Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

How to enjoy unlimited happiness in 2020?

2019 is gone. 2020 is in.  Most of us are busy welcoming 2020, hoping that this year will bring unlimited happiness and will fulfil all our unfulfilled desires.  We are also hoping that this year we should not be subjected to any types of miseries.

But is it not true that last year too we had the same hope at the beginning of the year? Not just last year, in fact every year we had hoped that our life will be free of all sufferings. But it is also true that just like a shadow, misery have always followed us.

We always look for mental peace but somehow or other many unpleasant events start unfolding in our lives which steals away all the peace of our mind.  We want good health but surprisingly we get affected by multiple diseases.  

Scriptures explain that we are always subjected by three types of miseries:  adhidaivika-kleśa (sufferings caused by the demigods, such as droughts, earthquakes and storms), adhibhautika-kleśa (sufferings caused by other living entities like insects or enemies), and adhyātmika-kleśa (sufferings caused by one’s own body and mind, such as mental and physical infirmities).

We may blame our destiny or curse the higher powers for our sufferings, but the truth is that we are responsible for all the pleasant or unpleasant situations in our lives.  We suffer because of the sins we have committed in our lives – either in this life or in previous life.

Padma Purana says that at all the time there are four effects of the sins (1) the sinful effect which has still not fructified (2) the sinful effect which lies as seed (3) the sinful effect that is already mature and (4) the sinful effect which is almost mature.  The distress from which we are suffering now are because of those sins which are “almost mature.” 

And other sins which are now lying in the seed form or have not fructified will lead to future sufferings. So when suffering suddenly appears in our life it means that the seeds of sin lying dormant matured.  And whatever sins we are committing now will surely lead to future sufferings. So, it is wrong to blame someone else for our own misdeeds.

Now if we want to lead a peaceful and blissful life then we need to first free ourselves from all the sins. All the sins should be burnt to ashes.  This can only be possible if we bring Krishna, the Supreme Lord and the Supreme Controller, in our life.  

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.19) Krishna says, “My dear Uddhava, just as a blazing fire turns firewood into ashes, similarly, devotion unto Me completely burns to ashes sins committed by My devotees.”

So, this New Year let us welcome Krishna in our life. Let us take a vow to take shelter of Krishna. This will guarantee peace and unlimited bliss in our life which we all are desperately looking for.  And the best way to take shelter of Krishna is by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Tulabharam challenge: When Satyabhama was about to lose Krishna

Satyabhama is a devoted wife of Krishna. But she is very demanding. She has a feeling that she rules Krishna’s heart and Krishna loves her more than other queens. Once when Narada Muni was in Dwarka he went to meet Satyabhama and during the conversation, he told her that it is Rukmini who actually occupies Krishna’s heart and not she.

Satyabhama could not tolerate this and she challenged Narada to prove it.

Narada through his tricky words lured Satyabhama for a Tulabharam challenge.

The condition was that if she fails in the challenge she will have to give Krishna in charity to Narada. This would make Krishna slave of Narada. And if she wins then it would be proven that she is the only one who rules Krishna’s heart and Krishna loves her the most.  

Satyabhama accepted the challenge because she believed that her wealth will easily outweigh Krishna on the balance (tula). The message soon spread in the palace and the other queens opposed it but Krishna like a submissive husband meekly surrendered to this challenge. A big-scale was arranged and everyone assembled to see this pastime.

Satyabhama put Krishna on one of the scales of balance and with supreme confidence, she started putting her wealth on the other scale. This was an opportunity for her to prove to the entire world that Krishna may have thousands of wives, millions of devotees but still Krishna loves her the most and her love for Krishna is the best.  

But to her dismay, the scale on which Krishna was sitting was not moving up even by an inch.  She was constantly thinking if her wealth does not outweigh Krishna then she will have to lose him. The thought sent shivers down her spine. She summoned all the valuables from the treasury including gold, diamonds, emerald and put it on the scale but still, it appeared to be insufficient. 

