Kartik Mahatmya Hari Bhakti Vilasa

Kartika mahatmya from 16th chapter Hari Bhakti Vilasa

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Text 1

atha karttika-krityam
damodaram prapadye 'ham
shri-radha-ramanam prabhum
prabhavad yasya tat-preshthah
karttikah sevito bhavet

atha-now; karttika-krityam-the duties of Karttika; damodaram-to Lord Krishna; prapadye-surrender; aham-I; shri-radha-of Shri Radha; ramanam-the lover; prabhum-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prabhavat-by the power; yasya-of whom; tat-preshthah-dear to Him; karttikah-Karttika; sevitah-served; bhavet-is.

Duties in the Month of Karttika
I surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was tied about the waist with a rope, and who is the lover of Shri Radha. By His power one is able to serve His favored month: the month of Karttika.

Text 2

bhati karttika-krityadi
skanda-padmadishu sphutam
tathapy ekatra sangrihya
sarato 'tra vilikhyate

bhati-manifested; karttika-krityadi-the duties of Karttika; skanda-padmadishu-in the Skanda, Padma, and other Puranas; sphutam'clearly; tathapi-still; ekatra-in one place; sangrihya-collecting; saratah-the essence; atra-here; vilikhyate-is written.

The duties of the month of Karttika are clearly described in the Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, and other scriptures. The essence of what they say is collected here in one place.

Text 3

karttike 'smin visheshena
nityam kurvita vaishnavah
damodararcanam pratah-
snana-dana-vratadikam
karttike-in Karttika; asmin-in this; visheshena-specifically; nityam-always; kurvita-should do; vaishnavah-a devotee of Lord Vishnu; damodara-of Lord Damodara; arcanam-the worship; pratah-in the morning; snana-bathing; dana-gifts; vrata-vows; adikam-beginning with.

Especially in the month of Karttika a Vaishnava should regularly bathe in the morning, worship Lord Damodara, give charity, follow vows, and perform other spiritual activities.

Text 4

tatha dina-visheshe yad
bhagavat-pujanadikam
kuryad vidhi-visheshena
lekhyam agre vivicya tat
tatha-so; dina-visheshe-on a specifi day; yat-what; bhagavat-pujanadikam-beginning with worship of the  Supreme Personality of Godhead; kuryat-should do; vidhi-visheshena-with specifi rules; lekhyam-will be written; agre-in the beginning; vivicya-considering; tat-thus.

Here I will write when the month of Krishna begins and how one should worship the Lord during this month.

Text 5

atha karttika-vrata-nityata
skande brahma-narada-samvade
dushprapyam- prapya manushyam
karttikoktam caren na hi
dharmam dharma-bhritam shreshtha
sa matri-pitri-ghatakah
atha-now; karttika-vrata-nityata-one should always follow the vow of worshiping the Lord in the month of Karttika; skande-in the Skanda Purana; brahma-narada-samvade-in a conversation of Brahma' and Narada; dushprapyam-difficult to attain; prapya-attaining; manushyam-human birth; karttika-of the month of Karttika; uktam-said; caren-follows; na-not; hi-indeed; dharmam-religion; dharma-bhritam-of the followers of religion; shreshtha-the best; sa-he; matr�-pitr�-ghatakah-the killer of his father and mother.

One Should Always Follow the Vow of Karttika-vrata
In the Skanda Purana, in a conversation of Brahma' and Narada, it is said:
"O best of the followers of religion, a person who does not follow the vow of Karttika-vrata is a sinner. He is like a person who murders his father and mother.

Text 6

avratena kshiped yas tu
masam damodara-priyam
tiryag-yonim avapnoti
sarva-dharma-bahis-kritah
avratena-without following the vow; kshipet-spends; yah-who; tu-indeed; masam-the month; damodara-to Lord Damodara; priyam-dear; tiryag-yonim-birth as an animal; avapnoti-attains; sarva-dharma-bahis-kritah-outside all religious principles.

"A person who does not follow the vow in this month that is dear to Lord Damodara finds himself outside all religious principles. He takes birth in an animal's womb.

Text 7

sa brahma-ha sa go-ghnash ca
svarna-steyi sadanriti
na karoti muni-shreshtha
yo narah karttike vratam
sa-he; brahma-ha-murderer of a brahmana; sa-he; go-ghnah-killer of a cow; ca-and; svarna-steyi-thief of gold; sada-always; anriti-lying; na-not; karoti-does; muni-shreshtha-O best of sages; yah-who; narah-person; karttike-in Karttika; vratam-vow.

"O best of sages, a person who does not follow this vow in the month of Karttika is a brahmana-killer, a cow-killer, a thief of gold, and a perpetual liar.

Text 8

vidhava va visheshena
vratam yadi na karttike
karoti muni-shardula
narakam yati sa dhruvam
vidhava-a widow; va-or; visheshena-specifically; vratam-vow; yadi'if; na-not; karttike-in Karttika; karoti-does; muni-shardula-O tiger of sages; narakam-to hell; yati-goes; sa-she; dhruvam-indeed.

"O tiger of sages, a widow especially who does not follow the vow of Karttika certainly goes to hell.

Text 9

vratam tu karttike mase
yada na kurute grihi
ishtapurtam vritha tasya
yavad ahuta-naraki
vratam-vow; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika; mase-month; yada-when; na-not; kurute-does; grihi-a householder; ishtapurtam-pious deeds; vritha-useless; tasya-of him; yavat-as; ahuta-screaming; naraki-a person in hell.

"If a householder does not follow the vow of Karttika, his pious and charitable deeds do him no good. They become like the screams of a person in hell.

Text 10

samprapte karttike mase
dvijo vrata-paran-mukhah
bhavanti vimukhah sarve
tasya devah sa-vavarah
samprapte-attained; karttike-Karttika; mase-month; dvijah-a brahmana; vrata-paran-mukhah-averse to the vow; bhavanti-become; vimukhah-averse; sarve-all; tasya-of him; devah-the demigods; sa-vasavah-with Indra's followers.

"if a brahmana spurns the Karttika vow, then Indra and all the demigods spurn him.

Text 11

ishtva ca bahubhir yajnaih
kritva shraddha-satani ca
svargam napnoti viprendra
akritva karttike vratam
ishtva-worshiping; ca-and; bahubhih-with many; yajnaih-yajnas; kritva-doing; shraddha-satani-a hundred sraddhas; ca-and; svargam-Svarga; na-not; apnoti-attains; viprendra-O king of the brahmanas; akritva-not doing; karttike-in Karttika; vratam-the vow.

"O king of brahmanas, a person who performs a hundred shraddhas and a host of yajnas, but does not follow the Karttika vow, cannot enter Svargaloka.

Text 12

yatish ca vidhava caiva
visheshena vanashrami
karttikam narakam yanti
akritva vaishnavam vratam
yatih-sannyasi; ca-and; vidhava-widow; ca-and; eva-indeed; visheshena-specifically; vanashrami-vanaprastha; karttikam-Karttika; narakam-to hell; yanti-go; akritva-not doing; vaishnavam-of Lord Vishnu; vratam-the vow.

"Especially a sannyasi, vanaprastha, or widow who do not follow the Vaishnava Karttika-vow go to hell.

Text 13

vedair adhitaih kim tasya
purana-pathanaish ca kim
kritam yadi na viprendra
karttike vaishnavam vratam
vedaih-Vedas; adhitaih-studied; kim-what is the use?; tasya-of him; purana-pathanaih-studying the Puranas; ca-and; kim-what?; kritam-done; yadi-of; na-not; viprendra-O king of the brahmanas; karttike-Karttika; vaishnavam-Vaishnava; vratam-vow.

"O king of brahmanas, what good will study of the Vedas and Puranas do for a person who does not follow the Vaishnava Karttika-vow?

Text 14

janma-prabhriti yat punyam
vidhivat samuparjitam
bhasmi-bhavati tat sarvam
akritva karttika-vratam
janma-prabhriti-beginning with birth; yat-what; punyam-piety; vidhivat'properly; samuparjitam-earned; bhasmi-ashes; bhavati-becomes; tat-that; sarvam-all; akritva-not doing; karttika-vratam-the Karttika vow.

"A person who does not follow the Karttika vow finds his life's pious deeds burned to ashes.

Text 15

yad dattam ca param japtam
kritam ca su-mahat-tapah
sarvam viphalatam eti
akritva karttike vratam
yat-what; dattam-given; ca-and; param-more; japtam-chanted; kritam-doen; ca-and; su-mahat-tapah-great austerities; sarvam-all; viphalatam-uselessness; eti-attain; akritva-not performing; karttike'in Karttika; vratam-the vow.

"A person who does not follow the Karttika vow finds that all his charity, great austerities, and mantra-chanting is useless.
Text 16

sapta-janmarjitam punyam
vritha bhavati narada
akritva karttike masi
vaishnavam vratam uttamam
sapta-janmarjitam-earned in seven births; punyam-piety; vritha-useless; bhavati-is; narada-O Narada; akritva-not doing; karttike masi-in Karttika month; vaishnavam-Vaishnava; vratam-vow; uttamam-transcendental.

"O Naarada, if one does not follow the Vaishnava Karttika-vow, seven births of his pious deeds become useless.

Text 17

papa-bhutash ca te jneya
loke martya maha-mune
vaishnavakhyam vratam yais tu
na kritam karttike shubham
papa-bhutah-sinners; ca-and; te-they; jneya-known; loke-in the world; martya-people; maha-mune-O great sage; vaishnavakhyam- vratam-the Vaishnava vow; yaih-by whom; tu-indeed; na-not; kritam-done; karttike-in Karttika; shubham-auspicious.

"O great sage, they who do not follow the auspicious Vaishnava Karttika-vow are known as sinners in this world."

Text 18

kim ca
akritva niyamam vishnoh
karttikam yah kshipen narah
janmarjitasya punyasya
phalam napnoti narada
kim- ca-furthermore; akritva-not doing; niyamam-vow; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; karttikam-Karttika; yah-one who; kshipen-spends; narah-a person; janmarjitasya-earned in an entire lifetime; punyasya-of piety; phalam-the result; na-not; apnoti-obtains; narada-O Narada.

It is further said:
"O Narada, a person who does not follow the Vaishnava Karttika-vow loses the pious deeds of an entire life."

Text 19

kim ca
niyamena vina caiva
yo nayet karttikam mune
caturmasyam tatha caiva
brahma-ha sa kuladhamah
kim- ca-furthermore; niyamena-vow; vina-without; ca-and; eva-indeed; yah-who; nayet-leads; karttikam-Karttika; mune-O sage; caturmasyam-Caturmasya; tatha-so; ca-and; eva-indeed; brahma-ha-a �rahmana-killer; sa-he; kuladhamah-the lowest of his family.

It is also said:
"O sage, a person who does not follow the Karttika and Caturmasya vows is sinful like a brahmana-killer. He is the most degraded person in his family.

Texts 20-22

kim ca
pinda-danam pitrinam ca
pitri-pakshe na vai kritam
vratam na karttike masi
shravanyam rishi-tarpanam
caitre nandolito vishnur
magha-snanam na saj-jale
na kritamardaki pushye
shravane rauhinashtami
sangame na krita yena
dvadashi shravananvita
kutra yasyanti te mudha
naham vedmi kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; pinda-danam-offering pinda; pitrinam-to the pitas; ca-and; pitr�-pakshe-on pitr-paksa; na-not; vai-indeed; kritam-done; vratam-vow; na-not; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; shravanyam-in the month of Sravana; rishi-tarpanam-offering tarpana to the sages; caitre-in the month of Sravana; na-not; andolitah-moved on a swing; vishnuh-Lord Vishnu; magha-in the month of Magha; snanam-bath; na-not; sa�-jale-in clear water; na-not; krita-done; amardaki-the amardaki vow; pushye-in Pushya; shravane-in Shravana; rauhinashtami-Rauhinashtami; sangame-in the meeting; na-not; krita-done; yena-by which; dvadashi-dvadashi; shravananvita-with sravana; kutra-where?; yasyanti-will go; te-they; mudha-foolish; na-not; aham-I; vedmi-know; kali-priya-O Narada.

What is the fate of the fools who do not offer pinda' to the ancestors on pitr�-paksha, who do not observe the vow of Karttika, who do not offer tarpana to the sages in the month of Shravana (July-August), who do not observe Lord Vishnu's swing-festival in the month of Caitra (March-April), who do not bathe in clear water in the month of Magha (January-February), who do not follow the amardaki vow during the time of the star Pushya, and who do not observe the Rohinashtami day when in the month of Shravana the star shravana is present on the dvadashi day? O Narada, I do not know.

Text 23

padme ca shri-narada-shaunakadi-muni-gana-samvade
manushah karma-bhumau yah
karttikam nayate mudha
cintamanim kare prapya
kshipyate kardamambuni
padme-in the Padma Purana; ca-and; shri-narada-shaunakadi-muni-gana-samvade-in a conversation of Shri  Narada anmd the sages headed by Shri Saunaka; manushah-a human being; karma-of karma; bhumau-in the world; yah-who; karttikam-Karttika; nayate-passes; mudha-uselessly; cintamanim-a ciontamani jewel; kare-in the hand; prapya-attaining; kshipyate-throws; kardamambuni-in muddy water.

In the Padma Purana, in a conversation of Shri Narada and the sages headed by Shri Shaunaka it is said:
"A human being in this world of karma who does not follow the vow of Karttika takes the cintamani jewel placed in his hand and throws it into muddy water.

Text 24

niyamena vina viprah
karttikam- yah kshipen narah
krishnah paran-mukhas tasya
yasmad urjo 'sya vallabhah
niyamena-vow; vina-without; viprah-O brahmanas; karttikam-Karttika; yah-who; kshipen-spends; narah-a person; krishnah-Lord Krishna; paran-mukhah-averse; tasya-of him; yasmat-because; urjah-Karttika; asya-to Him; vallabhah-dear.

"O brahmanas, the month of Karttika is very dear to Lord Krishna. That is why Lord Krishna turns His face from anyone who does not follow the Karttika vow.

Text 25

atha tatra visheshena snana-danadi-tat-karma-nityata
skande tatraiva
yair na dattam hutam japtam
na snanam na harer vratam
na kritam karttike putra
dvijas te vai naradhamah
atha-now; tatra-there; visheshena-specifically; snana-bathing; dana-giving charity; adi-beginning with; tat-karma-those activities; nityata-should be done regularly; skande-in thekanda Purana;  tatra-there; eva-indeed; yaih-by whom; na-not; dattam-given; hutam-yajna; japtam-chanted japa; na-not; snanam-bathed; na-not; hareh-of Lord Krishna; vratam-the vow; na-not; kritam-done; karttike-in Karttika; putra-O son; dvijah-brahmanas; te-they; vai-indeed; naradhamah-the lowest of men.

One Should Always Follow the Karttika Bow by Bathing, Giving Charity, and Performing Other Pious Deeds
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"O son, brahmanas who in the month of Karttika do not give charity, perform yajnas, chant japa, bathe, or follow the vow to please Lord Krishna are the lowest of men."

Text 26

kim ca
yair na dattam hutam japtam
karttike na vratam kritam
tenatma harito nunam
na praptam prarthitam phalam
kim- ca-furthermore; yaih-by whom; na-not; dattam-given charity; hutam-offered yajnas; japtam-chanted japa; karttike-in Karttika; na-not; vratam-vow; kritam-done; tena-by that; atma-slef; haritah-robbed; nunam-indeed; na-not; praptam-attained; prarthitam-requested; phalam-result.

It is further said:
"They who in the month of Karttika do not give charity, perform yajnas, chant japa, or follow vows are thieves who ro� themselves of their own valuables. They do not attain what they wish."

Text 27

kim ca
samprapte karttike masi
ye rata na janardane
tesham sauri-pure vasah
pitribhih saha narada
kim- ca-furthermore; samprapte-attained; karttike-Karttika; masi-month; ye-who; rata-engaged; na-not; janardane-in Lord Krishna; tesham-of them; sauri-pure-in the city of Yamaraja; vasah-residence; pitribhih-ancestors; saha-with; narada-O Narada.

It is further said:
"O Narada, they who do not worship Lord Krishna during the month of Karttika reside, along with their ancestors, in hell."

Text 28

kim ca
karttike narcito yais tu
bhakti-bhavena keshavah
narakam te gamishyanti
yamadutais tu yantritah
kim- ca-furthermore; karttike-in Karttika; na-not; arcitah-worshiped; yaih-by whom; tu-indeed; bhakti-bhavena-with love and devotion; keshavah-Lord Krishna; narakam-to hell; te-they; gamishyanti-will go; yamadutaih-by the Yamadutas; tu-indeed; yantritah-chained.

It is further said:
"They who in the month of Karttika do not worship Lord Krishna with love and devotion are chained and dragged to hell by the messengers of Yamaraja.

Text 29

janma-koti-sahasrais tu
manushyam prapya durlabham
karttike narcito vishnur
haritam tena janma vai
janma-koti-sahasraih-by thousands and millions of births; tu-indeed; manushyam-human; prapya-attaining; durlabham-rare; karttike-in Karttika; na-not; arcitah-worshiped; vishnuh-Lord Vishnu; haritam-removed; tena-by him; janma-birth; vai-indeed.

"He loses the rare human life he attained after many thousands and millions of births who does not worship Lord Vishnu in the month of Karttika.

Text 30

vishnoh puja katha vishnor
vaishnavanam ca darshanam
na bhavet karttike yasya
hanti punyam dashabdikam
vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; puja-worship; katha-topics; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; vaishnavanam-of the Vaishnavas; ca-qand; darshanam-sight; na-not; bhavet-is; karttike-in Karttika; yasya-of whom; hanti-kills; punyam-piety; dasha-ten; abdikam-years.

"A person who in the month of Karttika does not worship Lord Vishnu, chant Lord Vishnu's glories, or associate with the Vaishnavas, kills ten years of pious deeds."

