During the Kartik month of October-November, the energies of the Supreme Divine are specially available for liberating one from material bondage.
The month of Kartik (October-November) is a very specially blessed month. In commemoration of a specific childhood pastime of Krsna, the month is also known as Damodara. Daamu means rope, and udara means stomach.
This was when Krsna liberated two demigods, while Himself being tied up by his mother with a rope around his abdomen, to a large mortar.
Krsna had been in a very naughty mood, and mother Yashoda feared that He would get up to mischief and harm Himself while she was busy with household chores. Mother Yashoda tied Him up so that He could move around but not wander away.
Of all the months, Damodara or Kartik Maas is described in the scriptures as the best among months for performing austerities and worshiping Sri Kṛṣṇa, chanting the Mahamantra, studying the Bhagavad Gita and performing other spiritual self-development works.
Lord Shri Krishna says, “Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me; of all months, Kārtik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days, Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112.3).
“In the month of Kārtik (October-November) one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recite the prayer known as Damodara-ashtakam, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara.” (Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa 2:16:198).
For karmic healers, during this month of Kartik the practices they follow should be done with greater dedication, with a focus on some additional things.
These include:
Here is an uplifting ISKCON Bangalore chanting video of Damodara-ashtakam, with Srila Prabhupada’s commentary in between. (Video includes the verses).
For more from ISKCON Bangalore click here.
Song Name: Namamisvaram Saccidananda Rupam
Official Name: Sri Sri Damodarastakam
Spoken by: Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Nārada Muni and Śaunaka Ṛṣi
Author: Vyasadeva
Book Name: Padma Purana
TRANSLATION
Kartik is also the month that the Karva Chauth festival is celebrated on the 4th day of the waning moon. Married women in north and north-western India do this for the long life of their husbands.
There is a little known secret for the reason behind this festival. Read the special article on karva chauth and learn the secret universal energy reasons for the festival during the Kartik month.