dear; tathä-so also; sarva-gopéñu-among all the gopés; sä-She; eva-certainly; ekä-alone; viñëoù-of Lord Kåñëa; atyanta-vallabhä-most dear.
“Just as Rädha’ is dear to Lord Kåñëa, so Her bathing place, Rädha’-kuëòa, is dear to Him. She alone is His most beloved of all the gopés.”*
Text 209
kià ca tatraiva çré-rädhikopäkhyänänte
våndävanädhipatyaà ca
dattaà tasyäù pratuñyatä
kåñëenänyatra devé tu
rädhä våndävane vane
kim- ca-furthermore; tatra-there; eva-indeed; çré-rädhikä-of Çré Rädhä; upäkhyäna-of the story; ante-at the end; våndävana-of V.rndävana; ädhipatyam-rule; ca-and; dattam-given; tasyäù-of Her; pratuñyatä-is pleased; kåñëena-by Lord Kåñëa; anyatra-in another place; devé-goddess; tu-indeed; rädhä-Rädhä; våndävane-in Våndävana; vane-forest.
In the Padma Puräëa, at the end of the story of Çré Rädhä, it is said:
“Pleased with Her, Lord Kåñëa made Rädha’ the queen of Våndävana. In other places She is Goddess Lakñmé, but in Våndävana forest She is Çré Rädhä.
Text 210
tat-kuëòe kärttikäñöamyäà
snätvä püjyo janärdanaù
subodhanyäà yathä prétis
tathä prétis tato bhavet
tat-kuëòe-in her lake; kärttikäñöamyäm-on the Janmäñöamé day of Ka’rttika; snätvä-bathing; püjyaù-worshiped; janärdanaù-Lord Kåñëa; subodhanyäm-on Utthana ekädaçé; yathä-as; prétiù-p-leased; tathä-so; prétiù-pleased; tataù-then; bhavet-may be.
“When, on Janmäñöamé or Utthäna ekädaçé, a person bathes in Rädha’-kuëòa and then worships Lord Kåñëa, Lord Kåñëa becomes very pleased with him.
Text 211
atha kåñëa-trayodaçé-kåtyaà
pädme ca tatraiva
kärttike kåñëa-pakñe tu
trayodaçyäà niçä-mukhe
yama-dépaà bahir dadyäd
apamåtyur vinaçyati
atha-npw; kåñëa-trayodaçé-kåtyam-duties of Kåñëa-trayodaçé; pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; kåñëa-pakñe-on the dark fortnight; tu-indeed; trayodaçyäm-on trayopdasi; niçä-mukhe-in the beginning of the night; yama-dépam-a lamp for Yamaräja; bahiù-outside; dadyät-should place; apamåtyuù-untimely death; vinaçyati-is destroyed.
Duties of Kåñëa-trayodaçé
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“When on the Kåñëa-trayodaçé of the month of Kärttika a person places a lamp for Yamaräja outside, then the danger of his untimely death is at once destroyed.
Text 212
atha tatra mantraù
måtyunä päça-daëòäbhyäà
kälaù çyämalayä saha
trayodaçyäà dépa-dänät
süryajaù priyatäm
atha-now; tatra-there; mantraù-mantra; måtyunä-by death; päça-daëòäbhyäm-with noose and rod; kälaù-time; syämalayäblack; saha-with; trayodaçyäm-on trayodasi; dépa-dänät-by offering a lamp; süryajaù-the son of the sun; priyatäm-is pleased.
The Mantra For That
“With this offering of a lamp on the Kåñëa-trayodaçé day, may Lord Yamaräja, who is the son of the sun-god, who is time personified, who is accompanied by Goddess Durgä, and who carries with him a noose, a rod, and death itself, be pleased with me.
Text 213
atha kåñëa-caturdaçé-kåtyaà
tatraiva
caturdaçyäà dharma-räja-
püjä käryä prayatnataù
snänam avaçyakaà käryaà
narair naraka-bhérubhiù
atha-now; kåñëa-caturdaçé-kåtyam-the Duties of Kåñëa-caturdaçé; tatra-there; eva-indeed; caturdaçyäm-on caturdasi; dharma-räja-Yamaräja; püjä-worship; käryä-should be done; prayatnataù-carefully; snänam-bath; avaçyakam-should be done; käryam-done; naraiù-by people; naraka-bhérubhiù-who fear hell.