Text 31

atha karttika-mahatmyam
karttikasya tu mahatmyam
prak samanyena likhyate
tato visheshatas tatra
karma-deshadi-bhedatah
atha-now; karttika-mahatmyam-the glories of Karttika; karttikasya-of Karttika; tu-indeed; mahatmyam-the glory; prak-first; samanyena-in a general way; likhyate-is written; tatah-then; visheshatah-specifically; tatra-there; karma-deshadi-bhedatah-differences beginning with work and place.

The Glories of Karttika
First I will write of the glories of Karttika in a general way and then I will write of the different situations beginning with the differences of work and place.

Text 32

atha samanya-karttika-mahatmyam
skande tatraiva
karttikasya tu masasya
koty-amshenapi narhati
sarva-tirtheshu yat snanam
sarva-daneshu yat phalam
atha-now; samanya-in a general way; karttika-of Karttika; mahatmyam-the glory; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; karttikasya-of Karttika; tu-indeed; masasya-glory; koty-amshena-with a ten-millionth part; api-even; na-not; arhati-is worthy; sarva-in all; tirtheshu-holy places; yat-what; snanam-bathing; sarva-daneshu-in all charities; yat-what; phalam-result.

A General Description of Karttika's Glories
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"The pious result obtained by bathing in all holy places and giving all charities is not equal to one ten-millionth part of the result obtained by following the vow of Karttika.

Texts 33 and 34

ekatah sarva-tirthani
sarve yajnah sa-dakshinah
ekatah pushkare vasah
kurukshetre himacale
meru-tulya-suvarnani
sarva-danani caikatah
ekatah karttiko vatsa
sarvada keshava-priyah
ekatah-as one; sarva-tirthani-all holy places; sarve-all; yajnah-yajnas; sa-dakshinah-with daksina; ekatah-as one; pushkare-in Pushkara; vasah-residence; kurukshetre-in Kurukshetra; himacale-in the Himalayas; meru-tulya-suvarnani-gold equal to Mount Meru; sarva-danani-all charity; ca-ad; ekatah-as one; ekatah-as one; karttikah-Karttika; vatsa-child; sarvada-in all ways; keshava-to Lord Krishna; priyah-dear.

"All holy places, yajnas, dakshinas, residence in Pushkara, Kurukshetra, and the Himalayas, and all giving in charity a pile of gold like Mount Meru, reside in Karttika, Lord Krishna's favorite month.

Text 35

yat kincit kriyate punyam
vishnum uddishya karttike
tad akshayam bhavet sarvam
satyoktam tava narada
yat-waht; kincit-something; kriyate-is done; punyam-piety; vishnum-to Lord Vishnu; uddishya-in relation to; karttike-in Karttika; tat-that; akshayam-eternal; bhavet-is; sarvam-all; satya-truth; uktam-said; tava-of you; narada-O Narada.

"The service one does to Lord Vishnu in the month of Krishna is all eternal. O Narada, I tell you the truth.

Text 36

karttikam khalu vai masam
sarva-maseshu cottamam
punyanam paramam punyam
pavananam ca pavanam
karttikam-Karttika; khalu-indeed; vai-indeed; masam- -month; sarva-maseshu-in all months; ca-and; uttamam-the best; punyanam-of pious deeds; paramam-the best; punyam-pious deed; pavananam-of purifiers; ca-and; pavanam-the purifier.

"Karttika is the best of months, the most pious of pious deeds, the most purifying of all that purify."

Text 37

kim ca
yatha nadinam viprendra
shailanam caiva narada
udadhinam ca viprarshe
kshayo naivopapadyate

kim- ca-furthermore; yatha-as; nadinam-of rivers; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; shailanam-of mountains; ca-and; eva-indeed; narada-O Narada; udadhinam-of oceans; ca-and; viprarshe-O sage of brahmanas; kshayah-destruction; na-not; eva-indeed; upapadyate-is.

It is further said:
"O Narada, O king of brahmanas, O great sage, rivers, mountains, and oceans will all be destroyed, but the month of Karttika will never be destroyed.

Text 38

punyam karttika-mase tu
yat kincit kriyate mune
na tasyasti kshayo brahman
papasyapy evam eva ca
punyam-piety; karttika-mase-in the month of Karttika; tu-indeed; yat-what; kincit-something; kriyate-does; mune-O sage; na-not; tasya-of that; asti-is; kshayah-destruction; brahman-O brahmana; papasya-of sin; api-also; evam-thus; eva-indeed; ca-and.

"O sage, in the month of Karttika neither pious deeds nor sins are ever destroyed."

Text 39

na karttika-samo maso
na kritena samam yugam
na veda-sadrisham shastram
na tirtham gangaya samam
na-not; karttika-samah-equal to Karttika; masah-month; na-not; kritena-Satya; samam-equal; yugam-yuga; na-not; veda-sadrisham-like the Vedas; shastram-scripture; na-not; tirtham-holy place; gangaya-the Ganga; samam-like.

"No month is like Karttika. No yuga is like Satya-yuga. No scripture is like the Vedas. No holy place is like the Ganga.

Text 40

karttikah pravaro maso
vaishnavanam priyah sada
karttikam sakalam yas tu
bhaktya seveta vaishnavah
pitrin uddharate sarvan
naraka-sthan maha-mune
karttikah-Karttika; pravarah-best; masah-month; vaishnavanam-of ther Vaishnavas; priyah-dear; sada-always; karttikam-Karttika; sakalam-all; yah-who; tu-indeed; bhaktya-with devotion; seveta-serve; vaishnavah-Vaishnava; pitrin-the pitas; uddharate-delivers; sarvan-all; naraka-sthan-staying in hell; maha-mune-O great sage.

"Karttika is the best of months. Karttika is always dear to the Vaishnavas. O great sage, a Vaishnava who with devotion serves Karttika delivers his ancestors from hell.

Text 41

padme ca
tatraiva dvadasheshv api maseshu
karttikah krishna-vallabhah
tasmin sampujito vishnur
alpakair apy upayanaih
dadati vaishnavam lokam-
ity evam nishcitam maya
padme-in the Padma Purana; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; dvadasheshv-in the twelve; api-even; maseshu-months; karttikah-Karttika; krishna-to Lord Krishna; vallabhah-dear; tasmin-in that; sampujitah-worshiped; vishnuh-Lord Vishnu; alpakaih-with slight; api-even; upayanaih-vow; dadati-gives; vaishnavam-of Lord Vishnu; lokam-the world; iti-thus; evam-thus; nishcitam-concluded; maya-by me.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"Of the twelve months, Karttika is the most dear to Lord Krishna. To anyone who even slightly worships Lord Vishnu during its time, the month of Karttika gives residence in Lord Vishnu's transcendental abode.

Text 42

yatha damodaro bhakta-
vatsalo vidito janaih
tasyayam tadrisho masah
sv-alpam apy uru-karakah
yatha-as; damodarah-Lord Damodara; bhakta-the devotees; vatsalah-loves; viditah-known; janaih-by the people; tasya-of Him; ayam-this; tadrishah-like this; masah-month; st-alpam-very slight; api-even; uru-karakah-making big.

"As everyone knows, Lord Damodara loves His devotees. Lord Damodara's month, the month of Karttika, also loves the devotees. The month of Karttika thinks even the slightest devotional service is very big and important.

Text 43

durlabho manusho deho
dehinam kshana-bhangurah
tatrapi durlabhah kalah
karttiko hari-vallabhah
durlabhah-rare; manushah-human; dehah-body; dehinam-of they who possess bodies; kshana-bhangurah-breaking in a moment; tatrapi-still; durlabhah-rare; kalah-time; karttikah-Karttika; hari-vallabhah-dear to Lord Krishna.

"Even though its lasts for only a brief moment, the human form of life is very rare and valuable. In the same way the brief month of Karttika is also very rare and valuable.

Text 44

dipenapi hi yatrasau
priyate harir ishvarah
su-gitam ca dadaty eva
para-dipa-prabodhanat
dipena-with a lamp; api-even; hi-indeed; yatra-where; asau-He; priyate-is pleased; harih-Lord Hari; ishvarah-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; su-gitam-glorified; ca-and; dadati-gives; eva-indeed; para-dipa-prabodhanat-from liughting another's lamp.

"Lord Krishna is pleased by the offering of a single lamp during the month of Karttika. Lord Krishna glorifies anyone who lights a lamp for someone else to offer."

Text 45

atha tatra vrata-mahatmyam
skande tatraiva
vratanam iha sarvesham
eka-janmanugam phalam
karttike tu vratasyoktam
phalam janma-shatanugam
atha-now; tatra-there; vrata-mahatmyam-glory of the vow; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; vratanam-of vows; iha-here; sarvesham-all; eka-one; janma-birth; anugam-following; phalam-result; karttike-in Karttika; tu-indeed; vratasya-of the vow; uktam-spoken; phalam-result; janma-births; shata-a hundred; anugam-following.

In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"Other vows bring the results of a lifetime of pious deeds. The vow of Karttika brings the result of a hundred lifetimes of pious deeds.

Text 46

akrura-tirthe viprendra
karttikyam samuposhya ca
snatva yat phalam apnoti
ta chrutva vaishnavam vratam
akrura-tirthe-at Akrura-tirtha; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; karttikyam-in Karttika; samuposhya-fasting; ca-and; snatva-bathing; yat-what; phalam-result; apnoti-attains; tat-that; shrutva-hearing; vaishnavam-Vaishnava; vratam-vow.

"O king of brahmanas, a person who simply hears the glories of the Karttika vow attains the result of fasting and bathing at sacred Akrura-tirtha.

Text 47

varanasyam kurukshetre
naimishe pushkare 'rbude
gatva yat phalam apnoti
vratam kritva tu karttike
varanasyam-in Varanasi; kurukshetre-at Kuruksetra; naimishe-in Naimisaranya; pushkare-in Puskara; arbude-in Arbuda-tirtha; gatva-going; yat-what; phalam-result; apnoti-attains; vratam-vow; kritva-doing; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika.

"By following the Karttika vow one attains the result of going on pilgrimage to Varanasi, Kurukshetra, Naimisharanya, Pushkara, and Arbuda-tirtha.

Text 48

anishtva ca sada yajnair
na kritva pitribhih svadham
vratena karttike masi
vaishnavam tu padam vrajet
anishtva-not worshiping; ca-and; sada-always; yajnaih-with yajnas; na-not; kritva-doing; pitribhih-with the pitas; svadham-sraddha; vratena-with a vow; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; vaishnavam-of Lord Vishnu; tu-indeed; padam-to the abode; vrajet-goes.

"A person who never performs yajnas or offers shraddha to the ancestors, but who does follow the vow of Karttika, will go to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Text 49

pravrittanam ca bhakshyanam
karttike niyame krite
avashyam krishna-rupatvam
prapyate muktidam shubham
pravrittanam-done; ca-and; bhakshyanam-of food; karttike-in Karttika; niyame-in restriction; krite-done; avashyam-inevitably; krishna-rupatvam-a form, like that of Lord Krishna; prapyate-attains; muktidam-giving liberation; shubham-auspicious.

"One who sometimes fasts during Karttika attains liberation. He attains a glorious spiritual form like Lord Krishna's.

Text 50

kim ca
brahmanah kshatriyo vaishyah
shudro va muni-sattama
viyonim na vrajaty eva
vratam kritva tu karttike
kim- ca-furthermore; brahmanah-a brahmana; kshatriyah-a ksatriya; vaishyah-a vaisya; shudrah-a sudra; va-or; muni-sattama-O best of sages; viyonim-a bad womb; na-not; vrajati-attains; eva-indeed; vratam-vow; kritva'doing; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika.

It is further said:
"O best of sages, a brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya, or shudra who follows the Karttika vow will not take birth in a sinful family.

Text 51

kim ca
karttike muni-shardula
sva-saktya vaishnavam vratam
yah karoti yathoktam tu
muktis tasya kare sthita
kim- ca-furthermore; karttike-in Karttika; muni-shardula-O tiger of sages; sva-saktya-own power; vaishnavam-of Lord Vishnu; vratam-the vow; yah-one who; karoti-does; yatha-as; uktam-described; tu-indeed; muktih-liberation; tasya-of him; kare-in the hand; sthita-staying.

It is further said:
"O tiger of sages, liberation stands in the hand of anyone who follows the Karttika vow as I have described it to you.

Text 52

su-punye karttike masi
devarshi-pitri-sevite
kriyamane vrate nrinam
sv-alpe 'pi syan maha-phalam
su-punye-very sacred; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; devarshi-pitr�-sevite-served by the demigods, sages, and pitas; kriyamane'being done; vrate-in the vow; nrinam-of the people; st-alpe-very slight; api-even; syan-is; maha-phalam-great result.

"He attains a great result who even very slightly follows the very sacred Karttika vow, which is served by the demigods, sages, and pitas.

Text 53

atha tatra karma-vishesha-mahatmyam
skande tatraiva
danam dattam hutam japtam
tapash caiva tatha kritam
tad akshaya-phalam proktam
karttike ca dvijottama
atha-now; tatra-there; karma-vishesha-mahatmyam-the glory of specifi activities; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; danam-charity; dattam-given; hutam-yajna; japtam-japa; tapah-austerity; ca-and; eva-indeed; tatha-so; kritam-done; tat-that; akshaya-phalam-eternal result; proktam-said; karttike-in Karttika; ca-and; dvijottama-O best of brahmanas.

The Glories of Specifi Pious Activities Performed During Karttika
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"Charity, yajna, japa, and austerity performed in the month of Karttika bring a result, O best of brahmanas, that will never be destroyed."

Text 54

kim ca
yat kincit karttike dattam
vishnum uddishya manavaih
tad akshayam labhyate vai
anna-danam visheshatah
kim- ca-furthermore; yat-what; kincit-something; karttike-in Karttika; dattam-given; vishnum-to Lord Vishnu; uddishya-in relation to; manavaih-by human beings; tat-that; akshayam-imperishable; labhyate-is attained; vai-indeed; anna-danam-gift of food; visheshatah-specifically.

It is further said:
"One who during the month of Karttika gives a small gift to Lord Vishnu attains a result that will never be destroyed. This is especially true when the gift is food.

Text 55

kim ca
yas tu samvatsaram purnam
agnihotram upasate
karttike svastike kritva
samam etan na samshayah
kim- ca-furthermore; yah-one who; tu-indeed; samvatsaram-for a year; purnam-full; agnihotram-agnihotra-yajna; upasate-worships; karttike-in Karttika; svastike-auspicious; kritva-doing; samam-equal; etan-this; na-no; samshayah-doubt.

"One who follows the auspicious Karttika vow attains the result of an entire year of performing agnihotra-yajnas. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 56

karttike ya karoty evam
keshavasyaiva mandalam
svarga-stha shobhate sa su
kapoti pakshini yatha
karttike-in Karttika; ya-who; karoti-does; evam-thus; keshavasya-of Lord Krishna; eva-indeed; mandalam-the circle; svarga-stha-staying in Svargaloka; shobhate-is splendid; sa-she; su-indeed; kapoti-a dove; pakshini-bird; yatha-as.

"A woman who spends the month of Karttika in the circle where Lord Keshava stays becomes splendid like a dove in Svargaloka.

Text 57

yah karoti naro nityam
karttike patra-bhojanam
na sa durgatim apnoti
yavad indrash caturdasha
yah-who; karoti-does; narah-a person; nityam-always; karttike-in Karttika; patra-bhojanam-offering food; na-not; sa-he attains; durgatim-misfortune; apnoti-attains; yavat-as; indrah-Indras; caturdasha-fourteen.

"One who regularly offers food to Lord Krishna during the month of Karttika does not suffer troubles. For as long as the fourteen Indras rule, he is free of troubles.

Text 58

janma-prabhriti yat papam
manavaish ca kritam bhavet
tat sarvam nasham apnoti
brahma-patreshu bhojanat
janma-with birth; prabhriti-beginning; yat-what; papam-sin; manavaih-by human beings; ca-and; kritam-done; bhavet-may be; tat-indeed; sarvam-all; nasham-destruction; apnoti-attains; brahma-of a palasha tree; patreshu-in the leaves; bhojanat-from eating.

"One who during the month of Karttika eats prasadam from a palasha-leaf plate destroys all sins committed since the time of his birth.

Text 59

sarva-kama-phalam tasya
sarva-tirtha-phalam labhet
na vapi narakam pashyed
brahma-patreshu bhojanat
sarva-all; kama-desires; phalam-result; tasya-of him; sarva-tirtha-phalam-the result of all pilgrimages; labhet-attains; na-not; va-or; api-even; narakam-hell; pashyet-sees; brahma-patreshu-in a palasa-leaf plate; bhojanat-from eating.

"One who during the month of Karttika eats prasadam from a palasha-leaf plate attains all his desires. He attains the result of all pilgrimages. He never sees hell.

Text 60

brahma caisha smritih sakshat
palashah sarva-kama-dah
madhyamam varjitam patram
shudrasya muni-sattama
bhunjan narakam apnoti
yavad indrash caturdasha
brahma-Brahma; ca-and; esha-this; smritih-remembered; sakshat-directly; palashah-palasa; sarva-kama-dah-fulfilling all desires; madhyamam-middle; varjitam-without; patram-leaf; shudrasya-of a sudra; muni-sattama-O best of sages; bhunjan-eating; narakam-hell; apnoti-attains; yavat-as; indrah-Indras; caturdasha-fourteen.

"The palasha tree, which is called by the name Brahma, fulfills all desires. O best of sages, a shudra should avoid the middle leaf of the palasha tree. A shudra who eats from such a middle-leaf plate goes to hell for as long as the fourteen Indras live.

