Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

5 most important spiritual activities to perform during Kartik month

Kartik month is very auspicious. One gets unlimited spiritual benefits by observing this holy month. In Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Srila Sanatana Goswami lists down five most important spiritual activities which should be performed during Kartik month.

“hari jagaranam pratah

snanam tulasi sevanam

udyapanam dipa danam

vratany etani karttike”

(Text 92, Chapter: Sixteenth Vilasa)

                                                                                             

Hari Jagaranam – Keeping an all-night vigil for the sake of Lord Hari

Nights are in mode of ignorance and so there could be a possibility that if someone is not careful in night then he/she may indulge in sense gratification, may even break regulative principles.

But if we take a vow that during night, we will engage in happily chanting and singing the glories of the Lord then we can rise above the modes and engage ourselves in devotion to Lord.

Also practicing devotion during night is an austerity so if we are able to do it then it will please the Lord.

The most important point is that night should not be wasted in non-devotional activities which degrades our consciousness.

During night as much as possible we should chant the names of Lord, read Srimad Bhagavatam.

Pratah Snanam – Bathing early in the morning

Brahma Muhurta is auspicious. And Brahma Muhurat in the holy month of Kartik becomes more auspicious.

So devotees should get up during Brahma Muhurat, take bath and then chant the names of the Lord.

Although rising early in the morning is tiresome but if one is able to do at least this one month in entire year then he/she will get unlimited spiritual benefits.

Srila Sanatana Goswami says that one should promise the Lord, “O Lord Damodara, O Lord who rescues the devotees from sufferings, O master of the demigods, to please You and Goddess Radha, I shall bathe every morning during the month of Kartika.” Text 172, Chapter: Sixteenth Vilasa, Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa.

Tulasi Sevanam: Serving Tulasi

Tulasi is very dear to Lord so one should nicely serve Tulasi Maharani and worship her.  

If possible, one should sit in front of Tulasi Maharani and chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.  

Udyapanam: Properly concluding the vow

Devotees sometimes take vows during the month of Kartik.

Some devotees decide to eat just one time in a day, some decide to take only fruits, some give up certain items which they like a lot such as sweets during this month.

So, after completion of the Kartik month one should give that particular item which they had decided to abstain from during the Kartik month to a genuine brahmana or a Vaisnava in charity.

After that they can resume taking those items.

Dipa Danam: Offering a lamp

Ghee Lamp or sesame oil lamp should be offered to the deity or picture of Lord Damodara.  

While offering the lamp one should recite the Damodarastakam prayers reverentially contemplating on its meaning.

This beautiful prayer written by Satyavrata muni describes how Lord Damodara should be worshipped.

When one recites this prayer then one attracts the Supreme Lord.

“In the company of the Vaisnava 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 178, Chapter: Sixteenth Vilasa, Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa

In the Kartik month mother Yashoda tied Krishna with the rope of love. We too in this month of Kartik can bind Krishna with our love if we follow the above guidelines given by Sanatana Goswami.

Krishna is extremely merciful. If we show a little intent that we love him, we want to live with him then he will come running towards us with open arms to embrace us.

Related articles:

• 11 reasons why Kartik month is the holiest month

• Damodar Lila:When Yashoda punishes Krishna, the Supreme Lord

• Damodar Lila: Why Balaram could not untie Krishna

• Damodarastakam

Jaya Radha-Madhava

(jaya) radha-madhava (jaya) kunja-bihari
(jaya) gopi-jana-vallabha (jaya) giri-vara-dhari
(jaya) jasoda-nandana, (jaya) braja-jana-ranjana,
(jaya) jamuna-tira-vana-cari

Translation:

Krishna is the lover of Radha. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vrindavana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, the holder of the great hill named Govardhana, the beloved son of mother Yasoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna.

