SRI DAMODARASTAKAM

[Paramananda das]

SRI DAMODARASTAKAM
Tika by Sri Sanatana Gosvamipada
Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's sannyasa guru, Srila Bhaki-prajnana Kesava Maharaja said, "Due to the eternal nature of Sri Sri Damodarastaka, it is necessary to study it every day during the month of Karttika (or Damodara)." The following passages describing this bhajan are taken from Sri Sanatana Gosvamipada's commentary on the DAMODARASTAKAM:

Kartik Vrata: What day was Damodara bound by Yasoda's rope? It was the day of Govardhana Puja (Krsna sukla pratipat, the first day after Divalli, which falls on Amavasya) when Krsna was four years old in Gokula lila. Later on when Krsna was seven years old, He lifted Govardhana Hill on this same day (Kartika month Krsna sukla pratipat). Hari Bhakti Vilas says its a rule that one must daily worship Radha Damodara with ghee lamp and chant the Damodarastakam. HBV 16.95-96- "One who worships a deity of Radha Damodara for purpose of Radhika's happiness, then Damodara Hari becomes very satisfied. One worships Damodara by daily chanting Damodarastakam attracts the Supreme Lord Damodara Himself."

Introduction: The Prayer--- The stotra named Sri Damodarastaka is found in the Padma P., spoken by Satyavrata Muni during conversation with Saunaka and Narada. Sanatana Gosvami, "This prayer is nitya-siddha, eternally perfect. It manifested through Satyavrata Muni and is capable of attracting Damodara Krsna."

Verse 1: Mula sloka, opening prayer defines the spiritual position of God-His transcendental form, sweet beauty and sweeter still pastime of breaking Mother Yasoda's butter pot.

Words:
Namam== I bow down with love and devotion before commencing description of the Supreme Lord's excellences (visesa) or attributes of tattva visesa, lila visesa, guna and rupa visesa. When starting any function it is customary to offer respects to the Isvara. This word serves as the Mangalacaran.

Isvara== an individual attributes or characteristics. This indicates tattva visesa, an excellence of the truth of the Supreme Lord. Obeisances are offered to the Supreme Controller in order to get the power to offer this prayer and prove that only the Supreme Lord is worthy of such glorification.

Sac-cid anandam rupam==defines the Supreme Lord as one with a transcendental form of eternity, knowledge, and bliss (rupa visesa) or a description of the excellence of His beauty.

Lasanti Kundalam== Swinging earrings running in fear of Yasoda. Earrings have a position above all other ornaments because always kissing Damodara's cheeks. Lasanti=glistening because reflect the splendorous effulgence of Krsna's bodily complexion. Therefore, Krsna's body is the ornament of all ornaments. See Subala 3.2.12 vismapanam

Gokule Bhrajamanam== Parivara visesa, excellence of His family, the Vrajavasis. Gokula, which is filled with gopas, gopis, cows, calves, Yamuna and Govardhana Hill, is a befitting place wherein Krsna can manifest His topmost pastimes.

Yasoda Bhiya== Lila visesa, excellence of Krsna's pastimes. Krsna displays great fear of Mother Yasoda punishment for breaking her yogurt pots and stealing the fresh butter.

Ulukhalat== Krsna stood on a large wooden grinding mortar to steal butter hanging from the rafters.

Dhavaman==Krsna jumps down and runs away.

Details see SB 10.9.8-9

Paramrstam== saundarya visesa, excellence of Yasoda's beauty.=caught by the back

Atyantato Drutya==Mother Yasoda running swiftly behind Krsna. Her beautiful hips, full breasts, flowers falling from loosened hair, perspiring.

Anvancamana

Gopya== Mother Yasoda.

Verse 2: Description of details of Damodara lila. The Supreme Lord, crying in fear, can only be bound Mother Yasoda's love. Shows lila visesa.

Rudantam==Crying. Upon seeing the whipping stick of Mother Yasoda, Krsna becomes terrified and starts crying.

Netra Yugmam Mrjantam== rubbing two lotus eyes again and again

Karambhoja Yugmena==with His lotus hands fearful Krsna rubs His eyes to make the tears fall out.

Satanka Netram==fearful eyes glancing here & there

Muhuh Svasa==crying again and again

Kampa== trembling

Tri-rekhanka Kanta== three lines on His conchshell neck

Sthita Graivam== pearl necklace situated there

Bhakti Baddham==Bound by love. Bhakta vatsalya, Krsna's quality of coming under control of His devotees. God can only be bound by a devotee's love and nothing else.