Text 61

tila-danam- nadi-snanam
sat-katha sadhu-sevanam
bhojanam brahma-patreshu
karttike mukti-dayakam
tila-of sesame; danam-charity; nadi-in a river; snanam-bathing; sat-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; katha-topics; sadhu-sevanam-service to the devotees; bhojanam-eating; brahma-patreshu-from a palasha-leaf plate; karttike-in Karttika; mukti-dayakam-giving liberation.

"During the month of Karttika giving sesame seeds in charity, bathing in a sacred river, talking about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, serving the devotees, and eating prasadam from a palasha-leaf plate, all grant liberation.

Text 62

jagaram karttike masi
yah karoty arunodaye
damodaragre viprendra
go-sahasra-phalam labhet
jagaram-staying awake; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; yah-who; karoti-does; arunodaye-to sunrise; damodaragre-before Lord Damodara; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; go-sahasra-phalam-the result of a thousand cows; labhet-attains.

"O king of brahmanas, a person who during the month of Karttika keeps an all-night vigil, in the presence of Lord Damodara staying awake until sunrise, attains the pious result of giving a thousand cows in charity.

Text 63

jagaram pashcime yame
yah karoti maha-mune
karttike sannidhau vishnos
tat-padam kara-samsthitam
jagaram-a vigil; pashcime-the last; yame-yama; yah-who; karoti-does; maha-mune-O great sage; karttike-in Karttika; sannidhau-in the presence; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; tat-padam-His abode; kara-samsthitam-staying in the hand.

"O king of brahmanas, a person who during the month of Karttika keeps an all-night vigil, in the presence of Lord Vishnu staying awake until the last portion of the night, finds Lord Vishnu's spiritual abode in the palm of his hand.

Text 64

sadhu-seva gavam grasah
katha vishnos tatharcanam
jagare pashcime yame
durlabhah karttike kalau
sadhu-to the devotees; seva-service; gavam-of the cows; grasah-feeding; katha-talking; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; tatha-so; arcanam-worship; jagare-vigil; pashcime-to the last; yame-yama; durlabhah-rare; karttike-in Karttika; kalau-in Kali-yuga.

"During the month of Karttika serving the devotees, feeding the cows, talking about and worshiping Lord Vishnu, and keeping a vigil until the last part of the night bring, in the Kali-yuga, a very rare result."

Text 65

kim ca
jala-dhenu-sahasram ca
vrisha-samsthe divakare
toyam dattva yad apnoti
snanam kritva tu karttike
kim- ca-furthermore; jala-dhenu-sahasram-a thousand jaladhenus; ca-and; vrisha-samsthe-situated in Taurus; divakare-in the sun; toyam-water; dattva-giving; yat-which; apnoti-attains; snanam-bath; kritva-doing; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika.

It is further said:
"One who bathes during the month of Karttika attains the pious result of giving water and a thousand jaladhenus in charity when the sun is in Taurus.

Text 66

sannihatyam kurukshetre
rahu-graste divakare
surya-varena yat snanam
tad ekahena karttike
sannihatyam-Sannihatya; kurukshetre-at Kuruksetra; rahu-graste-swallowed by Rahu; divakare-when the sun; surya-varena-on sunday; yat-what; snanam-bath; tat-that; ekahena-by one day; karttike-in Karttika.

"By once bathing during the month of Karttika one attains the pious result of bathing in Lake Sannihatya' at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse on a Sunday.

Text 67

pitrin uddishya yad dattam
karttike krishna-vallabhe
annodakam muni-shreshtha
akshayam jayate nrinam
pitrin uddishya-to the pitas; yat-what; dattam-given; karttike-in Karttika; krishna-vallabhe-dear to Lord Vishnu; anna-food; udakam-water; muni-shreshtha-O best of sages; akshayam-immortal; jayate-is born; nrinam-of men.

"O best of sages, they become free from death who offer food and water to the pitas during the month of Karttika, which is dear to Lord Krishna."

Text 68

kim ca
gita-shastra-vinodena
karttikam yo nayen narah
na tasya punar avrittir
maya drishta kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; gita-shastra-vinodena-by happily reading Bhagavad-gita; karttikam-in Karttika; yah-who; nayen-pass; narah-a person; na-not; tasya-of him; punah-again; avrittih-return; maya-by me; drishta-seen; kali-priya-O Narada.

It is further said:
"O Narada, I have personally seen that a person who happily reads Bhagavad-gita' during the month of Karttika does not return to the world of birth and death."

Text 69

kim ca
pradakshinam ca yah kuryat
karttike vishnu-sadmani
pade pade 'shvamedhasya
phala-bhagi bhaven narah
kim- ca-furthermore; pradakshinam-circumambulation; ca-and; yah-who; kuryat-does; karttike-in Karttika; vishnu-sadmani-in the abode of Lord Vishnu; pade pade-at every step; ashvamedhasya-of an asvamedha-yajna; phala-bhagi-attaining the result; bhaven-is; narah-a person.

It is further said:
"By circumambulating a temple of Lord Vishnu during the month of Karttika one attains at every step the pious result of performing an ashvamedha-yajna.

Text 70

gitam vadyam ca nrityam ca
karttike purato hareh
yah karoti naro bhaktya
labhate cakshayam padam
gitam-singing; vadyam-playing musical instruments; ca-and; nrityam-dancing; ca-and; karttike-in Karttika; puratah-before; hareh-Lord Hari; yah-one who; karoti-does; narah-a person; bhaktya-with devotion; labhate-attains; ca-and; akshayam-imperishable; padam-result.

"During the month of Karttika a person who with devotion sings, plays a musical instrument, and dances before the Deity of Lord Hari attains a pious result that will never be lost.

Text 71

harer nama-sahasrakhyam
gajendrasya ca mokshanam
karttike pathate yas tu
punar janma na vindate
harer nama-sahasrakhyam-the thousand names of Lord Hari; gajendrasya-of Gajendra; ca-and; mokshanam-liberation; karttike-in Karttika; pathate-reads; yah-one who; tu-indeed; punah-again; janma-birth; na-not; vindate-is.

"A person who during the month of Karttika reads the thousand holy names of Lord Hari and the story of Gajendra's liberation does not take birth again.

Text 72

karttike pashcime yame
stavam ganam karoti yah
vasate shvetadvipe tu
pitribhih saha narada
karttike-in Karttika; pashcime-in the last; yame-period; stavam-prayers; ganam-songs; karoti-does; yah-who; vasate-stays; shvetadvipe-in Shvetadvipa; tu-indeed; pitribhih-anscestors; saha-with; narada-O Narada.

"O Narada, a person who during the month of Karttika at the end of the night recites prayers and sings songs glorifying Lord Hari lives in Shvetadvipa with all his ancestors.

Text 73

naivedya-danena tu hareh
karttike yava-sankhyaya
yugani vasate svarge
tavanti muni-sattama
naivedya-food; danena-by offering; tu-indeed; hareh-to Lord Hari; karttike-in Karttika; yava-of every tiny portion; sankhyaya-with the measurement; yugani-yugas; vasate-lives; svarge-in SDvarga; tavanti-that long; muni-sattama-O best of sages.

"O best of sages, one who offers food to Lord Hari during the month of Karttika lives in Svargaloka for as many yugas as their were grains or crumbs in his offering.

Text 74

agurum tu sa-karpuram
yo dahet keshavagratah
karttike tu muni-shreshtha
yugante na punar bhavah
agurum-aguru; tu-indeed; sa-karpuram-with camphor; yah-who; dahet-burns; keshavagratah-in the presence of Lord Krishna; karttike-in Karttika; tu-indeed; muni-shreshtha-O best of sages; yugante-at the end of the yuga; na-not; punah-again; bhavah-birth.

"O best of sages, a person who burns incense of aguru and camphor before the Deity of Lord Keshava does not take birth again at the yuga's end.

Text 75

kim ca
niyamena katham vishnor
ye shrinvanti ca bhavitah
shlokardham shloka-padam va
karttike go-shatam phalam
kim- ca-furthermore; niyamena-with a vow; katham-talking; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; ye-who; shrinvanti-hear; ca-and; bhavitah-with love; shlokardham-half a verse; shloka-padam-one fourth of a verse; va-or; karttike-in Karttika; go-shatam-a hundred cows; phalam-result.

"During the month of Krishna, they who with love hear the topics of Lord Vishnu, even if they hear only half a verse or a fourth of a verse, attain the pious result of giving a hundred cows in charity.

Text 76

sarva-dharman parityajya
karttike keshavagratah
shastravataranam punyam
shrotavyam ca maha-mune
sarva-dharman-all other religious principles; parityajya-abandoning; karttike-in Karttika; keshavagratah-in the presence of Lord Keshava; shastra-of the scriptures; avataranam-descended; punyam-sacred; shrotavyam-should be heard; ca-and; maha-mune-O great sage.

"O great sage, please give up all other religious practice and simply hear the sacred scriptures in the presence of the Deity of Lord Keshava during the month of Karttika.

Text 77

shreyasa lobha-buddhya va
yah karoti hareh katham
karttike muni-shardula
kulanam tarayec chatam
shreyasa-by the best; lobha-eager; buddhya-with intelligence; va-or; yah-who; karoti-does; hareh-of Lord Krishna; katham-the topics; karttike-in Karttika; muni-shardula-O tiger of sages; kulanam-of the family; tarayet-may deliver; shatam-a hundred.

"O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Karttika eagerly hears the topics of Lord Krishna delivers a hundred generations of his family.

Text 78

nityam shastra-vinodena
karttikam yah kshipen narah
nirdahet sarva-papani
yajnayuta-phalam labhet
nityam-always; shastra-vinodena-by pastimes of the scriptures; karttikam-Karttika; yah-who; kshipen-spends; narah-a person; nirdahet-burns; sarva-papani-all sins; yajna-of yajnas; ayuta-ten thousand; phalam-the result; labhet-attains.

"A person who in the month of Karttika passes the time in pastimes of studying the holy scriptures burns away all his sins and attains the pious result of performing ten thousand yajnas.

Text 79

na tatha tushyate danair
na yajnair go-gajadikaih
yatha shastra-kathalapaih
karttike madhusudanah
na-not; tatha-so; tushyate-is satisfied; danaih-with charities; na-not; yajnaih-with yajnas; go-gajadikaih-beginning with cows and elephants; yatha-as; shastra-kathalapaih-with discussing the scriptures; karttike-in Karttika; madhusudanah-Lord Krishna.

"Lord Krishna is not as pleased with many yajnas and with charities of many cows, elephants, or other expensive gifts, as He is with discussion of scripture during the month of Karttika.

Text 80

karttike muni-shardula
yah shrinoti hareh katham
sa nistarati durgani
janma-koti-shatani ca
karttike-in Karttika; muni-shardula-O tiger of sages; yah-one who; shrinoti-hears; hareh-of Lord Krishna; katham-the topics; sa-he; nistarati-crosses; durgani-troubles; janma-births; koti-shatani-hundreds and millions; ca-and.

"O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Karttika hears the topics of Lord Hari becomes free from the sufferings of hundreds and millions of births.

Text 81

yah pathet prayato nityam
shlokam bhagavatam mune
ashtadasha-purananam
karttike phalam apnuyat
yah-who; pathet-recites; prayatah-mostly; nityam-always; shlokam-terse; bhagavatam-of Shrimad-Bhagavatam; mune-O sage; ashtadasha-purananam-of the eighteen Puranas; karttike-in Karttika; phalam-result; apnuyat-attains.

"O sage, a person who in the month of Karttika regularly recites the verses of Shrimad-Bhagavatam attains the pious result of reciting all eighteen Puranas.

Text 82

kim ca
sarvan dharman parityajya
ishtapurtadikan narah
karttike paraya bhaktya
vaishnavaih saha samvaset
kim- ca-furthermore; sarvan-all; dharman-religionj; parityajya-abandoning; ishtapurtadikan-beginning with pious deeds; narah-a person; karttike-in Karttika; paraya-with great; bhaktya-devotion; vaishnavaih-the Vaishnavas; saha-with; samvaset-should reside.

"O great sage, please give up charities and all other pious deeds. Instead engage in devotional service during the month of Karttika and stay in the company of the Vaishnavas.

Texts 83 and 84

padme ca tatraiva
karttike bhumi-shayi yo
brahmacari havishya-bhuk
palasha-patram bhunjano
damodaram atharcayet
sa sarva-patakam hitva
vaikunthe hari-sannidhau
modate vishnu-sadrisho
bhajanananda-nirvritah
padme-in the Padma Purana; ca-nad; tatra-there; eva-indeed; karttike-in Karttika; bhumi-shayi-resting on the ground; yah-who; brahmacari-celibate; havishya-bhuk-eating havishya; palasha-patram-from a palasa leaf; bhunjanah-eating; damodaram-Lord Damodara; atha-then; arcayet-should worship; sa-he; sarva-patakam-all sins; hitva-leaving; vaikunthe-in the spiritual world; hari-sannidhau-in the company of Lord Hari; modate-enjoys; vishnu-sadrishah-like Lord Vishnu; bhajanananda-nirvritah-enjoying the bliss of devotional service.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"During the month of Karttika one should sleep on the floor, remain celibate, eat havishya from a palasha-leaf plate, and worship Lord Damodara. In this way one becomes free of all sins, goes to the spiritual world, attains a spiritual body like the Lord's, and enjoys the bliss of directly serving Lord Hari."

Text 85

kim ca
karttikam sakalam masam
pratah snayi jitendriyah
japan havishya-bhug dantah
sarva-papaih pramucyate
kim- ca-furthermore; karttikam-Karttika; sakalam-all; masam-month; pratah-in the morning; snayi-bathing; jitendriyah-controlling the senses; japan-chanting japa; havishya-bhug-eating havishya; dantah-peaceful; sarva-papaih'from all sins; pramucyate-is free.
It is further said:
"A person who, for the entire month of Karttika rises early, bathes, controls his senses, remains peaceful, chants japa, and eats only havishya, becomes free from all sins.

Text 86

karttikam tu naro masam
yah kuryad eka-bhojanam
shurash ca bahu-viryash ca
kirtimamsh ca sa jayate
karttikam-Karttika; tu-indeed; narah-person; masam-month; yah-who; kuryat-does; eka-bhojanam-eating once; shurah-a hero; ca-and; bahu-viryah-very powerful; ca-and; kirtiman-glorious; ca-and; sa-he; jayate-is born.

"A person who, for the entire month of Karttika, eats only once a day becomes very famous, powerful, and heroic."

Text 87

kim ca
palasha-patra-bhojo ca
karttike purusho narah
nishpapah syat tu naivedyam
harer bhuktva vimucyate
madhya-stham aishvaram patram-
varjayed brahmanetarah
kim- ca-furthermore; palasha-patra-bhojah-eating from a palasa-leaf plate; ca-and; karttike-in Karttika; purushah-person; narah-human; nishpapah-sinless; syat-is; tu-indeed; naivedyam-offering of food; hareh-to Lord Hari; bhuktva-eating; vimucyate-is liberated; madhya-stham-staying in the middle; aishvaram-palasa; patram-leaf; varjayet-should reject; brahmanetarah-a person who is not a brahmana.

It is further said:
"A person who during the month of Karttika eats from a palasha-leaf plate becomes free from all sins. A person who eats the remnants of food offered to Lord Hari attains liberation. A person who is not a qualified brahmana should not eat from the middle leaf of the palasha tree."

Text 88

kim ca
aparadha-sahasrani
patakani mahanty api
kshamate 'sya harir devah
pujite karttike prabhuh
kim- ca-furthermore; aparadha-sahasrani-a thousand offenses; patakani-sins; mahanti-great; api-even; kshamate-forgives; asya-of him; harih-Lord Hari; devah-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pujite-worshiped; karttike-in Karttika; prabhuh-all-powerful.

It is further said:
"Lord Hari, the all-powerful Supreme Personality of Godhead forgives thousands of offenses and a host of terrible sins committed by one who worships Him during the month of Karttika.

Text 89

naivedyam payasam vishnoh
priyam khandam ghritanvitam
vibhajya ta ca bhunjano
yajna-samyam dine dine
naivedyam-offering of food; payasam-payasa; vishnoh-to Lord Vishnu; priyam-dear; khandam-sugar; ghritanvitam-with ghee; vibhajya-offering; tat-that; ca-and; bhunjanah-eating; yajna-samyam-equal to a yajna; dine-day; dine-after.

"A person who to Lord Vishnu offers delicious payasa made with sugar and ghee, and then eats the remnants left by the Lord, attains the result of performing every day a great yajna.

Text 90

tatraiva shri-krishna-satya-samvade
snanam jagaranam dipam
tulasi-vana-palanam
karttike ye prakurvanti
te nara vishnu-murtayah
tatra-there; eva-indeed; shri-krishna-satya-samvade-in a conversation of Lord Krishna and Satyabhama; snanam-bathing; jagaranam-vigil; dipam-lamp; tulasi...-vana-palanam-protecting a tulasi forest; karttike-in Karttika; ye-who; prakurvanti-do; te-they; narah-people; vishnu-of Lord Vishnu; murtayah-forms.

Lord Krishna explains to Satyabhama:
"They who during the month of Karttika bathe, keep an all-night vigil, offer lamps, and protect a tulasi forest, attain spiritual forms like Lord Vishnu's.

Text 91

ittham dina-trayam api
karttike ye prakurvate
devanam api te vandyah
kim yair ajanma tat kritam
ittham-thus; dina-days; trayam-three; api-even; karttike-in Karttika; ye-who; prakurvate-do; devanam-of the demigods; api-even; te-they; vandyah-bowed down; kim-what?; yaih-by whom; ajanma-from birth; tat-that; kritam-done.

"They who for three days do these pious deeds are offered all respects by the demigods. What, then, can be said of they who have performed these pious deeds for their entire lives?

