Karttika Super Benefits

Mahanidhi Swami

Karttika is a special month to collect lots of mercy and blessings from Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Before citing the super benefits of observing the Karttika Vrata, we will quote Srila Prabhupada’s translation of one verse of Satyavrata Muni’s “Damodarastakam” which is chanted daily in the Karttika month.

Srila Prabhupada said, “In this prayer, one passage says, ‘My dear Lord Dämodara, once when You were playing as a naughty boy in the house of Nanda Mahäräja, You broke the box containing yogurt. Because of that, mother Yaçodä considered You an offender and tied You with rope to the household grinding mortar. At that time, You delivered the two sons of Kuvera, Nalaküvara and Maëigréva, who were staying there as two arjuna trees in the yard of Nanda Mahäräja. My only request is that by Your merciful pastimes You may similarly deliver me.’” (NOD cp. 4)

In His teachings to Srila Sanatana Goswamipada (Cc. 2.22), Gauranga Mahaprabhu explained the 64 limbs of devotion by which one can attain the most valuable treasure of love for Krishna (pai Krishna-prema-maha-dhana). At that time, Mahaprabhu said, “In all respects, one of the most important limbs is to observe special vows in the month of Karttika, (karttika adi vrata, parama-parama-mahattva).

Srila Rupa Goswami extols the Damodara (Karttika) month in his Mathura Mahatyam: “To they who worship Krishna in Vrindavana, Lord Krishna gives them their original spiritual forms. The perfect atonement to purify the sins of a lifetime is to worship Lord Damodara in Vrindavana during Karttika. The month of Karttika spent in Vrindavana takes one to the spiritual world.”

The Hari-bhakti-viläsa proclaims, “O learned brähmaëas! Lord Dämodara becomes very pleased if during the month of Karttika with one worships a Deity of Radhika solely for Her pleasure.” (16.95)

In Jaiva Dharma, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura said, “Another name for Kärttika is Ürja. Devotees take special vows of renunciation and increase their devotional activities of hearing, chanting, remembering, circumambulation, etc., to celebrate the pastimes of Sri Krishna.”

In his Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada said, “One of the most important functions is called Ürja-vrata, observed in the month of Kärttika. The execution of devotional service during Ürja-vrata in the month of Kärttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathurä. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathurä or Våndävana and stay there during the month of Kärttika.

“Even unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Kärttika within the jurisdiction of Mathurä in India are very easily awarded Sri Krishna’s personal service.”

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Karttika Super Benefits ki jai!

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!