She was now desperate not to lose Krishna so she requested all the queens for their wealth except Rukmini because of obvious reasons.  The other queens of Krishna also feared that if Krishna is sold as a slave to Narada then Krishna will have to leave Dwarka and they will have to live without him forever.

So they all put together their prized possessions on the scale hoping that scale stuffed with the wealth of entire creation will outweigh Krishna. But still, the scale on which Krishna sat did not budge even by an inch. Satyabhama was in deep shock.

Now there was only one person in the entire creation left with whom she had to plead. Putting all her pride aside she pleaded Rukmini for help. Rukmini was ever there to help her. She did not bring her wealth to put on the scale.

Instead, she took a Tulasi leaf, prayed to Krishna and put it on the scale.

The scale became so heavy that it immediately came down lifting up the scale on which Krishna sat. In fact, even when all the wealth was removed and only the leaf was on the scale still it outweighed Krishna.  

The pastime shows that a humble offering to Krishna done with love is far superior to the wealth of the entire creation.

In Brahma Samhita 5.29, Lord Brahma says, “lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ/ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi”-  I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord who is always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakṣmīs.  Krishna has all the riches.  All the wealth which anyone possesses in the entire cosmic manifestation comes from Krishna, Lakshmipati, only.  

So how can we purchase Krishna with our material possessions?

Krishna is the proprietor of this entire creation. 

Krishna declares in Bhagavad Gita 10.8, “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.”

Krishna has craving only for our love and so if we offer anything to him with love he just grabs it and enjoys the offering.  

This is why when Duryodhana invited Krishna to his palace for a meal then Krishna refused it.  Duryodhana wanted to win Krishna with the arrogant display of wealth. So Krishna did not even consider accepting his offering. Instead he went to the house of Vidura even without an invitation because the selfless love of Vidura and his wife pulled Krishna to their humble house.  

Vidura’s wife was so overwhelmed by seeing Krishna in his house that instead of removing the banana peel and offering the banana, she began offering him banana peels and Krishna was happily enjoying it.

Krishna gives a message to us in Gita 9.26 what actually he accepts “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.”

So the underlining principle is love. When Lord Rama was performing his pastime on this earthly planet then he enjoyed the half-eaten berry of Sabari as it was filled with her love and devotion.  Everything belongs to Krishna so what can we give to Krishna.

So does it mean that we have nothing to offer or we should offer only simple things to Krishna like a leaf, or a flower or water? Definitely not.

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform – do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me. B.G. 9.27.”  

So whatever we have should be offered to Krishna but it should be done with love and not with arrogance. Just because we are rich and offering valuable gifts to Krishna does not guarantee that he will accept it.  Also just because we are poor and we are offering something simple does not guarantee that he will accept it.  He will accept our gift only if it is filled with love, devotion, and humility.

So those of us who want to express our devotion to Krishna should constantly keep a watch on our consciousness. If our consciousness is contaminated with pride and arrogance then we will always fail to please Krishna.

If we want Krishna’s affection then we should make rigorous efforts to cleanse our hearts by chanting the holy names of the lord and fill it with lots of love and devotion.  And then like mother Rukmini we would also be able to win Krishna with our selfless love.

Who was Nanda and Yashoda in their previous lives?

Lord Shiva standing in front of the house of mother Yashoda was pleading her to show him a glimpse of little Krishna. Without her permission, he, the greatest of the great demigods, could not directly go to see the beautiful form of Krishna.

And little Lord Krishna too could not come out without his mother’s permission to meet Lord Shiva.

Both Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva were helpless in front of Yashoda, the mother of Krishna, the supreme Lord.

The scriptures tell that the yogis meditate for thousands of years to just have a glimpse of Lord Krishna.  And here Krishna was living with Yashoda as her son. And Yashoda was trying her best to take care of Krishna whom she did not consider the Supreme Lord, but she treated Krishna as her little baby who needed her complete attention.

She used to feed him, bathe him, play with him and also protect him.

Maharaj Parikshit who was absorbed in hearing the sweet pastimes of Krishna from Sukhdeva Goswami was surprised to know the great fortune of Yashoda.