Text 92

tatraiva karttika-vratangani
hari-jagaranam pratah
snanam tulasi-sevanam
udyapanam dipa-danam
vratany etani karttike
tatra-there; eva-indeed; karttika-Karttika; vrata-of the vow; angani-the parts; hari-jagaranam-keeping an all-night vigil for the sake of Lord Hari; pratah-in the morning; snanam-bathing; tulasi-tulasi; sevanam-serving; udyapanam-conclusion; dipa-danam-offering a lamp; vratani-vows; etani-these; karttike-in Karttika.

The Various Parts of the Karttika Vow
The parts of the Karttika vow are: 1. Keeping an all-night vigil for the sake of Lord Hari, 2. bathing early in the morning, 3. serving Tulasi, 4. properly concluding the vow, and 5. offering a lamp.

Text 93

pancabhir vratakair ebhih
sampurnam karttike vrati
phalam apnoti tat proktam
bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam
pancabhih-with five; vratakaih-vows; ebhih-these; sampurnam-full; karttike-in Karttika; vrati-the person following the vow; phalam-result; apnoti-attains; tat-that; proktam-said; bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam-giving the results of happiness and liberation.

A person who follows these five vows during the month of Karttika attains the full result of happiness and liberation, which has already been described in this book.

Text 94

vishnoh shivasya va kuryad
alaye hari-jagaram
kuryad ashvattha-mule va
tulasinam vaneshu ca
vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; shivasya-of Lord Shiva; va-or; kuryat-should do; alaye-in the temple; hari-jagaram-vigil; kuryat-should do; ashvattha-of a banyan tree; mule-at the root; va-or; tulasinam-of Tulasi; vaneshu-in forests; ca-and.

"In a Vishnu temple, a Shiva temple, at the root of a banyan tree, or in a Tulasi forest, one should keep an all-night vigil for Lord Hari's sake.

Text 95

apad-gato yadapy ambho
na labhet savanaya sah
vyadhito va punah kuryad
vishnor namapamarjanam
apat-calamity; gatah-attained; yada-when; api-even; ambhah-water; na-not; labhet-attains; savanaya-for bathing; sah-he; vyadhitah-diseased; va-or; punah-again; kuryat-should do; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; nama-with the names; apamarjanam-cleansing.

"If, because of disease or misfortune, one is not able to bathe with water, he should bathe by chanting the holy names of Lord Vishnu.

Text 96

udyapanam vidhim kartum
ashakto va vrate sthitah
brahmanan bhojayec chaktya
vrata-sampurna-hetave
udyapanam-conclusion; vidhim-rules; kartum-to do; ashaktah-unable; va-or; vrate-in the vow; sthitah-situated; brahmanan-the brahmanas; bhojayet-should feed; shaktya-with potency; vrata-sampurna-hetave-to make the vow complete.

"If one is not able to bring the vow to its conclusion with an elaborate ritual, he should conclude the vow by feeding the brahmanas.

Text 97

ashakto dipa-danasya
para-dipan prabodhayet
tesham va rakshanam kuryad
vatadibhyah prayatnatah
ashaktah-unable; dipa-danasya-to offer a lamp; para-dipan-the lamps of others; prabodhayet-should light; tesham-of them; va-or; rakshanam-protection; kuryat-should do; vata-winds; adibhyah-beginning; prayatnatah-carefully.

"If one is unable to offer a lamp, he should light the lamps that others offer, he should carefully protect others' lamps from winds or other disturbances.

Text 98

abhave tulasinam ca
pujayed vaishnavam dvijam
sarvabhave vrate kuryad
brahmananam gavam api
sevam va bodhi-vatayor
vrata-sampurna-hetave
abhave-in the absence; tulasinam-of Tulasi; ca-and; pujayet-should worship; vaishnavam-Vaishnava; dvijam-brahmana; sarvabhave-if all are absent; vrate-in the vow; kuryat-should do; brahmananam-of the brahmanas; gavam-of the cows; api-also; sevam-service; va-or; bodhi-vatayoh-of a bodhi of vata tree; vrata-sampurna-hetave-to complete the vow.

"If there is no Tulasi plant, one should worship a brahmana-Vaishnava. If no brahmana-Vaishnava is present, one should serve the brahmanas, cows, bodhi tree, and vata tree to conclude the vow.

Text 99

atha tatra dipa-dana-mahatmyam-
skande tatraiva
kalpa-koti-sahasrani
patakani bahuny api
nimeshardhena dipasya
vilayam yanti karttike
atha-now; tatra-there; dipa-dana-mahatmyam-the glories of offering a lamp; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-certainly; kalpa-kalpas; koti-ten million; sahasrani-thousand; patakani-sins; bahuni-many; api-even; nimeshardhena-in half an eyeblink; dipasya-of a lamp; vilayam-to destruction; yanti-go; karttike-in Karttika.

The Glories of Offering a Lamp During Karttika
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"When one offers a lamp during the month of Karttika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eyeblink."

Text 100

kim ca
shrinu dipasya mahatmyam
karttike keshava-priyam
dipa-danena viprendra
na punar jayate bhuvi
kim- ca-furthermore; shrinu-please hear; dipasya-of a lamp; mahatmyam-the glory; karttike-in Karttika; keshava-priyam-dear to Lord Keshava; dipa-lamp; danena-by offering; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; na-not; punah-again; jayate-is born; bhuvi-on the earth.

It is further said:
"Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during the month of Karttika, an offering that is very pleasing to Lord Keshava. O king of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.

Text 101

ravi-grahe kurukshetre
narmadayam shashi-grahe
tat phalam koti-gunitam
dipa-danena karttike
ravi-grahe-during a solar eclipse; kurukshetre-in Kuruksetra; narmadayam-in the Nramada; shashi-grahe-during a lunar eclipse; tat-that; phalam-result; koti-gunitam-multiplied ten million times; dipa-danena-by offering a lamp; karttike-in Karttika.

"By offering a lamp during the month of Karttika one attains a pious result ten million times greater than the result obtained by bathing at Kurukshetra during a solar a eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada' during a lunar eclipse.

Text 102

ghritena dipako yasya
tila-tailena va punah
jvalate muni-shardula
ashvamedhena tasya kim
ghritena-with ghee; dipakah-a lamp; yasya-of whom; tila-tailena-with sesame oil; va-or; punah-again; jvalate-burns; muni-of sages; shardula-O tiger; ashvamedhena-with an asvamedha-yajna; tasya-of him; kim-what is the need?

"O tiger of sages, for a person who thus offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil, what is the use of performing an ashvasmedha-yajna?

Text 103

mantra-hinam kriya-hinam
shauca-hinam janardane
sarvam sampurnatam yati
karttike dipa-danatah
mantra-mantras; hinam-without;  kriya-pious deeds; hinam-without; shauca-purity; hinam-without; janardane-of Lord Krishna; sarvam-all; sampurnatam-perfection; yati-attains; karttike-in Karttika; dipa-danatah-by offering a lamp.

"Even if there are no mantras, no pious deeds, and no purity, everything becomes perfect when a person offers a lamp during the month of Karttika.

Text 104

teneshtam kratubhih sarvaih
kritam tirthavagahanam
dipa-danam kritam yena
karttike keshavagratah
tena-by him; ishtam-worshiped; kratubhih-with yajnas; sarvaih-all; kritam-done; tirthavagahanam-bathing in holy places; dipa-lamp; danam-offering; kritam-done; yena-by whom; karttike-in Karttika; keshavagratah-in the presence of Lord Krishna.

"A person who during the month of Karttika offers a lamp to Lord Keshava has already performed all yajnas and bathing in all holy rivers.

Text 105

tavad garjanti punyani
svarge martye rasatale
yavan na jvalate jyotih
karttike keshavagratah
tavat-then; garjanti-scream; punyani-pious deeds; svarge-in Svarga; martye-in martyaloka; rasatale-in Rasatalaloka; yavan-when; na-not; jvalate-burns; jyotih-lamp; karttike-in Karttika; keshavagratah-before Lord Krishna.

"When in the month of Karttika there is no lamp burning before Lord Keshava, then the pious deeds in Svargaloka, Martyaloka, and Rasatalaloka scream with dissatisfaction.

Text 106

shruyate capi pitribhir
gatha gita pura dvija
bhavishyati kule 'smakam
pitri-bhaktah suto bhuvi
shruyate-is heard; ca-and; api-also; pitribhih-by the pitas; gatha-verses; gita-songs; pura-before; dvija-O brahmana; bhavishyati-will be; kule-in the family; asmakam-of us; pitr�-bhaktah-devoted to his father; sutah-a son; bhuvi-on the earth.

"O brahmana, when the pitas hear devotional verses and songs in the month of Karttika, in that family will be born a son devoted to his father.

Text 107

karttike dipa-danena
yas toshayati keshavam
muktim prapsyamahe nunam
prasadac cakra-paninah
karttike-in Karttika; dipa-danena-by offering a lamp; yah-one who; toshayati-satisfies; keshavam-Lord Krishna; muktim-liberation; prapsyamahe-we will attain; nunam-indeed; prasadat-by the mercy; cakra-paninah-of Lord Vishnu, who holds the cakra in His hand.

"The ancestors say: When someone in our family pleases Lord Keshava by offering to Him a lamp during the month of Karttika, then, by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarshana-cakra in His hand, we will all attain liberation."

Text 108

kim ca
meru-mandara-matrani
kritva papany asheshatah
dahate natra sandeho
dipa-danat tu karttike
kim- ca-furthermnore; meru-mandara-matrani-like Mount Meru or Mount Mandara; kritva-doing; papani-sinsd; asheshatah-completely; dahate-burns; na-not; atra-here; sandehah-doubt; dipa-a lamp; danat-by offering; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika.

It is further said:
"By offering a lamp during the month of Karttika one burns away a collection of sins as big as Mount Meru or Mount Mandara. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 109

grihe vayatane vapi
dipan dadyac ca karttike
purato vasudevasya
maha-phala-vidhayinah
grihe-at home; va-or; ayatane-in a temple; va-or; api-also; dipan-lamps; dadyat-should offer; ca-and; karttike-in Karttika; puratah-before; vasudevasya-Lord Vasudeva; maha-phala-vidhayinah-who gives a great result.

"To one who either at home it in a temple offers Him a lamp during the month of Karttika, Lord Vasudeva gives a great result.

Text 110

sa jato manushe loke
sa dhanyah sa ca kirtiman
pradattah karttike masi
dipo vai madhuhagratah
sa-he; jatah-born; manushe-human; loke-in the world; sa-he; dhanyah-fortunate; sa-he; ca-and; kirtiman-glorious; pradattah-offered; karttike masi-in the month of Karttika; dipah-a lamp; vai-indeed; madhuhagratah-in the presence of Lord Krishna.

"A person who, after taking birth in the world of human beings, offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during the month of Karttika becomes very glorious and fortunate.

Text 111

nimishardhardha-matrena
dipa-danena karttike
na tat kratu-shataih prapyam
phalam tirtha-shatair api
nimishardhardha-matrena-in half an eyeblink; dipa-danena-the offering of a lamp; karttike-in Karttika; na-not; tat-that; kratu-shataih-with a hundred yajnas; prapyam-to be attained; phalam-result; tirtha-shataih-with a hundred pilgrimages; api-even.

"A person who offers a lamp during the month of Karttika attains a result that cannot be obtained with even a hundred yajnas or a hundred pilgrimages.

Text 112

sarvanushthana-hino 'pi
sarva-papa-rato 'pi san
puyate natra sandeho
dipam dattva tu karttike
sarva-all; anushthana-pious deeds; hinah-without; api-even; sarva-papa-ratah-addicted to all sins; api-even; san-being so; puyate-is pruified; na-not; atra-here; sandehah-doubt; dipam-lamp; dattva-offering; tu-indeed; karttike-during Karttika.

"Even a person addicted to all sins and averse to all pious deeds who somehow offers a lamp during Karttika becomes purified. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 113

tan nasti patakam kincit
trishu lokeshu narada
yan na shodhayate dipah
karttike keshavagratah
tat-that; na-not; asti-is; patakam-sin; kincit-anything; trishu-in the three; lokeshu-worlds; narada-O Narada; yan-what; na-not; shodhayate-purifies; dipah-a lamp; karttike-in Karttika; keshavagratah-before Lord Krishna.

"O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Keshava during Karttika.

Text 114

purato vasudevasya
dipam dattva tu karttike
prapnoti shashvatam sthanam
sarva-badha-vivarjitam
puratah-in the presence; vasudevasya-of Lord Krishna; dipam-a lamp; dattva-offering; tu-undeed; karttike-in Karttika; prapnoti-attains; shashvatam-eternal; sthanam-abode; sarva-badha-vivarjitam-free of all troubles.

"A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during Karttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.

Text 115

yah kuryat karttike masi
karpurena tu dipakam
dvadashyam ca visheshena
tasya punyam vadami te
yah-one who; kuryat-does; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; karpurena-with camphor; tu-indeed; dipakam-lamp; dvadashyam-on the dvadasi day; ca-and; visheshena-specifically; tasya-of him; punyam-piety; vadami-I say; te-to you.

"Now I will describe to you the pious result attained by a person who offers a lamp during the dvadashi day of Karttika month.

Texts 116 and 117

kule tasya prasuta ye
ye bhavishyanti narada
samatitash ca ye kecid
yesham sankhya na vindate
kriditva su-ciram kalam
devaloke yadricchaya
te sarve muktim ayanti
prasadac cakra-paninah
kule-in the family; tasya-of him; prasuta-born; ye-who; ye-whoever; bhavishyanti-will be; narada-O Narada; samatitah-passed; ca-and; ye-who; kecit-some; yesham-of whom; sankhya-measurment; na-not; vindate-is; kriditva-playing; su-ciram-for a long; kalam-time; devaloke-in the worlds of the demigods; yadricchaya-spontaneously; te-they; sarve-all; muktim-liberation; ayanti-will attain; prasadat'by the mercy; cakra-paninah-of Lord Krishna.

"His ancestors and descendants, so many they cannot be counted, will enjoy for a long time in the worlds of the demigods, and then they will all easily attain liberation by the mercy of Lord Krishna, who holds the Sudarshana-cakra in His hand."

Text 118

kim ca
dyuta-vyajena viprendra
karttike keshavalayam
dyotayed yo maha-bhaga
punaty asaptatam kulam
kim- ca-furthermore; dyuta-of playing dice; vyajena-on the pretext; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; karttike-in Karttika; keshava-of Lord Keshava; alayam-the temple; dyotayet-illuminates; yah-who; maha-bhaga-O very fortunate one; punati-purifies; asaptatam- kulam-seven generations of his family.

It is further said:
"O very fortunate one, a person who in order to play dice lights a lamp in Lord Keshava's temple purifies seven generations of his family.

Text 119

karttike dipa-danam tu
kuryad yo vaishnavalaye
dhanam putro yashah kirtir
bhavet tasya ca sarvada
karttike-in Karttika; dipa-danam-offering a lamp; tu-indeed; kuryat-may do; yah-who; vaishnavalaye-in a temple of Lord Vishnu; dhanam-wealth; putrah-children; yashah-fame; kirtih-glory; bhavet-is; tasya-of him; ca-and; sarvada-always.

"A person who offers a lamp in a temple of Lord Vishnu during the month of Karttika attains eternal wealth, good children, fame, and glory.

Text 120

yatha ca mathanad vahnih
sarva-kashtheshu drishyate
tatha ca drishyate dharmo
dipa-dane na samshayah
yatha-as; ca-and; mathanat-by friction; vahnih-fire; sarva-kashtheshu-in all wood; drishyate-is seen; tatha-so; ca-and; drishyate-is seen; dharmah-piety; dipa-dane-in offring of a lamp; na-not; samshayah-doubt.

"As fire is present in all wood and may be extracted by friction, so piety is always present in the offering of a lamp during the month of Karttika. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 121

kim ca
nirdhanenapi viprendra
kritva caivatma-vikrayam
kartavyam dipa-danam tu
yavat karttika-purnima
kim- ca-furthermore; nirdhanena-penniless; api-even; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; kritva-doing; ca-and; eva-indeed; atma-Himself; vikrayam-selling; kartavyam-to be done; dipa-danam-offering a lamp; tu-indeed; yavat-when; karttika-purnima-on the full-moon of Karttika.

It is further said:
"O king of brahmanas, when someone offers Him a lamp on the full-moon day of the month of Karttika, Lord Krishna, finding that He does not have sufficient money to repay that gift, gives Himself in exchange for that lamp.

Text 122

vaishnavo na sa mantavyah
samprapte karttike mune
yo na yacchati mudhatma
dipam keshava-sadmani
vaishnavah-a devotee; na-not; sa-he; mantavyah-is considered; samprapte-attained; karttike-when Karttika; mune-O sage; yah-who; na-not; yacchati-gives; mudhatma-fool; dipam-a lamp; keshava-sadmani-in the temple of Lord Krishna.

"O sage, a fool who does not offer a lamp in Lord Keshava's temple during Karttika is not considered a Vaishnava."

Text 123

naradiye shri-rukmangada-mohini-samvade
ekatah sarva-danani
dipa-danani caikatah
karttike na samam proktam
dipa-do hy adhikah smritah
naradiye shri-rukmangada-mohini-samvade-in the Narada Purana, in a conversation of Shri Mohini-devi and Shri Rukmangada; ekatah-by one; sarva-danani-all gifts; dipa-danani-the gift of a lamp; ca-and; ekatah-by one; karttike-in Karttika; na-not; samam-equal; proktam-said; dipa-dah-giving a lamp; hi-indeed; adhikah-better; smritah-is considered.

In the Narada Purana, in a conversation of Shri Mohini-devi and Shri Rukmangada, it is said:
"Of all gifts the gift of a lamp during the month of Karttika is the best. No gift is its equal."