Krsna was bound by the pure parental love of Yasoda. Damodara willingly accepted the binding, although no rope has the power to bind the Supreme Absolute Truth. The Srimad Bhagavatam 10.9.18-21 sva matuh gives proof that Krsna is controlled by His devotees. Krsna performs this Damodara lila and all His other pastimes because of His devotees's love.

Verse 3: This sloka glorifies Vraja madhurya maya bhakti over aisvarya jnana bhakti. It describes Krsna's

Guna Visesa, the excellence of His qualities.

Itidrk==Srimad Bhagavatam 10.11.7-8 Damodara lila shows how Krsna under control of His devotees.

Sva Lilabhir==His own transcendental sportive pastimes like this

Ananda Kunda==pool of ecstasy, full of deep mellows and rich rasas.

Sva Ghosam==His own family in Gokula; ghosh also means loudly proclaims His glories and the sweet glories of His eternal Vraja bhaktas by this lila

Nimajjantam==immersed personally in pools of bliss

Akhyapayantam==let everyone see and understand My position by seeing this lila of Me coming under the control of My pure madhurya bhaktas.

Tadiyesita Jnesu==tadiya (opulence, majesty) Isa= the master, controller. Aisvarya jnana bhaktas who are the Vaikuntha vasis. Those attached to knowledge of the Lord's majestic opulences (aisvarya).

Bhaktair Jitatvam==Krsna only conquered by love and devotion of His devotees.

Line three means: "I willfully submit to the control of My bhaktas, but I never submit Myself to those fond of jnana.

Punah== repeatedly

Prematah== with an excellence of love and devotion

Tam==unto that Isvara, Lord Sri Krsna.

Satavrtti==100 times

Line four means: "I offer my obeisances hundreds and hundreds of times to the process of pure devotion, Vraja bhakti. This type of divine love puts the Supreme Lord Krsna under the control of His devotees.

Verse 4: Verse 4 & 5 mention Satyavrata Muni's cherished desire-to see the transcendental form of Gopal manifested within his heart. He wants no other boon than this. The muni is thinking, "Oh! If Your divine form of a bala gopal would be manifested in my heart, then I would feel very very pleased; nothing short of this will satisfy me." Verse four shows that the longing for inner darsan of Krsna is the best of all goals.

Varam== boon

Deva== effulgent Supreme Lord

Moksam== Brahman liberation

Na== not want, reject

Moksavadhim== highest type of liberation to Vaikuntha planets

Na Canyam anya== reject all other things, not want anything else.

Vrne== pray

This verse rejects three Boons: 1-moksa=Brahman liberation 2-moksavadhim=Vaik. Liberation which is the zenith of all liberations 3-na canyam= boons achieved by following nava vidha bhakti

Idam== this

Vapur== vani/vapuh divine form and words; instructions.

Natha==Lord. The are four famous Nathas that if one sees all then gets liberation. Badri in north, Jagan in east, Dvaraka in west, Ranga in south and Gopal Nathji in center. But if see only one Natha, Sri Nathji or Gopal Nathji get full benefit of seeing other 4.

Gopal Balam== young cowherd boy

Sada==always sac-cid-ananda

Me==mine

Manasy==mind, heart

Avirastam==ever manifested (avirbhava)

Kim Anyaih==What good are they? What is the use of any other thing such as moksa or the boons gained by performed devotional service?

Summary: This attitude, as stated by Sat. Muni above, comes from one absorbed in thinking of Krsna's name, form, qualities and pastimes. If one attains Krsna, then everything else in automatically and perfectly attained. If Krsna is not attained, then all other boons are useless

Verse 5: This verse, describing the beauty of Krsna's face, is a prayer to see the sweet lotus face of Krsna.

Idam==this

Mukhambhojam==lotus face. Krsna's face resembles a fully blossomed lotus flower.

Avyakta==un manifested , dark

Nilair==blue

Vrtam==surrounded; lotus face surrounded by bumblebee like curly locks of hair

Kuntalaih==curly dark blue hair

Snigdha==soft, glossy

Raktais==red tint

Gopya==a gopi, = that face kissed by either Radhika or Yasoda

Muhuh==again and again

Cumbitam==kissed

Bimba==like a bimba fruit

Raktadharam==lips cherry red

Manasy==mind

Avirastam==avirbhava, manifested. May this lotus face that is kissed by that fortunate gopi, Srimati Radhika, be manifested within my mind.