The Duties of Kåñëa-caturdaçé
They are described in the following words:
“They who fear going to hell must bathe and then carefully worship Yamaräja on the Kåñëa-caturdaçé day.
Text 214
aruëodayato ‘nyatra
riktäyäà snäti yo naraù
tasyäbdhika-bhavo dharmo
naçyaty eva na saàçayaù
aruëodayataù-from sunrise; anyatra-in another place; riktäyäm-empty; snäti-bathes; yaù-who; naraù-aperson; tasya-of him; abdhika-a year; bhavaù-being; dharmaù-religion; naçyati-perishes; eva-indeed; na-no; saàçayaù-doubt.
“A person who on the caturthé, navamé and caturdaçé waits until after sunrise to bathe loses a year of pious deeds.
Text 215
skände ca tatraiva
kärttike kåñëa-pakñe tu
caturdaçyäà vidhüdyate
avaçyam eva kartavyaà
snänaà naraka-bhérubhiù
skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; kåñëa-pakñe-on the dark fortnight; tu-indeed; caturdaçyäà-on caturdasi; vidhu-moon; udaye-in the rising; avaçyam-inevitably; eva-indeed; kartavyaà-should be done; snänaà-bathing; naraka-bhérubhiù-by they who fear hell.
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
“They who fear hell should bathe during the moonrise of the Kåñëa-caturdaçé in the month of Kärttika.
Text 216
kià ca pädme tatraiva
tataç ca tarpaëaà käryaà
dharmaräjasya nämabhiù
jévat-pitä tu kurvéta
tarpaëaà yama-bhéñmayoù
kim- ca-furthermore; pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; tataç-from that; ca-and; tarpaëaà-tarpaëa; käryaà-should be done; dharmaräjasya-to Yamaräja; nämabhiù-with names; jévat-pitä-whose father is alive; tu-indeed; kurvéta-should do; tarpaëaà-tarpaëa; yama-bhéñmayoù-to Yama and Bhéñma.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
“On the Kåñëa-caturdaçé one should offer tarpaëa and chant the names of Yamaräja. If one’s father is stil living, one should offer tarpaëa to Yamaräja and Bhéñma.
Text 217
yajïopavétinä käryaà
präcénävétinä tathä
devatvaà ca pitåtvaà ca
yamasyästi dvi-rüpatä
yajïopavétinä-with a sacred thread; käryaà-should be done; präcéna-avétinä-with the sacred thread worn over the right shoulder; tathä-so; devatvaà-the status of d demigod; ca-and; pitåtvaà-the status of a pitä; ca-and; yamasya-Yamaräja; asti-is; dvi-rüpatä-two forms.
“Wearing the sacred thread over the right shoulder, one should offer tarpaëa to Yamaräja, who has two forms: one as a demigod and the other as a pitä.
Text 218
naktaà yama-caturdaçyäà
yaù kuryäc chiva-sannidhau
na tat kratu-çatenäpi
präpyate puëyam édåçam
naktaà-night; yama-caturdaçyäà-of Yama-caturdaçé; yaù-who; kuryät-should do; çiva-Çiva; sannidhau-in the presence; na-indeed; tat-that; kratu-çatena-with a hundred yajnas; api-also; präpyate-is attainmed; puëyam-piety; édåçam-like that.
“A person who spends the night of this Yama-caturdaçé near the Deity of Lord Çiva attains great piety. Even with a hundred yajïas one cannot attain piety like it.
Text 219
kumäré baöukän püjya
tathä çaiva-tapo-dhanän
räjasüya-phalaà tena
präpyate nätra saàçayaù
kumäré-a young girl; baöukän-brähmaëa boys; püjya-worshiping; tathä’so; çaiva-tapo-dhanän-of austerities for Lord Çiva; räjasüya-phalaà-the result of a rajasuya-yajna; tena-by that; präpyate-is attained; na-not; atra-here; saàçayaù-doubt.
“A young girl who at that time worships brähmaëa boys who perform austerities to please Lord Çiva attains the result of performing a räjasüya-yajïa. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 220
kärttike bhauma-väreëa
citrä kåñëä caturdaçé
tasyäà bhüteñäm abhyarcya
gacche chiva-puraà naraù
kärttike-during the month of Kärttika; bhauma-väreëa-on Tuesday; citrä-wonderful; kåñëa-Kåñëa; caturdaçé-caturdasé;; tasyäà-on that; bhüteçam-Lord Çiva; abhyarcya-worshiping; gacchet-may go; çiva-puraà-to the abode of Lord Suva; naraù-a person.