Text 124

padme ca tatraiva
karttike 'khanda-dipam yo
dadati hari-sannidhau
divya-kanti-vimanagre
ramate sa hareh pure
padme-in the Padma Purana; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; karttike-in Karttika; akhanda-unbroken; dipam-lamp; yah-who; dadati-gives; hari-of Lord Krishna; sannidhau-in the presence; divya-kanti-vimanagre-splendid; ramate-enjoys; sa-he; hareh-of Lord Krishna; pure-in the world.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"One who offers a steady lamp to Lord Hari during the month of Karttika enjoys pastimes in Lord Hari's splendid spiritual world.

Text 125

atha yatra pradipa-prabodhana-mahatmyam
skande tatraiva
pitri-pakshe 'nna-danena
jyaishthashadhe ca varina
karttike tat phalam pumsam
para-dipa-prabodhanat
atha-now; yatra-where; pradipa-prabodhana-mahatmyam-the glories of lighting a lamp; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; pitr�-pakshe-on pitr�-pakshe; anna-of food; danena-by the gift; jyaishthashadhe-on Jyaishtha ashadha; ca-and; varina-with water; karttike-in Karttika; tat-that; phalam-result; pumsam-of the people; para-dipa-prabodhanat-by lighting another's lamp.

The Glories of Lighting Another's Lamp During the Month of Karttika
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"By lighting another's lamp during the month of Karttika one attains the same result as if he had offered food on pitr�-paksha or water on Jyaishtha ashadha.

Text 126

bodhanat para-dipasya
vaishnavanam ca sevanat
karttike phalam apnoti
rajasuyashvamedhayoh
bodhanat-by lighting; para-dipasya-another's lamp; vaishnavanam-of the Vaishnavas; ca-and; sevanat-by serving; karttike-in Karttika; phalam-the result; apnoti-attains; rajasuyashvamedhayoh-of rajasuya and ashvamedha yajnas.

"By serving the Vaishnavas and lighting the lamps they offer during the month of Karttika one attains the result of performing many rajasuya and ashvamedha yajnas.

Text 127

dipamanam tu ye dipam
bodhayanti harer grihe
parena nripa-shardula
nistirna yama-yatana
dipamanam-glowing; tu-indeed; ye-which; dipam-lamp; bodhayanti-light; hareh-of Lord Krishna; grihe-in the house; parena-by another; nripa-shardula-O tiger of kings; nistirna-crossed; yama-yatana-the torments of Yama.

"O tiger of kings, a person who in Lord Krishna's temple lights the lamps that others will offer during the month of Karttika becomes free from the tortures of Yamaraja.

Text 128

na tad bhavati viprendra
ishtair api maha-makhaih
karttike yat phalam proktam
para-dipa-prabodhanat
na-not; tat-that; bhavati-is; viprendra-O king of brahmanas; ishtaih-worshiped; api-even; maha-makhaih-with great yajnas; karttike-in Karttika; yat-what; phalam-result; proktam-said; para-dipa-prabodhanat-by lighting the lamps of others.

"O king of brahmanas, by lighting the lamps that others will offer during the month of Karttika one attains the result of having performed many great yajnas.

Text 129

ekadashyam parair dattam
dipam prajvalya mushika
manushyam durlabham prapya
param gatim avapa sa
ekadashyam-on ekadashi; paraih-by others; dattam-offered; dipam-lamp; prajvalya-lighting; mushika-a mouse; manushyam-a human birth; durlabham-rare; prapya-attaining; param-the supreme; gatim-destination; avapa-attained; sa-she.

"Somehow or other a mouse once lit a lamp that someone offered on ekadashi during the month of Karttika. That mouse attained a rare human birth and then went to the supreme spiritual world.

Text 130

atha shikhara-dipa-mahatmyam
skande tatraiva
yada yada bhasayate
dipakah kalasopari
tada tada muni-shreshtha
dravate papa-sancayah
atha-then; shikhara-dipa-mahatmyam-the glory of lighting a lamp on a temple's roof; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yada yada-whenever; bhasayate-shines; dipakah-a lamp; kalasopari-on top of the dome; tada tada-then; muni-shreshtha-O best of sages; dravate-flee; papa-sancayah-sins.

The Glories of Lighting a Lamp on a Temple' Roof
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"O best of sages, when a lamp placed atop a temple's dome shines in all directions, then a great host of sins quickly flees to escape its light.

Text 131

yo dadati dvijatibhyo
mahim udadhi-mekhalam
hareh shikhara-dipasya
kalam narhati shodashim
yah-who; dadati-gives; dvijatibhyah-to the brahmanas; mahim-the earth; udadhi-mekhalam-which wears the oceans like a belt; hareh-of Lord Krishna; shikhara-on the roof; dipasya-a lamp; kalam-part; na-not; arhati-is equal; shodashim-to one sixteenth.

"A person who gives the entire earth, which wears the oceans like a belt, in charity to the brahmanas does not earn even one sixteenth of the pious merit earned by one who places a lamp on the roof of Lord Krishna's temple.

Text 132

yo dadati gavam kotim
sa-vatsam kshira-samyutam
hareh shikhara-dipasya
kalam narhati shodashim
yah-who; dadati-gives; gavam-of cows; kotim-ten million; sa-vatsam-with cal;ves; kshira-samyutam-full of milk; hareh-of Lord Krishna; shikhara-on the roof; dipasya-a lamp; kalam-part; na-not; arhati-is equal; shodashim-to one sixteenth.

"A person who gives ten million cows, all filled with milk and all the mothers of young calves, in charity to the brahmanas does not earn even one sixteenth of the pious merit earned by one who places a lamp on the roof of Lord Krishna's temple.

Text 133

sarvasva-danam kurute
vaishnavanam maha-mune
keshavopari dipasya
kalam narhati shodashim
sarvasva-danam-giving great treasure; kurute-does; vaishnavanam-of the Vaishnavas; maha-mune-O great sage; keshava-of Lord Krishna; upari-above; dipasya-a lamp; kalam-part; na-not; arhati-is equal; shodashim-to one sixteenth.

"O great sage, a person who gives great wealth in charity to the Vaishnavas does not earn even one sixteenth of the pious merit earned by one who places a lamp on the roof of Lord Krishna's temple.

Text 134

kim ca
yah karoti param dipam
mulyenapi maha-mune
shikharopari madhye ca
kulanam tarayec chatam
kim- ca-furthermore; yah-one who; karoti-does; param-a great; dipam-lamp; mulyena-with a price; api-even; maha-mune-O great sage; shikharopari-on a temple's roof; madhye-ihn the middle; ca-and; kulanam-of family; tarayet-delivers; shatam-a hundred.

"O great sage, a person who places a great and costly lamp on a temple roof delivers a hundred generations of his family.

Text 135

vimanam jyotisha diptam
ye nirikshyanti karttike
keshavasya maha-bhaktya
kule tesham na naraki
vimanam-a palatial temple; jyotisha-with a lamp; diptam-shining; ye-who; nirikshyanti-gaze; karttike-in Karttika; keshavasya-of Lord Keshava; maha-with great; bhaktya-devotion; kule-in the family; tesham-of them; na-not; naraki-a resident of hell.

"They who with great devotion gaze at a palatial temple lit with a splendid lamp have not a single relative that lives in hell.

Text 136

divi deva nirikshyante
vishnu-dipa-pradam naram
kada bhavishyaty asmakam
sangamah punya-karmana
divi-in the higher planets; deva-the demigods; nirikshyante-are seen; vishnu-dipa-pradam-offering lamps to Lord Vishnu; naram-a human; kada-when?; bhavishyati-will be; asmakam-of all; sangamah-the company; punya-karmana-by pious deeds.

"When they see a human being offering a lamp to Lord Vishnu, the demigods in Devaloka think: When, by performing that single pious deed, will this person join us here?

Text 137

karttike karttikim yavat
prasadopari dipakam
yo dadati muni-shreshtha
tasyendratvam na durlabham
karttike-in Karttika; karttikim-in Karttika; yavat-when; prasada-a temple; upari-above; dipakam-a lamp; yah-who; dadati-places; muni-shreshtha-O best of sages; tasya-of him; indratvam-the post of Indra; na-not; durlabham-difficult to attain.

"O best of sages, a person who places a lamp on a temple roof during the month of Karttika does not find it difficult to attain the post of Indra.

Text 138

atha tatra dipa-mala-mahatmyam-
skande tatraiva
dipa-panktes" ca racanam
sa-bahyabhyantare hareh
vishnor vimane kurute
sa narah shankha-cakra-dhrik
atha-now; tatra-there; dipa-mala-mahatmyam-the glory of a row of lamps; skande-in the Skanda Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; dipa-pankteh-of a row of lamps; ca-and; racanam-creation; sa-bahya-outside; abhyantare-and inside; hareh-of Lord Hari; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; vimane-on a palatial temple; kurute-does; sah-He; narah-a person; shankha-cakra-dhrik-holding a conch and cakra.

The Glories of Offering Many Lamps During the Month of Karttika
In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"A person who lights many lamps inside and outside Lord Vishnu's temple becomes a liberated soul. Holding a dish and conch, he attains a spiritual form like Lord Vishnu's.

Text 139

dipa-panktesh ca racanam
kurute keshavalaye
tasyanvaye prasutanam
lakshanam narakam na hi
dipa-pankteh-of many lamps; ca-and; racanam-creation; kurute-does; keshavalaye-in Lord Krishna;'s temple; tasya-of him; anvaye-in the family; prasutanam-born; lakshanam-of hundred thousand; narakam-hell; na-not; hi-indeed.

"When a person lights many lamps in Lord Keshava's temple, not a single of his hundred thousand closest relatives lives in hell.

Text 140

vishnor vimanam dipadhyam
sa-bahyabhyantare mune
dipodyata-kare marge
tena praptam param padam
vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; vimanam-the temple; dipadhyam-opulent with lamps; sa-bahyabhyantare-within and without; mune-O sage; dipodyata-kare-with shining lamps; marge-on the path; tena-by him; praptam-attained; param-the supreme; padam-abode.

"O sage, a person who makes Lord Vishnu's temple splendid with many lights inside and outside, travels to the supreme abode on the path shining with light."

Texts 141 and 142

bhavishye ca
yah kuryat karttike masi
shobhanam dipa-malikam
prabodhe caiva dvadashyam
ekadashyam visheshatah
suryayuta-prakashas tu
tejasa bhasayan dishah
tejo-rashi-vimana-stho
jagad uddyotayams tvisha
bhavishye-in the Bahvishya Purana; ca-and; yah-who; kuryat-does; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; shobhanam-beauty; dipa-malikam-a garland of lamps; prabodhe-lighting; ca-and; eva-indeed; dvadashyam-on dvadasi; ekadashyam-on ekadashi; visheshatah-specifically; surya-suns; ayuta-tne thousand; prakashah-shining; tu-indeed; tejasa-with light; bhasayan-illuminating; dishah-the directions; tejo-rashi-vimana-sthah-on an airplane filled with light; jagat-the universe; uddyotayamh-illuminates; tvisha-with light.

In the Bhavishya Purana it is said:
"A person who makes the Lord's temple splendid with many lamps during the month of Karttika, and especially during the ekadashi or the dvadashi of that month, becomes glorious like ten thousand suns. Traveling in a splendid airplane that fills the universe with light, he leaves this world of birth and death.

Text 143

yavat pradipa-sankhya tu
ghritenapurya bodhita
tavad varsha-sahasrani
vishnuloke mahiyate
yavat-as; pradipa-sankhya-with a number of lamps; tu-indeed; ghritenapurya-filled with ghee; bodhita-lighted; tavat-so; varsha-sahasrani-for a thousand years; vishnuloke-in Vishnuloka; mahiyate-is glorified.

"For each lamp that he lit on the earth he is glorified on Vishnuloka for a thousand years.

Text 144

padme tatraiva
uccaih pradipam akashe
yo dadyat karttike narah
sarvam kulam samuddhritya
vishnulokam avapnuyat
padme-in the Padma Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; uccaih-greatly; pradipam-lamp; akashe-in the sky; yah-who; dadyat'-places; karttike'in Karttika; narah-a person; sarvam-all; kulam-family; samuddhritya-delivering; vishnulokam'to Vishnuloka; avapnuyat-attains.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"A person who places a great lamp high in the sky during the month of Karttika takes all his relatives with him to Vishnuloka.

Text 145

vishnu-keshavam uddishya
dipam dadyat tu karttike
akasha-stham jala-stham ca
shrinutasyapi yat phalam
vishnu-keshavam-Lord Krishna; uddishya-in relation to; dipam-lamp; dadyat-gives; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika; akasha-stham-in the sky; jala-stham-in the water; ca-and; shrinuta-please hear; asya-of that; api-also; yat-what; phalam-result.

"Please hear the result obtained by a person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna in the sky or over the water during the month of Karttika.

Text 146

dhanam dhanyam samriddhish ca
putravan ishvaro grihe
locane ca shubhe tasya
vidvan api ca jayate
dhanam-wealth; dhanyam-good fortune; samriddhih-prosperity; ca-and; putravan-good children; ishvarah-controller; grihe-in the home; locane-in the eye; ca-and; shubhe-beautiful; tasya-of him; vidvan-learned; api-also; ca-and; jayate-is born.

"He becomes wealthy, fortunate, and prosperous. He becomes a controller of others. He has good children. Everything before his eyes and in his home is beautiful. He becomes wise and learned."

Text 147

kim ca
vipra-veshmani yo dadyat
karttike masi dipakam
agnishtoma-phalam tasya
pravadanti manishinah
kim- ca-furthermore; vipra-veshmani-in a brahmana's home; yah-who; dadyat-offers; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; dipakam-lamp; agnishtoma-phalam-the result of an agnishtoma-yajna; tasya-of him; pravadanti'say; manishinah-the wise.

It is further said:
"The wise say that a person who offers a lamp in a brahmana's home during the month of Karttika attains the result of offering an agnishtoma-yajna.

Text 148

catushpatheshu rathyasu
brahmanavasatheshu ca
vriksha-muleshu goshtheshu
kantare gahaneshu ca
dipa-danad dhi sarvatra
maha-phalam avapnuyat
catushpatheshu-at a crossway; rathyasu-on royal roads; brahmanavasatheshu-in brahmanas' homes; ca-and; vriksha-muleshu-at the roots of trees; goshtheshu-in cow barns; kantare-in a great forest; gahaneshu-in hidden places; ca-and; dipa-danat-by offering lamps; hi-indeed; sarvatra-everywhere; maha-phalam-a greta result; avapnuyat-attains.

"A person who places lamps on the royal roads, on crossroads, in brahmanas' homes, at tree roots, in cow barns, in forests, in hidden places, and everywhere, attains a great result.

Text 149

akasha-dipa-dana-mantrah
tatraiva
damodaraya nabhasi
tulayam lolaya saha
pradipam te prayacchami
namo 'nantaya vedhase. iti.
akasha-in the sky; dipa-light; dana-placing; mantrah-mantra; tatra-there; eva-indeed; damodaraya-to Lord Damodara; nabhasi-in the sky; tulayam-during Karttika; lolaya-the goddess of fortune; saha-with; pradipam-lamp; te-they; prayacchami-offer; namah-obeisances; anantaya-to the unlimited; vedhase-to the creator; iti-thus.

A Mantra For Offering a Lamp in the Sky
In the scriptures it is said:
"Reciting the mantra 'namo 'nantaya vedhase' (Obeisances to the unlimited, to the Supreme Creator), the devotees offer a lamp to Lord Damodara and the goddess of fortune in the sky.

Text 150

atha desha-visheshe karttika-mahatmya-visheshah
padme tatraiva
yatra kutrapi deshe yah
karttika-snana-danatah
agnihotra-sama-phalah
pujayam ca visheshatah
atha-now; desha-places; visheshe-in specific; karttika-mahatmya-visheshah-the glories of Karttika; padme-in the Padma Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yatra kutra-wherever; api-even; deshe-in the country; yah-one who; karttika-in Karttika; snana-bathing; danatah-and giving charity; agnihotra-sama-equal to an agnihotra-yajna; phalah-the result; pujayam-in worship; ca-and; visheshatah-specifically.

The Glories of Observing the Karttika Vow in Certain Specifi Places
In the Padma Purana it is said:
"Wherever one may be, by bathing, giving charity, or especially by worshiping the Lord during the month of Karttika one attains the result of performing an agnihotra-yajna.

Text 151

kurukshetre koti-guno
gangayam capi tat-samah
tato 'dhikah pushkare syad
dvarakayam ca bhargava
krishna-salokya-do masah
puja-snanaish ca karttikah
kurukshetre-in Kuruksetra; koti-gunah-tne million times; gangayam-by the ganga; ca-and; api-also; tat-samah-equal to that; tatah-than that; adhikah-more; pushkare-at Puskara; syat-is; dvarakayam-in Dvaraka;
ca-and; bhargava-O descendent of Bhrigu; krishna-salokya-dah-giving residence on Lord Krishna's planet; masah-month; puja-worship; snanaih-bathing; ca-and; karttikah-in Karttika.

"Observing the vow of Karttika brings a result ten million times greater when performed at Kurukshetra or by the Ganga's shore. The result is even greater at Pushkara-tirtha. Bathing and worship at Dvaraka' during the month of Karttika carries one to the abode of Lord Krishna.

Text 152

anyah puryas tat-samana
munayo mathuram- vina
damodaratvam- hi hares
tatraivasid yatah kila
anyah-other; puryah-cities; tat-samana-equal to them; munayah-sages; mathuram-Mathura; vina-except for; damodaratvam-the nature of Damodara; hi-indeed; hareh-of Lord Hari; tatra-there; eva-indeed; asit-was; yatah'because; kila-indeed.

"O sages, other holy cities bring similar results. The district of Mathura, however, is different, because Lord Krishna revealed His Damodara pastimes in the district of Mathura.