Alam==useless

Laksa==millions

Labhaih==greed; attainment of other boons and benedictions

Summary## IN deep meditation on the Damodara lila, one will see the divine lotus face of Krsna as described in this verse five.

Verse 6: Is a prayer for saksat darsan; the boon of seeing Krsna face to face

Namo==obeisances

Deva==divine, beautiful Supreme Lord

Damodara==bound by the affection of Yasoda. Indicates his param bhakti vatsalya visesa. Therefore, there is nothing He cannot do

Ananta==Full of inconceivable sakti and unlimited mercy

Visno==all-pervading Supreme Lord Visnu is living everywhere

Prasida==show mercy, be pleased with one

Prabho==master, controller, astonishing power to reveal Yourself to me

Dukha==suffering, natural miseries

Jala==network

Abdhi==ocean

Magnam==immersed

Krpa==mercy

Drsti==glance

Vrsti==rain

Ati Dinam==very fallen

Batanu==please

Grhana==uplift, accept

Esa==independent Lord, controller

Mam==me

Ajnam==ignorance

Aksi Drsyah==give Your darsana, become visible to me

Summary Verse Six: Explains how to see Krsna?

1. Must fix Krsna in the mind and by pure bhakti will see Him

2. Attain pure bhakti by chanting Nama Sankirtan with love and devotion and sorrowful prayers. (verse six full of Krsna's names-Deva, Prabho, Damodara, Visnu, Ananta)

3. There are no fixed rules governing the appearance of the Lord. It is His free will only.

What happens if one gets the direct darsana of Supreme Lord Krsna?

In Hari-bhakti Sudhodaya says Prahlada M. Saw the Lord by the sea one day. Narada, Dhruva, Kardama Muni and Bilvamangala all received direct darsana, saksat darsana, of the Lord.

BRHAD BHAGAVATAMRTA chap. 3 179-182: "1. Seeing Lord Krsna in person direc tly with the eyes is the final reward for practicing nava vidha bhakti. One will experience profound bliss that surpasses all other forms of darsana such as seeing the Lord in meditation. 2. The ignorance and Maya covering the soul is destroyed. 3. Bhava increases 4. Devotee becomes overwhelmed with bliss and exhibits different sattvika bhavas, such as shivering, crying, hair standing erect. Prema vikaras, ecstatic symptoms.

Verse 7: Describes Prema visesa, the excellence of Krsna prema. It is a prayer to attain prema bhakti, which is the only means for attaining darsana of Lord Krsna as described in verse 6. Verse 7 also rejects moksa, liberation.

Kuveratmaja==sons of Kubera, Nalakuvara, Manigriva

Baddha==bound with ropes

Murtyaiva==Sri Vigraha, divine form

Yat vat== curse birth as trees

Tvaya==you

Mocitau==liberated

Bhakti bhajau==performance of devotional service. Never give up practice of bhakti

Krtau==gave, made them, Krsna awarded them prema bhakti

Tatha==then

Prema bhaktim==pure devotion

Svakam==Your own, shelter Your lotus feet

Prayaccha==give intense, profuse

Graho==enthusiasm, have no eagerness for any other type of liberation

Sti==this

Damodara==Lord Damodara who is bhakta vatsala

Iha==this or here in Vrndavana, please bestow prema bhakti.

Verse 8: This verse summarized things the prayer stands for

Damne==rope

Sphurad==splendrous

Dipti dhamne==effulgent abode

Tvadiya-udaraya==unto your belly

Visvasya==universe

Radhikayai priyayai==dearest beloved Radha

Dhamne==shelter

Nanta lila==unlimited sportive pastimes

Devaya==transcendental

Tubhyam==you

Summary: The rope around Krsna's belly represents the Brahman effulgence surrounding the spiritual world. His belly supports all the universe in creation. One lotus flower growing from His navel or belly sustains the 14 worlds (planetary systems). Krsna showed His universal form to Mother Yasoda. By binding this waist Mother Yasoda has single-handedly bound the whole universe and brought the entire creation under her control by the strength of Her vatsalya prema. For anyone else it would be totally impossible to bind the all pervading unlimitedly potent Supreme Lord; but He willingly accepts Mother Yasoda's binding as an attribute of His bhakta vatsalya visesa, excellence of His being controlled by the love of His devotees.