He inquired from the sage, “What past auspicious activities did she and Nanda Maharaja perform to achieve such perfection in ecstatic love? Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.46

Although Krishna appeared as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki yet they did not have the opportunity to be part of Krishna’s most celebrated childhood pastimes. Just by meditating on these magnanimous pastimes one can achieve complete perfection in their life.  Krishna played in the courtyard of Nanda Maharaj and he was extremely fond of his mother and father. 

So, scriptures tell that Yashoda and Nanda Maharaj are more fortunate than Devaki and Vasudeva.

We may wonder, “What penance did they perform? What extraordinary devotion they did that they got such an exalted position?

Is there any possibility that we too can have the fortune to become the mother or father of Krishna in any life?”

In this material world in their previous life, Nanda Maharaj was Drona and Yashoda was Dhara. And to become parents of Krishna they prayed to Brahma.

When Brahma granted them permission, “the most fortune Droṇa, who was equal to Bhagavan, appeared in Vrajapura, Vṛndavana, as the most famous Nanda Maharaja, and his wife, Dhara, appeared as mother Yashoda.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.50

But if we delve more into the scriptures we would find that it is not that they became Krishna’s parents after seeking permission from Brahma but they, in fact, are the eternal father and mother of Krishna.  

Yashoda and Nanda Maharaj eternally live with Krishna in the spiritual world.

Whenever Krishna descends in the material world his eternal associates too appear to assist him in his pastimes. For example, we see Srimati Radharani, an eternal consort of Lord Krishna appears in Vrindavan for the pleasure of Krishna.

In SB 10.8.48 purport Srila Prabhupada explains that Yashoda and Nanda Maharaj are expansions of Kṛishna’s personal body; they are not ordinary living beings.

Describing the fortune of Nanda Maharaj and mother Yashoda, Sukhdeva Goswami says, “Neither Lord Brahma, nor Lord Shiva, nor even the goddess of fortune, who is always the better half of the Supreme Lord, can obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the deliverer from this material world, such mercy as received by mother Yashoda. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.9.20

If Brahma cannot get such mercy as Yashoda and Nanda then how can he give such a great benediction to Drona and Dhara to become parents of Krishna?

So we can understand that they are already the parents of Krishna but to play the role of mother and father of Krishna in the material world they seek blessings of Brahma because Brahma has been given the role of a creator of this material world.

And the associates of the Lord and even the Lord many times respect the universal laws which he himself has created.

We see here that Drona and Dhara did not have to undergo severe penance to become father and mother of Krishna.

There are two categories of devotees in the spiritual world – nitya siddhas and sadhana siddhas. Nitya Siddhas are the eternal associates of Krishna. They originate from the personal body of Krishna. They can never fall down from their exalted status. Just like Krishna, they are supremely pure.

Whereas the sadhana siddhas are ordinary living beings like us but after sincerely practicing devotional life they attain perfection and they too get an opportunity to be with Krishna, to enjoy the pastimes with Krishna.

Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yashoda who eternally exist in the spiritual world, Goloka Vrindavan, expand to become Drona and Dhara in the material world to assist the Lord in the pastime.

Although to descend in this world Krishna does not need a mother and father but just to enjoy the pastimes here and to show to people like us how his pastimes in the spiritual world are so sweet, he comes with his eternal parents to this material world.

Srila Prabhupada writes, “Before Krishna appearance, Droṇa and Dhara appear in order to become His father and mother. It is they who appear as Nanda Maharaja and his wife, Yashoda. In other words, it is not possible for a sadhana-siddha living being to become the father or mother of Krishna, for Krishna’s father and mother are already designated.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.49 purport

Although we the living beings can’t have the same position as that of the nitya siddhas but if we follow the process of Krishna consciousness then we too have an opportunity to develop similar affection for Krishna and also can reside with Krishna in the spiritual world.

In Sri Brhad – Bhagavatamrta it is mentioned, “According to the time, place and mission to be performed, the residents of Goloka appear, sometimes in partial forms and sometimes in fullness. They do this as Krishna Himself does. When the Lord incarnates, the residents of Goloka, each attracted by his own rasa with the Lord, also desire to appear, by some pretext, in their own incarnations and then at the end their incarnations merge into them and become one with them again.” Chapter Six: Abhista – labha (The Fulfilment of Desires) Text 205 – 208.