“When it falls on a Tuesday the Kåñëa-ekädaçé of the month of Kärttika is especially wonderful. A person who worships Lord Çiva on that day goes to the abode of Lord Çiva.
Text 221
kià ca
amävasyä-caturdaçyoù
pradoñe dépa-dänataù
yama-märgändhakärebhyo
mucyate kärttike naraù
kim- ca-furthermore; amävasyä-caturdaçyoù-of amavasya and caturdasi; pradoñe-in the evening; dépa-dänataù-by offering a lamp; yama-märga-on the path of Yamaräja; andhakärebhyaù-from the blindness; mucyate-is liberated; kärttike-in Kärttika; naraù-a person.
It is further said:
“A person who offers a lamp on the evening of the amävasya’ and the caturdaçé becomes free from the darkness of the path to Yamaräja.”
Sri Bhismadeva – Bhisma Ashtami – Bhisma Panchaka
last updated 7th November 2003
Relections on Bhishma Panchaka – Ekadasi Period and Fasting etc.
Bhismadeva’s birth – Bhisma Ashtami:
The Passing away of Bhismadev:
Kartik vrata and Bhisma panchakam
More about KaarttikaHow and when to break the fast….
Relections on Bhishma Panchaka – Ekadasi Period and Fasting etc.The last 5 days of the month of Kaarttika are traditionally known as the Bhishma Panchaka or the Vishnu Panchaka. In the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, it is said that if one is capable, one should observe fasting from certain foodstuffs on the Bhishma-panchaka for the pleasure of the Lord. This is optional. The Padma Purana say that one pleases the Lord and makes spiritual advancement by such austerities.This year’s Bhishma Panchaka was for four days since the day of ekadasi this year was a maha-dvadasi. So it got shortened to four days.
Some devotees in Mayapur (Brahmacaris, Grhasthas alike) fast from grains during these 5 days. The strictest way of doing this fast is to take only the five products of the cow (pancha gavya) on each of the five days(!). I didn’t hear of anyone doing this. But usually those who do this fast restrict their eating like during ekadasis: no grains and beans.
As an example and observation, HH Jayapataka Swami was drinking only fruit juices and taking his medicines as his Bhishma-panchaka vrata! Still HH Jayapataka Swami was going on with his work and meeting with devotees, management, early morning programs, late resting, and everything as he does normally.
HH Jayapataka Swami wanted to break the fast after the four days in the shastric way. Actually that was really interesting because we were not sure whether the fast-breaking should be done on the last day of the Bhishma-panchaka or the next day. There were different opinions and some devotees were quoting some other devotees who were referring to someone else and so on. It was not so clear what to do. And HH Jayapataka Swami wanted evidence from the shastra or some shastric authority on how to break the fast.
Kurma Caitanya Prabhu and Ram Gopal Prabhu (both were austere souls fasting for Bhishma-panchaka from grains) then started to research and came up with a quote from the Padma Purana which said that on the fifth day of the Bhishma Panchaka in the night one can break the fast by taking fruits, roots or ‘havishya’. So we showed this to HH Jayapataka Swami. I had thought that havishya was khitchri since the unmarried gopis took havishya when they prayed to Goddess Katyayani and I vaguely remembered that havishya was translated as khitchri in the Bhagavatam. So when we showed the quote (in sanskrit) to HH Jayapataka Swami, he said that he would take havishya that night to break the fast. He also mentioned that havishya was *unspiced* khitchri(!). By this time, I cursed myself for having shown this quote to my Guru Maharaja. After all, I thought this is not the most pleasant way to break a four-day juice fast! Guru Maharaja also said that we should find out what havishya can be made of from the scriptures.
Then more research and we found out. It was to be made with rice, mung dal, optionally certain varieties of saks (green leafy vegetables like spanach), etc. Salt was okay but no spices and some fruits were mentioned.
Meanwhile my Guru Maharaja’s cook Topi Krsna Prabhu was pulling out his hairs when he heard that HH Jayapataka Swami is going to take this ‘havishya’. He wasn’t happy with me at all about the tasteless ‘havishya’ arrangement. I said that this is what HH Jayapataka Swami wants and so this is what we should prepare and give to our Guru Maharaja. But he said that after a four-day fast this is *not* what is best for him. He chastised me for introducing the topic of havishya to our Guru Maharaja. I quoted the shastra and showed him Hari Bhakti Vilasa, but he said the health of the spiritual master is more important. Now I was splitting and pulling at hairs!
