Devotees generally ask how to grow in spirituality as early as possible; suggest a solution for the same.

This is an important month in which spirituality advances rapidly. The month that is so special and powerful is the month of Krishna, and it is profoundly known as the “Damodar Month,” a Golden Month to advance in our Spiritual Life quite easily. In this month, Bhakti is like on a heavy discount. 

Importance Of Kartik Month

So, now we will discuss the importance of this great “Krishna Month” and the glories written in the scriptures about this month. Also, we’ll be learning how the devotees shall serve Radha-Krishna to get their mercy and become successful in our holy and spiritual life.

First of all, we will be discussing the various names of this month. This Krishna month is also called Damodar Month. 

“Daam” means a rope 

“Udar” means stomach. 

We call it Damodar Month because, in this month, Mata Yashoda tied the little Krishna with a rope on his waist with a mortar (okhal) and hence justifying its name.

But what makes this month so glorious! Its popular name, “Kartik can understand this.” Kartika is another name of our beloved Radharani, and Srila Rupa Goswami refers to her as Kartika Devi. This month of Kartik is very pleasing to Radharani, making it undoubtedly an important month to succeed in Bhakti. Srila Sanatan Goswami mentions in one of the great Granthas, “Hari Bhakti Vilas” – “I take the shelter under the lotus feet of Radha Rani and Lord Damodar who are the Lord of this Kartika Month. So, this is the prime responsibility of every devotee that they glorify more and more about Radha-Krishna. Even in the scriptures, the glories of Kartika are mentioned.

There is no month as auspicious and pious as the month of Kartika. As we know that this month is very dear to Radharani and Krishna, Lord says in the Bhagwat Gita, “Amongst all the months, I am the month of Margsish as it is very dear to Srimati Radharani and hence this month is the topmost among others.” Then the Lord gives an example, “As among all the yogas, Satyuga is the best as it had the governance of Dharma’s four mantras – Purity, cleanliness, truth, mercy, penance and hygiene. Similarly, just like Ganga is the supreme among all the pilgrimages and Vedas, especially the Bhagwat Gita, is of the utmost importance than the other scriptures. In the same manner, Kartik is the supreme amongst the other months.” It is told that this month is very special to the Vaishnavas or the devotees as this months provide easy success in the devotional services, so every devotee should take the benefit of this month and progress in their spiritual life. It is also told that whosoever serves Radha-Krishna in this month gets his desire fulfilled. If one’s ancestors are suffering the hellish kingdom, they are rescued and reach the Golok Vrindavan, the abode of Sri Krishna.

How Satya Bhama Become Dear To Kriahna

While narrating the glories of Kartik month, Srila Sanatan Goswami recounts a very beautiful story about the previous life of Devi Satya bhama and tells that once, in Dwarka, Satya bhama was sitting and discussing with Sri Krishna that how did she become so dear to him, how her body became more enchanting than the rest of his sixteen thousand one hundred and eight wives and how she became the dearest wife to him.

Lord tells that there is Mayapuri in Dwadash puri which is near the river Ganga in Haridwar. There lives a brahman, Dev Sharma, who taught in a Gurukul. He had a daughter, Gunavati, and he was worried about marrying his daughter with advancing age. So, he married his daughter to one of his students, Chandra Sharma. They all used to be devoted to Bhakti and bathe every early morning in Ganga. On one day, Dev and Chandra went to collect woods to cook in dark and rainy weather. There was a monster in the forest that killed them, since they were devotees and remembered the Lord, so they went to Vaikuntha. Gravati cried a lot and decided to follow the Kartik month. During the Brahma mahurat, she bathes in Ganga, chant, does manga Aarti, serves Tulsi Maharani, and follow all the month’s rules. With growing age, her desire to grow stronger to follow the Kartik month. One year, she wasn’t well, and when she came out after bathing in Ganga, she trembled and died, but since she had followed the Kartik fast very nicely, she went to Vaikuntha to serve the Lord.

Lord says, “Satya bhama since you followed Kartik fast and served me, that’s why I got impressed by you. Whenever I appear on this planet, you’ll also appear with me, which is why you appear as my favorite.

Follow Some Vows In Kartik Month

Vaishnavas are following this Kartik Month.

1) Rise Early in the Morning (Brahma-Murata), take a bath, and attend Mangla Arti.

2) Daily Ghee lamp offer to Yasoda – Damodar(any Radha Krishna deity picture) and sing Damodarastakam.

3) Chant Extra Rounds

4) Serve Tulsi Maharani.

5) Do Kirtan

6) Give Donations

7) Serve the Deities form of Lord.

8) Read – Bhagwat Gita, Srimad Bhagwatam, or any Srila Prabhupada Books.

Celebrate this whole month of Kartik as a festival and surrender our lives to Krishna.

Karti Mahamahotsav Ki Jai

Sri Sri Rukmani Dwarkadhish Ki Jai

Shobha Radhika Devi Dasi

(ISKCON-Dwarka New Delhi)

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