Quoted by Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Hari-bhakti Vilasa
(the standard lawbook for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas)
Intro-if one neglects to perform the Kartika Vrata all his pious merits amassed in the passed are burned to ashes; his study of the Vedas becomes futile; and his performance of japa, charity, and austerity becomes fruitless.
Glories of Kartika Vrata-Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartika month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartika Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, whereas ordinary vratas only last for one lifetime! As Krsna says in Gita that He is the month of Nov-Dev, similarly, Srimati Radhika is the holy month of Kartik which precedes His month. Rupa Gosvami and others refer to Radharani as the Kartika-devata or Kartika Devi, in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the Kartika Vrata.
Daily Offer-tulsi arotik, ghee lamp to Krsna and sing Damodarastakam, bathe in Yamuna if possible, give charity to pure devotees.
Dont Eat: grains given by others, honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods like sweets and fried foods, samosas, pakoras.
Dont Do: cut hair, nails, use things of others, criticize Vaisnavas, Vedas or anyone, no oil on body, do not find faults in others or be envious.
Prayer before beginning: “O gopikas! By your mercy may Radha and Krsna be pleased with my Kartika Vrata.”
Benefits Observing Kartik Vrata: All sins flee from the heart. Perform other vratas one hundred times not equal to one performance of Kartik Vrata. All the holy places will live within your body. Proper performance of Kartik Vrata gives one a million times the result of chanting mantras, do yatras and other types of vratas. Those who worship Damodara in Vrndavana even once easily attain Krsna bhakti. Dhruva Maharaja attained Hari darsana by worshiping Krsna in Mathura during the Kartika month.
Summary of How to Follow the Kartika Vrata:
Remember–Kartika Vrata is a special time to worship Radha Damodara, and especially get the mercy of Radhika, since it is Her month, and She is very very easily pleased this month if one worships Her along with Her beloved Damodara.
Srila Prabhupada on When to Start Kartika Vrata: “In Vrndavana we should have Kartika Vrata, Urja Vrata, for one month beginning on Ekadasi (Pasanukusa) (Srila Prabhupada Tape 10/6/72)
Pasanukusa Ekadasi Morning: Offer prayer-“O Janardana, O Damodara, O Devesa who are accompanied by Radhika. During the month of Kartika, I will bathe early every morning for Your satisfaction.”
1. Rise early every day by Brahma Muhurta, bathe, chant japa offer Mangala Arotik
2. Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, especially Radha and Krsna pastimes in Vrndavana, daily in association of exalted Vaisnavas, if possible. By regularly reading Srimad Bhagavatam during Kartika month, one gets the benefit of reading all the eighteen 18 Puranas. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month.
3. Chant continually in japa and kirtan, Krsna nama, do extra rounds and more kirtana with family.
Must maintain celibacy for entire month
Give up favorite food article for entire month (sweets, salties) Try to eat only once in a day. *if you can do and carry on ordinary works*
Eat your meals only on palasa leaves (if possible, will give tremendous punya.)
No oil on body and NO EATING honey, eggplant, portal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame seeds, or urad dahl (no kichoris)
Daily sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning
Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krsna Deity or photo (no need of picture of Mother Yasoda-Damodara or photo)
Daily offer arotik and prayers to Tulsi devi praying for eternal residence in Vrndavana and eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna.
Daily chant the Radha-krpa katakasam, and Krsna krpa kataksam in Giti Guccha songbook
Also chant other prayers to Radha and Radha Krsna Yugala from the Giti Guccha songbook
ON Ekadasi, Dvadasis, and Purnima chant the one-thousand names of Radha
On the three Ekadasis in Kartik try to observe Nirjala Vrata and stay awake chanting hari nam, especially on the last one, Uttana Ekadasi, when Lord Visnu and all the demigods awake after four months slumber.
Donate charity to pure devotees
Offer special nice foods to Krsna for entire month. For example every day make sweet rice, (khira) which is the favorite food of Krsna.
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