So, Nanda and Yashoda come from the spiritual world to enjoy pastimes with Krishna. And after Krishna unwinds his pastimes in the material world Nanda Maharaj and mother Yashoda merge into their original sources in the spiritual world.

Nanda Maharaj merges into the original Nanda Maharaj which is eternally existing in the spiritual world. Similarly, Yashoda merges into the original Yashoda which is eternally existing in the spiritual world.

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What is the best way to worship Tulasi?

Tulsi is very dear to Lord Krishna, she is always placed at Lord Krishna’s lotus feet. Anyone who worships her becomes dear to Krishna. So, it is said that one who wants to get the favour of Krishna should regularly and respectfully worship Tulsi (Tulasi), with love and devotion.

Before starting the worship of Tulasi devi one should offer one’s respectful obeisances, pancanga pranam, to her by chanting following mantra:

Vrindayai Tulasi devyai priyayai kesavasya cha

Vishnu bhaktiprade devi satyavatyai namo namaha

3 simple steps to follow to worship Tulasi Maharani at home or even at the temple

Achamana (purification): Before starting the worship of Tulasi it is important to do achamana by following the below process.

• Fill the achamana cup with normal water/tap water and add Ganges water to it. If one can use only Ganges water, then no need to use normal water or tap water.
  • Take a spoon full of water from the achamana cup and sprinkle on both the hands.  This will purify the hands.
  • Now hold the spoon in the left hand, take water from the achamana cup, pour it on the right palm and sip it. While sipping the sacred water chant the mantra – om keshavaya namah. Repeat it again i.e. we do it two times.
  • After sipping the water two times, sprinkle the water on the right palm to wash it.
  • Again, holding the spoon in the left hand, take water from the achamana cup, pour it on the right palm and sip it. While sipping the sacred water chant the mantra – om narayanaya namah. Repeat it again i.e. we do it two times.
  • After sipping the water two times, sprinkle the water on the right palm to wash it.
  • Again, holding the spoon in the left hand, take water from the achamana cup, pour it on the right palm and sip it. While sipping the sacred water chant the mantra – om madhavaya namah. Repeat it again i.e. we do it two times.
  • At the end wash both the hands with the sacred achamana water

#1. Offer incense to Tulsi Maharani:

• Sprinkle the achamana water on the incense stick and bell to purify it.
• After lighting the incense stick worship Tulsi Devi as follows
• Offer the incense to Tulsi Devi by slowly moving it around the entire body of Tulsi devi seven times in clockwise direction.
• After offering to Tulasi devi offer it to Srila Prabhupada and other assembled devotees in similar way.
• While offering the incense continue ringing the bell.

Note: If possible, use at least 3 incense sticks. If one can afford more than that then they should use it.

#2. Offer Ghee lamp to Tulsi Maharani:

• Light the ghee lamp and purify it by sprinkling achamana water on it. Show the ghee lamp as follows:
• Offer the ghee lamp by moving it around the base 4 times in the clockwise direction.
• Move it around the middle part of the Tulasi plant 2 times in the clockwise direction.
• Make three circles around the top in a clockwise direction.
• And finally, make seven circles around the entire Tulsi plant in a clockwise direction.
• Then offer it to Srila Prabhupada and assembled devotees
• While worshipping hold the bell in the left hand and continue ringing it.

#3. Offer flowers to Tulasi Maharani:

• Sprinkle achamana water on the flower to purify it.
• Offer the flower by making seven circles around the entire body of Tulasi Devi in a clockwise direction.
• Place some flowers at the base of the sacred plant
• Offer it then to Srila Prabhupada and assembled devotees.
• Continue ringing the bell while offering flowers.

When the Tulasi worship is going on devotees sing the song – namo namaha tulasi! krishna-preyasi.