Text 153

mathurayam tatash corje
vaikuntha-priti-vardhanah
karttike mathurayam vai
paramavadhir ishyate
mathurayam-in Mathura; tatah-therefore; ca-and; urje-in Karttika; vaikuntha-priti-vardhanah-increased love for Lord Krishna; karttike-in Karttika; mathurayam-in Mathura; vai-indeed; parama-greatly; avadhih-the greatest; ishyate-is attained.

"Observing the vow of Karttika in Mathura' brings love for Lord Krishna. In this way the best result is obtained in Mathura.

Text 154

yatha maghe prayagah syad
vaishakhe jahnavi yatha
karttike mathura sevya
tatotkarshah paro na hi
yatha-as; maghe-in the month of Magha; prayagah-Prayaga; syat-is; vaishakhe-in Vaiskha; jahnavi-the Ganga; yatha-as; karttike-in Karttika; mathura-Mathura; sevya-to be served; tatotkarshah-superiority; parah-great; na-not; hi-indeed.

"As Prayaga should be served in the month of Magha (January-February), and as the Ganga' should be served in the month of Vaishakha (April-May), so Mathura' should be served in the month of Karttika. Nothing is better than service to Mathura' in Karttika.

Text 155

mathurayam narair urje
snatva damodaro 'rcitah
krishna-rupa hi te jneya
natra karya vicarana
mathurayam-in Mathura; naraih-by people; urje-in Karttika; snatva-bathing; damodarah-Damodara; arcitah-worshiped; krishna-rupa-the form of Lord Krishna; hi-indeed; te-they; jneya-should be known; na-not; atra-here; karya-to be done; vicarana-doubt.

"They who bathe and then worship Lord Damodara in Mathura' during the month of Karttika attain spiritual forms like Lord Krishna's. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 156

durlabhah karttiko vipra
mathurayam nrinam iha
yatrarcitah svakam rupam
bhaktebhyah samprayacchati
durlabhah-rare; karttikah-Karttika; vipra-O brahmana; mathurayam-in Mathura; nrinam-of the people; iha-here; yatra-where; arcitah-worshiped;  svakam-own; rupam-form; bhaktebhyah-to the devotees; samprayacchati-gives.

"O brahmana, it is rare that one is allowed to spend the month of Karttika in Mathura. To they who worship Him in Mathura' during Karttika, Lord Krishna reveals His own transcendental form.

Text 157

bhuktim muktim harir dadyad
arcito 'nyatra sevinam
bhaktim ca na dadaty esha
yato vashya-kari harih
bhuktim-happiness; muktim-;liberation; harih-Lord Krishna; dadyat-gives; arcitah-worshiped; anyatra-another place; sevinam-of the servants; bhaktim-devotional service; ca-and; na-not; dadati-gives; esha-He; yatah-because; vashya-kari-brought under control; harih-Lord Krishna.

"To the devotees who worship Him in other places, Lord Krishna gives happiness and liberation, but He does not give devotional service, for devotional service turns Him into His devotee's servant.

Text 158

sa tt anjasa harer bhaktir
labhyate karttike naraih
mathurayam sakrid api
shri-damodara-pujanat
sah-He; tv-indeed; anjasa-easily; hareh-of Lord Krishna; bhaktih-dfevotional service; labhyate-is obtained; karttike-in Karttika; naraih-by people; mathurayam-in Mathura; sakrit-once; api-even; shri-damodara-pujanat-by worshiping Lord Damodara.

"Still, one can very easily attain devotional service by once worshiping Lord Damodara in Mathura' during Karttika.

Text 159

mantra-dravya-vihinam ca
vidhi-hinam ca pujanam
manyate karttike devo
mathurayam yad-arcanam
mantra-matras; dravya-things; vihinam-without; ca-and; vidhi-hinam-without rules; ca-and; pujanam-worship; manyate-considers; karttike-in Karttika; devah-the Lord; mathurayam-in Mathura; yad-arcanam-whose worship.

"Even if it is performed without the proper mantras and offerings and without following the rules and regulations, Lord Krishna considers worship of Him in Mathura' during Karttika to be the most perfect kind of worship.

Text 160

yasya papasya yujyeta
marananta vinishkritih
tac-chuddhy-artham idam proktam
prayashcittam su-nishcitam
karttike mathurayam vai
shri-damodara-pujanam
yasya-of which; papasya-sin; yujyeta-engaged; marananta-until death; vinishkritih-atoned; ta-chuddhy-artham-for purification; idam-this; proktam-said; prayashcittam-atonement; su-nishcitam-concluded; karttike-in Karttika; mathurayam-in Mathura; vai-indeed; shri-damodara-pujanam-worship of Lord Damodara.

"Worship of Lord Damodara in Mathura' during the month of Karttika is the proper atonement for a lifetime of sins.

Text 161

karttike mathurayam vai
pujanad darshanam dhruvah
shighram sampraptavan balo
durlabham yoga-tat-paraih
karttike-in Karttika; mathurayam-in Mathura; vai-indeed; pujanat-from thew worship; darshanam-seeing; dhruvah-Dhruva; shighram-quickly; sampraptavan-attained; balah-a child; durlabham-rare; yoga-tat-paraih-by the great yogis.

"By worshiping the Lord in Mathura' during the month of Karttika, the child Dhruva was quickly able to see Lord Krishna directly, an attainment rare even for the great yogis.

Text 162

sulabha mathura bhumau
praty-abdam karttikas tatha
tathapi samsarantiha
nara mudha bhavambudhau
sulabha-easily attained; mathura-Mathura; bhumau-on the earth; praty-abdam-every year; karttikah-Karttika; tatha-so; tathapi-still; samsaranti-take birth again andagain; iha-here; nara-the people; mudha-bewildered; bhavambudhau-in the ocean of birth and death.

"Even though every year there is a Karttika, and even though it is easy to go to Mathura, still the bewildered people, miss the opportunity placed before them. That is why they take birth again and again in the ocean of material life.

Text 163

kim yajnaih kim tapobhish ca
tirthair anyaish ca sevitaih
karttike mathurayam ced
arcyate radhika-priyah
kim-what is the use?; yajnaih-of yajnas; kim-what is the use?; tapobhih-of uasterities; ca-and; tirthaih-pilgrimages; anyaih-other; ca-and; sevitaih-served; karttike-in Karttika; mathurayam-in mathura; cet-if; arcyate'worshiped; radhika-priyah-the beloved of Radha.

"What is the use of yajnas, austerities, and pilgrimages to a person who has the opportunity to worship Lord Krishna, the beloved of Radha, in Mathura' during the month of Karttika?

Text 164

yani sarvani tirthani
nada nadyah saramsi ca
karttike nivasanty atra
mathure sarva-mandale
yani-which; sarvani-all; tirthani-holy places; nada-streams; nadyah-rivers; saramsi-lakes; ca-and; karttike-in Karttika; nivasanti-stay; atra-there; mathure-in Mathura; sarva-mandale-in the circle.

"During the month of Karttika all holy streams, rivers, and lakes reside in the circle of Mathura.

Text 165

karttike janma-sadane
keshavasya ca ye narah
sakrit pravishtah shri-krishnam
te yanti param avyayam
karttike-in Karttika; janma-sadane-in the birthplace; keshavasya'of Lord Krishna; ca-and; ye-which; narah-people; sakrit-once; pravishtah-entered; shri-krishnam-Shri Krishna; te-they; yanti-attain; param'supreme; avyayam-eternal.

"They who once enter Lord Krishna's birthplace in Mathura' will enter the spiritual world and meet Lord Krishna, the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Text 166

paropahasam uddishya
karttike hari-pujaya
mathurayam labhed bhaktya
kim punah shraddhaya narah. iti.
paropahasam-joking; uddishya-in relation to; karttike-in Karttika; hari-pujaya-worship of Lord Krishna; mathurayam-in Mathura; labhet-attain; bhaktya-with devotion; kim-what?; punah-again; shraddhaya-with faith; narah-a person; iti-thus.

"A person who as a joke worships Lord Krishna in Mathura' during Karttika attains the Lord's supreme abode. What, then, can be said of they who worship the Lord with faith and devotion?"

Text 167

ittham karttika-krityani
vyaktany eva svato 'bhavan
tatra kincid visheshena
tad-vidhir likhyate 'dhuna
ittham-thus; karttika-krityani-the duties of Karttika; vyaktani-manifested; eva-indeed; svatah-spontaneously; abhavan-became; tatra-there; kincit-something; visheshena-specifically; tad-vidhih-the way of that; likhyate-is written; adhuna-now.

Thus, in a general way I have written about the duties of Karttika. Now I will write specifically how these duties should be performed.

Text 168

atha karttika-kritya-vidhih
tatropakrama-kalah
shri-krishna-satya-samvadiya-karttika-mahatmye
ashvinasya tu masasya
ya shuklaikadashi bhavet
karttikasya vrataniha
tasyam kuryad atandritah
atha-now; karttika-kritya-vidhih-the way the duties of Karttika should be performed; tatra-there; upakrama-beginning; kalah-time; shri-krishna-of Lord Krishna; satya-and Satyabhama; samvadiya-in a conversation; karttika-mahatmye-in the glories of Karttika; ashvinasya-of asvina; tu-indeed; masasya-the month; ya-which; shuklaikadashi-shukla-ekadashi; bhavet-is; karttikasya-of Karttika; vratani-vows; iha-here; tasyam-in that; kuryat-should do; atandritah-diligently.

How the Duties of Karttika Should Be Performed
When Karttika Begins
In the Karttika-mahatmya, Lord Krishna tells Satyabhama:
"One should diligently follow the vow of Karttika, which begins on the shukla-ekadashi of the month of Ashvina.

Text 169

nityam jagaranayantye
yame ratreh samutthitah
shucir bhutva prabodhyatha
stotrair nirajayet prabhum
nityam-regularly; jagaranaya-for waking; antye-in the last; yame-portion; ratreh-of the night; samutthitah-risen; shucih-pure; bhutva-becoming; prabodhya-waking; atha-then; stotraih-with prayers; nirajayet-should offer arati; prabhum-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

"In this vow one should rise at the end of night, waken the Deity with prayers, and then offer arati.

Text 170

nishamya vaishnavan dharman
vaishnavaih saha harshitah
kritva gitadikam pratar
devam nirajayet prabhum
nishamya-hearing; vaishnavan-of Lord Vishnu; dharman-the religion; vaishnavaih-the Vaishnavas; saha-with; harshitah-happy; kritva-doing; gitadikam-beginning with songs; pratah-early in the morning; devam-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nirajayet-should offer arati; prabhum-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

"In the company of the Vaishnavas in the morning one should happily hear about the religion of devotional service to Lord Vishnu, sing songs glorifying Lord Vishnu, and offer arati to Lord Vishnu.

Text 171

nady-adau ca tato gatva-
camya sankalpam acaret
prabhum prarthyatha tasmai ca
dadyad arghyam yatha-vidhi
nady-adau-beginning with rivers; ca-and; tatah-then; gatva-going; acamya-sipping; sankalpam-desire; acaret-should do; prabhum-to the Lord; prarthya-praying; atha-then; tasmai-to Him; ca-and; dadyat-should offer; arghyam-arghya; yatha-vidhi-according to the rules.

"Then one should go to a river or other source of water, perform acamana, recite the sankalpa mantra, recite the prarthana' mantra, and then properly offer arghya to the Lord.

Text 172

tatra sankalpa-mantrah
karttike 'ham karishyami
pratah snanam janardana
prity-artham tava devesha
damodara maya saha
tatra-there; sankalpa-mantrah-the sankalpa-mantra; karttike-in Karttika; aham-I; karishyami-will do; pratah-in the morning; snanam-bath; janardana-O Lord Krishna; prity-artham-for the satisfaction; tava-of You; devesha-O master of the demigods; damodara-O Damodara; maya-the goddess of fortune; saha-with.

The Sankalpa mantra
"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 Karttika."

Text 173

atha prarthana-mantrah
tava dhyanena devesha
jale 'smin snatum udyatah
tvat-prasadac ce me papam
damodara vinashyatu
atha-then; prarthana-mantrah-the prarthana mantra; tava-of You; dhyanena-by meditation; devesha-O master of the demigods; jale-in water; asmin-in this; snatum-to bathe; udyatah-about; tvat-prasadat-by Your mercy; ca-and; me-of me; papam-the sin; damodara-O Lord Damodara; vinashyatu.-will be destroyed.

The Prarthana mantra
"O master of the demigods, rapt in meditation on You, I am about to take my bath. O Lord Damodara, by Your grace may all my sins be destroyed."

Text 174

atha arghya-mantrah
vratinah karttike masi
snatasya vidhivan mama
damodara grihanarghyam
danujendra-nisudana
atha-now; arghya-mantrah-arghya mantra; vratinah-following the vow; karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; snatasya-bathing; vidhivat-properly; mama-of me; damodara-O Lord Damodara; grihana-please accept; arghyam-arghya; danujendra-nisudana-O killer of the great demons.

The Arghya mantra
"O Lord Damodara, O killer of the kings of the demons, please accept this arghya that I, who have bathed and who follow this vow, properly offer to You.

Text 175

nitye naimittike kritsne
karttike papa-shoshane
grihanarghyam maya dattam
radhaya sahito hare
nitye-regular; naimittike-occasional; kritsne-all; karttike-in Ka'rttika; papa-shoshane-drying up sins; grihana-please accept; arghyam-arghya; maya-by me; dattam-offered; radhaya'Radha; sahitah-with; hare-O Krishna.

"O Lord Krishna accompanied by Goddess Radha, please accept this arghya I offer to You. May the regular and occasional duties I perform during this month of Karttika dry up all my sins."

Text 176

tilair alipya deham svam
namoccarana-purvakam
snatva sa-vidhina sandhyam
upasya griham avrajet
tilaih-with oil; alipya-anointing; deham-body; svam-own; namoccarana-purvakam'calling out the holy name; snatva-bathing; sa-vidhina-properly; sandhyam-gayatri; upasya-worshiping; griham-home; avrajet-should go.

Then one should anoint his body with oil, chant the Lord's holy names, bathe, properly chant the gayatri mantra, and then return home.

Text 177

upalipyatha devagre
nirmaya svastikam prabhum
tulasi-malati-padma-
gastya-pushpadinarcayet
upalipya-anointing; atha-then; deva-of the Lord; agre-in the presence; nirmaya-doing; svastikam-svastika; prabhum-the Lord; tulasi-with Tulasi; malati-padma-gastya-pushpadina-with malati, lotus, agastya, and others; pushpa-flowers; adina-beginning; arcayet-should worship.

Then, after anointing and making a svastika, one should worship the Deity with Tulasi and with malati, lotus, agastya, and other flowers.

Text 178

nityam vaishnava-sangatya
seveta bhagavat-katham
sarpishahar-nisham dipam
tila-tailena carcayet
nityam-regularly; vaishnava-sangatya-in the company of the Vaishnavas; seveta-one should serve; bhagavat-katham-the message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sarpisha-with ghee; ahar-nisham-day and night; dipam-lamp; tila-tailena-with sesame oil; ca-and; arcayet-should worship.

In the company of the Vaishnavas 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 179

visheshatash ca naivedyany
arpayed arcayet tatha
pranamamsh ca yatha-shaktya
eka-bhaktadika-vratam
visheshatah-specifically; ca-and; naivedyani-offerings of food; arpayet-should place; arcayet-should worship; tatha-then; pranaman-bowing down; ca-and; yatha-shaktya-as far as one is able; eka-bhaktadika-vratam-with a vow of being devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead alone.

One should place offerings of food before the Lord, worship the Lord, and bow down before Him. In this way as far as one is able one should follow this vow of being devoted to the Lord alone.

Text 180

tatha ca padme tatraiva
pratar utthaya shaucadi
kritva gatva jalashaye
kritva ca vidhivat snanam
tato damodararcanam
tatha-so; ca-and; padme-in the Padma Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; pratah-in the m,orning; utthaya-rising; shauca-cleanliness; adi-beginning with; kritva-doing; gatva-going; jalashaye-in a body of water; kritva-doing; ca-and; vidhivat-according to the rules; snanam-bath; tatah-then; damodararcanam-the worship of Lord Damodara.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"Early in the morning one should rise, go to a body of water, properly bathe, and then worship Lord Damodara.

Text 181

kim ca
maunena bhojanam karyam
karttike vrata-dharina
ghritena dipa-danam syat
tila-tailena va punah
kim- ca-furthermore; maunena-in silence; bhojanam-eating; karyam-should be done; karttike-in Karttika; vrata-dharina-following the vow; ghritena-with ghee; dipa-danam-offering a lamp; syat-should be; tila-sesamum; tailena-with oil; va-or; punah-again.

It is further said:
"One who follows the Karttika vow should take his meals in silence. He should offer a lamp of ghee or sesame oil.

Text 182

dinam ca krishna-kathaya
vaishnavanam ca sangamaih
niyatam karttike masi
sankalpa-vrata-palanam
dinam-the day; ca-and; krishna-kathaya-with talks of Lord Krishna; vaishnavanam-of the Vaishnavas; ca-and; sangamaih-with association; niyatam-should be passed; karttike masi-in Karttika month; sankalpa-vrata-palanam-to keep the vow he made with the sankalpa mantra.

"To keep the vow he made with the sankalpa mantra he should pass his days talking of Lord Krishna in the company of the devotees.

Texts 183 and 184

ashvine shukla-pakshasya
prarambhe hari-vasare
athava paurnamasitah
sankrantau va tulagame
dipa-danam akhandam ca
dadyad vai vishnu-sannidhau
devalaye tulasyam va
akashe va tad uttamam
ashvine-of Asvina; shukla-pakshasya-on the bright fortnight; prarambhe-beginning; hari-vasare-on ekadashi; athava-or; paurnamasitah-from the full moon; sankrantau-on sankranti; va-or; tulagame-on Tulagama; dipa-lamp; danam-offering; akhandam-unbroken; ca-and; dadyat-should offer; vai-indeed; vishnu-sannidhau-to Lord Vishnu; devalaye-in the temple; tulasyam-to Tulasi; va-or; akashe-to the sky; va-or; tat-that; uttamam-then.

