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; paramamahattva-very important items.
TRANSLATION "Thirty-four: One should surrender to Krsna in all respects. (35) One should
observe particular vows like kartika-vrata. These are some of the sixty-four important items of
devotional service. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 22.128)
Performing Devotional Service in Karttika
"One of the most important of these ceremonial functions is called Urja-vrata. Urja-vrata is
observed in the month of Karttika (October-November); especially in Vrndavana, there is a
specific program for temple worship of the Lord in His Damodara form. "Damodara" refers to
Krsna's being bound with rope by His mother, Yasoda. It is said that just as Lord Damodara is
very dear to His devotees, so the month known as Damodara or Karttika is also very dear to
them.
"The execution of devotional service during Urja-vrata in the month of Karttika is especially
recommended to be performed at Mathura. This system is still followed by many devotees.
They go to Mathura or Vrndavana and stay there during the month of Karttika specifically to
perform devotional services during this period. In the Padma Purana it is said, "The Lord may
offer liberation or material happiness to a devotee, but after some devotional service has been
executed, particularly in Mathura during the month of Karttika, the devotees want only to
attain pure devotional service unto the Lord." The purport is that the Lord does not award
devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious
persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the
month of Karttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathura in India, are very easily awarded the
Lord's personal service." (Srila Prabhupada in NOD chap. 12)
How to Observe?
(Srila Prabhupada Conversation with a disciple)
Devotee (2): Srila Prabhupada, today is the beginning of urja-vrata (the Kartik vrata). Can you
describe what that is, urja-vrata, how it should be observed?
Prabhupada: Urja-vrata, you chant Hare Krsna twenty-four hours one month (laughter) That's
all.
Gurudasa: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna...
Prabhupada: Yes. Don't sleep, don't eat. This is urja-vrata. Can you execute?
Devotee (1): I don't know. (laughter)
(Srila Prabhupada lecture 18/10/72 in Vrndavana Radha Damodara Mandir)

Quotes from Mathura Mahatyam by Srila Rupa Gosvami

Residing in Mathura During the Month of Karttika
In the Karttika-mahatmya, Narada says: By bathing in sacred places and giving charity during
the month of Karttika, a person in any country attains piety equal to an agnihotra-yajna.
Text 168
krsna-salokya-do masah puja-snanais ca karttikah
anyah puryas tat-samana bhavanti mathuram vina
In Mathura bathing and worship during the month of Karttika place one on the same planet as
Lord Krsna. No other holy place is equal to Mathura.
Text 169
damodaratvam hi hares tatraivasit yatah kila
mathurayam tatas turjo vaikuntha-priti-vardhanah
karttiko mathurayam vai paramavadhir isyate
The month of Karttika, when Lord Hari enjoyed His Damodara-pastime in Mathura, delights
Lord Vaikuntha. The month of Karttika spent in Mathura brings the supreme destination.
Text 170
yatha maghe prayagah syad vaisakhe jahnavi tatha
karttike mathura sevya tatrotkarsah paro na hi
As Prayaga should be served in the month of Magha, and the Ganges in the month of Vaisakha,
so Mathura should be served in the month of Karttika. Nothing is better than that service.
Text 171
mathurayam narair urje snatva damodaro 'rcitahkrsna-rupa hi te jneya natra karya vicarana
They who, after properly bathing, worship Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika, attain
forms like that of Lord Krsna. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 172
durlabhah karttiko vipra mathurayam nrnam iha
yatrarcitah svakam rupam bhaktebhyah samprayacchati
O brahmanas, residence in Mathura during Karttika is a rare attainment for humans. To they
who worship Him there and then the Lord gives their original spiritual forms.
Text 173

