kartik - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-28T17:51:03Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/kartikA Prayer at the End of Kartik by Giriraj Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/a-prayer-at-the-end-of-kartik-by-giriraj-swami2023-11-27T05:30:00.000Z2023-11-27T05:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2512875495,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2512875495,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2512875495?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">During Kartik, in addition to reciting the Damodarastaka, I read about the damodara-lila in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapters 9 and 10, including Nalakuvara and Manigriva’s beautiful submission to Lord Krishna, which I pray will be my own:</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>vani gunanukathane sravanau kathayam</strong><br /> <strong> hastau ca karmasu manas tava padayor nah</strong><br /> <strong> smrtyam siras tava nivasa-jagat-praname</strong><br /> <strong> drstih satam darsane ’stu bhavat-tanunam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Henceforward, may all our words describe Your pastimes, may our ears engage in aural reception of Your glories, may our hands, legs, and other senses engage in actions pleasing to You, and may our minds always think of Your lotus feet. May our heads offer our obeisances to everything within this world, because all things are also Your different forms, and may our eyes see the forms of Vaisnavas, who are nondifferent from You.” (10.10.38)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=15133">http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=15133</a></p></div>Kartik and Sarat-purnima: Special Mercy and the Dance of Divine Lovehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/kartik-and-sarat-purnima-special-mercy-and-the-dance-of-divine-lo2023-10-28T09:30:00.000Z2023-10-28T09:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8097694852,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8097694852?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Giriraj Swami</strong><br /> <br /> We welcome you to this most auspicious place, the temple of Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath, on the most auspicious occasion of the beginning of Kartik, in the most auspicious association of Lord Krishna’s devotees. Kartik is also known as the month of Damodara (dama means “ropes,” and udara means “abdomen”), or Krishna who allowed Himself to be bound about the waist by the ropes of His devotee’s love.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srila Rupa Gosvami compiled the law book of Krishna consciousness, the science of devotion, as the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, translated by Srila Prabhupada in a summary study as The Nectar of Devotion. There the observance of Kartik is mentioned as one of the sixty-four items of devotional service. Rupa Gosvami quotes from the Padma Purana that just as Lord Damodara is favorably inclined toward His devotees, so the month of Kartik, which is also dear to Him, bestows great favor upon His devotees, even for a little service or a little practice. It is even said that the benefit gained for service performed in the last five days of Kartik is equal to that gained from service performed for the entire month. In other words, for a very small performance of devotional service in the month of Damodara, one gets a very big result—especially in Vrindavan. Also, Srila Prabhupada has explained that wherever the Deities of Radha and Krishna are installed, that is also Vrindavan. So even here our devotional service will be magnified “one thousand times.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srila Prabhupada gave the example of a store that has a sale. Often when a new store opens they will have a sale, and a customer can get a valuable item by paying a small amount. So, the month of Kartik is like a sale, a transcendental sale. By a little investment in terms of spiritual practice and service, you can get a great benefit. Of course, the management of the store hopes that you will come to appreciate its goods and patronize the store even after the sale is over. And we too hope that you will continue with your spiritual practices, or increased practices, even after the month of Kartik.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">There is a special potency to the month itself. Just as certain times of the day, such as the brahma-muhurta, which begins one hour and thirty-two minutes before sunrise and continues until the sun rises, are more auspicious for spiritual progress and enhance the value of one’s practices, so too, within the year, the month of Kartik is most auspicious. Devotees try to take advantage of the facility offered by Kartik by on the one side increasing their spiritual practices and doing extra service—they chant more rounds, read more scripture, recite more prayers, distribute more books, and make special offerings—and on the other side decreasing their material involvement, their sense gratification. As it is, we are in the four-month period of Chaturmasya, so every month we forgo a certain type of food, but in Kartik devotees may do extra austerities. They may eat only once a day, or give up sweet or fried foods, or rise earlier than usual, or whatever—work on some area of their spiritual life that they want to improve—and they get special mercy in the month of Kartik to fulfill their vows and improve their spiritual practices.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Today also is sarat-purnima, the full-moon night of the sarat season, the night on which Krishna played upon His transcendental flute at Vamsivata by the Yamuna River in Vrindavan and called the gopis to dance with Him. Now, we may take it that He played on His flute and in a figurative way called the gopis to dance with Him, but actually Krishna’s flute is one of His messengers, and so the gopis not only heard the beautiful, melodious sound of the flute, but they actually received the message that Krishna wanted to meet them. And because their only desire was to please Krishna, to fulfill His desires and make Him happy, they all went to Him—not with the aim of fulfilling any selfish desire of their own, but with the sole aim of fulfilling Krishna’s transcendental desire to dance with them.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Because the rasa dance superficially resembles the dancing of men and women in the material world, it can easily be misunderstood, and there are critics of Lord Krishna and Srimad-Bhagavatam and Krishna consciousness itself that find fault with the rasa-lila. I know religious groups outside of the Vedic tradition that criticize and challenge: “Oh, Krishna is a womanizer. How can you worship a god that enjoys with women?” They do not understand the pure love exchanged by Krishna and the gopis. In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami explains the difference between love, or prema, and lust, or kama. In lust, the person wants to gratify his or her own senses, whereas in pure love, the devotee wishes to satisfy Krishna’s transcendental senses. The two may resemble each other, but actually they are completely different.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">kama, prema,—donhakara vibhinna laksana<br /> lauha ara hema yaiche svarupe vilaksana</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">atmendriya-priti-vancha—tare bali ‘kama’<br /> krsnendriya-priti-iccha dhare ‘prema’ nama</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Lust and love have different characteristics, just as iron and gold have different natures. The desire to gratify one’s own senses is kama, but the desire to please the senses of Lord Krsna is prema.” (Cc Adi 4. 164–165) Iron and gold are both metals, but there is a great difference between them, between their values. The pure love of the devotees for Krishna is like gold, and the lust of people in the material world who want to gratify their senses is like iron.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Another point of contention related to the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam is that the name of Radha is not mentioned. Some people challenge, “You are worshipping Radha and Krishna, Radha-Radhanath, but on what authority? We don’t find the name of Radha in the Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam.” But in the five chapters that describe the rasa-lila, we find that after Krishna called the gopis and began to reciprocate with them, He disappeared. The gopis then plunged into separation from Krishna, and they began to search all over the Vrindavan forest for Him. In time they found two pairs of footprints: Krishna’s and a gopi’s. Then the other gopis, in their separation, exclaimed:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">anayaradhito nunam<br /> bhagavan harir isvarah<br /> yan no vihaya govindah<br /> prito yam anayad rahah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Certainly this particular gopi has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead. Therefore Govinda was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place.” (SB 10.30.28) “Because She worshiped Lord Hari better than all of us, She has gotten to be with Krishna now.” The word aradhito, which means “worshipped” or “perfectly worshipped,” refers to Radha, as confirmed by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and other acharyas. They explain that Her name does appear in the Vedas, Upanishads, and other Puranas, and that in this verse, although Her name is not mentioned explicitly, the superexcellent glories of Sri Radha are nonetheless proclaimed.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Ultimately Krishna also left Srimati Radharani, and when the other gopis came upon Her, they found Her in such a state of intense lamentation in separation that they felt, “Actually, She loves Krishna more.” There is a technical discussion of what actually took place in the rasa-lila, why Krishna left with Radharani and why eventually He left Her too. But His ultimate purpose was to reunite all the gopis, and when the other gopis saw Srimati Radharani in such a state of ecstasy in separation, they felt sympathetic toward Her. They did not feel any envy at all.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Thereafter they all searched for Krishna together. But they could not find Him anywhere. Finally they decided, “We cannot find Krishna unless He wishes to be found. We cannot force Him to come before us.” So they considered, “How can we attract Krishna’s attention? How can we move Krishna to come back to us?” And they concluded that the best method was sankirtana, chanting the glories of Krishna together, along with crying.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So they returned to the banks of the Yamuna where they had originally met Krishna, and they began to sing His glories—very beautiful songs in separation, known as the Gopi-gita. And when Krishna heard the loving prayers of the gopis, sankirtana, His heart was moved and He could no longer stay away from them. He came to them, reappeared before them in His most attractive feature:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">tasam avirabhuc chaurih<br /> smayamana-mukhambujah<br /> pitambara-dharah sragvi<br /> saksan manmatha-manmathah</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Then Lord Krsna, a smile on His lotus face, appeared before the gopis. Wearing a garland and a yellow garment, He directly appeared as one who can bewilder the mind of Cupid, who himself bewilders the minds of ordinary people.” (SB 10.32.2)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Then followed an interesting dialogue between Krishna and the gopis. The gopis felt some transcendental anger because Krishna had abandoned them. After all, He had called them to Him, they had risked everything to go to Him in the dead of night, and then He had left them. So they wanted Krishna to explain why.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In a most tactful and intelligent way, they began, “There are three kinds of lovers.” They presented three categories of lovers, three different ways that lovers deal with others, and asked Krishna to explain them. Indirectly, they were asking Krishna, “In which category do you fit?”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In one category are people who reciprocate exactly with the other party. In other words, “If you are kind to me, I will be kind to you; if you ignore me, I will ignore you.” Krishna said, “They are like merchants. They give only with the expectation of return, and they give only as much as they expect in return. Actually, they are selfish.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the next category are those who love the other even though the other does not love them. For example, at least in principle, parents love their children no matter what the children do. The children may not even appreciate the parents’ service, but the parents go on loving and serving them. And even better than parents are devotees, because although parents serve their own children, devotees love and serve everyone. Whether others appreciate them or not, they try to help everyone. Krishna said, “Those who love others even if others don’t love them in return are following the true path of dharma and are the true friends of humanity.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the third category are those who don’t reciprocate even when others love them. The first category is “I reciprocate only if you love me.” The second category is “Even if you don’t love me, I love you.” And the third category is “Even if you love me, I don’t reciprocate.” So, the gopis wanted Krishna to admit that He was in the third category. They did not want to say it themselves, but they wanted to hear it from Krishna’s own mouth. They wanted to trap Him with their subtle network of wise and clever words.