After completion of Tulasi worship the devotees circumambulate Tulsi Maharani in a clockwise direction.  Devotees should circumambulate at least 3 times. While circumambulating devotees sing –

yani kani cha papani
brahma-hatyadikani cha
tani tani pranashyanti
pradakshinaha pade pade

They also take arati which was offered to Tulasi Maharani and smell the offered flowers.

After Tulsi worship, the assembled devotees purify their hands with achamana water and pour few drops of water at the base of Tulasi.

At last devotees again offer their obeisances, pancanga pranam, to Tulasi Devi and chant the mantra.

Vrindayai Tulasi devyai priyayai kesavasya cha

Vishnu bhaktiprade devi satyavatyai namo namaha

The meaning of the mantra is - “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.”

In his book Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa (Chapter: Ninth Vilasa), Sanatana Goswami elaborately explains how to worship Tulsi Devi and with what consciousness one should offer prayer to the sacred plant which is so dear to Krishna.

How to glorify Tulasi Devi with beautiful prayers

#1. Sanatana Goswami says, “One should go to a beautiful and glorious Tulasi forest to worship Tulsi(Tulasi) Devi who is dear to Lord Krishna’s lotus feet.” Text 98

#2. While worshipping beautiful and sacred Tulsi (Tulasi) forest one should offer arghya with scents, beautiful flowers, unbroken grains of rice and other items. After offering arghya to Tulsi (Tulasi) Devi, one should glorify her with beautiful prayers. After that one should pay obeisances to the sacred plant by bowing down before her like a stick (dandavat). Devotees then can make any request if he wishes to make.  Text 99

 #3. “Addressing her as a goddess, goddess of fortune’s glory, home of the revered goddess of fortune, the object of worship for the husband of the goddess of fortune one should plead her to accept the arghya which has been offered with devotion. Then one should again offer obeisances to her.” Text 100

#4. One should glorify Tulsi (Tulasi) Devi by saying “You were planted by the demigods in ancient times. You are so sacred that suras (demigods) and asuras (demons) both worship you. I beg you to remove my sins. Please kindly accept my worship and my offerings. Please accept my respectful obeisances unto you.”  Text 101

#5. “O Tulasi Maharani, you are so kind, you are the mother of all mercy, you bestow good fortune upon conditioned souls. Please be merciful upon this unfortunate soul. Kindly accept my obeisances.” Text 102

#6. “O Tulasi Maharani please shower your mercy upon me. Give me the benediction of long life, of fame, of wealth, of glory, of prosperity, of happiness, of piety, of strength.” Text 103

#7. In Avanti khanda, it is mentioned one should always offer their respectful obeisances to Tulasi Maharani. While offering the obeisances one should glorify her by saying the following words:

• When someone sees her then she destroys the person’s all sins.
• When someone even touches her then she is so merciful that she purifies the person’s body.
• When someone offers obeisances to her then she is so kind that she cures all his diseases.
• When someone is offering water to Tulsi(Tulasi) plant then she makes Yamaraj fear that person.
• When someone plants the sacred Tulsi(Tulasi) then Tulsi Devi brings him closer to Krishna.
• And when someone places Tulsi Maharani at Krishna’s lotus feet then she becomes so pleased with him that she offers liberation to that person. Text 104

#8. In a prayerful mood, one should say, “Although I am an insignificant creature, my desire is to just relish and dive in the ocean of your glories. For any mistake and offense, I beg you to forgive me.” Text 105

Note: Reference to the text is from Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Chapter – Ninth Vilasa

Related articles:

Sri Tulasi Arati

Important festivals in the month of Kartik

Kartik month is a very special month. Any spiritual activity performed in this month gives tremendous benefit. Below is the list of important festivals celebrated during the auspicious month of Kartik .

• Sharad Purnima – Lord Krishna expanded Himself 1000s of time and performed Raas Lila. 

• Bahulashtami – Appearance of Radha Kunda and Syama Kund

• Rama Ekadashi

• Dhanteras

• Naraka Chaturdashi – Krishna kills Narkasura and frees 16000 queens who had been held captive by Narkasura. Queens wants to take shelter of Krishna, they want to marry him because no one will now marry them. Krishna was their saviour and they all wanted to marry Krishna. Krishna expands himself 16000 times, marries the queen and lives with each one of them individually in Dwarka.