bhuktim muktim harir dadyad arcito 'nyatra sevinam

bhaktim tu na dadaty eva yato vasya-kari hareh
When He is worshiped in any other place, Lord Hari gives only liberation or sense-gratification
to His servants. He does not give them pure devotional service, for that service brings Him
under their dominion.
Text 174
sa tv anjasa harer bhaktir labhyate karttike naraih
mathurayam sakrd api sri-damodara-sevanat
By once serving Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika, the people can easily attain pure
devotional service to Lord Hari.
Text 175
mantra-dravya-vihinam ca vidhi-hinam ca pujanam
manyate karttike devo mathurayam mad-arcanam
They who, even without proper mantras and offerings, and without properly following the rules,
worship Him in Mathura during Karttika, the Lord considers His true devotees.
Text 176
yasya papasya yujyeta marananta hi niskrtih
tac-chuddhy-artham idam proktam prayascittam su-niscitam
karttike mathurayam vai sri-damodara-pujanam
The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is: worship Lord Damodara in Mathura
during Karttika.Text 177
sulabha mathura loke pratyabdam karttikas tatha
tathapi samsarantiha nara mudha bhavambudhau
Although Mathura is easy to visit in this world, and although Karttika comes every year, the
fools still swim in the ocean of repeated birth and death.
Text 179
yani sarvani tirthani nada nadyah saramsi ca
karttike nivasanty atra mathure sarva-mandale
All holy places and all holy rivers, streams, and lakes reside in the circle of Mathura during
Karttika.
Text 180

Sparopahasam uddisya karttike hari-sevaya

mathurayam labhed bhaktim kim punah sraddhaya narah
They who as a joke serve Lord Hari during Karttika in Mathura will attain pure devotional
service, what to speak of they who serve the Lord with faith and devotion.
Text 181
tatraiva dhumrakesam prati yama-vakyam
tasman nrpatmaja sreyah param kincin na-not; vidyate
karttike mathurayam ca sri-damodara-pujanat
Yamaraja says to Dhumrakesa:
Therefore, O prince, nothing is better than to serve Lord Damodara in Mathura during Karttika.
Residence in Mathura During Prabodhini tithi
In the Padma Purana, Karttika-mahatmya, it is said:
When Lord Visnu does not wake from His happy sleep on Prabodhini tithi, then all the holy
places roar with asvamedha-yajnas. Note: Prabodhini tithi is the first ekadasi in the month of
Karttika. On that day the Lord awakens from His four-month-long nap.
Text 186
mathurayam tu kim vacyam jagare hari-sannidhau
karttike bodhinim prapya tatah sreyah param hi na
What can be said about approaching the Deity of Lord Hari when He awakens in Mathura? No
day is better than the Prabodhini day in the month of Karttika.
Text 187
rajyam anyatra santyajya sphitam nihata-kantakam
karttike mathurayam vai kaimutyam jagaram caret
One should leave any other great and peaceful kingdom, and in Mathura stay awake through
the night during Prabodhini in the month of Karttika. What place is better than Mathura for
this?
Residing in Mathura During Dvadasi in Karttika Month
In the Visnu Purana it is said:
A person who during the Sukla-dvadasi in the month of Karttika bathes in the Yamuna and sees
the Deity of Lord Hari in Mathura attains the supreme destination.
Text 189

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

tvaya krte vrate pascat khyasyate bhisma-pancakam
ye tatra janma-bhumau me karisyanti maha-vratam
mathurayam tu gangeya tesam bhaktih kare sthita
Residing in Mathura During Bhisma-pancaka (goes from Utthana Ekadasi til Purnima)
In the Padma Purana, Sri Krsna says to Bhisma:
O Gangeya, this vow you have followed will henceforth be known as Bhisma-pancaka. They
who follow this great vow in My birthplace, Mathura, find pure devotional service resting in
their hand.
Text 191
durlabho bhakti-yogo me mama vasya-vidhayakah
karttike mathurayam ca vratenanena labhyate
Pure devotional service to Me which, becausae it places Me under My devotee's dominion, is
very difficult to attain, is easily attained by following this vow in Mathura during Karttika.
Text 192
puranantare ca sarvabhista-pradam proktam
mathure bhisma-pancakam
In another place in the Puranas it is said: Following the vow of Bhisma-pancaka in Mathura is
said to fulfill all desires.
Text 193
yatha bhavisye bhisma-panca-dine prapte
mathura-mandale hareh nidra-ccheda-kare punye
paduke cavalokayet
In the Bhavisya Purana it is said: A person who observes Bhisma-pancaka and Prabodhini tithi
in Mathura will see Lord Hari's splendid sandals.
Srila Bhaktivinoda's article quoted in Bhakti-prajnan Kesava Maharaja's book commenting on
the Damodarastaka Prayers by Satyavrata Muni: "The observance of the Karttika-vrata is one
of the most important things for the Vaisnavas. In accordance with these words, the vrata
therefore begins on the waxing ekadasi that comes the day after Vijaya-dasami in the month of
Asvina. And the vrata will be concluded on Utthana-ekadasi. That vrata which is observed
during the month between these two dates is called niyama-seva. The rules of niyama-seva
are: every day during this month, one must rise upon the last hour of the night, purify oneself
and perform the mangala-arati of Sri Krsna. Then, after bathing in the morning, one should
worship Lord Damodara. At night, one should light brilliant lamps filled with either ghee or
sesame-seed oil, and place them in these places - in the Lord's temple, around the base of

