How to Become the Consort of the Lord: Kartik

Kartik is the eighth lunar month of the Vedic year when the sun is in Krittika or Pleiades. Kartik is perhaps the holiest of all the months in the Vedic calender characterised by many spiritual festivals of great importance. Kartikaa is the original the Name of Shrimati Radha since this is Her month which precedes the month of Lord Krishna.

The holiness of the Mahatmya of Kartik has been elaborately dealt with in the Uttar Khanda of Padma Purana. In the dialogue between King Dilip and the age Vashishta on the most efficacious means of obtaining salvation, the wise sage had referred to Kartik Mahatmya by illustrating various significant pastimes pertaining to the month.

Shrimati Satyabhama enquires from Lord Krishna as to how the Kartik month came to be regarded as so holy. In reply, Lord Krishna relates the story of Shankhasura the demon who carried away the Vedas into the sea how Vishnu was obliged to take the incarnation of Mastya (Fish) and kill Shankha Asura (conch shell demon) and restore the Vedas to the demigods - a quest for truth and enlightenment. This incarnation is said to have taken place on the 11th day of Kartik.

It is said Lord Krishna himself stressed the importance of spiritual observances during Kartik to his own wife Satyabhama. He disclosed that in her previous life she herself had been a Brahmin's daughter and was his consort in consequence of the Vratas she had performed during this month.

The efficacy of Vratas is emphasised through another interesting event in the Kartik Mahatmya. The story goes that once Dhaneswara, a man of low caste, went to Mahismati to sell skins. His business led him to the banks of the Narmada where he was thrown in the company of pilgrims. He watched their spiritual performances and was prompted to join them more out of curiosity then devotion. But even this anticipation sufficed to secure him entry into the Kingdom of God because it was the Kartik month.

Diwali is the foremost festival heralding the Kartik month because on this day the Supreme Lord Krishna Himself allowed Himself to be tied by the ropes of Mother Yashoda due to her supreme love for Him.

Taking bath (Snan) in holy rivers in this month is considered highly auspicious. The full moon day in Kartik month is observed as Deva Diwali in remembrance of Lord Shiva killing demon Tripura or Tarakasura. Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna!

Comment on this Post