(Srila Prabhupada was very fond of this song and sang it just before his lectures. In Allahabad and Gorakhpur Srila Prabhupada fell into a trance after singing the first two lines, and after some time he came back into external consciousness and said, “Now just chant Hare Krishna.” Srila Prabhupada said that this song is “a picture of Vrindavana. Everything is there—Srimati Radharani, Vrindavana, Govardhana, Yasoda, and all the cowherd boys.”)

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu

(1)
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu doyā koro more
tomā binā ke doyālu jagat-saḿsāre

(2)
patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra
mo sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra

(3)
hā hā prabhu nityānanda, premānanda sukhī
kṛpābalokana koro āmi boro duḥkhī

(4)
doyā koro sītā-pati adwaita gosāi
tava kṛpā-bale pāi caitanya-nitāi

(5)
hā hā swarūp, sanātana, rūpa, raghunātha
bhaṭṭa-juga, śrī-jīva hā prabhu lokanātha

(6)
doyā koro śrī-ācārya prabhu śrīnivāsa
rāmacandra-sańga māge narottama-dāsa

TRANSLATION

1) My dear Lord Caitanya, please be merciful to me, because who can be more merciful than Your Lordship within these three worlds?

2) Your incarnation is just to reclaim the conditioned, fallen souls, but I assure You that You will not find a greater fallen soul than me. Therefore, my claim is first.

3) My dear Lord Nityananda, You are always joyful in spiritual bliss. Since You always appear very happy, I have come to You because I am most unhappy. If You kindly put Your glance over me, then I may also become happy.

4) My dear Advaita Prabhu, husband of Sita, You are so kind. Please be merciful to me. If You are kind to me, naturally Lord Caitanya and Nityananda will also be kind to me.

5) O Svarupa Damodara, personal secretary of Lord Caitanya, O six Gosvamis O Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami! O Lokanatha Gosvami, my beloved spiritual master! Narottama dasa also prays for your mercy.

6) O Srinivasa Acarya, successor to the six Gosvamis! Please be merciful to me. Narottama dasa always desires the company of Ramacandra Cakravarti. 

Source: http://kksongs.org/songs/s/srikrsnacaitanyaprabhu.html

Sri Gaura Arati

(1)
(kiba) jaya jaya gorācāńder āratiko śobhā
jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā
jaga-jana-mana-lobhā

(Refrain 1)
(gaurāńger ārotik śobhā jaga-janer-mana-lobhā)

(2)
dakhiṇe nitāicāńd, bāme gadādhara
nikaṭe advaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara

(3)
bosiyāche gorācāńd ratna-siḿhāsane
ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe

(4)
narahari-ādi kori’ cāmara dhulāya
sañjaya-mukunda-bāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya

(5)
śańkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla
madhura mṛdańga bāje parama rasāla

(Refrain 2)
(śankha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje madhur madhur madhur bāje)

(6)
bahu-koṭi candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deśe bana-mālā kore jhalamala

(7)
śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada
bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada

TRANSLATION

1) All glories, all glories to the beautiful arati ceremony of Lord Caitanya. This Gaura-arati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jahnavi (Ganges) and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.

(Refrain 1): The splendor of Lord Gauranga’s (Caitanya) arati attracts the minds of all living entities of the universe!

2) On Lord Caitanya’s right side is Lord Nityananda and on His left is Sri Gadadhara. Nearby stands Sri Advaita, and Srivasa Thakura is holding an umbrella over Lord Caitanya’s head.

3) Lord Caitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the arati ceremony

4) Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with camaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosa sing sweet kirtana.

5) Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mrdangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relish able to hear.

(Refrain 2): Conchsells resound! bell resound! Sweetness, sweetness, and sweetness resounds!

6) The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.

7) Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Sri Caitanya.