• Diwali – Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya 

• Damodar Lila – When mother Yashoda binds Krishna

• Govardhan puja – Worship of cows and Govardhan hill

• Bhaiya dooj – When Yamuna met her brother Yamaraj

• Disappearance Day of Srila Prabhupada

• Gopashtami – Krishna becomes a cowherd boy 

• Kamsa Vadha Lila – Killing of demon Kamsa and freeing Devaki and Vasudev

• Utthan Ekadashi

• Disappearance Day of Srila Gaur Kishor Das Babaji

• Bhishma Panchak – In the last 5 days of Kartik, Bhismadev prayed to the Supreme Lord while preparing to leave his body

• Tulsi Vivah – Marriage ceremony of Tulasi Maharani & Lord Visnu

Related articles:

11 reasons why Kartik month is the holiest month

5 most important spiritual activities to perform during Kartik month

24 wonderful results one get by offering lamp in Kartik

23 negative results one get for not observing Kartik vrata

Damodar Lila:When Yashoda punishes Krishna, the Supreme Lord

24 wonderful results one gets by offering lamp in Kartik

One of the most important spiritual activities in the holy month of Kartik is offering lamp (either ghee lamp or sesame oil lamp) to Lord Damodara. Scriptures tell us the glories of offering lamp to Lod Kesava in the Kartik month.

In Sri Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Chapter: Sixteenth Vilasa, Srila Sanantana Goswami referring different scriptures like Skanada Purana, Padma Purana, Narada Purana lists down the results one obtains by offering lamp with love to Lord Damodara.

24 wonderful results you get by offering a lamp to Lord Damodara in Kartik month

1. Skanda Purana says that if one offers a ghee lamp to Lord Damodara in this auspicious month of Kartik then his sins of millions of birth perishes in half an eyeblink. Text 99  

2. The offering of lamp is very pleasing to Lord Krishna. And if one is offering the lamp with love and affection then he will not take birth again in this world.  Text 100

3. If one is offering a lamp to Lord Damodara in the holy month of Kartik then he attains pious result which is ten million times greater than the result one obtains by bathing in Kurushetra during solar eclipse or by bathing in river Narmada during lunar eclipse.  Text 101

4. If one offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil to Lord Damaodara then for such a person what is the need to perform asvasmedha – yajna.  Text 102

5. In fact, offering a lamp to Lord Damodara is so glories that even if a person is impure, has not performed pious deeds and have not chanted mantras become perfect by offering the lamp. Text 103

• It happens because offering the lamp burns all sins and soon the person becomes righteous.

6. If a person is offering lamp to Lord Damodara then it should be understood that he has already performed all yajnas and bathed in all the sacred rivers. Text 104

7. The pious deeds performed in Svargaloka, Martyaloka, and Rasatalaloka does not do not any good if there is no lamp offering to Lord Kesava in the month of Kartik. Text 105

8. When devotional verses and songs are sung in the month of Kartik and is heard by the pitas then in that family a son is born who is devoted to his father. Text 106

9. The ancestors explain that when someone in their family offers a lamp to the Lord who holds Sudarsana – cakra in the month of Kartik then by the mercy of the Lord they attain liberation.  Text 107

10. Just by offering lamp to Lord Damodara in the month of Kartik one can burn sins which could be as big as Mount Meru or Mount Mandara.  Text 108

11. Anyone who is offering lamp to Lord Damodara in Kartik either at home or in a temple gets great result. Text 109

12. Human life is precious and rare and so if anyone in this human form of life is offering lamp to Lord Krishna becomes fortunate and attain glory.  Text 110

13. The result one attains by offering lamp to Lord Damodara in Kartik is so glorious that it cannot be obtained by performing hundreds of yajnas or visiting hundreds of pilgrimage places.  Text 111

14. Even a sinful person who is not willing to do any pious deeds and is addicted to sinful life if by somehow offers a lamp to Lord Damodara then he becomes purified. The merciful Lord burns all his sins and give him enlightenment because of which he stops committing sins and begin leading a pious life.  Text 112

15. No sins exist anywhere in the three worlds which cannot be purified by offering lamp to Lord Damodara with love and devotion.  Text 113

16. In fact those who offer lamp to Lord Damodara during the holy month of Kartik attain the spiritual world which is filled with happiness and where there is no suffering.  Text 114

17. Lord Brahma says to sage Narada,”I will now describe the pious results one obtains by offering lamp during the Dvadasi day of the holy month of Kartik.”  