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Now, within the third category there are four divisions. There is the atmarama: he is completely self-satisfied. Even if you love him, he won’t reciprocate, because he is self-satisfied; he is situated in transcendental bliss. Then there is the apta-kama: he has desires, but they are already satisfied, so he doesn’t need you. Even if you love him, he won’t reciprocate. Then there is the third division, akrta-jna: he is ungrateful. And then there is the last division, guru-druhah. In the first three, “You love me, but I don’t reciprocate; I remain indifferent,” but in this last category, guru-druhah, “You love me, and I am not just indifferent to you; I am inimical.” Actually, the gopis wanted Krishna to admit that He had been ungrateful.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Ultimately Krishna had to respond to the gopis’ question, and His answer was, “I did not neglect you, nor was I indifferent to you. I was always thinking of you. But in order to increase your love for Me, I hid Myself from you.” Krishna gave the example of a poor man who gains wealth and then loses it. He will be so anxious that he can think of nothing except his lost treasure: “What happened to my money? How can I get it back?” Krishna said, “So I was reciprocating with you, because your desire was to increase your love for Me, and by hiding Myself from you I created a situation by which your attachment for Me would increase. So I was reciprocating with you.” Although Krishna’s argument sounded good, it did, however, contain one defect: the gopis’ love was already unlimited, and even so, by its very nature it was always increasing. So that could not have been the real reason.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Again, there is an intricate and elaborate discussion by the acharyas about the dialogue between Krishna and the gopis, but at the very end Krishna admits defeat. He says,</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">na paraye ’ham niravadya-samyujam<br /> sva-sadhu-krtyam vibudhayusapi vah<br /> ya mabhajan durjara-geha-srnkhalah<br /> samvrscya tad vah pratiyatu sadhuna</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Actually, I am unable to repay My debt for your service to Me even with the prolonged life of Brahma, because you have given up everything for Me. You have given up family ties, which are so difficult to break. You have given up the dictates of the world, of the Vedas, and of your relatives. You have forsaken everything for My sake—which I could not do for you. You have given up all other relationships for Me, but I could not do that for you. I still have My father and mother and friends. You came running out of your houses in the middle of the night, but I sneak out and return in the morning so that no one catches Me. But you, with complete abandon, have come to meet Me without any consideration of the consequences. And I have so many devotees with whom I reciprocate: devotees in madhurya-rasa, in vatsalya-rasa, in sakhya-rasa, in dasya-rasa, and in santa-rasa. I also reciprocate with the sadhakas in the material world who are struggling and trying to become devotees. I reciprocate with everyone who approaches Me. But you love only Me. So I cannot equal your love. I admit it: I can never repay My debt to you.” He concluded, “I am defeated by your love.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The gopis were so touched by Krishna’s words that they thought, “Now He has defeated us! We could not admit to Him that He defeated us, but He has admitted to us that we defeated Him. So He has defeated us.” Of course, this is all on the platform of transcendental love. And it is said that later, when Krishna left Vrindavan to go to Mathura and Dvaraka and the gopis were left in separation from Him, they would think of His words to them—na paraye ’ham—and that would give them solace to bear the separation. Here we come to another subtle and intricate discussion, because even in separation from Krishna they experienced His presence.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">After hearing Krishna’s reply, the gopis were appeased, and so He began the pastime of the rasa dance. All of the gopis were dancing in a circle, and Krishna expanded Himself to be next to each one. Each gopi felt, “Krishna is with me alone,” and each was completely satisfied by Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">One of our devotees has envisioned the image of the rasa dance as a symbol for interfaith harmony. It is a symbol that is most appropriate, especially for a diverse country such as South Africa.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The idea is that there were so many gopis, and each was individual, but that Krishna was by the side of each one, reciprocating with each perfectly. He accepted all of them, and all of them accepted each other, and there was complete harmony—not only between Krishna and the gopis, but also among the gopis themselves—in this dance of divine love. So, different worshippers serve God in different ways. They have different practices and rituals, and different scriptures and languages. But God reciprocates with all of them. And if they can come into harmony, not only with God but also with each other, in the dance of divine love, there can be complete harmony in the world.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So, today is a most sacred occasion: the beginning of kartik-vrata, and sarat-purnima, the night Krishna enjoyed His rasa-lila with the gopis—after removing Himself from their presence in order to demonstrate to the world, in their separation from Him, their supreme love.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Thank you very much.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hare Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">[A talk by Giriraj Swami, October 17, 2005, Sri Sri Radha-Radhanath Temple, Durban, South Africa]</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://girirajswami.com/blog/?p=16482">https://girirajswami.com/blog/?p=16482</a></p></div>Benefits of offering a lamp during Kartik by Vasanta Dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/benefits-of-offering-a-lamp-during-kartik-by-vasanta-das2022-10-13T11:30:00.000Z2022-10-13T11:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9721794874,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9721794874?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" /></p>
<p>The Pastimes of Lord Damodara.<br /> Just as there is no yuga equal to Satya-yuga, no scripture equal to the Vedas, and no place of pilgrimage equal to the Ganges, so there is no month equal to Kartika. Even unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Karttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathura (or Vrindavana) in India, are very easily awarded the Lord’s personal service”. During the Kartika month millions of devotees worship Damodara Krishna with ghee lamps and devotional bhajans, glorifying His playful childhood pastime of stealing yogurt.</p>
<p>GLORIES OF KARTHIKA MONTH FROM DIFFERENT TEXTS (DAMODHARA MONTH):</p>
<p>“When one offers a lamp during the month of Karttika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.”</p>
<p>“Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during pleasing to Lord Kesava. O King of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.”</p>
<p>“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 Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada during a lunar eclipse.”</p>
<p>“O Tiger among sages! For a person who thus offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil, what is the use of performing an asvasmedha-yajna? ”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“A person who during the month of Karttika offers a lamp to Lord Kesava has already performed all yajnas and bathing in all holy rivers.”</p>
<p>“The ancestors say: When someone in our family pleases Lord Kesava by offering to Him a lamp during the month of Karttika, then, by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarsana-cakra in His Hand, we will all attain liberation.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“Even a person addicted to all sins and averse to all pious deeds who somehow offer a lamp during Karttika becomes purified. Of this there is no doubt.”</p>
<p>“O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Kesava during Karttika.”</p>
<p>“A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during Karttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>“One who offers a steady lamp to Lord Hari during the month of Karttika enjoys pastimes in Lord Hari’s splendid spiritual world.”</p>
<p>“Even one who never performs religious rituals or even the worst sinner will surely be purified by this offering. O Narada, in the three worlds there is no sin that can stand before this Kartika dipa. In fact, by presenting this dipa before Lord Vasudeva, the eternal abode can be reached without obstruction.”</p>
<p>“All the results acquired by donating grains during pitri-paksha or by distributing water in the hot months of Jyeshtha or Ashadha are easily gained in the course of Kartika merely by reviving (relighting) a dipa offered by someone else.”</p>
<p>SRILA BHAKTIVINODE THAKURA States:</p>
<p>“In Kartik month, after bathing in the morning, one should worship Lord Damodara. At night, one should light brilliant lamps filled with either ghee or sesame-seed oil, and place them in these places – in the Lord’s temple, around the base of tulasi plants, and in the sky. During the month of Kartika, one should eat only vegetarian foodstuffs and Bhagavan’s prasad remnants. There should be incessant harinama-kirtana and smarana. The sole activity to be done during the observance of Damodara-vrata is the worship of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara.”<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32586">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32586</a></p></div>Damodara-lila: Works and Grace by Giriraj Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/damodara-lila-works-and-grace2022-10-13T05:30:00.000Z2022-10-13T05:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:450px;width:600px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m9zTxVBGwuU/W-O1FGGButI/AAAAAAAAnmA/sV77G7AIuREYWyx3I_4weW_SZoVnu3xXgCHMYCw/s0/2018-11-08_05-00-08.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, quoting from the Vaisnava-tosani of Srila Sanatana Gosvami, says that the incident of Krsna’s breaking the pot of yogurt and being bound by mother Yasoda took place on the Dipavali Day, or Dipa-malika. Even today in India, this festival is generally celebrated very gorgeously in the month of Kartika.” (SB 10.9.1–2 purport)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">We are now in the month of Damodara. It began on the full-moon night and will continue until the next full moon. Damodara is a name for Krishna. Dama means “rope,” and udara means “belly.” So Damodara means, “one who is bound around the belly with ropes.” And you can see in the picture of Lord Damodara with Mother Yasoda that she was binding His belly with ropes. The history behind the incident is that Mother Yasoda was feeding baby Krishna with her breast milk when suddenly some milk on the fire began to boil over. So, she set aside Krishna to attend to the milk on the fire. But baby Krishna had not yet been satisfied with His mother’s milk, and when she left Him He felt frustrated and angry. So, to vent His anger and to satisfy His desire, He broke a pot of butter that was hanging from a rafter on the ceiling. When Mother Yasoda returned from attending to the milk on the fire, she saw that the butter pot had been broken and she saw little footprints smeared with butter on the floor. And she understood that the mischief was the work of her son, Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">According to Vedic literatures, Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so how is it that we are speaking of Him as if He were a baby who got frustrated and angry and made mischief? The answer is that every living entity has eternal love for Krishna within the heart, and that this love can be manifest in one of a number of relationships. The relationships we have in the material world are actually reflections of the relationships that devotees have with Krishna in the spiritual world. In the material world we have the relationship of servant and master; the relationship of friends, who are equals; the relationship of parents and children; and the relationship of husband and wife, or boyfriend and girlfriend. The relationships we have in the material world exist because they exist originally with Krishna in the spiritual world. Mother Yasoda has maternal love for Krishna, and her desire to serve Krishna as His mother is so pure and so strong that Krishna, to reciprocate with her, plays the role of her son and thus allows her to serve Him as His mother. And when Krishna plays the role of Mother Yasoda’s son, He identifies with the role so much that He actually feels as if she is His mother and He is her son.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">After Krishna did His mischief, He knew that when His mother found out He would be in trouble, so He was anxiously looking here and there. And Mother Yasoda, after she put down the milk that had been boiling over on the stove, found Krishna sitting on a wooden grinding mortar. When He saw her with a stick in her hand, He began to run away from her in fear. She didn’t really intend to strike Him, but she felt that she needed to show the stick to enforce some discipline, because, like every mother, she wanted her son to be good and well-behaved and disciplined, according to her conception. So, baby Krishna began to flee in fear. He was small and agile, and she had a large body, so He could escape her. She pursued Him and became tired, but she was so determined and sincere in her desire to catch and train baby Krishna that eventually He felt compassion for her and allowed her to catch Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">After catching Krishna, Mother Yasoda thought that she should tie Him up, not as a punishment, but to keep Him from getting into more trouble. So, she took a length of rope and attempted to bind Him around the waist. But the rope was too short by the width of two fingers. She got some more rope and added it to the first length of rope and still the rope was too short by two fingers. And she got some more rope and added it, but still the rope was too short. Mother Yasoda became perplexed: every morning she would dress baby Krsna and tie His ornamental belt around His waist, and she knew how big His waist was and how long the belt had to be, and the length of the ropes now was much longer, but still the ropes couldn’t reach around Krishna’s waist. Mother Yasoda was the wife of the king of the cowherd community, and she had lots of ropes for various purposes. Yet even after putting together all the rope she could gather, still she couldn’t get it to fasten around baby Krishna’s belly. Then Krishna, in appreciation of her ardent desire and endeavor to serve Him, took compassion on Mother Yasoda and allowed her to bind Him. But actually, He was bound not by her ropes, but by her love.