Radhika is also engaged in Krsna's aradhana or worship only for His pleasure. Eternally Radhika is Krsna's dearmost beloved nitya priya or Priyayai.

Namo Nanta Lilaya==Satyavrata Muni is herein glorifying the topmost unlimited pastimes of Krsna such as rasa lila which Krsna performed with His beloved Priyaji, Sri Radhika. Such confidential pastimes are hinted at and offered respects to with the word (Namo). Namo nanta lilaya refers to ananta lila, Ananta Bhagavan Sri Krsna who continually enjoys limitless pastimes. Satyavrata Muni is offering obeisances to Radha-Krsna unlimited pastimes of rasa lila.

Word LILA== root L i means lingita or embrace. La means to accept. Therefore, word lila means those playful pastimes wherein Krsna accepts the embraces of the gopis. Thus Satyavrata Muni is ending his prayer on a sweet note (madhurena samapayet, a sanskrit rule of drama meaning that everything should end on a sweet note) by offering respectful obeisances unto the topmost transcendental pastime of Krsna's rasa lila and other such confidential pastimes in Vraja Dhama.

[Paramananda das]

this is from http://www.salagram.net/parishad76-k.htm

[Paramananda das]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvjwCN8_IL0

[Paramananda das]

Kartika mahatmya from 16th chapter Hari Bhakti Vilasa


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Text 1
atha kärttika-kåtyaà
dämodaraà prapadye 'haà
çré-rädhä-ramaëaà prabhum
prabhäväd yasya tat-preñöhaù
kärttikaù sevito bhavet

atha-now; kärttika-kåtyam-the duties of Kärttika; dämodaram-to Lord Kåñëa; prapadye-surrender; aham-I; çré-rädhä-of Çré Rädhä; ramaëam-the lover; prabhum-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prabhavät-by the power; yasya-of whom; tat-preñöhaù-dear to Him; kärttikaù-Kärttika; sevitaù-served; bhavet-is.

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

Text 2

bhäti kärttika-kåtyädi
skända-pädmädiñu sphuöam
tathäpy ekatra saìgåhya
särato 'tra vilikhyate

bhäti-manifested; kärttika-kåtyädi-the duties of Kärttika; skända-pädmädiñu-in the Skanda, Padma, and other Puräëas; sphuöam'clearly; tathäpi-still; ekatra-in one place; saìgåhya-collecting; särataù-the essence; atra-here; vilikhyate-is written.

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

Text 3

kärttike 'smin viçeñeëa
nityaà kurvéta vaiñëavaù
dämodarärcanaà prätaù-
snäna-däna-vratädikam
kärttike-in Kärttika; asmin-in this; viçeñeëa-specifically; nityam-always; kurvéta-should do; vaiñëavaù-a devotee of Lord Viñëu; dämodara-of Lord Dämodara; arcanam-the worship; prätaù-in the morning; snäna-bathing; däna-gifts; vrata-vows; ädikam-beginning with.

Especially in the month of Kärttika a Vaiñëava should regularly bathe in the morning, worship Lord Dämodara, give charity, follow vows, and perform other spiritual activities.

Text 4

tathä dina-viçeñe yad
bhagavat-püjanädikam
kuryäd vidhi-viçeñeëa
lekhyam agre vivicya tat
tathä-so; dina-viçeñe-on a specifé day; yat-what; bhagavat-püjanädikam-beginning with worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kuryät-should do; vidhi-viçeñeëa-with specifé rules; lekhyam-will be written; agre-in the beginning; vivicya-considering; tat-thus.

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

Text 5

atha kärttika-vrata-nityatä
skände brahma-närada-samväde
duñpräpyam- präpya mänuñyaà
kärttikoktaà caren na hi
dharmaà dharma-bhåtaà çreñöha
sa mätå-pitå-ghätakaù
atha-now; kärttika-vrata-nityatä-one should always follow the vow of worshiping the Lord in the month of Kärttika; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; brahma-närada-samväde-in a conversation of Brahma' and Närada; duñpräpyam-difficult to attain; präpya-attaining; mänuñyam-human birth; kärttika-of the month of Kärttika; uktam-said; caren-follows; na-not; hi-indeed; dharmam-religion; dharma-bhåtäm-of the followers of religion; çreñöha-the best; sa-he; mätr„-pitr„-ghätakaù-the killer of his father and mother.

