Guest guest Posted October 10, 2003 Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Dear Vaisnavas, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru Gauranga. Can you please enlighten me on Damodara Kartik month. I heard that if you chant in kartik month one round of japa it will be counted for 100 rounds. vaisnavadasianudasi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2003 Report Share Posted October 11, 2003 THE GLORIES OF KARTIKA (rules and regulations for observing Kartik plus additional explanation of Damodarastakam Prayer which should be sung and deeply meditated upon everyday during Radhika's holy month. sarvatha saranapatti kartikadi-vrata, 'catuh-sasti anga' ei parama-mahattva SYNONYMS sarvatha-in all respects; sarana-apatti-surrender; kartika-adi-vrata-to observe special vows in the month of Karttika; catuh-sasti anga-sixty-four parts; ei-this; parama-mahattva-very important items. TRANSLATION "Thirty-four: One should surrender to Krsna in all respects. (35) One should observe particular vows like kartika-vrata. These are some of the sixty-four important items of devotional service. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 22.128) Performing Devotional Service in Karttika "One of the most important of these ceremonial functions is called Urja-vrata. Urja-vrata is observed in the month of Karttika (October-November); especially in Vrndavana, there is a specific program for temple worship of the Lord in His Damodara form. "Damodara" refers to Krsna's being bound with rope by His mother, Yasoda. It is said that just as Lord Damodara is very dear to His devotees, so the month known as Damodara or Karttika is also very dear to them. "The execution of devotional service during Urja-vrata in the month of Karttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathura. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathura or Vrndavana and stay there during the month of Karttika specifically to perform devotional services during this period. In the Padma Purana it is said, "The Lord may offer liberation or material happiness to a devotee, but after some devotional service has been executed, particularly in Mathura during the month of Karttika, the devotees want only to attain pure devotional service unto the Lord." The purport is that the Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Karttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathura in India, are very easily awarded the Lord's personal service." (Srila Prabhupada in NOD chap. 12) Quotes from Mathura Mahatyam by Srila Rupa Gosvami Residing in Mathura During the Month of Karttika In the Karttika-mahatmya, Narada says: By bathing in sacred places and giving charity during the month of Karttika, a person in any country attains piety equal to an agnihotra-yajna. Text 168 krsna-salokya-do masah puja-snanais ca karttikah anyah puryas tat-samana bhavanti mathuram vina In Mathura bathing and worship during the month of Karttika places one on the same planet as Lord Krsna. No other holy place is equal to Mathura. Text 169 damodaratvam hi hares tatraivasit yatah kila mathurayam tatas turjo vaikuntha-priti-vardhanah karttiko mathurayam vai paramavadhir isyate The month of Karttika, when Lord Hari enjoyed His Damodara-pastime in Mathura, delights Lord Vaikuntha. The month of Karttika spent in Mathura brings the supreme destination. Text 170 yatha maghe prayagah syad vaisakhe jahnavi tatha karttike mathura sevya tatrotkarsah paro na hi As Prayaga should be served in the month of Magha, and the Ganges in the month of Vaisakha, so Mathura should be served in the month of Karttika. Nothing is better than that service. Text 171 mathurayam narair urje snatva damodaro 'rcitahkrsna-rupa hi te jneya natra karya vicarana They who, after properly bathing, worship Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika, attain forms like that of Lord Krsna. Of this there is no doubt. Text 172 durlabhah karttiko vipra mathurayam nrnam iha yatrarcitah svakam rupam bhaktebhyah samprayacchati O brahmanas, residence in Mathura during Karttika is a rare attainment for humans. To they who worship Him there and then the Lord gives their original spiritual forms. Text 173 bhuktim muktim harir dadyad arcito 'nyatra sevinam bhaktim tu na dadaty eva yato vasya-kari hareh When He is worshiped in any other place, Lord Hari gives only liberation or sense-gratification to His servants. He does not give them pure devotional service, for that service brings Him under their dominion. Text 174 sa tv anjasa harer bhaktir labhyate karttike naraih mathurayam sakrd api sri-damodara-sevanat By once serving Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika, the people can easily attain pure devotional service to Lord Hari. Text 175 mantra-dravya-vihinam ca vidhi-hinam ca pujanam manyate karttike devo mathurayam mad-arcanam They who, even without proper mantras and offerings, and without properly following the rules, worship Him in Mathura during Karttika, the Lord considers His true devotees. Text 176 yasya papasya yujyeta marananta hi niskrtih tac-chuddhy-artham idam proktam prayascittam su-niscitam karttike mathurayam vai sri-damodara-pujanam The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is: worship Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika. Text 177 sulabha mathura loke pratyabdam karttikas tatha tathapi samsarantiha nara mudha bhavambudhau Although Mathura is easy to visit in this world, and although Karttika comes every year, the fools still swim in the ocean of repeated birth and death. Text 179 yani sarvani tirthani nada nadyah saramsi ca karttike nivasanty atra mathure sarva-mandale All holy places and all holy rivers, streams, and lakes reside in the circle of Mathura during Karttika. Text 180 Sparopahasam uddisya karttike hari-sevaya mathurayam labhed bhaktim kim punah sraddhaya narah They who as a joke serve Lord Hari during Karttika in Mathura will attain pure devotional service, what to speak of they who serve the Lord with faith and devotion. Text 181 tatraiva dhumrakesam prati yama-vakyam tasman nrpatmaja sreyah param kincin na-not; vidyate karttike mathurayam ca sri-damodara-pujanat Yamaraja says to Dhumrakesa: Therefore, O prince, nothing is better than to serve Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika. Residence in Mathura During Prabodhini tithi In the Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya, it is said: When