"Beginning in the month of Ashvina, either on the shukla-ekadashi, or on the full moon day, or on the tula-sankranti day, he should offer a lamp to Lord Vishnu in the temple, or he should offer the lamp to Tulasi-devi, or to the sky."

Text 185

kim ca
rajatam kanakam dipan
mani-muktaphaladikam
damodarasya prity-artham
pradadyat karttike narah
kim- ca-furthermore; rajatam-silver; kanakam-gold; dipan-lamps; mani-jewels; muktaphala-pearls; adikam-beginning; damodarasya-of Lord Damodara; prity-artham-for the pleasure; pradadyat-should give; karttike-in Karttika; narah-a person.

It is further said:
"During the month of Karttika a person should offer silver, gold, lamps, jewels, pearls, and other valuables to please Lord Damodara."

Text 186

skande ca shri-rukmangada-mohini-samvade
na grihe karttike kuryad
visheshena tu karttikam
tirthe tu karttikim kuryat
sarva-yatnena bhavini. iti.
skande ca shri-rukmangada-mohini-samvade-in the Skanda Purana, in a conversation of Shri Mohini and Shri Rukmangada; na-not; grihe-in the home; karttike-during Karttika; kuryat-should do; visheshena-specifically; tu-indeed; karttikam-Karttika; tirthe-in a holy place; tu-indeed; karttikim-the vow of Karttika; kuryat-should do; sarva-all; yatnena-with endeavor; bhavini-O goddess; iti-thus.

In the Skanda Purana, Shri Rukmangada tells Shri Mohini:
"O goddess, one should not follow the Karttika vow at home. One should go to a holy place and follow it there very carefully."

Text 187

atha karttike varjyani
tatraiva brahma-narada-samvade
karttike tu visheshena
raja-mashamsh ca bhakshayan
nishpavan muni-shardula
yavad ahuta-naraki
atha-now; karttike-in Karttika; varjyani-waht should be avoided; tatra-there; eva-indeed; brahma-narada-samvade-in a conversation of Brahma' and Narada; karttike-in Karttika; tu-indeed; visheshena-specifically; raja-mashan-rajamasa beans; ca-and; bhakshayan-should eat; nishpavan-kidney beans; muni-of sages; shardula-O tiger; yavat-as; ahuta-called; naraki-a resident of hell.

What Should Be Avoided During the Month of Karttika
In the Skanda Purana, in a conversation of Brahma' and Narada, it is said:
"O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Karttika eats rajamasha beans or kidney beans becomes a resident of hell.

Text 188

kalingani patolani
vrintakam sandhitani ca
na tyajet karttike masi
yavad ahuta-naraki
kalingani-kalinga; patolani-patola; vrintakam-eggplant; sandhitani-pickles; ca-and; na-not; tyajet-abandons; karttike masi-in Karttika month; yavat-as; ahuta-naraki-is called a resident of hell.

"A person who during the month of Karttika does not avoid eating kalinga, patola, eggplant, and pickles becomes a resident of hell.

Text 189

karttike masi dharmatma
matsyam mamsam na bhakshayet
tatraiva yatnatas tyajyam
shashakam shaukaram tatha
karttike-in Karttika; masi-month; dharmatma-a religious person; matsyam-fish; mamsam-meat; na-not; bhakshayet-eats; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yatnatah-carefully; tyajyam-ot be avoided; shashakam-rabbit; shaukaram-pork; tatha-so.

"During the month of Karttika a religious person will carefully avoid eating fish, rabbit, pork, or any kind of flesh."

Text 190

kim ca
parannam para-shayyam ca
para-daram paranganam
sarvada varjayet prajno
visheshena tu karttike
kim- ca-furthermore; parannam-sumptuous food; para-shayyam-comfortable bed; ca-and; para-daram-another's wife; paranganam-prostitute; sarvada-always; varjayet-should avoid; prajnah-intelligent; visheshena-specifically; tu-indeed; karttike-in Karttika.

It is further said:
"During the month of Karttika an intelligent person should stay away from sumptuous food, comfortable bed, prostitutes, and other's wives.

Text 191

tailabhyangam tatha shayyam
parannam kamsya-bhojanam
karttike varjayed yas tu
paripurna-vrati bhavet
taila-oil; abhyangam-anointing; tatha-so; shayyam-bed; parannam-suptuous food; kamsya-bhojanam-eating from a bell-metal plate; karttike-in Karttika; varjayet-should avoid; yah-who; tu-indeed; paripurna-vrati-completely following the vow; bhavet-should be.

"A person who properly follows the Karttika vow should avoid being anointed with oil, eating sumptuous food, sleeping in a comfortable bed, and eating from a bell-metal plate.

Text 192

samprapte karttike drishtva
parannam yas tu varjayet
dine dine tu kricchrasya
phalam prapnoti manavah
samprapte-attained; karttike-Karttika; drishtva-seeing; parannam-sumtuous food; yah-who; tu-indeed; varjayet-avoids; dine-day; dine-after day; tu-indeed; kricchrasya-of severe austerities; phalam-the result; prapnoti-attains; manavah-a person.

"A person who avoids sumptuous food during the month of Karttika attains every day the benefit of having performed severe austerities."

Text 193

tatraiva shri-rukmangada-mohini-samvade
karttike varjayet tailam
karttike varjayen madhu
karttike varjayet kamsyam
karttike shukla-sandhitam
tatra-there; eva-indeed; shri-rukmangada-mohini-samvade-in a conversation of Shri Rukmangada and Shri Mohini; karttike-in Karttika; varjayet-should avoid; tailam-oil; karttike-in Karttika; varjayen-should avoid; madhu-wine; karttike'in Karttika; varjayet-should avoid; kamsyam-bell-metal; karttike-in Karttika; shukla-sandhitam-stale and sour.

Shri Rukmangada tells Shri Mohini:
"During Karttika one should avoid oil. During Karttika one should avoid wine. During Karttika one should avoid bell-metal. During Karttika one should avoid food that is not fresh.

Text 194

na matsyam bhakshayen mamsam
na kaurmam nanyad eva hi
candalah sa bhavet su-bhru
karttike mamsa-bhakshanat
na-not; matsyam-fish; bhakshayen-should eat; mamsam-meat; na-not; kaurmam-turtle; na-not; anyat-another; eva-indeed; hi-indeed; candalah-an outcaste; sa-he; bhavet-becomes; su-bhru-O girl with the beautiful eyebrows; karttike-in Karttika; mamsa-bhakshanat-by eating flesh.

"O girl with the beautiful eyebrows, one should not eat fish, turtle, or any other kind of flesh. By eating meat during the month of Karttika one becomes an outcaste.

Text 195

atha shri-radha-damodara-puja-vidhih
padme tatraiva
tatah priyatama vishno
radhika gopikasu ca
karttike pujaniya ca
shri-damodara-sannidhau
atha-now; shri-radha-damodara-puja-vidhih-the Way to Worship Shri Shri Radha'-Damodara; padme-in the Padma Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; tatah-from that; priyatama-most dear; vishnah-of Lord Vishnu; radhika-Radha; gopikasu-among the gopis; ca-and; karttike-in Karttika; pujaniya-to be worshiped; ca-and; shri-damodara-sannidhau-near Lord Damodara.

The Way to Worship Shri Shri Radha-Damodara
In the Padma Purana it is said:
"Because She is the gopi most dear to Lord Vishnu, Shri Radha' should be worshiped along with Lord Damodara during the month of Karttika.

Text 196

dvijam damodaram kritva
tat-patnim radhikam tatha
karttike pujaniyau tau
vaso-'lankara-bhojanaih
dvijam-a brahmana; damodaram-Lord Damodara; kritva-making; tat-patnim-His wife; radhikam-Radha; tatha-so; karttike-in Karttika; pujaniyau-to be worshiped; tau-Them both; vasah-with garments; alankara-ornaments; bhojanaihand food.

"Dressing Lord Damodara as a brahmana and Shri Radha' as His wife, one should worship them with nice garments, ornaments, and foods during the month of Karttika.

Text 197

radhika-pratimam viprah
pujayet karttike tu yah
tasya tushyati tat-prityai
shriman damodaro harih. iti.
radhika-of Shri Radha; pratimam-the Deity; viprah-a brahmana; pujayet-should worship; karttike-in Karttika; tu-indeed; yah-who; tasya-of him; tushyati-is pleased; tat-prityai-for His satisfaction; shriman-glorious; damodarah-Lord Damodara; harih.-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; iti-thus.

"O brahmanas, during the month of Karttika one should worship the Deity of Shri Radha. To please Shri Radha, Lord Damodara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will be pleased with that worshiper."

Text 198

damodarashtakam nama
stotram damodararcanam
nityam damodarakarshi
pathet satyavratoditam
damodarashtakam-Damodarashtaka; nama-named; stotram-prayer; damodararcanam-worship of Lord Damodara; nityam-always; damodarakarshi-attarctive to Lord Damodara; pathet-should recite; satyavrata-by King Satyavrata; uditam-spoken.

One should regularly recite the prayer called Damodarashtaka, which was spoken by Satyavrata, which attracts Lord Damodara, and which describes the worship of Lord Damodara.

Text 199

atha shri-damodarashtakam
namamishvaram sac-cid-ananda-rupam
lasat-kundalam gokule bhrajamanam
yashoda-bhiyolukhalad dhavamanam
paramrishtam atyantato drutya gopya
atha=now; shri-damodarashtakam-shri-damodarashtaka; namami-I offer my respectful obeisances; ishvaram-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sa-cid-ananda-rupam-whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss; lasat-kundalam-with glistening earrings; gokule-in Gokula; bhrajamanam-splendidly manifested; yashoda-by Yashoda; bhiya-with fear; ulukhalat-from the wooden mortar; dhavamanam-fleeing; para-greatly; amrishtam-caught; atyantatah-greatly; drutya-quickly; gopya-by the gopi.

Shri Damodarashtaka
"I offer my humble obeisances to the Supreme Controller, who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose earrings glisten, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who ran from the wooden mortar in fear of Mother Yashoda' but was ultimately caught, . . .
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

Offering my respectful obeisances to Shri Shri Radha'-Damodara, I will now comment on the Damodarashtaka. In the beginning of this prayer the author offers his respectful obeisances as with devotion he describes the great treasure that is the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which was manifested in Gokula, and which is glorious with the most excellent handsomeness, pastimes, virtues, and other qualities.
What is the Supreme Personality of Godhead like? He is "ishvara", which means "all-powerful", "the master of the universes", or "my master". His form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss. He is handsome and attractive.
The gopis describe His handsomeness in these words (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 10.29.40,:

trailokya-saubhagam idam ca nirikshya rupam
yad go-dvija-druma-mrigah pulakany abibhran

"O Krishna, even the cows, birds, trees, and deer become stunned in ecstasy when they gaze at Your form, the most handsome in all the three worlds."
Shrimad-Bhagavatam (3.2.12, again explains:

vismapanam svasya ca saubhagarddheh
param padam bhushana-bhushanangam

"The Lord appeared in this mortal world by His internal potency, yogamaya. He came in His eternal form, which is just suitable for His pastimes. These pastimes were wonderful for everyone, even for those proud of their own opulence, including the Lord Hismelf as the Lord of Vaikuntha. Thus His (Shri Krishna's, transcendental body is the ornament of all ornaments."�
Lord Krishna's alkl-attractuve form was splendidly manifest in Gokyla, where many cows, gopas, and gopis lived. Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.32.14, explains:

cakasa gopi-parishad-gato 'rcitas
trailokya-lakshmy-eka-padam vapur dadhat

"Worshiped by the gopis, Lord Krishna's transcendental form, the only home of all glory and handsomeness in the three worlds, was splendidly manifest."
The specifi pastime described in this verse of Damodarashtaka, where Lord Krishna broke the yogurt pot and fled in fear of Mother Yashoda, is described these words of Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.9.8-9):

ulukhalanghrer upari vyavasthitam
markaya kamam dadatam shici sthitam
haiyangavam caurya-vishankitekshanam
nirikshya pashcat sutam agama chanaih

"Krishna, at that time, was sitting on an upside-down wooden mortar for grinding spices and was distributing milk preparations, such as yogurt and butter, to the monkeys as he liked. Because of having stolen He was looking all around with great anxiety, suspecting that He might be chastised by His mother. Mother Yashoda, upon seeing HIm, very cautiously approached Him from behind.*

tam atta-yashtim prasamikshya sa-tvaras
tato 'varuhyapasara bhitavat
gopy anvadhavan na yam apa yoginam
kshamam praveshtum tapaseritam manah


"When Lord Krishna saw His mother, stick in hand, He very quickly got down from the top of the mortar and began to flee as if very much afraid. Although yogis try to capture Him as Paramatma' by meditation, desiring to enter into the effulgence of the Lord with great austerities and penances, they fail to reach Him. But Mother Yashoda, thinking that same Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, to be her son, began following Krishna to catch Him."*
Then Mother Yashoda' chased Lord Krishna and caught Him from behind. Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.9.10, explains:

avancamana janani brihac-calac-
chroni-bharakranta-gatih su-madhyama
javena visramsita-kesha-bandhana-
cyuta-prasunanugatih paramrishat

"While following Krishna, Mother Yashoda, her thin waist overburdened by her heavy breasts, naturally had to reduce her speed. Because of following Krishna very swiftly, her hair became loose, and the flowers in her hair were falling after her. Yet she did not fail to capture her son Krishna."*

Text 200

rudantam muhur netra-yugmam mrijantam
karambhoja-yugmena satanka-netram
muhuh shvasa-kampa-trirekhanka-kantha-
sthita-graiva-damodaram bhakti-baddham
rudantamcrying; muhuh-again and again; netra-yugmam-two eyes; mrijantam-rubbing; karambhoja-yugmena-with two lotus hands; sa-with; atanka-fear; netram-eyes; muhuh-again and again; shvasa-breathing; kampa-trembling; tri-three; rekha-lines; anka-marked; kantha-neck; sthita-situated; graiva-necklaces; damodaram-Lord Krishna; bhakti-with devotion; baddham-bound.

. . . who cried and rubbed His frightened eyes again and again with His two lotus hands, whose necklace on His three-lined neck trembled as He breathed again and again, whose waist was surrounded by a rope, and who was finally bound by love.
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

This pastime is described in the following words (Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.9.11):

kritagasam tam prarudantam akshini
kashantam anjan-mashini sva-panina
udvikshamanam bhaya-vihvalekshanam
haste grihitva bhishayanty avagurat

"When caught by Mother Yashoda, Krishna became more and more afraid and admitted to being an offender. As she looked upon Him, she saw that He was crying, His tears mixing with the black ointment around His eyes, and as He rubbed His eyes with His hands, He smeared the ointment all over His face. Mother Yashoda, catching her beautiful son by the hand, mildly began to chastise Him."*
Mother Yashoda' then bound Him with a rope. Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.9.14, explains:

gopikolulukhe damna
babandha prakritam yatha

"Mother Yashoda, considering Krishna her own ordinary child, bound Him to the wooden mortar with a rope."*
Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.9.18-21, continues:

sva-matuh svinna-gatriaya
visrasta-kabara-srajah
drishtva parishramam krishnah
kripayasit sva-bandhane

"Because of Mother Yashoda's hard labor, her whole body became covered with perspiration, and the flowers and com� were falling from her hair. When child Krishna saw His mother thus fatigued, He became merciful to her and agreed to be bound.*

evam sandarshita hy anga
harina bhritya-vashyata
sva-vashenapi krishnena
yasyedam seshvaram vashe

"O Maharaja Parikshit, this entire universe, with its great exalted demigods like Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, and Lord Indra, is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the Supreme Lord has one transcendental attribute: He comes under the control of His devotees. This was now exhibited by Krishna in this pastime.*

nemam virinco na bhavo
na shrir apy anga-samshraya
prasadam lebhire gopi
yat tat prapa vimuktidat

"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.*

nayam sukhapo bhagavan
dehinam gopika-sutah
jnaninam catma-bhutanam
yatha bhaktimatam iha

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, the son of Mother Yashoda, is accessible to devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not as easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realization by severe austerities and penances, or to those who consider the body the same as the self."*

Text 201

itidrik-sva-lilabhir ananda-kunde
sva-ghosham nimajjantam akhyapayantam
tadiyeshita-jneshu bhaktair jitatvam
punah prematas tam shatavritti vande
itidrik-like this; sva-own; lilabhih-with pastimes; ananda-of bliss; kunde-in a lake; sva-own; ghosham-cowherd village; nimajjantam-plunging; akhyapayantam-declaring; tadiya-own; ishita-supremacy; jneshu-among they who know; bhaktaih-by the devotees; jitatvam-the state of being defeated; punah-again and again; prematah-out of love; tam-to Him; shata-a hundred; avritti-repetitions; vande-I offer my respectful obeisances.