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

Text 6

avratena kñiped yas tu
mäsaà dämodara-priyam
tiryag-yoëim aväpnoti
sarva-dharma-bahis-kåtaù
avratena-without following the vow; kñipet-spends; yaù-who; tu-indeed; mäsam-the month; dämodara-to Lord Dämodara; priyam-dear; tiryag-yoëim-birth as an animal; aväpnoti-attains; sarva-dharma-bahis-kåtaù-outside all religious principles.

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

Text 7

sa brahma-hä sa go-ghnaç ca
svarëa-steyé sadänåti
na karoti muni-çreñöha
yo naraù kärttike vratam
sa-he; brahma-hä-murderer of a brähmaëa; sa-he; go-ghnaù-killer of a cow; ca-and; svarëa-steyé-thief of gold; sadä-always; anåti-lying; na-not; karoti-does; muni-çreñöha-O best of sages; yaù-who; naraù-person; kärttike-in Kärttika; vratam-vow.

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

Text 8

vidhavä vä viçeñena
vrataà yadi na kärttike
karoti muni-çärdüla
narakaà yäti sa dhruvam
vidhavä-a widow; vä-or; viçeñena-specifically; vratam-vow; yadi'if; na-not; kärttike-in Kärttika; karoti-does; muni-çärdüla-O tiger of sages; narakam-to hell; yäti-goes; sa-she; dhruvam-indeed.

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

Text 9

vrataà tu kärttike mäse
yadä na kurute gåhé
iñöäpürtaà våthä tasya
yävad ähüta-näraké
vratam-vow; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäse-month; yadä-when; na-not; kurute-does; gåhé-a householder; iñöäpürtam-pious deeds; våthä-useless; tasya-of him; yävat-as; ähüta-screaming; näraké-a person in hell.

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

Text 10

sampräpte kärttike mäse
dvijo vrata-paräì-mukhaù
bhavanti vimukhäù sarve
tasya deväù sa-vävaräù
sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika; mäse-month; dvijaù-a brähmaëa; vrata-parän-mukhaù-averse to the vow; bhavanti-become; vimukhäù-averse; sarve-all; tasya-of him; deväù-the demigods; sa-väsaväù-with Indra's followers.

"if a brähmaëa spurns the Kärttika vow, then Indra and all the demigods spurn him.

Text 11

iñövä ca bahubhir yajïaiù
kåtvä çräddha-satäni ca
svargaà näpnoti viprendra
akåtvä kärttike vratam
iñövä-worshiping; ca-and; bahubhiù-with many; yajïaiù-yajnas; kåtvä-doing; çräddha-satäni-a hundred sraddhas; ca-and; svargam-Svarga; na-not; äpnoti-attains; viprendra-O king of the brähmaëas; akåtvä-not doing; kärttike-in Kärttika; vratam-the vow.

"O king of brähmaëas, a person who performs a hundred çräddhas and a host of yajïas, but does not follow the Kärttika vow, cannot enter Svargaloka.

Text 12

yatiç ca vidhavä caiva
viçeñenä vanäçrämé
kärttikaà narakaà yänti
akåtvä vaiñëavaà vratam
yatiù-sannyasi; ca-and; vidhavä-widow; ca-and; eva-indeed; viçeñenä-specifically; vanäçrämé-vanaprastha; kärttikam-Kärttika; narakam-to hell; yänti-go; akåtvä-not doing; vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; vratam-the vow.

"Especially a sannyäsé, vänaprastha, or widow who do not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow go to hell.

Text 13

vedair adhétaiù kià tasya
puräëa-paöhanaiç ca kim
kåtaà yadi na viprendra
kärttike vaiñëavaà vratam
vedaiù-Vedas; adhétaiù-studied; kim-what is the use?; tasya-of him; puräëa-paöhanaiù-studying the Puräëas; ca-and; kim-what?; kåtam-done; yadi-of; na-not; viprendra-O king of the brähmaëas; kärttike-Kärttika; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow.

"O king of brähmaëas, what good will study of the Vedas and Puräëas do for a person who does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow?

Text 14

janma-prabhåti yat puëyaà
vidhivat samupärjitam
bhasmé-bhavati tat sarvaà
akåtvä kärttika-vratam
janma-prabhåti-beginning with birth; yat-what; puëyam-piety; vidhivat'properly; samupärjitam-earned; bhasmé-ashes; bhavati-becomes; tat-that; sarvam-all; akåtvä-not doing; kärttika-vratam-the Kärttika vow.