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srimad-Bhagavatam, describing the story of Mother Yasoda and Lord Damodara, explains that Krishna cannot be caught by the greatest yogis, but still He allowed Himself to be caught by Mother Yasoda. Krishna cannot be bound by any means, but still He allowed Himself to be bound by the ropes—by her love.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Many learned scholars have commented on this particular pastime of Krishna, and Jiva Gosvami has explained on the basis of this pastime how the Lord can be bound. Of course, Lord Krishna Himself declares that He can be conquered only by the pure love of His devotees, and the pastime here demonstrates that He was indeed bound by such love. But what exactly is the process of binding Krishna and developing pure love?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srila Jiva Gosvami explains that there are two factors, signified by the two fingers by which the rope was too short. He states that one finger represents the endeavor of the devotee. For example, in Krishna consciousness we have certain basic practices, the most essential of which is chanting the holy names of Krishna, while following certain basic principles of purity. As one is able, one should rise early in the morning and have a program similar to the program that devotees have in the temple. But the essential process really is chanting and hearing about Krishna and endeavoring to serve Krishna according to one’s capacity and taste. So, part of the two fingers’ gap can be closed by the devotee’s hard labor (parisrama), and Mother Yasoda showed that effort. She really tried her best to bind Krishna to the extent that she may have put together miles and miles of rope, but still her effort alone was not enough. So, the other factor that allows the devotee to bind Krishna is Krishna’s mercy (krsna-krpa). When Krishna was pleased with Mother Yasoda’s endeavors, He mercifully allowed Himself to be bound. Thus the other half of the gap, the second finger, was closed.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Recently a devotee told me that her brother, who is a Christian missionary, had challenged her, “How will you go to the kingdom of God?” She replied, “I will go the kingdom of God by chanting the holy names of God.” Then the brother said, “Oh! You think you can go to the kingdom of God by your own endeavor, by works. No. One cannot go by works; one can go only by grace.” And what her brother said is true. One cannot go by works alone. “Works” in this context means spiritual practices or following the injunctions of the scriptures, the law. But it is very unusual for a person to reach the kingdom of God without making any effort, just thinking, “I’ll wait for the grace of God.” So, the conclusion we reach from the story of Lord Damodara, from the instructions of the acharyas and the instructions of Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad-gita, is that we work to the best of our ability but at the same time depend on the mercy of the Lord for our success.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The acharyas have given two examples. One is the example of the mother monkey and the baby monkey. The baby monkey holds on to the mother and puts his little arms around her and holds on. And as the mother monkey is swinging and flying from tree to tree, the baby monkey is in a very precarious position because the baby just has his little arms and he has to hold on to his mother for dear life as she swings from tree to tree. At any moment he could lose his grip and fall down.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The other example is the mother cat and the kitten. The mother cat picks up the kitten in her mouth and carries the kitten. And the kitten really doesn’t have to do anything. The kitten just allows the mother to carry him or her to wherever the mother wants. In a broader context, the karmis, jnanis, and yogis are like little monkeys that are trying to hold on with their own strength, and therefore they are always in anxiety. They are in anxiety because they do not know if their strength will be sufficient to bring them to their destination. The devotees, however, are like the kitten that doesn’t really have to worry. The kitten just surrenders to the mother, and the mother picks up the kitten and takes the kitten to the destination.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Now, if we look closely at the life of the devotee, yes, ultimately the devotee is picked up by the grace of the Lord, but still the devotee makes efforts to serve the Lord, and then the Lord’s mercy allows the devotee to bind the Lord, or to bring the Lord under the control of the devotee’s love. So, if someone thinks he or she can, as they say, storm the gates of heaven, or reach God by one’s own endeavor, that is not correct. But then again if someone says, “Well, I am just going to sit and pray to God to deliver me, and I am not going to make any effort,” that also is not complete. So, we do both.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The kingdom of God actually has different divisions, or sections, and the highest is Vrindavan, Goloka Vrindavan, and the special feature of Goloka Vrindavan is that there the love of the devotees is completely spontaneous. The devotees there do not think, “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore I must serve Him”; they are spontaneously attracted to Krishna according to their particular mood of service. For example, the cowherd boys are attracted to Krishna as their friend. They are not thinking that He is God; they just love Him as their best friend. Similarly, Mother Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja are not thinking that they have to serve Krishna because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rather, they are thinking, “Oh, Krishna is our son. We have to nourish Him and protect Him and educate Him.” Similarly, other elders in Vrindavan have a mood of parental affection. And the young ladies of Vraja are spontaneously attracted to Krishna because they think He is a handsome young man and they want to make friends with Him. So, in the Damodarastaka, with reference to the pastime of Mother Yasoda binding Krishna, the author says that by being bound by Mother Yasoda’s ropes, by her love, Krishna shows that He is conquered only by pure love. Here “pure love” means not just without any material motivation, but without any conception at all that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and without any attraction for the opulence of the other sections of the kingdom of God called Vaikuntha, where the Lord’s opulence is prominent. Only in Goloka Vrindavan do the devotees have such pure love that they forget that Krishna is God. And thus, they are not bound by any restrictions or barriers, thinking, “Oh, Krishna is God. He is great, and I am small.” They treat Him as an equal, as a friend, or even as a dependent, as a son or pupil.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the other section of the kingdom of God, Vaikuntha, the devotees are aware of Krishna’s opulence—His majesty, His greatness. Therefore, they serve Him in a mood of awe and reverence. At most, there may be a sense of friendship, but even the friendship is mixed with a sense of awe and reverence, and although the love is pure in that it is without any material desire, it is not pure, natural, spontaneous attraction but is mixed with the knowledge of Krishna’s supreme opulences. That love is not sufficient to bind Krishna, to bring Krishna under the control of the devotee. Not that Krishna actually ever comes under the control of the devotee, but He comes under the control of the devotee’s love. So, the Damodara pastime also proclaims to the world that Krishna can be conquered only by pure love, which is not mixed with the conception of Krishna’s supreme opulence and Godhood.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">There is a class of transcendentalists called impersonalists who desire to merge and become one with God. Srila Prabhupada, our spiritual preceptor, says that the impersonalists want to merge and become one with God but that the devotees can become greater than God. They can bring God under their control by their pure love. So, the achievement of the impersonalists cannot even be compared to the achievement of the devotees. The devotees relish ecstatic love for God, and the happiness that they experience in their loving relationships with God is millions and trillions of times greater than the happiness the impersonalists relish if they merge and become one with the effulgence of God. And the mystery or the charm is that one can develop one’s pure love, which is already there within one’s heart, just by chanting the holy names, like we did tonight—so beautiful, so pleasant, so congenial—just chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and as Prabhupada said, “You chant, and when you feel tired you take a little prasada.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hare Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Are there any questions or comments?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Q: Can you tell me if a person, who after so many lifetimes on earth eventually departs to Vaikuntha, can make further advancement from Vaikuntha to Krishnaloka?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">GS: Each devotee has eternal love for Krishna within the heart, and by chanting Hare Krishna the eternal love is manifest. Now, whatever one’s particular type of love is, it is just right for the individual, and the individual will feel fully satisfied in his particular relationship with the Lord. For example, if you tell Hanuman that his mood of service to Rama is not the highest, that he should give up the service of Rama and come to Krishna, he’ll say, “No way!” because he is fully satisfied in his service to Lord Rama and wouldn’t want to exchange it for anything. But there are rare instances, as the case of Gopa Kumara described in Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, when a devotee moves on. Gopa Kumara went to Vaikuntha, and although Vaikuntha is the spiritual kingdom of God and everything there is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss, and everyone there is absorbed in the same mood of service to the Lord with awe and reverence in the opulence of Vaikuntha, still somewhere within his heart he didn’t feel completely satisfied, and ultimately he came back to earth, to Vrindavan on earth, the best place to perform practices to go to Goloka Vrindavan. And from there he was promoted to Goloka Vrindavan. So, it may be that one reaches Vaikuntha but hasn’t really developed one’s full love for Godhead. Then one may, as you say, make further advancement to Goloka Vrindavan.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Q: I have heard that Jesus Christ has his own planet. Can people who go there move on after further knowledge of self-realization and eventually go to Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavan?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">GS: Your basic question is whether someone can go to the planet of Jesus and make further advancement, and the answer is, “Yes.” But I would hesitate to claim that I have a definite answer as to where his planet is. Still, I can say that wherever it is, one could make further advancement. And the planet of Jesus could be in the spiritual world, or it could be a heavenly planet within the material world.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said that he accepted Jesus Christ as a saktyavesa-avatara. Saktyavesa means “one who is empowered by God, for some particular purpose,” and avatara means “one who descends.” One category of saktyavesa-avatara comes from the kingdom of God into the material world, empowered by the special potency of God. But in principle, someone who is already in the material world could also be empowered with some special potency from God. So, accepting Jesus Christ as a saktyavesa-avatara does tell us that he descended and that he was empowered by some special potency from God. However, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta didn’t tell us exactly where he descended from, and I would not like to venture to guess, but I would say if someone is a sincere follower of Jesus Christ and follows the instructions of Jesus Christ, he could definitely, eventually enter into the kingdom of God.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=68323">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=68323</a></p></div>Know what you can do this Kartik? by Vraj Vihari Dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/know-what-you-can-do-this-kartik-by-vraj-vihari-das2022-10-11T09:00:00.000Z2022-10-11T09:00:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9721733663,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9721733663?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="246" /><br /> <iframe style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgbcspt%2Fvideos%2F768345860392419%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="335" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=90806">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=90806</a></p></div>Best activity and best vrata for Kartik by Sanatana Gosvamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/best-activity-and-best-vrata-for-kartik2022-10-11T07:30:00.000Z2022-10-11T07:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}2515146425,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515146425,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2515146425?profile=original" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>Kartika month is observed this year from 16 Oct – 14 Nov , the most important month in our calendar, as it is very dear to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. Just as there is no yuga equal to Satya-yuga, no scripture equal to the Vedas, and no place of pilgrimage equal to the Ganges, so there is no month equal to Kartika. During the Kartika month, millions of devotees worship Damodara Krishna with ghee lamps and devotional bhajans, glorifying His playful childhood pastime of stealing yogurt. And traditionally, desiring to satisfy Their Lordships, Gaudiya Vaisnavas celebrate this month by following certain vows. Below we present these vows, observing which one can easily get a priceless treasure of the pure love of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava! Let us take the opportunity and accept this wonderful gift of the most merciful Karttika .</p>