Source: http://kksongs.org/songs/j/jayajayagoracander.html

Yasomati Nandana

(1)
yaśomatī-nandana, braja-baro-nāgara,
gokula-rañjana kāna
gopī-parāṇa-dhana, madana-manohara,
kāliya-damana-vidhāna

(2)
amala harinām amiya-vilāsā
vipina-purandara, navīna nāgara-bora,
baṁśī-badana suvāsā

(3)
braja-jana-pālana, asura-kula-nāśana
nanda-godhana-rākhowālā
govinda mādhava, navanīta-taskara,
sundara nanda-gopālā

(4)
yāmuna-taṭa-cara, gopī-basana-hara,
rāsa-rasika, kṛpāmoya
śrī-rādhā-vallabha, bṛndābana-naṭabara,
bhakativinod-āśraya

TRANSLATION       

1) Lord Krsna is the beloved son of mother Yasoda; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kana [a nickname of Krsna]; the wealth of the lives of the gopis. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kaliya serpent.

2) These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Krsna is the Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja, He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.

3) Krsna is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Maharaja’s cows; the giver of pleasure to the cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda Maharaja.

4) Krsna wanders along the banks of the River Yamuna. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rasa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Srimati Radharani; the great dancer of Vrndavana; and the shelter and only refuge of Thakura Bhaktivinoda.

Source: http://kksongs.org/songs/y/yasomatinandana.html

Sri Guru Vandana

(1)
śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando muñi sāvadhāna mate
jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi,
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha’te

(2)
guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koribo aikya,
ār nā koriho mane āśā
śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasāde pūre sarva āśā

(3)
cakṣu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jñān hṛde prokāśito
prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte,
vede gāy jāhāra carito

(4)
śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu,
lokanāth lokera jīvana
hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā,
ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana

TRANSLATION

1) The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krsna.

2) My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.

3) He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O Lokanatha Goswami! O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.

Source: http://kksongs.org/songs/s/srigurucaranapadma.html

Sri Tulasi Arati

Sri Tulasi Pranama

vrindayai tulasi-devyai
priyayai keshavasya cha
krishna-bhakti-prade devi
satyavatyai namo namaha

Translation

I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrnda, Srimati Tulasi Devi, who is very dear to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krsna and possess the highest truth.

Sri Tulasi Kirtan

(1)
namo namah tulasi krishna-preyasi namo namah
radha-krishna-seva pabo ei abilashi

(2)
ye tomara sarana loy, tara vancha purna hoy
kripa kori’ koro tare vrindavana-vasi

(3)
mora ei abhilasha, vilasa kunje dio vasa
nayana heribo sada yugala-rupa-rasi

(4)
ei nivedana dhara, sakhira anugata koro
seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi

(5)
dina krishna-dase koy, ei yena mora hoy
sri-radha-govinda-preme sada yena bhasi

Translation:

(1) O Tulasi, beloved of Krishna, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

(2) Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vrindavana.

(3) My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of Sri Vrindavana-dhama. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

(4) I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.

(5) This very fallen and lowly servant of Krsna prays, “May I always swim in the love of Sri Radha and Govinda.

Source: https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/tulasi-aarti

Narasimha Arati

namas te narasimhaya
prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakasipor vakshahsila- tanka-nakhalaye

I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.

ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho
yato yato yami tato nrisimhah
bahir nrisimho hridaye nrisimho
nrisimham adim saranam prapadye

Lord Nrisimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrisimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrisimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.

tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-sringam
dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhringam
kesava dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare

O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp like demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.

Source: https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/narasimha-arati

Mangala Arati

saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta-
vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena
romāñca -kampāśru-tarańga-bhājo
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-
śṛńgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau
yuktasya bhaktāḿś ca niyuñjato ‘pi
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda-
svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-sańghān
kṛtvaiva tṛptiḿ bhajataḥ sadaiva
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra-
mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām
prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai
yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā
tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

Translation

1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

4) The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krishna’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrindavan. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bonafide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna].

8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.

Source: https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/mangala-aarti

Damodar Lila:Pure love binds Krishna, and nothing else