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

Text 15

yad dattaà ca paraà japtaà
kåtaà ca su-mahat-tapaù
sarvaà viphalatäm eti
akåtvä kärttike vratam
yat-what; dattam-given; ca-and; param-more; japtam-chanted; kåtam-doen; ca-and; su-mahat-tapaù-great austerities; sarvam-all; viphalatäm-uselessness; eti-attain; akåtvä-not performing; kärttike'in Kärttika; vratam-the vow.

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

sapta-janmärjitaà puëyaà
våthä bhavati närada
akåtvä kärttike mäsi
vaiñëavaà vratam uttamam
sapta-janmärjitam-earned in seven births; puëyam-piety; våthä-useless; bhavati-is; närada-O Narada; akåtvä-not doing; kärttike mäsi-in Kärttika month; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow; uttamam-transcendental.

"O Näarada, if one does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow, seven births of his pious deeds become useless.

Text 17

päpa-bhütaç ca te jïeyä
loke martyä mahä-mune
vaiñëaväkhyaà vrataà yais tu
na kåtaà kärttike çubham
päpa-bhütaù-sinners; ca-and; te-they; jïeyä-known; loke-in the world; martyä-people; mahä-mune-O great sage; vaiñëaväkhyam- vratam-the Vaiñëava vow; yaiù-by whom; tu-indeed; na-not; kåtam-done; kärttike-in Kärttika; çubham-auspicious.

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

Text 18

kià ca
akåtvä niyamaà viñëoù
kärttikaà yaù kñipen naraù
janmärjitasya puëyasya
phalaà näpnoti närada
kim- ca-furthermore; akåtvä-not doing; niyamam-vow; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; kärttikam-Kärttika; yaù-one who; kñipen-spends; naraù-a person; janmärjitasya-earned in an entire lifetime; puëyasya-of piety; phalam-the result; na-not; äpnoti-obtains; närada-O Narada.

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

Text 19

kià ca
niyamena vinä caiva
yo nayet kärttikaà mune
cäturmäsyaà tathä caiva
brahma-hä sa kulädhamaù
kim- ca-furthermore; niyamena-vow; vinä-without; ca-and; eva-indeed; yaù-who; nayet-leads; kärttikam-Kärttika; mune-O sage; cäturmäsyam-Caturmasya; tathä-so; ca-and; eva-indeed; brahma-hä-a ârähmaëa-killer; sa-he; kulädhamaù-the lowest of his family.

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

Texts 20-22

kià ca
piëòä-dänaà pitåëäà ca
pitå-pakñe na vai kåtam
vrataà na kärttike mäsi
çrävaëyäm åñi-tarpaëam
caitre nändolito viñëur
mägha-snänaà na saj-jale
na kåtämardaké puñye
çrävaëe rauhiëäñöamé
saìgame na kåtä yena
dvädaçé çravaëänvitä
kutra yäsyanti te müòhä
nähaà vedmi kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; piëòä-dänam-offering pinda; pitåëäm-to the pitas; ca-and; pitr„-pakñe-on pitr-paksa; na-not; vai-indeed; kåtam-done; vratam-vow; na-not; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; çrävaëyäm-in the month of Sravana; åñi-tarpaëam-offering tarpaëa to the sages; caitre-in the month of Sravana; na-not; ändolitaù-moved on a swing; viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; magha-in the month of Magha; snänam-bath; na-not; saê-jale-in clear water; na-not; kåta-done; ämardaké-the ämardaké vow; puñye-in Puñya; çravaëe-in Çravaëa; rauhiëäñöamé-Rauhiëäñöamé; saìgame-in the meeting; na-not; kåtä-done; yena-by which; dvädaçé-dvädaçé; çravaëänvitä-with sravana; kutra-where?; yäsyanti-will go; te-they; müòhä-foolish; na-not; aham-I; vedmi-know; kali-priya-O Närada.

What is the fate of the fools who do not offer piëòa' to the ancestors on pitr„-pakña, who do not observe the vow of Kärttika, who do not offer tarpaëa to the sages in the month of Çrävaëa (July-August), who do not observe Lord Viñëu's swing-festival in the month of Caitra (March-April), who do not bathe in clear water in the month of Mägha (January-February), who do not follow the ämardaké vow during the time of the star Puñya, and who do not observe the Rohiëäñöämé day when in the month of Çrävaëa the star çravaëa is present on the dvädaçé day? O Närada, I do not know.

