The holiest month for Hindus and all the people who follow dharma is here. All Hindus must observe this month.
Kartik (Damodar) month is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krishna and Shiva. This month is full of devotion to Hari. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge spiritual results.
The effect of performing a Kartik Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes. Devatas protect everyone’s vows in this special month.
Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Bhagavan Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda, not only that but also there are many important avatars such as Matsya avatar appear during this month. The lighting of lamp for Hari is very significant and scientific in that it glorifies the movement of Sun into Uttarayan from Dakshinayana.
The month of Kartik falls under the Dakshinayana period and is regarded as highly auspicious for performing Sadhana. This period is significant in Hindu culture since it is the time when the year moves into the ‘Kaivalya Pada’. The Sadhana pada is the period associated with reaping the rewards of your actions, i.e. what you have sown, you shall reap. Performing Sadhana offers an incredible opportunity to delve into your inner consciousness and benefit from the good actions you have committed. Kartika month is also called the ‘Damodar’ month and considered as a great time for the welfare of mankind, since it glorifies both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Devotees, often observe rituals and Pujas for the duration of the entire month in honor of the deities.
According to Narada Muni, this month is especially pleasing to Hari.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his book Hari Bhakti Vilas states, the following :
- The result one obtains by giving ten thousand cows in charity can be obtained by offering only one tulasi leaf to the Supreme Lord during the month of Kārttika.” (7.335)
- “Those who worship Lord Hari with an offering of one hundred thousand tulasi leaves during the month of Kārttika certainly advance on the path of pure devotional service, which includes liberation, with each leaf offered. (7.336)
- “It is better to offer malati flowers to Lord Kesava in the month of Kārttika than to donate gold, cows, or land to worthy recipients.
- “For a devotee who worships Lord Vishnu in the month of Kārttika, Yamaraja orders the removal of all his sinful reactions for that devotee.” (7.90-92)
Everybody should follow following practices in Kartik (Damodar) month:
- Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krishna and sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning.
- One should always remember Supreme Lord Hari. Devotees should try to do more Harinam Chanting. Do extra rounds and more kirtana.
- Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, daily in association of exalted Vaishnavas, if possible. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month. It is most beneficial to recite and read Gajendra Moksha Lila-stava from 8th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, which teaches complete surrender/dependence of Supreme Lord.
- Daily offer lamp to Tulsi devi and pray for eternal residence in Vrndavana and eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krishna. Do parikrama (circumbulation) of Tulasi every day
- Perform austerities for Hari, a general name of Bhagavan Vishnu
- Constantly Chant the holy name of Hari.
Benefits of observing Kartik Month for Human beings
“If somebody performs even a little worship of Shri Hari in this month, He offers that devotee His own abode.”
“If somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari even for a short time (in the month of Kartik), then whatever sins, he has acquired for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed.”
“A person, who for the entire month of Kartik eats only once a day, becomes very famous, powerful and heroic.”
“A person who happily reads the Bhagavad Gita in the month of Kartik does not return to the world of birth and death.”
“Of all gifts, the gift of a lamp during the month of Kartik is the best. No gift is its equal.”
“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 Kartik.”