<p>Daily offering of ghee lamp to Radha-Damodara (any Radha-Krishna Deity or picture) and singing Damodarastakam is one of main seva that everyone could offer during Karttika month. One should also inspire as many souls as possible to offer lamps to Sri Radha- Damodara for their spiritual benefit. Hari Bhakti Vilasa states that the best place to perform Karttika vrata is at Sri Vrindavan dhama or other holy dhamas like Mayapur.</p>
<p>Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Sanatana Gosvami</p>
<p>Moreover, for those who hear Visnu-katha in this month, each half verse or quarter of verse yields the fruits of donating one hundred cows; indeed, O great sage, all other duties should be given up in favor of hearing scriptures from holy men. Be it for spiritual benefit or with other expectations, by engaging in Hari-katha one uplifts hundreds of his family’s generations.</p>
<p>A person will burn all sinful reactions and gain the fruit of ten thousand sacrifices for each day of Kartika spent in the delight of the scriptures. In fact, Madhusudana is not as pleased by sacrifices or by charity of cows and elephants as He is pleased by discourses from the scriptures during Kartika.</p>
<p>O eminent sage, by hearing Hari-katha one can transcend the distress accumulated in millions of births. By regularly trying to read Srimad Bhagavatam during this month one gains the benefit of reading all eighteen Puranas. (75-81) Furthermore, during Kartika a man should cultivate supreme devotion by living among Vaisnavas, at the cost of giving up acts of piety and other prescribed duties. (82)</p>
<p>(Skanda Purana, dialogue between Brahma and Narada)</p>
<p>Glories of lamp offering from different scriptures:</p>
<p>“When one offers a lamp during the month of Karttika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.”</p>
<p>“Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during pleasing to Lord Kesava. O King of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.”</p>
<p>“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 Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada during a lunar eclipse.”</p>
<p>O Tiger among sages! For a person who thus offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil, what is the use of performing an asvasmedha-yajna? ”</p>
<p>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.”</p>
<p>A person who during the month of Karttika offers a lamp to Lord Kesava has already performed all yajnas and bathing in all holy rivers. ”</p>
<p>“A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during Karttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.”</p>
<p>“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.”<br /> “All the results acquired by donating grains during pitri-paksha or by distributing water in the hot months of Jyeshtha or Ashadha are easily gained in the course of Kartika merely by reviving (relighting) a dipa offered by someone else.”</p>
<p>The ancestors say: When someone in our family pleases Lord Kesava by offering to Him a lamp during the month of Karttika, then, by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarsana-cakra in His Hand, we will all attain liberation.”</p>
<p>“O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Kesava during Karttika.”</p>
<p>KARTTIKA-VRATA</p>
<p>Karttika is the best and most glorious month, purest of pure. It is particularly dear to Lord Krishna, because it is the month of Srimati Radharani. This month is full of love of the Lord towards His devotees. Any vow followed in this month, even a small one, brings tremendous results. The essence of Karttika-vrata is to satisfy Sri Sri Radha-Damodara with our more and better devotional service to Them.</p>
<p>Kirttika is the name of the third daughter of Prajapati Daksa. It was a custom in Vraja to name girls after Daksa’s daughters. So the name of Radharani’s mother was Kirttika (or Kirtida) and Radharani became known as Karttiki, which means “born of Kirttika”. Sri Sanatana Goswami gave us the key to understanding the significance of the Holy month of Karttika. Krishna says: masanam marga-sirso ‘ham – “Of months I am Margasirsa (November-December)”. Karttika precedes Margasirsa. Therefore, Karttika represents Srimati Radharani.</p>
<p>Gaudiya Vaishnavas follow Karttika-vrata especially to satisfy Srimati Radharani by worshipping Her during this month. Srimati Radhika is most famous for Her compassion, therefore we follow the rules and regulations of Karttika-vrata, which are called niyama-seva so that Srimati Radharani will pour upon us Her divine compassion. Let Sri Radhika and Her sakhis bestow upon us the eternal loving devotional service to the Divine Couple in Vrindavana groves.For Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Karttika-vrata is more important than any other vows during the year. Most of the other vows for the pleasure of Syamasundara and His expansions last only half a day or one day, Janmastami, Rama-navami, Nrisimha-caturdasi, Vamana-dvadasi, but for the pleasure of Sri Radha Karttika vow lasts a month.</p>
<p>Of course, during this month Vaisnavas sing about Lord Damodara – the Lord of Gokula. They heartily glorify Him and with devotion worship Lord Sri Krsna in His most naughty and beautiful form. But Gaudiya Vaisnavas in particular focus this month on the worship of our most revered Aradhya Devi – Srimati Radharani and perform special service for Her pleasure.</p>
<p>Karttika is a month of a special vow, Karttika-vrata (Damodar-vrata, Urjja-vrata, niyama-seva-vrata). One of the names of the vow is Urjja-vrata. Urjjesvari is one of the names of Srimati Radharani, meaning “Mistress of Urjja-vrata”. The word urjjah means “wealth”, “power”. All the wealth and strength manifest in Her for serving Sri Krishna. She manages all the wealth and power that are meant for serving the Master of Her heart. So Urjja-vrata followed in the month of Karttika ascends to Urjjesvari, Sri Radhika, and therefore Vaisnavas attach very great importance to Karttika, especially in trying to satisfy Srimati Radharani to gain Her service and thus service to Her beloved Sri Krishna.</p>
<p>In addition, this month gopis worshiped Katyayani*, with the innermost intention to please the highest goddess Srimati Radharani. Nanda-gopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah. Such was their inner prayer to Katyayani * (SB10.22.4):”O goddess Katyayani, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please let us serve the son of Nanda Maharaja the way our heart desires. We offer our obeisances unto you.” With this prayer they perform the Karttika-vrata. (* Katyayani is one of the manifestations of Yoga-Maya in Sri Vraja Dhama. Katyayani-vrata continues in the month following the Karttika).</p>
<p>Therefore we attach particular importance to the observance of this last part of the caturmasya – Karttika-vrata. This month is exclusively connected with serving Krishna’s beloveds – Radharani and Her gopis – and Krishna. Srimad-Bhagavatam also inspires us to imbibe the mentality of the gopis worshipping Katyayani. Having such internal feeling we observe the last month of Caturmasya with even greater attention.</p>
<p>Karttika is also known as the month of niyama-seva. Niyama means “rules” –additional prayers, pujas, reading, preaching, extra service to Lord Hari, Spiritual Master and the Vaisnavas. And thus this vow of niyama-seva inspires the sadhaka to dedicate this time to a special service regime, when he uses every minute for his highest good. Our aspiration should be such, most especially in this month, and Krishna likes it very much. If we do this to please Radharani, Krishna will be pleased even more so, because it gives pleasure to His most exalted devotee. And Her happiness attracts Krishna to us. When Radha is pleased with us, She will compassionately cleanse us and make us worthy to gain our eternal service in the groves of Vrindavan in the mood of Her friends.Satyavrata Muni says: namo radhikayai tvadiya priyayai – “I bow down to Your dearest beloved, Sri Radhika.” With this, he points out that the only engagement during the Damodara-vrata should be worship of Sri Radha-Damodara.</p>
<p>Urjja-vrata is one of the sixty-four methods of devotional service, performed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas. The caturmasya-vrata is considered complete only if it’s last month of Urjja-vrata is observed.</p>
<p>Last five days of Karttika are called Bhishma-Pancaka. And the Vaisnavas also follow some vows in those days.</p>
<p>To observe Karttika-vrata is one of the main engagements for the Vaisnavass.</p>
<p>Some of the observances prescribed by Hari bhakti Vilas and Skanda Purana:</p>
<p>Rise at brahma-muhurta and attend mangala-aratika – attain spiritual world.<br /> Offer incense, ghee lamp, flowers (malati, lotus, rose, jasmine, lily) and camphor lamp three times a day.<br /> Daily ghee lamp to Radha-Damodara (any Radha-Krishna Deity or picture) and sing Damodarastakam.<br /> Maintain akhanda ghee/sesame lamp before Deity, base of Tulasi, hang in the sky – attain the spiritual world. Just by offering a ghee lamp to Sri Krishna, one attains perfection and goes back to Godhead.<br /> Offer sweet rice mixed with ghee, tasty food and varieties of fruits.<br /> Mandira-parikrama four times daily while reciting prayers – get the merit of a horse sacrifice with every step.<br /> Offer water and prasada to ancestors.<br /> Offer camphor lamp with aguru oil esp. on Ekadasi – no rebirth.<br /> Offer fresh flower garlands (rose or lotus) and sanadalwood paste.<br /> Offer new clothes.<br /> Offer one lakh of Tulasi leaves to Krishna<br /> Daily offer incense, ghee lamp and flowers to Tulasi and circumambulate her.<br /> Relight another person’s ghee lamp – attain unlimited merit and not see Yamaraja.<br /> Offer water to the moon.<br /> Offer floating ghee lamp.<br /> Enthusiastically dance, sing and play musical instruments, and recite prayers before the Deity – attain spiritual world with your ancestors.</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=1792">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=1792</a></p></div>Special Gaura Mandala Darshan Tour This Kartik 2022!!!https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/special-gaura-mandala-darshan-tour-this-kartik-20222022-08-22T14:24:57.000Z2022-08-22T14:24:57.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10781044500,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="10781044500?profile=RESIZE_584x" />Dear Devotees</p>
<p>Hare Krsna</p>
<p>All Glories to Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.</p>
<p>The most auspicious of all months is just weeks away! The Month of Kartika is said to be very auspicious that whatever little Spiritual activities performed in this month are rewarded with greater spiritual results than usual. Just Imagine immersing your consciousness in this month by visiting 30 Sacred Holy places in Gaura Mandala Bhumi where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates performed blissful leelas in the association of wonderful Vaishnavas while relishing their Nectarian pastime activities, having blissful bhajan, taking the dust from this place, darshans, offering of Ghee lamps and most importantly honouring of prasadam! Bliss in divinity is the name to best describe such auspicious activity!</p>
<p>With folded hands, we at Mayapur Tourism extend our warm invitation to you all to come take path of this wonderful places, as we share with you all the joyful news of launching our very first ever <strong>Gaura Mandala holy pilgrimage in Kartik 2022!!! </strong>for the pleasure of our Acharyas and Srila Prabhupada. So, if you are planning your visit to Sri Mayapur Dham this Kartik or you are already in India and plans to visit Mayapur for Kartik this year or residing in Mayapur and want to get absorbed in this Kartik Month, then these tours are made perfectly for you!</p>
<p>In these Tours we will be covering 30 sacred sites with loads of spiritual activities! So, please block your calendar ahead!</p>
<p>Please find more details in the attached poster!!!</p>
<p>What is the attraction with Mayapur Tourism?</p>
<p>We value the importance of the Sampradaya, contribution of Acharyas to the Vaishnava community and our tours are designed, keeping in mind the following</p>
<ol>
<li>Hear the pastimes in each place from our well-read devotee guides</li>
<li>Comfortable transportation</li>
<li>Simple and sufficient breakfast and Lunch Prasadam</li>
<li>Spend quality time in every spot and immerse in the mood of the Dham where Lord Gauranga and His associates and predecessor acharyas performed Their pastimes.</li>
<li> </li>
</ol>
<p>“gaura amara se saba sthane korilo bhramana range</p>
<p>Sei saba sthane heribo ami pranayi bhakata sange”</p>
<p>May I always visit all the holy places associated with the lila of Lord Caitanya and His devotees. – Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur</p>
<p>We heartily welcome your congregation/ temple/ yatra to take advantage of our Gaura Mandala Darshan tours that will be lunched in Kartik!</p>
<p><strong>Important: </strong>We also arrange group tours as well as individual tours. For more details, please write to us at <a href="mailto:srimayapurtours@gmail.com">srimayapurtours@gmail.com</a> or contact 91-7063573959 (also Whatsapp number) to serve you.</p>
<p>Hare Krishna,<br /> Mayapur Tourism and Team<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://www.mayapur.com/2022/special-gaura-mandala-darshan-tour-this-kartik-2022/">https://www.mayapur.com/2022/special-gaura-mandala-darshan-tour-this-kartik-2022/</a></p></div>Kartik Navadvipa Parikrama 2022!!! Register Now!https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/kartik-navadvipa-parikrama-2022-register-now2022-08-16T10:35:01.000Z2022-08-16T10:35:01.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div>
