Glories of Damodara Month
(Kartika-masa)
Kartika-masa, also known as Damodara-masa, in accordance
with Vaishnava calendars, is described in the scriptures as the best
among months.
tasmad vrata tra yam hy etan mama tiva priyankaram
magha kartikayos tad vat tat hai vaikadasi vratam
van aspatinam tulasi masanam kartikah priyah
ekadasi tithi nam ca ksetranam dvaraka mama
ete sam sevanam yastu karoti ca jitendriyah
same vallabhatam yati na tat ha yajanadi bhih
Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me, of all months,
Kartika is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dvaraka is
most dear, and of all days, Ekadasi is most dear.
(Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda 112.3)
The festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, lasts the entire
month of Damodara, (Kartika, usually during Oct-Nov), which
glorifies Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother
Yasoda. Observing vrata (austerities) in the month of Kartika is
glorified in the Puranas. It is also mentioned that one who offers
ghee lamps to Lord Damodara in this auspicious month and sings
the Damodara Ashtakam (8 verses glorifying the Lord) will get rid
of his past sins and develop bhakti (devotion) to Lord Damodara.
“As Satya-yuga is the best of yugas (ages), as the Vedas are the
best of scriptures, as Ganga is the best of rivers, so Kartika is
the best of months, the most dear to Lord Sri Krishna.”
"When one offers a ghee lamp during the month of Kartika, his
sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an
eyeblink."
“Please hear the glories of offering a ghee lamp during the
month of Kartika, an offering that is very pleasing to Lord
Kesava. 0 king of brahmanas, a person who offers a ghee lamp
in this way will not take birth again in this world.”
“Even if there are no mantras, no pious deeds, and no purity,
everything becomes perfect when a person offers a ghee lamp
during the month of Kartika.”
“To one who either at home, or in a temple offers Him a ghee
lamp during the month of Kartika, Lord Vasudeva gives a great
result.”
“A person who offers a ghee lamp to Lord Krishna during
Kartika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no
suffering.”
“By offering a ghee lamp during the month of Kartika one
burns away a collection of sins as big as Mount Meru or Mount
Mandara. Of this there is no doubt.”
“0 Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will
not be purified by offering a ghee lamp to Lord Kesava during
Kartika.”
(Source: Skanda Purana)
“One who offers a steady ghee lamp to Lord Hari during the
month of Kartika enjoys pastimes in Lord Hari’s splendid
spiritual world.”
(Source: Padma Purana)
Why to celebrate Damodar mass
Lord Krishna has many glorious names like Gopal, Madhava,
Mukunda, Hrishikesa, etc. The name, Damodara, means one who is
bound by the ropes of love, and happened when The Lord was tied
with a cord (daama) around His waist (udara), denoting a divine
pastime in which Krishna's mother Yasoda bound Krishna for being
mischievous.
Through his pure willingness to be finally bound by the pure
love of Yasoda, His divine mother, He becomes submissive to His
mother’s love although in truth, no rope has the power to bind the
Supreme Lord. It is this love that we hope to fill our hearts with, to
bind Lord Krishna to us, eternally. This is beautifully illustrated in
the Srimad Bhagavatam, which says, even though the Lord is greater
than us in every single way, He is controlled and bound by the love
of His pure devotee.
Lord Sri Krishna performed the Damodara Lila (pastime) to
lovingly entice devotees to understand how much greater the pure
love of a devotee is compared to the Almighty Lord of The
Universe, that it enabled Him to be bound. Just sharing and speaking
about this wonderful lila during the Damodara month pleases Lord
Krishna so much that one becomes dear to Him.
How To Offer Ghee Lamp?
• Only ghee must be used to burn the wick. Oil is discouraged.
• A simple bhajan can be sung during the puja. Best if the whole family is involved during the puja.
• While ringing the bell in your left hand show the ghee lamp in 4 times at lotus feet , 2 time on navel, 3 time on face and 7 circles clockwise around the picture of Lord Damodara. Then three times around the pictures of Pancha-tattva and Srila Prabhupada. After this, place the ghee lamp aside and let it burn till the end. Everyone in the home should take turns to offer the ghee lamp in similar manner.
• Singing of Damodara Astakam is very auspicious.or at least the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
• Reading of Damodara’s pastimes is very auspicious either before or after the puja
• Distribution of prasadam greatly encouraged
• Do not recycle the clay lamps, use fresh lamp and wick daily.
• Do follow brahmacharya.
• Do donations and dana to Vaishnavas.
Chant.....
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA
KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA
RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
....and be happy.
Your's Servent,
Yuvraj Zala
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