• If a person offers lamp, then “his unlimited ancestors and descendants which cannot be counted will get an opportunity to enjoy in the company of demigods and after that by the mercy of the Supreme Lord Krishna who holds Sudarsana cakra in his hand will attain liberation.” Texts 115, 116 and 117

18. In fact, offering lamp is so glorious that if a person for playing dice lights a lamp in the temple of Lord Kesava then this act purifies seven generations of his family. The merciful Lord ignores his irreligious activity and consider his act of lighting the lamp as pious deed and gives him great result.  Text 118

19. One who is offering lamp to Lord Damodara in the month of Kartik is blessed with eternal wealth, fame, glory and good children. Text 119

20. As fire is inherently present in the wood and can be ignited by friction similarly piety is always present in offering lamp to the Lord in the month of Kartik.  Text 120

21. Lord Brahma addresses sage Narada as king of brahmanas and says, “If someone is offering lamp to Lord Damodara in the holy month of Kartik and on full moon day then Lord Krishna becomes extremely pleased with him. He considers that act to be so glorious that he cannot repay him back and so He gives himself to him in exchange for that glorious lamp.” Text 121

22. If a fool is not offering lamp to Lord Kesava in the month of Kartik then he should not be considered a Vaisnava i.e. a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Text 122

23. In the Narada Purana there is a conversation between Sri Mohini Devi and Sri Rukmangada where it is stated that “Of all the gifts the gift of offering lamp to Lord Damodara in the month of Kartik is the best. No other gift can be equal to that.”  Text 123

24. Padma Purana states: One who offers a lamp to the Supreme Lord Hari in the auspicious month of Kartik enjoys pastimes with Lord Hari in Lord Hari’s splendid spiritual world.  Text 124

Related articles

11 reasons why Kartik month is the holiest month

5 most important spiritual activities to perform during Kartik month

23 negative results one get for not observing Kartik vrata

Damodar Lila:When Yashoda punishes Krishna, the Supreme Lord

23 negative results one get for not observing Kartik vrata

Kartik month is the holiest of all the months. Scriptures extoll the virtues of this month. Any spiritual activity performed during this month give great result.  One who sincerely observes the vows of Kartik vrat reaps tremendous spiritual benefit.

But what if one is not observing the vows of Kartik month.

What happens to them?

What does the scripture tell about them?

Srila Sanatana Goswami in his book Sri Hari Bhakti Vialasa tells in detail about the repercussion one faces if one does not follow Kartik vrat. He gives references from Skanda Purana, Padma Purana and other revered scriptures.  

Let us discuss the consequences of not observing Kartik Vrata as explained in Sri Hari Bhakti Vialasa (Chapter – Sixteenth Vilasa, Text 5 – Text 30).