<div><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10770111292,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="10770111292?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Registration began on 1st July, 2022.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>It is our great pleasure to announce ISKCON MAYAPUR’s 10th annual six-day Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikrama during the most auspicious month of Kartik (organized by the Mayapur Chandra’s). The Parikrama dates are 27th, 28th, 30th, 31st October, 2nd and 3rd of November 2022. There will be two days break, for Srila Prabhuap’s disappearance day (29th of October) and Gopashtami (1st November) so that devotees can participate in the festivals.</div>
<div>For this year also, the parikrama will not stay overnight; we will leave each day from the ISKCON Mayapur campus at 5 AM and return by 5PM. In order to give more time to chanting and hearing pastimes in the holy places, we have reduced walking, and devotees will be transported faster to the various places via boat and vehicles.</div>
<div>Kartik is the most auspicious month to perform spiritual activities, and the weather is extremely pleasant and favorable, so please do not miss this opportunity to associate with the devotees, to hear and chant the glories of Lord Chaitanya, to bathe in The Ganges and honor prasadam together in various holy places.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>For more information:</div>
<div>call us on</div>
<div>+918016401401/ +919434951901/</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>write to us</div>
<div>mayapurchandras1008@gmail.com</div>
<div>Visit our Facebook page at:</div>
<div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mayapur.Chandras?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZUN3rjw1OtPMm-ZrG1EU_VVDVSj6V7qp4FokKsEK_JlDB-FBcLUxsm7SkFJzI_QZQOouroQ2JnD6fLxcGY6mqkCl9vMeok3yer6g-OpR6dGVJDigrTLp_Zs2QEkU79XhKZ4a3ebtCxWTd5ZdzrJZULOaNRucR77DUdqj2K98rIDDqf6UuB1kCx4RFXpB2Gz3letm67y8jWEGNWsCmeU50jJ&__tn__=-%5DK-R">https://www.facebook.com/mayapurchandras</a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>Registration began 1st July, 2022!</div>
<div>Devotees who do not live in Mayapur and would like to reserve their seat, you can write to us and we will take your booking and for Mayapur devotees booking please visit.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>Booking office:</div>
<div>Ekachakra office, Chakra Bhavan (Long Building) Room No. 150, Mayapur, 10am -1pm</div>
<div>Parikrama fees are Rs 2750 per person.</div>
<div>(This fee covers breakfast, lunch, and parikrama transportation. Doesn’t cover accommodation)</div>
<div>Please kindly note that the booking is not refundable</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>Your servant</div>
<div>Mayapur Chandra’s Team<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.mayapur.com/2022/kartik-navadvipa-parikrama-2022-register-now/">https://www.mayapur.com/2022/kartik-navadvipa-parikrama-2022-register-now/</a></div>
</div>
<p> </p></div>Kartik Navadvipa Parikrama 2022!!https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/kartik-navadvipa-parikrama-20222022-07-28T10:36:29.000Z2022-07-28T10:36:29.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10675482061,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="10675482061?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Registration begins on 1st July, 2022.<br /> It is our great pleasure to announce ISKCON MAYAPUR’s 10th annual six-day Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikrama during the most auspicious month of Kartik (organized by the Mayapur Chandra’s). The Parikram dates are 27th, 28th, 30th, 31st October, 2nd and 3rd of November 2022.<br /> There will be two days break, for Srila Prabhuap’s disappearance day (29th of October) and Gopashtami (1st November) so that devotees can participate in the festivals.<br /> For this year also, the parikrama will not stay overnight; we will leave each day from the ISKCON Mayapur campus at 5 AM and return by 5PM. In order to give more time to chanting and hearing pastimes in the holy places, we have reduced walking, and devotees will be transported faster to the various places via boat and vehicles.<br /> Kartik is the most auspicious month to perform spiritual activities, and the weather is extremely pleasant and favorable, so please do not miss this opportunity to associate with the devotees, to hear and chant the glories of Lord Chaitanya, to bathe in The Ganges and honor prasadam together in various holy places.</p>
<p><br /> <strong>For more information:</strong><br /> call us on<br /> +918016401401/ +919434951901/<br /> write to us<br /> mayapurchandras1008@gmail.com</p>
<p><br /> <strong>Visit our Facebook page at:</strong><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mayapurchandras" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/mayapurchandras</a><br /> Registration begin 1st July, 2022!<br /> Devotees who do not live in Mayapur and would like to reserve their seat, you can write to us and we will take your booking and for Mayapur devotees booking please visit.</p>
<p><br /> <strong>Booking office:</strong><br /> Ekachakra office, Chakra Bhavan (Long Building) Room No. 150, Mayapur, 10am -1pm<br /> Parikrama fees are Rs 2750 per person.<br /> (This fee covers breakfast, lunch, parikrama transportation. Doesn’t cover accommodation)<br /> Please kindly note that the booking is not refundable</p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=100843">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=100843</a></p></div>Karttika-The “Sale of the Year” by Ekendra dasahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/karttika-the-sale-of-the-year-by-ekendra-dasa2021-10-24T12:19:16.000Z2021-10-24T12:19:16.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9732211895,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="450" alt="9732211895?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Ekendra dasa</strong></p>
<p>Anything done to please Krishna, at any time, at any place, under any circumstance, is beneficial. As Krishna Himself says about devotional service to Him, “In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bg. 2.40)</p>
<p>Such is the benefit of devotional service in general. However, during certain times of year, such as appearance anniversaries of Lord Krishna and His devotees, the benefits of one’s service are compounded.</p>
<p>During the month of Damodara, or Kārttika (October/November), rewards for service to Krishna are greater than at any other time of year. For instance, Krishna always likes tulasi leaves, so it’s always a good time to offer tulasi leaves to Krishna. The Vedic teachings are full of statements like these:</p>
<p>“The result one obtains by giving ten thousand cows in charity can be obtained by offering only one tulasi leaf to the Supreme Lord during the month of Kārttika.” (Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 7.335)</p>
<p>and. . .</p>
<p>“Those who worship Lord Hari with an offering of one hundred thousand tulasi leaves during the month of Kārttika certainly advance on the path of pure devotional service, which includes liberation, with each leaf offered. (Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 7.336)”</p>
<p>It is also recommended to offer malati (very fragrant white jasmine-like flowers) to Krishna, and here’s what Hari-bhakti-vilasa says about malati offerings during Kārttika:</p>
<p>“It is better to offer malati flowers to Lord Kesava in the month of Kārttika than to donate gold, cows, or land to worthy recipients.</p>
<p>Malati flowers are pleasing to Lord Kesava (Krishna) in whatever month they are offered. In the month of Kārttika, the offering of malati flowers awards one the merit of performing a horse sacrifice. ”</p>
<p>The Vedas do not recommend horse sacrifices nowadays, anyway. They don’t work. Better to chant Hare Krishna.</p>
<p>And, considering that Yamaraja is the universal superintendent in charge of meting out punishment to those who transgress karmic law, it’s easy to appreciate the significance of the following benediction:</p>
<p>“For a devotee who worships Lord Vishnu with offerings of malati flowers in the month of Kārttika, Yamaraja orders the removal of all his sinful reactions from the account book.” (Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 7.90-92)</p>
<p>Not bad. And the list goes on. Whatever you offer–tulasi, malati, ghee lamps, time, energy, attention–takes on greater significance this month.</p>
<p>Kārttika could be thought of as the ultimate “buy one, get a-whole-lot-more free” sale, (or the equivalent of a “super, multi-triple word score” for those familiar with the game of Scrabble. For a limited time only, whoever is lucky (or greedy, or intelligent) enough to do some service for Krishna during this special month gets a uniquely huge return on their investment. The ultimate return: one becomes more Krishna conscious.</p>
<p>It was during Kārttika that Krishna allowed Himself to be bound with ropes by His mother, Yasoda. Out of loving anger at her transcendentally naughty Child, she tied him —dama— around the abdomen—udara—with ropes. Thus the month of Kārttika is also known as the month of Damodara, “He Who was bound around the abdomen”.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada discusses this at some length in Nectar of Devotion (quoting Padma Purana):</p>
<p>“During this month, in Vrindavan it is the regulative principle to pray daily to Lord Krishna in His Damodara form. The Damodara form refers to Krishna in His childhood when He was tied up with rope by His mother, Yasoda. Dama means ‘ropes,’ and udara means ‘the abdomen.’ So mother Yasoda, being very disturbed by naughty Krishna, bound Him ’round the abdomen with a rope, and thus Krishna is named Damodara.” (Chapter 5, page 42)</p>
<p>He elaborates on this in the section “Performing Devotional Service in Kārttika:”</p>
<p>“. . . in the month of Kārttika (October-November); especially in Vrindavan, there is a specific program for temple worship of the Lord in His Dāmodara form. “Dāmodara” refers to Krishna’s being bound with rope by His mother, Yaśodā. It is said that just as Lord Dāmodara is very dear to His devotees, so the month known as Dāmodara or Kārttika is also very dear to them. . .</p>
<p>The execution of devotional service during Ūrja-vrata in the month of Kārttika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathurā. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathurā or Vrindavan and stay there during the month of Kārttika specifically to perform devotional services during this period.”</p>
<p>Prabhupada makes a point to say it is “especially recommended” to perform devotional service during Kārttika in Mathura, or Vrindavan. This is not to say that Kārttika’s benefits are exclusively available there, but devotees who are able to go often make the trip.</p>
<p>“Urja-vrata” refers to the acceptance of special vows during Kārttika. Devotees often take vows to increase their hearing, chanting, worship, or to observe restrictions in their eating. Making and keeping such vows during the month of Damodara guarantees compounded benefits.</p>
<p>Prabhupada ends Nectar of Devotion’s section on Kārttika with an interesting commentary from Padma Purana:</p>
<p>“. . .the Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Kārttika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathurā in India, are very easily awarded the Lord’s personal service.” (N.O.D., Chapter 12)</p>
<p>If even an “unserious” person can attain Krishna’s personal service, simply by “executing devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Kārttika,” wouldn’t it then also be a seriously good time to get serious?<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20833">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20833</a></p></div>The Glorious Month Of Kartikhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/the-glorious-month-of-kartik2021-10-22T10:22:16.000Z2021-10-22T10:22:16.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9726904096,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="550" alt="9726904096?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Khusboo Basan </strong></p>
<p>The Kartik month starts on the 20th of October (in the west) and 21st of October (in the east) ) 2021 and continues for four weeks till the 18th/19th of November 2021, please check your local calendars for exact dates. In Chapter 12 of Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada mentions, “It is said that just as Lord Dāmodara is very dear to His devotees, so the month known as Dāmodara or Kārttika is also very dear to them.”</p>
<h3><strong>Significance of Kartik Month</strong></h3>
<p>Scriptures like Sanatana Goswami’s Hari Bhakti Vilasa and Srila Rupa Goswami’s Mathura Mahatmya give a lot of details about the significance of this glorious month.</p>
<p>After putting her own endeavor and receiving the mercy of the Lord, the two ingredients that a devotee needs in order to bind Shyamsundar, she tied Him up to a grinding mortar, taking which Shri Krishna later crawled to the Yamalarjun trees growing in the courtyard of Nanda Maharaj and delivered the two sons of Kuber, namely Nalakuvara and Manigriva. This pastime took place in the month of Kartik also known as the month of Damodar and the merits obtained by performing devotional activities for the pleasure of the Lords in this month is 1000 times more than in any other time of the year.</p>
<p>This month is also known as Urja vrata. Urja means shakti and refers to Shri Krishna’s internal potency, Srimati Radharani, who is the predominating deity of this month.</p>
<p>This is the month when Shri Radha and the other sakhis sang the Gopi geet, which is truly relished by the elevated vaishnavas following the moods of the young damsels of Vraja, whose love for Krishna is unsurpassed, and the foremost of whom is Shrimati Radhika.</p>
<p>The first day of the month, Sharad Purnima is when the Sharad raas was performed and the desires of all the Gopis of Shri Krishna were fulfilled.</p>
<p>It was in this month that the demon Arishtasura was killed. His killing gave rise to the appearance of Radha kund and Shyam kund at the foot of the Govardhan hill.</p>
