Importance of Kartik Month in Krishna Bhakti

Kartik Month in Vaishnava Scriptures

Various Vaishnava scriptures like Padma Purana and Skanda Purana have a description of Kartik month. These scriptures beautifully explain the importance of Kartik month and glorify its special significance in Krishna bhakti.

Skanda Purana

In the Skanda Purana, there is a beautiful story mentioned that shows us the effect of offering a cotton wick to the Lord, even unknowingly, in the month of Kartik.

A female mouse was living in a temple of Lord Vishnu, who used to eat ghee from the extinguished ghee lamps that had been offered by others to the Lord. It was her daily business, but one day, when she felt hungry, she tried to eat ghee from a lamp that was not yet extinguished. While eating ghee, the cotton wick got stuck in her teeth. The ghee wick was still burning, and the mouse started jumping in front of the Lord’s deity and thus died from the burning. But Lord Vishnu accepted the jumping of the mouse with a ghee wick in its mouth as His arati. By doing so, she achieved a rarely achievable human form and achieved liberation in the end.

Padma Purana

Padma Purana reveals how fortunate a person becomes by simply offering a lotus flower to Lord Narayana in the month of Kartik. It states that such a person will easily get the favour of Lakshmidevi and enjoy great wealth for hundreds of births.

The Purana also mentions that one who regularly offers a ghee lamp to Lord Hari during the month of Kartik enjoys pastimes in Lord Hari’s magnificent spiritual world as one of His servants.

Narada Purana

In the conversation of Mohini Devi (Lord Brahma's daughter) and King Rukmangada, it is mentioned that there is no gift greater than the gift of a lamp in the month of Kartik. Kindling of lamps should be performed with the feeling of devotion; then it is superior to all kinds of charitable gifts.

Hari Bhakti Vilasa

Srila Sanatana Goswami, in his book Hari Bhakti Vilasa, reveals to us a way to please Lord Krishna. He mentions that one should worship Lord Damodar daily and sing Damodarashtakam written by Satyavrata Muni. This simple act of devotional service pleases Lord Damodar the most.

Bhavishya Purana

In the Bhavishya Purana, it is stated that a person who illuminates the Lord’s temple with many lamps during the month of Kartik and especially on the ekadashi or dvadashi of that month becomes glorious. Will surely leave this world of birth and death, traveling in a splendid airplane that fills the universe with light.

Kartik Month Connection with Srimati Radharani

Srila Rupa Goswami, in his song Utkalika Vallari, addressed Srimati Radharani as the queen of Kartik. Radharani is Kartika-devata or Kartik Devi, the presiding deity of Kartik month. Padma Purana recommends worshipping Radharani and Krishna together in the month of Kartik to get the favor of Lord Damodar.

Kartik Vrata is especially meant to gain Radhika's mercy, since it is Her month. She is especially pleased when one worships Her along with Her beloved Damodar. Kartik month allows everyone to become dear to Radha and Krishna by simply worshiping and serving them.

Significance of Devotional Service in Kartik

The significance of devotional service in Kartik lies in deepening our loving relationship with Lord Krishna. During this month, devotees hear about the Damodar lila, remembering how the Supreme Lord allowed Mother Yashoda to bind Him with a rope through her love. Chanting the Lord’s holy names, singing Damodarashtakam, and offering lamps are acts of devotional service that help us deepen our loving connection with Him.

Conclusion

Thus, the month of Kartik has a very important place in the life of a devotee who is very eager to get the mercy of Lord Krishna. Vedic scriptures reveal to us the path to gain the Lord’s favor simply by offering a lamp to the Lord in the month of Kartik. Even a small act of devotional service during Kartik, such as chanting, hearing the Lord’s pastimes, or offering a lamp, bestows spiritual benefits that may not be attained over many births.