tulasi plants, and in the sky. During the month of Kartika, one should eat only vegetarian
foodstuffs and Bhagavan's prasad remnants. One should renounce excessive eating and
sleeping, plus avoid using oil, wine, and bell-metal utensils. After honouring prasad, one should
hear or recite scriptures headed by Srimad Bhagavatam in the company of Vaisnavas. There
should be incessant harinama-kirtana and smarana. Thus passing the entire month in
observance of such regulations, on the final Utthana-ekadasi day one should fast from
everything including water and stay awake all night absorbed in Krsna-katha. On the next day,
after first purifying oneself and engaging in hari-kirtana, one should serve the Lord's prasad to
one's dearmost intimate Vaisnava associates, and when they are finished one may then honour
prasad. That day, at the end of the night, the vrata will be completed.
The chief aim of observing this Urjja-vrata is to please Sri Radha-Damodara. Srimati Radharani
is called Urjjesvari (the Queen of the Urjja-vrata). Only because of this, in order to establish the
pleasure of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara, the sage Satyavrata Muni uttered (in the eight verse of
Damodarastaka) the words namo radhikayai tvadiya priyayai - "My obeisances unto Radhika,
You most beloved." By this statement, he indicated that the sole activity to be done during the
observance of Damodara-vrata is the worship of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara.
Among the 64 branches of bhakti followed by our Gaudiya Vaisnavas, we see that the
observance of Urjja is listed. It is to be understood that one follows the Catur-masya-vrata
completely only if one honours Urjja during it. Some devotees are of the opinion - "Because
Catur-masya-vrata is not listed among the 64 branches of devotion, we will only follow the
(one-month long) vow of Urjja; we will not undergo the difficulty of observing the entire fourmonth-long vow." In this way, those persons who attempt performing bhajana, but who are
unaware of the deep meaning of the sastras, thereby remain in the indulgences of in discipline.
Sriman Mahaprabhu Himself observed the Catur-masya-vrata while situated in many different
places, and has thereby taught the practice by His own example. We cannot consider such
persons, who are unable to follow the instructions that were enacted and preached by
Mahaprabhu, to be part of the lineage of pure Vaisnavas.
At this point, we would like to mention that the principle of atma-nivedana is listed as one of
the nine types of devotion (which are counted among the six types of surrender, saranagati). Is
it understood, then, that by performing atma-nivedana (offering one's soul), the other five
types of surrender are therefore unnecessary? The ultimate surrender among the six processes
of saranagati is atma-nivedana - by this being listed as such, it is understood that engaging in
the other forms of surrender are also recommended for the sadhaka. Thus it is accepted that a
single sadhana takes the form of several different aspects.
Due to the eternal nature of Sri Sri Damodarastaka, it is necessary to study it every day during
the month of Karttika (or Damodara).
PADMA PURANA ON KARTIKA VRATA quoted by Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Hari-bhakti Vilasa
(the standard lawbook for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas)
Intro-if one neglects to perform the Kartika Vrata all his pious merits amassed in the passed
are burned to ashes; his study of the Vedas becomes futile; and his performance of japa,
charity, and austerity becomes fruitless.
Glories of Kartika Vrata-Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all
months. Kartika month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta
vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a
Kartika Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, whereas ordinary vratas only last for one lifetime!
As Krsna says in Gita that He is the month of Nov-Dev, similarly, Srimati Radhika is the holy
month of Kartik which precedes His month. Rupa Gosvami and others refer to Radharani as the