<p>Kartik Amavasya is celebrated as Dipavali, the festival of lights, celebrating the long-awaited return of Lord Ram to his kingdom Ayodhya after the 14 years of banishment and the war that waged between Ram and Ravan.</p>
<p>The day following Amavasya is celebrated as Govardhan puja. It so happened that under the instructions of Lord Krishna all the residents of Vrindavan had stopped worshipping the demigod, Indra, and instead started worshipping Giriraj Govardhan who supplies pastures to the cows and helps in the maintenance of all the Brijwasis.</p>
<p>This month also commemorates the disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada without whose mercy the worldwide celebration of this glorious month would never ever have been possible.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/the-glorious-month-of-kartik,8048/">https://iskconnews.org/the-glorious-month-of-kartik,8048/</a></p></div>Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir Kartika Parikrama Schedulehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/sri-sri-krishna-balaram-mandir-kartika-parikrama-schedule-32021-10-21T07:00:00.000Z2021-10-21T07:00:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9711882255,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9711882255?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" /></div>
<div>Kartika is glorified in the Puranas as very special for making spiritual advancement and the best place to be in Kartika is Sri Braja Dham. In fact this month is known as Damodar, since in the middle of this month, the Lord performed His very enchanting Damodar Lila. Kartika month also represents Radharani, and devotees perform special austerities to gain Her favor.<br /> <br /> With great happiness in our hearts, we invite everyone to join in the auspicious Kartika Festival in Vrindavan. We have organized a wonderful variety of parikramas to the Holy Places of Krishna's pastimes in Braja for all of you.</div>
<div><br /> Almost daily, we will be going by bus leaving in the morning and returning in time for lunch around 3 PM, unless otherwise noted. Sometimes we will also join up with Lokanatha Swami's Vraja Mandala Parikrama and enjoy the association of the many devotees who will be wandering around Braja on foot. Tickets will be available from the Welcome Center next to the temple, and all of SrilaPrabhupada's disciples and accompanied family members are free!</div>
<div><br /> The *th of November is the Holy Disappearance Day Festival of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and we extend a warm invitation to all to come and commemorate this sacred occassion with us in Sri Vrindavan, where His Divine Grace is sitting in Samadhi. Leading up to this day, every evening, senior disciples will be relating their memories of Srila Prabhupada. One day before, we will take Srila Prabhupada in the very same palanquin from 1977 for a grand Sankirtan Procession past all the Goswami temples in Vrindavan.<br /> </div>
<div><br /> <strong> Parikrama Schedule</strong></div>
<div><br /> October</div>
<div><br /> 20 Moonlight Giriraja Parikrama</div>
<div><br /> 21 Vrindavan Temples Pt 1</div>
<div><br /> 22 Vrindavan Temples Pt 2</div>
<div><br /> 24 Madhuvan - Talavan</div>
<div><br /> 25 Braj Mohan Mandir Narrottam Disap</div>
<div><br /> 27 Radha Kunda</div>
<div><br /> 29 Barsana</div>
<div><br /> 31 Badrinath</div>
<div><br /> November</div>
<div><br /> 02 Javat - Ter Kadamba</div>
<div><br /> (Lunch at Vrinda Kunda)</div>
<div><br /> 03 Kamyavan</div>
<div><br /> 04 Raval - Gokul (Diwali)</div>
<div><br /> 05 Govardhana Puja</div>
<div><br /> 07 Srila Prabhupada Procession to Goswami Mandirs</div>
<div><br /> 08 Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day</div>
<div><br /> 09 Mansarovar, Bhandirvan, Baelvan</div>
<div><br /> Return by boat</div>
<div><br /> 11 Nandagram (Lunch at Vrinda kunda</div>
<div><br /> 12 Gopastami</div>
<div><br /> 13 Lohavan - Dauji</div>
<div><br /> 15 All night Kirtan in Vrinda Kunda</div>
<div><br /> 16 Tulasi Salagram Vivah in Vrinda Kunda</div>
<div><br /> 18 Surya Kunda</div>
<div><br /> <br /> In service of Srimati Vrinda Devi,<br /> Deena Bandhu dasa</div>
<div><br /> </div></div>Gifts of Kartikhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/gifts-of-kartik2020-12-04T11:44:46.000Z2020-12-04T11:44:46.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8248038898,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="8248038898?profile=RESIZE_584x" /><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Video: <a href="https://youtu.be/0AsZW4CpKDs" target="_blank">Click here</a></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><br />INSIGHTS, TAKEAWAYS & REALISATIONS</p>
<p>As Kartik comes to a close, we have the opportunity to reflect on the gifts that this special month has given to all of us. Sacinandana Swami will not only share his realizations and insights, but he will also tune us in to how we can carry on with the blessings we have received this month!</p>
<p>Sacinandana Swami, a spiritual teacher and monk in the Bhakti tradition, is known for his significant contribution to the practice of meditation and kirtan. Dedicated to the process of inner transformation, he has spent fifty years in pursuit of genuine spiritual experiences.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=91688">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=91688</a></p></div>Report from the Congregational Development Ministry on the 2020 Kartik outreachhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/report-from-the-congregational-development-ministry-on-the-2020-k2020-11-30T11:05:00.000Z2020-11-30T11:05:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8231737486,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="8231737486?profile=RESIZE_584x" />GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) invites you to hear one of the most exciting and inspiring update from around the globe on the Kartik outreach during the pandemic. The devotees who are sharing the outcome of their results are – Seva Svarupa das – manager for Congregational Development Ministry, with HH Jayapataka Swami as the Minister.<br />
Jalaghi dd lives in Mayapur and is coordinatoring efforts in Hong Kong, etc. Amrita Gaurang dd lives in Malaysia and is assisting with the overall outreach.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><iframe style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgbcspt%2Fvideos%2F698881227721081%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />
<br />
<strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=91601">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=91601</a></p></div>Virtual Kartik Nabadwip Mandal Parikrama 2020https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/virtual-kartik-nabadwip-mandal-parikrama-20202020-11-25T10:55:30.000Z2020-11-25T10:55:30.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8214018874,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="8214018874?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikrama 2020 organized by the Mayapur Chandra’s, is a virtual medium by which devotees are taken on parikrama to the nine-islands and various holy places in and around Mayapur, India. They participate in hearing and chanting about the glories of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Their associates. Going on Navadwip Mandal Parikrama is already considered to be very auspicious, but by doing so in the month of Kartik, one's devotional service is increased by many folds.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/virtual-kartik-nabadwip-mandal-parikrama-2020,7605/">https://iskconnews.org/virtual-kartik-nabadwip-mandal-parikrama-2020,7605/</a></p></div>GBC-SPT Invites Devotees to Celebrate and Honor Kartika Togetherhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/gbc-spt-invites-devotees-to-celebrate-and-honor-kartika-together2020-11-01T12:31:12.000Z2020-11-01T12:31:12.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:left;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8100376692,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8100376692?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="550" /><br /><strong> By Vraja Vihari Das</strong><br /><br />Let’s not let the important restrictions due to Covid-19 get in the way of us having a wonderful Kartika! </p>
<p style="text-align:left;">In the Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada writes: “One of the most important of these ceremonial functions is called Urja-vrata. Urja-vrata is observed in the month of Kartika; especially in Vṛindavana, there is a specific program for temple worship of the Lord in His Damodara form.” </p>
<p style="text-align:left;">While most of us will miss out on being in Vrindavan and some of us won’t even be able to visit our local temple, we can still take advantage of the opportunity for rapid spiritual advancement offered during the month of Kartika! </p>
<p style="text-align:left;">The GBC’s Strategic Planning Team (SPT) will bring to you an Online Kartika Celebration that will take you on a trip to Sri Vrindavan Dham with some of ISKCON's most engaging speakers. This is an incredible opportunity for virtual association. The event will be broadcasted in our Facebook page and Youtube Channel from the 31st of October to the 29th of November.</p>
<p style="text-align:left;">We have never faced such a situation before where devotees can’t physically visit Vrindavan in the month of Kartika, hence we thought if the devotees can't come to the Dham, we should take the Dham to them! So in addition to continuing our various posting that are relevant to ISKCON devotees, we bring you our Kartika Celebration.</p>
<p style="text-align:left;">Our speakers include Bhakti Chaitanya Swami, Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, Jagattarini Devi Dasi, Sitala Devi Dasi, Gauranga Das, Nitai Sevini Devi Dasi, Sri Gauranga Das and many more. We will hear the glories of Vrindavan Dham, go virtually on Govardhan Parikrama, learn about the ABCDE Guide to Bhakti, and continue our series on Srila Prabhupada- the Pre-eminent Siksa-Guru. </p>
<p style="text-align:left;">With the GBC-SPT, you're assured to get a daily dose of spiritual inspiration throughout the month of Kartika. You're invited to join us on a journey to usher Vrindavan into our hearts starting on the 31st of October with the ISKCON GBC SPT. </p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/gbc-spt-invites-devotees-to-celebrate-and-honor-kartika-together,7576/">https://iskconnews.org/gbc-spt-invites-devotees-to-celebrate-and-honor-kartika-together,7576/</a></p></div>Kartik in Mayapurhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/kartik-in-mayapur2020-11-01T12:09:52.000Z2020-11-01T12:09:52.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div style="text-align:left;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8100317895,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="8100317895?profile=RESIZE_584x" />ISKCON Mayapur is pleased to launch ‘ KARTIK IN MAYAPUR.’</div>
<div style="text-align:left;">Lord DAMODARA is calling you to virtually join us in observing Kartik here in Sri Mayapur Dham for His pleasure.</div>
<div style="text-align:left;">Please join us NOW!! and enrich your devotional credits by a million times.</div>
<div style="text-align:left;">Happy Deepdaan, Happy Damodara Maas to YOU all!!</div>
<div style="text-align:left;">Please visit the website below to register and participate in this month long ecstatic festival.</div>
<div style="text-align:left;"><a href="https://kartikinmayapur.com/?fbclid=IwAR240L2EhRICsM9JrLPL94J6xgYjUPkbtXJq8yV19vkbrFoeS92NI2fBvU0" target="_blank">https://kartikinmayapur.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.mayapur.com/2020/kartik-in-mayapur/">https://www.mayapur.com/2020/kartik-in-mayapur/</a></div></div>Vrindavan, the Playground of God - WhatsApp Kartik Parikramahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/vrindavan-the-playground-of-god-whatsapp-kartik-parikrama2020-10-23T09:56:00.000Z2020-10-23T09:56:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8065810888,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="8065810888?profile=RESIZE_710x" />By Dimple Parmar</strong></p>
<p>School of Bhakti, United Kingdom, will hold a virtual 30-day walkthrough of the mystical village of Vrindavan - the playground of God, where every step is a dance, and every word a song!</p>
<p>There will be daily morning videos, in which Sutapa das and Radhika-Ranjana Das will visit the sacred sites, sharing daily meditations and stories to inspire devotees’ hearts. </p>
<p>Every evening there will have a special Damodarastakam video for everyone to sing along to and offer candles at their home. </p>
<p>Every Saturday evenings there will be unique gatherings with special guests. </p>
<p>To book the free Parikrama trip visit <a href="http://www.bit.ly/Kartik20">www.bit.ly/Kartik20</a> and you will receive the link to join the WhatsApp group where only the Admin will be able to post messages.</p>
<p>For more info visit on the School of Bhakti, visit <a href="http://www.schoolofbhakti.com/">www.schoolofbhakti.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/vrindavan-the-playground-of-god-whatsapp-kartik-parikrama,7539/">https://iskconnews.org/vrindavan-the-playground-of-god-whatsapp-kartik-parikrama,7539/</a></p></div>Padayatris celebrate Kartik on Vraja Mandala Parikrama by Jayabhadra devi dasihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/padayatris-celebrate-kartik-on-vraja-mandala-parikrama-by-jayabha2019-12-19T12:55:53.000Z2019-12-19T12:55:53.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3777351386,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3777351386,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3777351386?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="450" /></a></p>
<p>This year’s Vraja Mandala Parikrama was special due to there being a confluence [sagam] of padayatris from three different padayatras:the All-India Padayatra, the Maharashtra Padayatra, and the Uttar Pradesh Padayatra. Also present were the devotees from the soon-to-be-inaugurated (on October 17) Andhra Pradesh Padayatra.</p>
<p>Normally in our Vraja Mandala Parikrama tent city we have tents of various groups such as volunteers, matajis, and prabhujis, but this year we had tents named after the padayatras, thusannouncing the presence of padayatris from all three at the parikrama.</p>