…And then by Krsna’s arrangement, Gauranga Prema Prabhu, one of HH Jayapataka Swami’s seniormost disciples, arrived. Both of us spoke to him and he told us that if this is what our Guru Maharaja wants, we should do it. He, in his childhood, had taken ‘havishya’ and explained to Topi how to cook havishya.
But Topi Krsna prabhu had already previously arranged with Rasesvari Mataji (Ganga Prabhu’s wife) that she would make some soup and pasta for our Guru Maharaja and by 8:30 PM, she was already upstairs (in the Lotus Building Roof, Guru Maharaja’s quarters) with the pasta prasadam. Anyway, Topi quickly cooked havishya.
When HH Jayapataka Swami came upstairs, he was visibly quite tired. HH Jayapataka Swami asked what was cooked for him and I showed him the Hari Bhakti Vilasa’s explanation of ‘havishya’. Gauranga Prema Prabhu was also there and they discussed. The glorious havishya then came and was ready for HH Jayapataka Swami to take. While HH Jayapataka Swami was eating havishya, he said that it was like Pongal (a South Indian prep). He joked with Bhagavat-krpa prabhu that this was a feast for him since he was on juice for the last few days. He then drank milk with tumeric (tumeric is from a root which is allowed for breaking the fast).
We bought the soup and pasta anyway and showed HH Jayapataka Swami but he refused both. He said that pasta was made out of wheat (which was not mentioned in Hari Bhakti Vilasa’s list of ingredients for havishya). I think the soup had oregano and as a spice/herb, that was also not mentioned in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa for sure. Besides this, the soup had things which were not in the recipe list anyway. HH Jayapataka Swami mildly admonished us that when the spiritual master wants water we should not give him milk. Now we learnt the lesson.
The next day, our Guru Maharaja took some pasta (finally!) prasadam and left to Calcutta for his Western tour…
For me, the whole episode demonstrated how austere HH Jayapataka Swami was and is. And he is always like this. Sometimes we don’t understand how much of austerity he takes to please Srila Prabhupada and Krsna.
This episode also showed how very renounced devotees need to be, the following supports this from shastra:
mahaprabhura bhakta-ganera vairagya pradhana
yaha dekhi’ prita hana gaura-bhagavan
Renunciation is the basic principle sustaining the lives of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotees. Seeing this renunciation, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is extremely satisfied.
PURPORT
Anyone, whether an ordinary materialistic person or a pure devotee, can understand the behavior of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotees if he studies it minutely. One will thus find that the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are not at all attached to any kind of material enjoyment. They have completely given up sense enjoyment to engage fully in the service of Lord Sri Krsna and dedicate their lives and souls to serving Krsna without material desires. Because their devotional service is free from material desires, it is unimpeded by material circumstances. Although ordinary men have great difficulty understanding this attitude of the devotees, it is greatly appreciated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 6.220 Verse and Purport by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.)
(c) 1991 by Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Written by Vidvan Gauranga dasa, Mayapur, India.
Bhishma Panchaka
This kind of 5 day fast is also prescribed for the last 5 days of Kartika (Damodara) Month and it is known as “Bhisma Pancaka”. During that vrata puja offerings to the Lord are also prescribed. I am listing them below. There are also mantras that go with these offerings. However, I didn’t find any specific mention about this for Purusottama month. In the Padma Purana it only stated that in addition to ekadasee one can observe a “pancaratrika” fast until amavasya. Here are offerings prescribed for Bhisma Pancaka. ———————Devotees may offer the following to the Deity form of the Lord:
On the first day, one must offer padma (lotus) flowers to the feet of the Lord
On the second day, one must offer bilva (wood-apple) leaves of the thigh of the Lord
On the third day, one must offer gandha (scents) to the navel of the Lord
On the fourth day, one must offer java flower to the shoulders of the Lord
On the fifth day, one must offer malati flower to the head (siro-desa) of the Lord
Reference: Garuda Puraana (op cit.)
Back to topBhismadeva’s birth – Bhisma Ashtami:
The Passing away of Bhismadev:
Kanaiyyadesh 