Kartika-devata or Kartika Devi, in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the
Kartika Vrata.
Daily Offer-tulsi arotik, ghee lamp to Krsna and sing Damodarastakam, bathe in Yamuna if
possible, give charity to pure devotees.
Dont Eat: grains given by others, honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods
like sweets and fried foods, samosas, pakoras.
Dont Do: cut hair, nails, use things of others, criticize Vaisnavas, Vedas or anyone, no oil on
body, do not find faults in others or be envious.
Prayer before beginning: "O gopikas! By your mercy may Radha and Krsna be pleased with my
Kartika Vrata."
Benefits Observing Kartik Vrata: All sins flee from the heart. Perform other vratas one hundred
times not equal to one performance of Kartik Vrata. All the holy places will live within your
body. Proper performance of Kartik Vrata gives one a million times the result of chanting
mantras, do yatras and other types of vratas. Those who worship Damodara in Vrndavana even
once easily attain Krsna bhakti. Dhruva Maharaja attained Hari darsana by worshiping Krsna in
Mathura during the Kartika month.
Summary of How to Follow the Kartika Vrata:
Remember--Kartika Vrata is a special time to worship Radha Damodara, and especially get the
mercy of Radhika, since it is Her month, and She is very very easily pleased this month if one
worships Her along with Her beloved Damodara.
Srila Prabhupada on When to Start Kartika Vrata: "In Vrndavana we should have Kartika Vrata,
Urja Vrata, for one month beginning on Ekadasi (Pasanukusa) (Srila Prabhupada Tape 10/6/72)
Pasanukusa Ekadasi Morning: Offer prayer-"O Janardana, O Damodara, O Devesa who are
accompanied by Radhika. During the month of Kartika, I will bathe early every morning for Your
satisfaction."
1. Rise early every day by Brahma Muhurta, bathe, chant japa offer Mangala Arotik
2. Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, especially Radha and Krsna pastimes in Vrndavana,
daily in association of exalted Vaisnavas, if possible. By regularly reading Srimad Bhagavatam
during Kartika month, one gets the benefit of reading all the eighteen 18 Puranas. All other
duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month.
3. Chant continually in japa and kirtan, Krsna nama, do extra rounds and more kirtana with
family.
Must maintain celibacy for entire month
Give up favorite food article for entire month (sweets, salties) Try to eat only once in a day. *if
you can do and carry on ordinary works*
Eat your meals only on palasa leaves (if possible, will give tremendous punya.)
No oil on body and NO EATING honey, eggplant, portal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame
seeds, or urad dahl (no kichoris)

Daily sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning

Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krsna Deity or photo (no need Yasoda-Damodara photo)
Daily offer arotik and prayers to Tulsi devi praying for eternal residence in Vrndavana and
eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna.
Daily chant the Radha-krpa katakasam, and Krsna krpa kataksam in Giti Guccha songbook
Also chant other prayers to Radha and Radha Krsna Yugala from the Giti Guccha songbook
ON Ekadasi, Dvadasis, and Purnima chant the one-thousand names of Radha
On the three Ekadasis in Kartik try to observe Nirjala Vrata and stay awake chanting hari nam,
especially on the last one, Uttana Ekadasi, when Lord Visnu and all the demigods awake after
four months slumber.
Donate charity to pure devotees
Offer special nice foods to Krsna for entire month. For example every day make sweet rice,
(khira) which is the favorite food of Krsna.
BAHULASTAMI BATH IN Radha KUNDA- "Anyone who bathes in Radha-kunda on Bahulastami
becomes a dear devotee of Lord Krsna, because this act highly pleases Him." (Hari-bhaktivilasa)
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.