"A hundred times I bow down before Lord Krishna, who with pastimes like these plunges His own cowherd village of Vraja in pools of ecstasy, and who declares to they who know Him only as the supreme master and controller: I am conquered by My loving devotees.
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

That Lord Krishna is controlled by the love of His devotees is described in the following words of Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.11.7-8):

gopibhih stobhito 'nrityad
bhagavan balavat kvacit
udgayati kvacin mugdhas
tad-vasho daru-yantravat

"The gopis would say: 'If You dance, my dear Krishna, then I shall give You half a sweetmeat.' By saying these words or by clapping their hands, all the gopis encouraged Krishna in different ways. At such times, although He was the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead, he would smile and dance according to their desire, as if He were a wooden doll in their hands. Sometimes he would sing very loudly, at their bidding. In this way Krishna came completely under the control of the gopis.*

bibharti kvacid ajnaptah
pithakonmana-padukam
bahu-kshepam ca kurute
svanam ca pritim avahan

"Sometimes Mother Yashoda' and her gopi friends would tell Krishna, 'Bring this article' or 'Bring that article.' Sometimes they would order Him to bring a wooden plank, wooden shoes, or a wooden measuring pot, and Krishna, when thus ordered by the mothers, would try to bring them. Sometimes, however, as if unable to raise these things, He would touch them and stand there. Just to invite the pleasure of his relatives, He would strike His body with His arms to show that He had sufficient strength."*
Shrimad-Bhagavatam (10.11.9, again says:

darshayams tad-vidam loka
atmano bhritya-vashyatam

"To pure devotees throughout the world who could understand His activities, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, exhibited how much He can be subdued by His devotees, His servants."*

Text 202

varam deva moksham na mokshavadhim va
na canyam vrine 'ham vareshad apiha
idam te vapur natha gopala-balam
sada me manasy avirastam kim anyaih
varam-benediction; deva-O Lord; moksham-liberation; na-not; moksha-liberation; avadhim-highest limit; va-or; na-not; ca-and; anyam-another thing; vrine-choose; aham-I; vara-of benedictions; ishat-from the master; api-even; iha-here; idam-this; te-of You; vapuh-the form; natha-O master; gopala-balam-a cowherd boy; sada-always; me-of me; manasi-in the mind; avirastam-may be manifested; kim-what is the use?; anyaih-of other things.

"O Lord, I do not ask for liberation, something better than liberation, or any other thing. O Lord, all I ask from You, the master of all blessings, is that Your form as a cowherd boy always be manifest in my heart. What need have I for any other blessing?
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

The thing better that liberation here is residence in Vaikunthaloka. Better than impersonal liberation is residence in Vaikunthaloka, and better than residence in Vaikunthaloka is pure devotional service, which begins with hearing the glories of Lord Krishna. That pure devotional service is better than residence in Vaikunthaloka is described in the following words (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 3.15.49):
"O Lord, we pray that You let us be born in any hellish condition of life, just as long as our hearts and minds are always engaged in the service of Your lotus feet, our words are made beautiful by speaking of Your activities just as tulasi leaves are beautified when offered unto Your lotus feet, and as long as our ears are always filled with the chanting of Your transcendental qualities."*

Text 203

idam te mukhambhojam atyanta-nilair
vritam kuntalaih sngdha-raktaish ca gopya
muhush cumbitam bimba-raktadharam me
manasy avirastam alam laksha-labhaih
idam-this; te-of You; mukha-face; ambhojam-lotus; atyanta-nilaih-very dark; vritam-covered; kuntalaih-with hairs; snigdha-glistening; raktaih-red; ca-and; gopya-by the gopi; muhuh-again and again; cumbitam-kissed; bimba-bimba fruit; rakta-red; adharam-lips; me-of me; manasi-in the heart; avirastam-may be manifested; alam-what is the need; laksha-of a hundred thousand; labhaih-attainments.

"May Your lotus face, decorated with glistening locks of hair and with bimba-fruit lips again and again kissed by the gopi Yashoda, always be manifest in my heart. What need have I for a hundred thousand other blessings?
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

Lord Krishna's face is like a blossoming lotus flower. It is blissful and the sight of it removes all sufferings.

Text 204

namo deva damodarananta vishno
prasida prabho duhkha-jalabdhi-magnam
kripa-drishti-vrishtyati-dinam batanu-
grihanesha mam ajnam edhy akshi-drishyah
namah-obeisances; deva-O Lord; damodara-O Damodara; ananta-unlimited; vishnah-O Vishnu; prasida-please be merciful; prabhah-O master; duhkha-of torments; jalabdhi-in an ocean; magnam-drowning; kripa-of mercy; drishti-glance; vrishtya-with a shower; ati-very; dinam-poor; bata-indeed; anugrihana-please be kind; isha-O Lord; mam-to me; ajnam-foolish; edhi-please come; akshi-by the eyes; drishyah-visible.

"O unlimited, all-pervading Lord whose belly was bound by a rope, I bow down before You. O master, please be kind to me, who am now drowning in an ocean of sufferings. Please shower Your glance of mercy on me, who am very poor, wretched, and foolish. O master, please come before my eyes.
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

Here the author says that he is so distressed that he is on the verge of death. He is like a living corpse. He says: "Please be kind to me! Please rescue me! Please restore my life!"
Here the word "prabho" (O master, means "O master of great, inconceivable, limitless, wonderful potencies!" This shows that the Lord's potencies cannot be understood by the material senses. The word "isha" (O master, means "O supremely independent one!" This shows that the Lord can do as He likes, and therefore He can bestow His mercy even on a person who is not really worthy to receive it. The word "vishno" means "O all-pervading one!" or it also means "O Lord who stays in Vrindavana!"

Text 205

kuveratmajau baddha-murtyaiva yadvat
tvaya mocitau bhakti-bhajau kritau ca
tatha prema-bhaktim svakam me prayaccha
na mokshe graho me 'sti damodareha
kuveratmajau-the two sons of Kuvera; baddha-bound; murtya-by the form; eva-indeed; yadvat-as; tvaya-by You; mocitau-freed; bhakti-bhajau-devotees; kritau-made; ca-and; tatha-so; prema-bhaktim-love and devotion; svakam-own; me-to me; prayaccha-please give; na-not; mokshe-in liberation; grahah-acceptance; me-of me; asti-is; damodara-O Lord Damodara; iha-here.

"Even though You were tied up, You still freed Kuvera's two sons and made them devoted to You. Please give to me love and devotion as You gave it to them. O Lord Damodara, I will not accept impersonal liberation.
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

Here, rejecting impersonal liberation, the author prays for pure devotional service. Even though, as part of His beautiful pastimes, the Lord Himself was tied up by the gopi Yashoda, He was able to free the sons of Kuvera. Giving them the gift of pure devotional service, He said to them (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 10.10.42):
"O Nalakuvara and Manigriva, now you may both return home. Since you desire to be always absorbed in My devotional service, your desire to develop love and affection for Me will be fulfilled, and now you will never fall from that platform."*

Text 206

namas te 'stu dhamne sphurad-dipti-dhamne
tvadiyodarayatha vishvasya dhamne
namo radhikayai tvadiya-priyayai
namo 'nanta-lilaya devaya tubhyam
namah-obeisances; te-of You; astu-may be; dhamne-to the rope; sphurad-dipti-dhamne-splendid; tvadiya-to You; udaraya-abdomen; atha-then; vishvasya-of the universe; dhamne-the resting place; namah-obeisances; radhikayai-to Shri Radha; tvadiya-priyayai-dear to You; namah-obeisances; ananta-unlimited; lilaya-whose pastimes; devaya-to the Lord; tubhyam-to You.

"Obeisances to Your rope, the abode of great splendor! Obeisances to Your belly, the resting-place of the universe! Obeisances to Your beloved, Shri Radha! Obeisances to You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose pastimes have no end!"
Commentary by Shrila Sanatana Gosvami

Here the word "dhamne" means "the great rope that was tied around Your belly". What was that rope like? It is described here as "the abode of splendor". That means the rope was spiritual in nature.
Next the author says, "Obeisances to Your belly!" What is the Lord's belly like? It is the resting place of the universe, where the moving and unmoving beings live. This is so because from it sprouted the lotus flower that is the home of the fourteen worlds. By tying a rope around this belly, Mother Yashoda' showed that she had the entire universe under her control. Actually no one has the power to tie up the Lord in that way, but out of love for His mother, Lord Krishna allowed her to tie Him up.
Shri Radha' is the most important of all the gopis. She is most dear to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna's transcendental pastimes with Shri Radha' have no end. Therefore the Lord is described here as having pastimes that have no end.

Text 207

padme tatraiva
govardhana-girau ramye
radha-kundam priyam hareh
karttike bahulashtamyam
tatra snatva hareh priyah
naro bhakto bhaved vipras
tad dhi tasya pratoshanam
padme-in the Padma Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; govardhana-girau-on Govardhana Hill; ramye-beautiful; radha-kundam-Radha'-kunda; priyam-dear; hareh-to Lord Krishna; karttike-in Karttika; bahulashtamyam-on Bahulastami; tatra-there; snatva-bathing; hareh-to Lord Krishna; priyah-dear; narah-a person; bhaktah-devotee; bhavet-may be; viprah-O brahmanas; tat-that; hi-indeed; tasya-of Him; pratoshanam-pleasing.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"O brahmanas, a person who during the month of  Karttika, on the Bahulashtami, day bathes in Radha'-kunda, which is by beautiful Govardhana Hill and which is very dear to Lord Krishna, becomes a great devotee. He is very pleasing to Lord Krishna.

Text 208

yatha radha priya vishnos
tasyah kundam priyam tatha
sarva-gopishu saivaika
vishnor atyanta-vallabha
yatha-just as; radha-Shrimati Radharani; priya-very dear; vishnoh-to Lord Krishna; tasyah-Her; kundam-bathing place; priyam-very dear; tatha-so also; sarva-gopishu-among all the gopis; sa-She; eva-certainly; eka-alone; vishnoh-of Lord Krishna; atyanta-vallabha-most dear.

"Just as Radha' is dear to Lord Krishna, so Her bathing place, Radha'-kunda, is dear to Him. She alone is His most beloved of all the gopis."*

Text 209

kim ca tatraiva shri-radhikopakhyanante
vrindavanadhipatyam ca
dattam tasyah pratushyata
krishnenanyatra devi tu
radha vrindavane vane
kim- ca-furthermore; tatra-there; eva-indeed; shri-radhika-of Shri Radha; upakhyana-of the story; ante-at the end; vrindavana-of V.rndavana; adhipatyam-rule; ca-and; dattam-given; tasyah-of Her; pratushyata-is pleased; krishnena-by Lord Krishna; anyatra-in another place; devi-goddess; tu-indeed; radha-Radha; vrindavane-in Vrindavana; vane-forest.

In the Padma Purana, at the end of the story of Shri Radha, it is said:
"Pleased with Her, Lord Krishna made Radha' the queen of Vrindavana. In other places She is Goddess Lakshmi, but in Vrindavana forest She is Shri Radha.

Text 210

tat-kunde karttikashtamyam
snatva pujyo janardanah
subodhanyam yatha pritis
tatha pritis tato bhavet
tat-kunde-in her lake; karttikashtamyam-on the Janmashtami day of Ka'rttika; snatva-bathing; pujyah-worshiped; janardanah-Lord Krishna; subodhanyam-on Utthana ekadashi; yatha-as; pritih-p-leased; tatha-so; pritih-pleased; tatah-then; bhavet-may be.

"When, on Janmashtami or Utthana ekadashi, a person bathes in Radha'-kunda and then worships Lord Krishna, Lord Krishna becomes very pleased with him.

Text 211

atha krishna-trayodashi-krityam
padme ca tatraiva
karttike krishna-pakshe tu
trayodashyam nisha-mukhe
yama-dipam bahir dadyad
apamrityur vinashyati
atha-npw; krishna-trayodashi-krityam-duties of Krishna-trayodashi; padme-in the Padma Purana; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; karttike-in Karttika; krishna-pakshe-on the dark fortnight; tu-indeed; trayodashyam-on trayopdasi; nisha-mukhe-in the beginning of the night; yama-dipam-a lamp for Yamaraja; bahih-outside; dadyat-should place; apamrityuh-untimely death; vinashyati-is destroyed.

Duties of Krishna-trayodashi
In the Padma Purana it is said:
"When on the Krishna-trayodashi of the month of Karttika a person places a lamp for Yamaraja outside, then the danger of his untimely death is at once destroyed.

Text 212

atha tatra mantrah
mrityuna pasha-dandabhyam
kalah shyamalaya saha
trayodashyam dipa-danat
suryajah priyatam
atha-now; tatra-there; mantrah-mantra; mrityuna-by death; pasha-dandabhyam-with noose and rod; kalah-time; syamalayablack; saha-with; trayodashyam-on trayodasi; dipa-danat-by offering a lamp; suryajah-the son of the sun; priyatam-is pleased.

The Mantra For That
"With this offering of a lamp on the Krishna-trayodashi day, may Lord Yamaraja, who is the son of the sun-god, who is time personified, who is accompanied by Goddess Durga, and who carries with him a noose, a rod, and death itself, be pleased with me.

Text 213

atha krishna-caturdashi-krityam
tatraiva
caturdashyam dharma-raja-
puja karya prayatnatah
snanam avashyakam karyam
narair naraka-bhirubhih
atha-now; krishna-caturdashi-krityam-the Duties of Krishna-caturdashi; tatra-there; eva-indeed; caturdashyam-on caturdasi; dharma-raja-Yamaraja; puja-worship; karya-should be done; prayatnatah-carefully; snanam-bath; avashyakam-should be done; karyam-done; naraih-by people; naraka-bhirubhih-who fear hell.

The Duties of Krishna-caturdashi
They are described in the following words:
"They who fear going to hell must bathe and then carefully worship Yamaraja on the Krishna-caturdashi day.

Text 214

arunodayato 'nyatra
riktayam snati yo narah
tasyabdhika-bhavo dharmo
nashyaty eva na samshayah
arunodayatah-from sunrise; anyatra-in another place; riktayam-empty; snati-bathes; yah-who; narah-aperson; tasya-of him; abdhika-a year; bhavah-being; dharmah-religion; nashyati-perishes; eva-indeed; na-no; samshayah-doubt.

"A person who on the caturthi, navami and caturdashi waits until after sunrise to bathe loses a year of pious deeds.

Text 215

skande ca tatraiva
karttike krishna-pakshe tu
caturdashyam vidhudyate
avashyam eva kartavyam
snanam naraka-bhirubhih
skande-in the Skanda Purana; ca-and; tatra-there; eva-indeed; karttike-in Karttika; krishna-pakshe-on the dark fortnight; tu-indeed; caturdashyam-on caturdasi; vidhu-moon; udaye-in the rising; avashyam-inevitably; eva-indeed; kartavyam-should be done; snanam-bathing; naraka-bhirubhih-by they who fear hell.

In the Skanda Purana it is said:
"They who fear hell should bathe during the moonrise of the Krishna-caturdashi in the month of Karttika.

Text 216

kim ca padme tatraiva
tatash ca tarpanam karyam
dharmarajasya namabhih
jivat-pita tu kurvita
tarpanam yama-bhishmayoh
kim- ca-furthermore; padme-in the Padma Purana; tatra-there; eva-indeed; tatash-from that; ca-and; tarpanam-tarpana; karyam-should be done; dharmarajasya-to Yamaraja; namabhih-with names; jivat-pita-whose father is alive; tu-indeed; kurvita-should do; tarpanam-tarpana; yama-bhishmayoh-to Yama and Bhishma.

In the Padma Purana it is said:
"On the Krishna-caturdashi one should offer tarpana and chant the names of Yamaraja. If one's father is stil living, one should offer tarpana to Yamaraja and Bhishma.

Text 217

yajnopavitina karyam
pracinavitina tatha
devatvam ca pitritvam ca
yamasyasti dvi-rupata
yajnopavitina-with a sacred thread; karyam-should be done; pracina-avitina-with the sacred thread worn over the right shoulder; tatha-so; devatvam-the status of d demigod; ca-and; pitritvam-the status of a pita; ca-and; yamasya-Yamaraja; asti-is; dvi-rupata-two forms.

"Wearing the sacred thread over the right shoulder, one should offer tarpana to Yamaraja, who has two forms: one as a demigod and the other as a pita.

Text 218

naktam yama-caturdashyam
yah kuryac chiva-sannidhau
na tat kratu-shatenapi
prapyate punyam idrisham
naktam-night; yama-caturdashyam-of Yama-caturdashi; yah-who; kuryat-should do; shiva-Shiva; sannidhau-in the presence; na-indeed; tat-that; kratu-shatena-with a hundred yajnas; api-also; prapyate-is attainmed; punyam-piety; idrisham-like that.

"A person who spends the night of this Yama-caturdashi near the Deity of Lord Shiva attains great piety. Even with a hundred yajnas one cannot attain piety like it.

Text 219

kumari batukan pujya
tatha shaiva-tapo-dhanan
rajasuya-phalam tena
prapyate natra samshayah
kumari-a young girl; batukan-brahmana boys; pujya-worshiping; tatha'so; shaiva-tapo-dhanan-of austerities for Lord Shiva; rajasuya-phalam-the result of a rajasuya-yajna; tena-by that; prapyate-is attained; na-not; atra-here; samshayah-doubt.

"A young girl who at that time worships brahmana boys who perform austerities to please Lord Shiva attains the result of performing a rajasuya-yajna. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 220

karttike bhauma-varena
citra krishna caturdashi
tasyam bhutesham abhyarcya
gacche chiva-puram narah
karttike-during the month of Karttika; bhauma-varena-on Tuesday; citra-wonderful; krishna-Krishna; caturdashi-caturdasi;; tasyam-on that; bhutesham-Lord Shiva; abhyarcya-worshiping; gacchet-may go; shiva-puram-to the abode of Lord Suva; narah-a person.

"When it falls on a Tuesday the Krishna-ekadashi of the month of Karttika is especially wonderful. A person who worships Lord Shiva on that day goes to the abode of Lord Shiva.

Text 221

kim ca
amavasya-caturdashyoh
pradoshe dipa-danatah
yama-margandhakarebhyo
mucyate karttike narah
kim- ca-furthermore; amavasya-caturdashyoh-of amavasya and caturdasi; pradoshe-in the evening; dipa-danatah-by offering a lamp; yama-marga-on the path of Yamaraja; andhakarebhyah-from the blindness; mucyate-is liberated; karttike-in Karttika; narah-a person.

It is further said:
"A person who offers a lamp on the evening of the amavasya' and the caturdashi becomes free from the darkness of the path to Yamaraja."

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