Text 23

pädme ca çré-närada-çaunakädi-muni-gaëa-samväde
mänuñaù karma-bhümau yaù
kärttikaà nayate mudhä
cintämaëià kare präpya
kñipyate kardamämbuni
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-and; çré-närada-çaunakädi-muni-gaëa-samväde-in a conversation of Çré Narada anmd the sages headed by Çré Saunaka; mänuñaù-a human being; karma-of karma; bhümau-in the world; yaù-who; kärttikam-Kärttika; nayate-passes; mudhä-uselessly; cintämaëim-a ciontamani jewel; kare-in the hand; präpya-attaining; kñipyate-throws; kardamämbuni-in muddy water.

In the Padma Puräëa, in a conversation of Çré Närada and the sages headed by Çré Çaunaka it is said:
"A human being in this world of karma who does not follow the vow of Kärttika takes the cintämaëi jewel placed in his hand and throws it into muddy water.

Text 24

niyamena vinä vipräù
kärttikam- yaù kñipen naraù
kåñëaù parän-mukhas tasya
yasmäd ürjo 'sya vallabhaù
niyamena-vow; vinä-without; vipräù-O brähmaëas; kärttikam-Kärttika; yaù-who; kñipen-spends; naraù-a person; kåñëaù-Lord Kåñëa; parän-mukhaù-averse; tasya-of him; yasmät-because; ürjaù-Kärttika; asya-to Him; vallabhaù-dear.

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

Text 25

atha tatra viçeñena snäna-dänädi-tat-karma-nityatä
skände tatraiva
yair na dattaà hutaà japtaà
na snänaà na harer vratam
na kåtaà kärttike putra
dvijäs te vai narädhamäù
atha-now; tatra-there; viçeñena-specifically; snäna-bathing; däna-giving charity; ädi-beginning with; tat-karma-those activities; nityatä-should be done regularly; skände-in thekanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yaiù-by whom; na-not; dattam-given; hutam-yajna; japtam-chanted japa; na-not; snänam-bathed; na-not; hareù-of Lord Kåñëa; vratam-the vow; na-not; kåtam-done; kärttike-in Kärttika; putra-O son; dvijäù-brähmaëas; te-they; vai-indeed; narädhamäù-the lowest of men.

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

Text 26

kià ca
yair na dattaà hutaà japtaà
kärttike na vrataà kåtam
tenätmä härito nünaà
na präptaà prärthitaà phalam
kim- ca-furthermore; yaiù-by whom; na-not; dattam-given charity; hutam-offered yajnas; japtam-chanted japa; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; vratam-vow; kåtam-done; tena-by that; ätmä-slef; häritaù-robbed; nünam-indeed; na-not; präptam-attained; prärthitam-requested; phalam-result.

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

Text 27

kià ca
sampräpte kärttike mäsi
ye ratä na janärdane
teñäà sauri-pure väsaù
pitåbhiù saha närada
kim- ca-furthermore; sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika; mäsi-month; ye-who; ratä-engaged; na-not; janärdane-in Lord Kåñëa; teñäm-of them; sauri-pure-in the city of Yamaräja; väsaù-residence; pitåbhiù-ancestors; saha-with; närada-O Narada.

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

Text 28

kià ca
kärttike närcito yais tu
bhakti-bhävena keçavaù
narakaà te gamiñyanti
yamadütais tu yantritäù
kim- ca-furthermore; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; ärcitaù-worshiped; yaiù-by whom; tu-indeed; bhakti-bhävena-with love and devotion; keçavaù-Lord Kåñëa; narakam-to hell; te-they; gamiñyanti-will go; yamadütaiù-by the Yamadütas; tu-indeed; yantritäù-chained.

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

Text 29

janma-koöi-sahasrais tu
mänuñyaà präpya durlabham
kärttike närcito viñëur
häritaà tena janma vai
janma-koöi-sahasraiù-by thousands and millions of births; tu-indeed; mänuñyam-human; präpya-attaining; durlabham-rare; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; arcitaù-worshiped; viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; häritam-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 Viñëu in the month of Kärttika.