23 repercussions one faces for not observing the auspicious Kartik vrata

1. In the Skanda Purana Lord Brahma in a conversation with Narada strongly condemn a person who does not observe Kartik vrata. Lord Brahma says that such a person is a sinner, he should be considered a murder of his own mother and father.  Text 5
2. Kartik month is so dear to Lord Damodara and if one does not observe its vows then he should be considered outside of all religious principles. In fact, in his next life such a sinner will take birth in the animal species.  Text 6
3. Further criticising such a person, Brahma says that such a person who despite getting a human body which is conducive to practice devotion to Krishna is not following the vows of Kartik is like a killer of the brahmana, killer of mother cow, a thief of valuable items like gold and is a liar.  Text 7
4. There should not be any excuse of not following Kartik vows. Even a widow should be observing it. If she is not, then she will go to hell.  Text 8
5. The duty of a householder is to live as per the guidelines of the scriptures. And the scriptures talk the glories of this auspicious month. Even if a householder is doing pious deeds, giving charity but if he is not observing Kartik vows then these acts will not do him any good. In fact, these deeds will be like the cry of a person in hell. Text 9.
6. If a brahmana, considered the protector of dharma, rejects Kartik vows then all the demigods headed by Indra reject him. Text 10
7. Even if someone has performed yajnas, hundreds of sraddhas but is not willing to follow the Kartik vrat will not be able to enter Svargaloka. Text 11
8. Whether one is a sannyasi or a vanaprastha or a widow if he/she does not observe Kartik vow will enter hell. Text 12
9. If a person is not observing the Karik vows, then even the study of scriptures like Vedas and Puranas will not do much good to him. Text 13
10. If a person is not observing Kartik vows, then his life’s entire pious deeds burn to ashes. Text 14
11. Lord Braham says to Narada that one’s act of giving charity, performing great austerities, mantra chanting becomes useless if one is not following the Kartik vow.  Text 15
12. Lord Brahma further says to Narada that one’s seven birth of pious deeds become useless if one is not observing Kartik vows. Text 16
13. Again and again emphasising the importance of observing Kartik vows, Lord Brahma says that one who is not observing it is considered a sinner in the entire world.  Text 17
14. Lord Brahma again says that such a person who is not observing Kartik vrat will lose his pious deeds of entire lifetime. A person not observing Kartik and Caturmasya is most degraded. He is like a brahmana killer who is sinful. Text 18 – 19
15. Lord Brahma says to Narada that even “I do not know the fate of a person who does not observe the vows of Kartik, do not observe Lord Vishnu’s festival.”  Text 20 – 22
16. In Padma Purana sage Narada in conversation with sages headed by Sri Saunaka says, “In this world of karma if a human being is not following Kartik vrat then its like having cintamnai jewel in the hand and throwing it in the muddy water.”   Text 23
    • Human life is precious because in this life one can elevate one’s consciousness and return back to the spiritual world. Kartik month is so special that any spiritual activity performed in this holy month gives great result.
    • But if a human being is not understanding the importance of this auspicious month and not following the vrat as per the scriptural guidelines then he should be considered a fool.
    • He can be compared to a blind or a foolish person who may be having a precious stone like cintamni in his hand but not understanding its importance he just throws it in the muddy water.  
17. The Kartik month is very dear to Lord Krishna and if one does not follow the Kartik vrat then Lord Krishna turns his face away from him. Text 24
    • Sanatama Goswami explains that one should chant the names of the Lord, take bath early in the morning, give charity for the pleasure of the Lord and perform pious deeds during this month.
18. Skanda Purana says that in this holy month of Kartik one should chant the holy names of the Lord, perform yajnas (such as sankirtan yajna), give charity, bathe early in the morning and follow the vows for the pleasure of Lord Krishna. But if one is not doing it then he should be considered as lowest of men.  Text 25
19. If one is not observing the vows of Kartik month, chanting japa, not performing yajna then he is like a thief who robs himself of valuables.  His wishes never get fulfilled.  Text 26
20. If in this holy month of Kartik one is not worshipping Krishna, then he resides in hell along with his ancestors. Text 27
21. If one is not worshipping Krishna in Kartik with love and devotion then they are chained and dragged by the Yamaduttas, the messenger of Yamaraj, to hell. Text 28
22. Human life is extremely precious. It is attained after millions of births. But if a person is not worshiping Lord Vishnu in this auspicious month then he is wasting his life and in fact he loses the rare human birth. Text 29
23. In fact, if a person in the holiest month of Kartik is not worshipping the Supreme Lord Vishnu, chanting the glories of Lord Vishnu, is not associating with the devotees of Lord Vishnu i.e. the Vaisnavas then he is killing ten years of his pious deeds.  Text 30

So it is extremely important that we all should try our best to observe the vows of Kartik. Observing Kartik vrata is not at all difficult. It gives us unlimited spiritual benefits.

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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:

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• 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