<p>Padayatris walk in their respective areas, but during Kartik they all walked in Vraja dhama with Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar. On day one parikrama commander Istadev dasawelcomed the padayatris, and in describing the objectives of padayatra declared that now there are three padayatras in India and the days are not far off when there will be a padayatra from each state.</p>
<p>The padayatris were given a multitude of services in Parikrama, many having been called one month in advance regarding the preparations.</p>
<p><strong>Uttar Pradesh Padayatra</strong> leader Ritudvipa Gaura Chandra dasa and his team would serve drinking water to the parikramakaris, while Rasutsava dasa would serve the sannyasis and senior devotees such as Bhadra dasa and Istadev.</p>
<p>Vishwabhar Gaura dasa with few other devotees from Uttar Pradesh Padayatra were serving water.</p>
<p>All glories to the leader of Uttar Pradesh Ritudvipa Gaura Chandra dasa for his inspiration.</p>
<p><strong>Maharashtra Padayatra</strong> leader Damodarlila dasa and his team would be in charge of international group accommodation.</p>
<p><strong>All-India Padayatra</strong> leader Acarya dasa would be in charge of prasadam distribution. He deputedhis team to distribute to each respective group:the Sri Sri Radha-Shyamsundar group (VIPs), the Krishna-Balarama group (International), and the Srila Prabhupada group (???). Prahladvatsal dasa and Parthasakha dasa were the advance party.</p>
<p>Padayatris are known for their kirtanso they also had the seva of singing aratis.</p>
<p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3777353480,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3777353480?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="300" /></p>
<p><strong>Realisations of padayatris:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Acarya dasa: </strong>This year I was incharge of serving prasadam. It was a wonderful seva. After all the devotees honoured prasadam, I would take whatever was remaining. But the seva was so satisfying. One day after everyone had honoured prasadam nothing was left, so taking it as the Lord’s desire I started walking ahead. One Vrajavasi called me, “Baba, where are you going? Come have some roti.” I thought, “Oh, Radharani is so merciful. She does not let anyone go hungry in Her dhama.”I went to the house and had a hot bajara roti with butter on it. If you serve devotees, the Lord takes special care of you. Then the association of Radharaman Maharaja was a blessing for all of us. He always says, “This parikrama is of padayatris,” thus making us feel very homely. He took great care of all the devotees. We padayatris got different services and are fortunate the Lord engaged us in those services.</p>
<p><strong>Rasutsava dasa: </strong>I have completed eight years in the All-India Padayatra and am now serving in the Uttar Pradesh Padayatra. I prayed to Radharani, “Please give me seva of sadhus in parikrama for lifetime.” Then in istagosti it was announced that I will be in charge of the international group. Saddened, I went to Radharani in the Krishna-Balarama temple and prayed, “Mother, I don’t want to be incharge of that group. I just want to serve devotees and sadhus. Please help.” The next day it was announced that I would serve sannyasis. I jumped for joy and thanked Radharani. While on Govardhan Parikrama I was praying, “Oh Lord, please give me service of devotees and may I not commit any Vaishnava aparadha or hurt any devotee.” Whatever is your desire, in Vraja dhama knowingly or unknowingly the Lord fulfils,therefore we should be very careful that desire is only for spiritual benediction. In parikrama I was serving Radharaman Maharaja and other senior devotees. For twenty-four hours my mind was busy serving. I had no time to think anything else. I also got maha prasad of devotees who are kind-hearted and compassionate to other devotees. Thus, I had a great time serving in Vraja.</p>
<p><strong>Arjuna Krishna dasa [Maharashtra Padayatra]</strong></p>
<p>It was a wonderful experience being in Vraja dhama. When Radharaman Maharaja narrated katha, I felt as the pastime was occurring right in front of me and I was also part of the pastime. His kathas were nectarian. In Barsana after the Govardhana festival, fortunately I got maha prasadam of Sacinandana Maharaja and my spiritual master, Lokanath Maharaja.</p>
<p>Radharaman Maharaja once said in a lecture: bhakta-pada-dhuli ara bhakta-pada-jala bhakta-bhukta-avasesa tina maha-bala.</p>
<p>“The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are the three very powerful substances.” [Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 16.60]</p>
<p>From these three I got to honour maha mahaprasadam of pure devotees and I realised I was filled with special spiritual strength. For one month I got the fortune to serve Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar who move all over India to deliver the fallen souls.</p>
<p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3777353110,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3777353110?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="300" /></p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=74515">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=74515</a></p></div>Announcing Chapter A Day (CHAD) for Kartik 2019!https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/announcing-chapter-a-day-chad-for-kartik-20192019-10-16T06:39:56.000Z2019-10-16T06:39:56.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gVjlvdkO2h0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Even though it lasts for only a brief moment, the human form of life is very rare and valuable. In the same way, the brief month of Kartik is also very rare and valuable.” – Kartika<br /> Mahatmya by Srila Sanatana Goswami</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>H.G. Vaisesika Prabhu has selected Chapter 10 for Kartik 2019! <br /> Make a vow to recite Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 10 every day from 14 Oct 2019 to 11 Nov 2019.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>All other Kartik sacrifices and austerities become glorious by this simple act of reciting a chapter of Bhagavad Gita for few minutes every day without fail.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As heat purifies gold and increases its luster, so this simple austerity of reading Bhagavad Gita every day burns away the dirty coverings of the soul and brightens one’s spiritual luster.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>CHAD Tips</strong></p>
<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Register yourself at <a href="http://www.readchad.com/join-chad/" target="_blank">http://www.readchad.com/join-chad/</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Access 10th chapter in CHAD format from <a href="http://www.readchad.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BG-Chapter-10-The-Opulence-of-the-Absolute.doc" target="_blank">here</a>. Print<br /> it and carry it with you or access the link from your mobile device wherever you go and fill in the gaps with your recitation of Bhagavad Gita.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Chant all the Sanskrit slokas; or all the English translations; or both the Sanskrit and English.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Recite with devotees by joining daily conference calls.Email <a href="mailto:recite.chad@gmail.com?subject=CHAD%20Conference%20call&body=Please%20send%20Daily%20CHAD%20call%20details." target="_blank">recite.chad@gmail.com </a>for more details.</li>
</ul><h2 style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:18px;">CHAD PLUS</span></h2>
<p style="text-align:justify;">CHAD PLUS is an extension of CHAD and is based on the Shloka book of Srila Prabhupada! Every day CHAD PLUS members should chant the designated BG chapter AND (+) the chosen SB verses<br /> listed below.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Below is the link to download the CHAD Plus SB Verses for 14 Oct 2019 to 11 Nov 2019. We will be sharing the verses from the chosen canto monthly basis.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vsN0CWz5B_XLbFgkKLnyJWAc7iASul8Y/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vsN0CWz5B_XLbFgkKLnyJWAc7iASul8Y/view?usp=sharing</a></p>
<h3 style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:18px;">More CHAD resources</span></h3>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://iskconsiliconvalley.cmail19.com/t/d-i-dukyhkd-l-i/" target="_blank">www.readchad.com</a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Get Inspired by reading more testimonials <a href="http://iskconsiliconvalley.cmail19.com/t/d-i-dukyhkd-l-d/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">With Gratitude,</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">ISV CHAD Team</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Email: <a href="mailto:recite.chad@gmail.com" target="_blank">recite.chad@gmail.com<br /> https://www.facebook.com/bhagavadgitachad</a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=79087">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=79087</a></p></div>Kartik Inspirations 2019 by HH Sacinandana Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/kartik-inspirations-2019-by-hh-sacinandana-swami2019-10-14T12:03:45.000Z2019-10-14T12:03:45.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:justify;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3661637867,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="3661637867?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Reach out to Krishna’s heart by intensely longing for his mercy, so much so, that it blends out all other projects.<br /> DAY 2 . 14 OCTOBER, 2019. The Great Longing.<br /> The most important question on the spiritual path is: when is my experience real? When do I have substantial insights that can even carry me through troubling times? In other words, we are searching for a substantial and a very very real connection with Krishna, an experience of the Lord.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Damodara-lila, which took place in this month, gives a deep answer to this question. First of all, Krishna has many names and one of them is Durdurdara – One, who remains unknown even to great yogis. Yogis try to realize Him, they chase after Him with the speed of the mind, but they can’t always reach the Lord.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Also when mother Yashoda ran after Krishna, at first He didn’t agree to be caught. He thought, ‘I can’t be bound – I have so many important things to do, like stealing butter’ (this means He is busy reciprocating the love of His devotees). So He ran and ran and ran. And even when He finally agreed to be caught, He wanted to spell out a message for all of His devotees after He had seen the drops of sweat on His mother’s face from her tremendous effort to catch Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Remember, after mother Yashoda had finally caught Him, she tried to bind Him, but the rope always remained two fingers too short. The two missing fingers represent the two main elements on the spiritual path: one finger represents effort, the other Krishna’s mercy. Yes, even if we invest our effort, the rope will remain too short. Only when Krishna agrees to give His mercy, He appears in the heart of the devotee and He and the devotee come together.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Now, what does it mean to get Krishna’s mercy? Or to ask it in a better way: When does Krishna feel inclined to give His mercy?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Although Krishna wants to see our effort, effort doesn’t conquer Him. The one thing that reaches His heart is: longing for His mercy. Longing for His mercy so much, that it blends out other desires, other longings and pushes this one project into the center of your attention. ‘I want divine grace, I want an investment from above!’ That’s why in our songbooks you find the great acharyas singing songs of longing, utkantha, sincere hankering after the not yet attained perfection.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This is what will imbue your practice with even more life: longing. And it is this longing which will reach Krishna’s heart and conquer Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Source: <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=79169">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=79169</a></p></div>No sugar for Kartik!https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/no-sugar-for-kartik2019-10-14T09:50:00.000Z2019-10-14T09:50:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515269333,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="420" alt="2515269333?profile=original" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>By Ananda Vrindavaneswari Devi Dasi<br /><br /></strong>As my bare feet hit the cold marble floor of the altar during the early morning service hours I whispered, ‘Oh, so cold!’. My fellow pujari turned and smilingly whispered back, ‘Austerity!’</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">It wasn’t the first time I was reminded that there is a sweetness to doing something difficult for Krishna. Actually, it’s only by intentional practices that we can begin to access spiritual tastes and emotions that are less obvious and more refined.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">My recent experience of avoiding sugar in my diet brought that home to me. I was preparing for a Kartik challenge of no sugar (Kartik is a month of special prayers and meditations which has just started, Oct. 24 – Nov 23). The idea is we practice giving something up or adding more spiritual activities to our life to experience a deeper awareness of Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The idea of no sugar terrified me so I began early to see if I could actually do it. Over the last few weeks I have been amazed. Besides reading all the labels and seeing how much sugar I was dumping in my system daily, I had more energy, less cravings, and slept better at night! But what really became obvious was the sharpness in my sense of taste. Not only did I find sweetness in things I wouldn’t have considered sweet before, but I was able to experience other tastes and flavors better. It was like a blurry image of tastes becoming clearer.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This then led me to reflect on the importance of the 4 regulative principles we follow in the practice of bhakti yoga. Often called the 4 principles of freedom, they are the first level of commitment needed to set a sustainable foundation for further practice. They are the no no’s. No eating meat, fish or eggs. No intoxication. No gambling. No illicit sex.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">When we make a commitment to honor the ‘no’s’, like my no sugar practice, it can have a profound effect on our life. Not only are we healthier on all different levels, but especially clearer, more conscious, more aware and ultimately more satisfied on the inside. By controlling our response to the pushings of the mind and senses, by ignoring them, we begin the journey within to reconnect with our spirit self. We begin to taste the sweetness of spiritual life. And this gives us practical and tangible experiences of progress in our search for the truth and reawakening our relationship with Krishna. The spiritual sweetness is there – we just have to give ourselves a chance to taste it.</p>