Text 30

viñëoù püjä kathä viñëor
vaiñëavänäà ca darçanam
na bhavet kärttike yasya
hanti puëyaà daçäbdikam
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; püjä-worship; kathä-topics; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; vaiñëavänäm-of the Vaiñëavas; ca-qand; darçanam-sight; na-not; bhavet-is; kärttike-in Kärttika; yasya-of whom; hanti-kills; puëyam-piety; daça-ten; abdikam-years.

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

Text 31

atha kärttika-mähätmyaà
kärttikasya tu mähätmyaà
präk sämänyena likhyate
tato viçeñatas tatra
karma-deçädi-bhedataù
atha-now; kärttika-mähätmyam-the glories of Kärttika; kärttikasya-of Kärttika; tu-indeed; mähätmyam-the glory; präk-first; sämänyena-in a general way; likhyate-is written; tataù-then; viçeñataù-specifically; tatra-there; karma-deçädi-bhedataù-differences beginning with work and place.

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

Text 32

atha sämänya-kärttika-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
kärttikasya tu mäsasya
koöy-aàçenäpi närhati
sarva-tértheñu yat snänaà
sarva-däneñu yat phalam
atha-now; sämänya-in a general way; kärttika-of Kärttika; mähätmyam-the glory; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttikasya-of Kärttika; tu-indeed; mäsasya-glory; koöy-aàçena-with a ten-millionth part; api-even; na-not; arhati-is worthy; sarva-in all; tértheñu-holy places; yat-what; snänam-bathing; sarva-däneñu-in all charities; yat-what; phalam-result.

A General Description of Kärttika's Glories
In the Skanda Puräëa 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 Kärttika.

Texts 33 and 34

ekataù sarva-térthäni
sarve yajïäù sa-dakñiëäù
ekataù puñkare väsaù
kurukñetre himäcale
meru-tulya-suvarëäni
sarva-dänäni caikataù
ekataù kärttiko vatsa
sarvadä keçava-priyaù
ekataù-as one; sarva-térthäni-all holy places; sarve-all; yajïäù-yajnas; sa-dakñiëäù-with daksina; ekataù-as one; puñkare-in Puñkara; väsaù-residence; kurukñetre-in Kurukñetra; himäcale-in the Himalayas; meru-tulya-suvarëäni-gold equal to Mount Meru; sarva-dänäni-all charity; ca-ad; ekataù-as one; ekataù-as one; kärttikaù-Kärttika; vatsa-child; sarvadä-in all ways; keçava-to Lord Kåñëa; priyaù-dear.

"All holy places, yajïas, dakñiëäs, residence in Puñkara, Kurukñetra, and the Himalayas, and all giving in charity a pile of gold like Mount Meru, reside in Kärttika, Lord Kåñëa's favorite month.

Text 35

yat kiïcit kriyate puëyaà
viñëum uddiçya kärttike
tad akñayaà bhavet sarvaà
satyoktaà tava närada
yat-waht; kiïcit-something; kriyate-is done; puëyam-piety; viñëum-to Lord Viñëu; uddiçya-in relation to; kärttike-in Kärttika; tat-that; akñayam-eternal; bhavet-is; sarvam-all; satya-truth; uktam-said; tava-of you; närada-O Narada.

"The service one does to Lord Viñëu in the month of Kåñëa is all eternal. O Närada, I tell you the truth.

Text 36

kärttikaà khalu vai mäsaà
sarva-mäseñu cottamam
puëyänäà paramaà puëyaà
pävanänäà ca pävanam
kärttikam-Kärttika; khalu-indeed; vai-indeed; mäsam- -month; sarva-mäseñu-in all months; ca-and; uttamam-the best; puëyänäm-of pious deeds; paramam-the best; puëyam-pious deed; pävanänäm-of purifiers; ca-and; pävanam-the purifier.

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

Text 37

kià ca
yathä nadénäà viprendra
çailänäà caiva närada
udadhénäà ca viprarñe
kñayo naivopapadyate

kim- ca-furthermore; yathä-as; nadénäm-of rivers; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; çailänäm-of mountains; ca-and; eva-indeed; närada-O Narada; udadhénäm-of oceans; ca-and; viprarñe-O sage of brähmaëas; kñayaù-destruction; na-not; eva-indeed; upapadyate-is.

It is further said:
"O Närada, O king of brähmaëas, O great sage, rivers, mountains, and oceans will all be destroyed, but the month of Kärttika will never be destroyed