Lord Visnu does not wake from His happy sleep on Prabodhini tithi, then all the holy places roar with asvamedha-yajnas. Note: Prabodhini tithi is the first ekadasi in the month of Karttika. On that day the Lord awakens from His four-month-long nap. Text 186 mathurayam tu kim vacyam jagare hari-sannidhau karttike bodhinim prapya tatah sreyah param hi na What can be said about approaching the Deity of Lord Hari when He awakens in Mathura? No day is better than the Prabodhini day in the month of Karttika. Text 187 rajyam anyatra santyajya sphitam nihata-kantakam karttike mathurayam vai kaimutyam jagaram caret One should leave any other great and peaceful kingdom, and in Mathura stay awake through the night during Prabodhini in the month of Karttika. What place is better than Mathura for this? Residing in Mathura During Dvadasi in Karttika Month In the Visnu Purana it is said: A person who during the Sukla-dvadasi in the month of Karttika bathes in the Yamuna and sees the Deity of Lord Hari in Mathura attains the supreme destination. Text 189 atha bhisma-pancake padme bhismam prati sri-krsna-vacanam tvaya krte vrate pascat khyasyate bhisma-pancakam ye tatra janma-bhumau me karisyanti maha-vratam mathurayam tu gangeya tesam bhaktih kare sthita Residing in Mathura During Bhisma-pancaka (goes from Utthana Ekadasi til Purnima) In the Padma Purana, Sri Krsna says to Bhisma: O Gangeya, this vow you have followed will henceforth be known as Bhisma-pancaka. They who follow this great vow in My birthplace, Mathura, find pure devotional service resting in their hand. Text 191 durlabho bhakti-yogo me mama vasya-vidhayakah karttike mathurayam ca vratenanena labhyate Pure devotional service to Me which, becausae it places Me under My devotee's dominion, is very difficult to attain, is easily attained by following this vow in Mathura during Karttika. Glories of Kartika Vrata-Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers,and most glorious of all months. Kartika month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartika Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, whereas ordinary vratas only last for one lifetime! As Krsna says in Gita that He is the month of Nov-Dev, similarly, Srimati Radhika is the holy month of Kartik which precedes His month. Rupa Gosvami and others refer to Radharani as the Kartika-devata or Kartika Devi, in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the Kartika Vrata. Daily Offer-tulsi arotik, ghee lamp to Krsna and sing Damodarastakam, bathe in Yamuna if possible, give charity to pure devotees. Dont Eat: grains given by others, honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods like sweets and fried foods, samosas, pakoras. Dont Do: cut hair, nails, use things of others, criticize Vaisnavas, Vedas or anyone, no oil on body, do not find faults in others or be envious. Prayer before beginning: "O gopikas! By your mercy may Radha and Krsna be pleased with my Kartika Vrata." Benefits Observing Kartik Vrata: All sins flee from the heart. Perform other vratas one hundred times not equal to one performance of Kartik Vrata. All the holy places will live within your body. Proper performance of Kartik Vrata gives one a million times the result of chanting mantras, do yatras and other types of vratas. Those who worship Damodara in Vrndavana even once easily attain Krsna bhakti. Dhruva Maharaja attained Hari darsana by worshiping Krsna in Mathura during the Kartika month. Summary of How to Follow the Kartika Vrata: Remember--Kartika Vrata is a special time to worship Radha Damodara, and especially get the mercy of Radhika, since it is Her month, and She is very very easily pleased this month if one worships Her along with Her beloved Damodara. 1. Rise early every day by Brahma Muhurta, bathe, chant japa offer Mangala Arotik 2. Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, especially Radha and Krsna pastimes in Vrndavana, daily in association of exalted Vaisnavas, if possible. By regularly reading Srimad Bhagavatam during Kartika month, one gets the benefit of reading all the eighteen 18 Puranas. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month. 3. Chant continually in japa and kirtan, Krsna nama, do extra rounds and more kirtana with family. Must maintain celibacy for entire month Give up favorite food article for entire month (sweets, salties) Try to eat only once in a day. *if you can do and carry on ordinary works* Eat your meals only on palasa leaves (if possible, will give tremendous punya.) No oil on body and NO EATING honey, eggplant, portal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame seeds, or urad dahl (no kichoris) Daily sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krsna Deity or photo Daily offer arotik and prayers to Tulsi devi praying for eternal residence in Vrndavana and eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna. ON Ekadasi, Dvadasis, and Purnima chant the one-thousand names of Radha On the three Ekadasis in Kartik try to observe Nirjala Vrata and stay awake chanting hari nam, especially on the last one, Uttana Ekadasi, when Lord Visnu and all the demigods awake after four months slumber. Donate charity to pure devotees Offer special nice foods to Krsna for entire month. For example every day make sweet rice,(khira) which is the favorite food of Krsna. BAHULASTAMI BATH IN Radha KUNDA- "Anyone who bathes in Radha-kunda on Bahulastami becomes a dear devotee of Lord Krsna, because this act highly pleases Him." (Hari-bhakti-vilasa) BREAKING THE Kartika Vrata FAST: After sunrise and within the paran breaking period on the Dvadasi day after Uttana Ekadasi (if you started your Kartik Vrata on Pasanukusa Ekadasi),-offer arotik to Krsna and dedicate your vrata to Radha and Krsna for Their pleasure, worship the Vaisnava brahmanas by offering them presents plus a prasadam feast including the items that you fasted from during Kartika (sweets, milk products etc.) After honoring the brahmanas then break your Kartika Vrata fast by honoring the foods you abstained from (such as urad dahl, sweets, or whatever items.) Chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and Radhe Radhe Govinda, Govinda Radhe.....and taste the sweet feeling of spending the entire month absorbed in pleasing Radha and Krsna. Jai Srila Prabhupada! YS Sarath.s Hare Krishna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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