<div style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=68173">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=68173</a></div></div>Kartik Month begins today!https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/kartik-month-begins-today2019-10-13T12:20:00.000Z2019-10-13T12:20:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:justify;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3661658570,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3661658570?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Today is Sharad Purnima- Beginning of Kartik month Deep dhan festival.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Kartika month is observed this year from 13 oct to 12 Nov-the most important month in our calendar, as it is very dear to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Just as there is no yuga equal to Satya-yuga, no scripture equal to the Vedas, and no place of pilgrimage equal to the Ganges, so there is no month equal to Kartika. During the Kartika month, millions of devotees worship Damodara Krishna with ghee lamps and devotional bhajans, glorifying His playful childhood pastime of stealing yogurt. And traditionally, desiring to satisfy Their Lordships, Gaudiya Vaisnavas celebrate this month by following certain vows. Below we present these vows, observing which one can easily get a priceless treasure of the pure love of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava! Let us take the opportunity and accept this wonderful gift of the most merciful Karttika .</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Daily offering of ghee lamp to Radha-Damodara (any Radha-Krishna Deity or picture) and singing Damodarastakam is one of main seva that everyone could offer during Karttika month. One should also inspire as many souls as possible to offer lamps to Sri Radha- Damodara for their spiritual benefit. Hari Bhakti Vilasa states that the best place to perform Karttika vrata is at Sri Vrindavan dhama or other holy dhamas like Mayapur.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Even if one is not able to stay in the holy dhama, here is an opportunity to offer lamps to Sri Radha-Madhava at Sri Mayapur dhama!</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>You can sponsor the lamps as per your desire:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>108 Lamps : Rs.501</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>200 lamps: Rs. 1001</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>500 lamps: Rs. 2501</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>1000 lamps: Rs. 5001</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>One day lamp offering to Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subradra at Rajapur: Rs.6001</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Click here to offer your lamps:</strong> <a href="https://www.mayapur.com/serve-mayapur/general-donation/">https://www.mayapur.com/serve-mayapur/general-donation/</a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Glories of lamp offering from different scriptures:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“When one offers a lamp during the month of Karttika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during pleasing to Lord Kesava. O King of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“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 Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada during a lunar eclipse.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">O Tiger among sages! For a person who thus offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil, what is the use of performing an asvasmedha-yajna? ”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">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.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">A person who during the month of Karttika offers a lamp to Lord Kesava has already performed all yajnas and bathing in all holy rivers. ”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during Karttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“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.”<br /> “All the results acquired by donating grains during pitri-paksha or by distributing water in the hot months of Jyeshtha or Ashadha are easily gained in the course of Kartika merely by reviving (relighting) a dipa offered by someone else.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The ancestors say: When someone in our family pleases Lord Kesava by offering to Him a lamp during the month of Karttika, then, by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarsana-cakra in His Hand, we will all attain liberation.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Kesava during Karttika.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>KARTTIKA-VRATA</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Karttika is the best and most glorious month, purest of pure. It is particularly dear to Lord Krishna, because it is the month of Srimati Radharani. This month is full of love of the Lord towards His devotees. Any vow followed in this month, even a small one, brings tremendous results. The essence of Karttika-vrata is to satisfy Sri Sri Radha-Damodara with our more and better devotional service to Them.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Kirttika is the name of the third daughter of Prajapati Daksa. It was a custom in Vraja to name girls after Daksa’s daughters. So the name of Radharani’s mother was Kirttika (or Kirtida) and Radharani became known as Karttiki, which means “born of Kirttika”. Sri Sanatana Goswami gave us the key to understanding the significance of the Holy month of Karttika. Krishna says: masanam marga-sirso ‘ham – “Of months I am Margasirsa (November-December)”. Karttika precedes Margasirsa. Therefore, Karttika represents Srimati Radharani.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Gaudiya Vaishnavas follow Karttika-vrata especially to satisfy Srimati Radharani by worshipping Her during this month. Srimati Radhika is most famous for Her compassion, therefore we follow the rules and regulations of Karttika-vrata, which are called niyama-seva so that Srimati Radharani will pour upon us Her divine compassion. Let Sri Radhika and Her sakhis bestow upon us the eternal loving devotional service to the Divine Couple in Vrindavana groves.For Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Karttika-vrata is more important than any other vows during the year. Most of the other vows for the pleasure of Syamasundara and His expansions last only half a day or one day, Janmastami, Rama-navami, Nrisimha-caturdasi, Vamana-dvadasi, but for the pleasure of Sri Radha Karttika vow lasts a month.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Of course, during this month Vaisnavas sing about Lord Damodara – the Lord of Gokula. They heartily glorify Him and with devotion worship Lord Sri Krsna in His most naughty and beautiful form. But Gaudiya Vaisnavas in particular focus this month on the worship of our most revered Aradhya Devi – Srimati Radharani and perform special service for Her pleasure.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Karttika is a month of a special vow, Karttika-vrata (Damodar-vrata, Urjja-vrata, niyama-seva-vrata). One of the names of the vow is Urjja-vrata. Urjjesvari is one of the names of Srimati Radharani, meaning “Mistress of Urjja-vrata”. The word urjjah means “wealth”, “power”. All the wealth and strength manifest in Her for serving Sri Krishna. She manages all the wealth and power that are meant for serving the Master of Her heart. So Urjja-vrata followed in the month of Karttika ascends to Urjjesvari, Sri Radhika, and therefore Vaisnavas attach very great importance to Karttika, especially in trying to satisfy Srimati Radharani to gain Her service and thus service to Her beloved Sri Krishna.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In addition, this month gopis worshiped Katyayani*, with the innermost intention to please the highest goddess Srimati Radharani. Nanda-gopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah. Such was their inner prayer to Katyayani * (SB10.22.4):”O goddess Katyayani, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please let us serve the son of Nanda Maharaja the way our heart desires. We offer our obeisances unto you.” With this prayer they perform the Karttika-vrata. (* Katyayani is one of the manifestations of Yoga-Maya in Sri Vraja Dhama. Katyayani-vrata continues in the month following the Karttika).</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Therefore we attach particular importance to the observance of this last part of the caturmasya – Karttika-vrata. This month is exclusively connected with serving Krishna’s beloveds – Radharani and Her gopis – and Krishna. Srimad-Bhagavatam also inspires us to imbibe the mentality of the gopis worshipping Katyayani. Having such internal feeling we observe the last month of Caturmasya with even greater attention.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Karttika is also known as the month of niyama-seva. Niyama means “rules” –additional prayers, pujas, reading, preaching, extra service to Lord Hari, Spiritual Master and the Vaisnavas. And thus this vow of niyama-seva inspires the sadhaka to dedicate this time to a special service regime, when he uses every minute for his highest good. Our aspiration should be such, most especially in this month, and Krishna likes it very much. If we do this to please Radharani, Krishna will be pleased even more so, because it gives pleasure to His most exalted devotee. And Her happiness attracts Krishna to us. When Radha is pleased with us, She will compassionately cleanse us and make us worthy to gain our eternal service in the groves of Vrindavan in the mood of Her friends.Satyavrata Muni says: namo radhikayai tvadiya priyayai – “I bow down to Your dearest beloved, Sri Radhika.” With this, he points out that the only engagement during the Damodara-vrata should be worship of Sri Radha-Damodara.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Urjja-vrata is one of the sixty-four methods of devotional service, performed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas. The caturmasya-vrata is considered complete only if it’s last month of Urjja-vrata is observed.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Last five days of Karttika are called Bhishma-Pancaka. And the Vaisnavas also follow some vows in those days.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">To observe Karttika-vrata is one of the main engagements for the Vaisnavass.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Some of the observances prescribed by Hari bhakti Vilas and Skanda Purana:</p>
<ol><li style="text-align:justify;">Rise at brahma-muhurta and attend mangala-aratika – attain spiritual world.</li>
</ol><ol start="2"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer incense, ghee lamp, flowers (malati, lotus, rose, jasmine, lily) and camphor lamp three times a day.</li>
</ol><ol start="3"><li style="text-align:justify;">Daily ghee lamp to Radha-Damodara (any Radha-Krishna Deity or picture) and sing Damodarastakam.</li>
</ol><ol start="4"><li style="text-align:justify;">Maintain akhanda ghee/sesame lamp before Deity, base of Tulasi, hang in the sky – attain the spiritual world. Just by offering a ghee lamp to Sri Krishna, one attains perfection and goes back to Godhead.</li>
</ol><ol start="5"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer sweet rice mixed with ghee, tasty food and varieties of fruits.</li>
</ol><ol start="6"><li style="text-align:justify;">Mandira-parikrama four times daily while reciting prayers – get the merit of a horse sacrifice with every step.</li>
</ol><ol start="7"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer water and prasada to ancestors.</li>
</ol><ol start="8"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer camphor lamp with aguru oil esp. on Ekadasi – no rebirth.</li>
</ol><ol start="9"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer fresh flower garlands (rose or lotus) and sanadalwood paste.</li>
</ol><ol start="10"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer new clothes.</li>
</ol><ol start="11"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer one lakh of Tulasi leaves to Krishna</li>
</ol><ol start="12"><li style="text-align:justify;">Daily offer incense, ghee lamp and flowers to Tulasi and circumambulate her.</li>
</ol><ol start="13"><li style="text-align:justify;">Relight another person’s ghee lamp – attain unlimited merit and not see Yamaraja.</li>
</ol><ol start="14"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer water to the moon.</li>
</ol><ol start="15"><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer floating ghee lamp.</li>
</ol><ol start="16"><li style="text-align:justify;">Enthusiastically dance, sing and play musical instruments, and recite prayers before the Deity – attain spiritual world with your ancestors.</li>
</ol><p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://www.mayapur.com/2019/kartik-month-begins-today/">https://www.mayapur.com/2019/kartik-month-begins-today/</a></p></div>