kartik | The Hare Krishna Movement

Sri Damodarastaka

21 Oct 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Damodarastakam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas Tags: Damodara, ghee lamp, kartik, Krishna, month of Damodara, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas

” Upon seeing His mothers whipping stick, He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful and His breathing quick, and as Mother Yasoda bound His belly with ropes, He shivered in fright and His pearl necklace shook. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, who is bound with His devotee’s love, I offer my humble obeisances.” (Damodarastakam)

We are now in the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.

Full song

Kartik: Month of Prayer and Giving

13 Oct 2019 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Damodara, Kartika Tags: ghee lamp, kartik, Krishna, month of Damodar, spiritual advancement

Kartik: Month of Prayer and Giving

Kartik, or the month of Damodar, is considered the best of months and is most auspicious for spiritual advancement. In the Skanda Purana it is stated:

“As Satya-yuga is the best of yugas, as the Vedas are the best of scriptures, as Ganga is the best of rivers, so Kartik is the best of months, the most dear to Lord Sri Krishna.”.

Also in the Skanda Purana it is stated:

“A person who offers a ghee lamp to Lord Krishna during Kartik burns away a collection of sins as big as Mt. Meru or Mt. Mandara, will not take birth again in this world and attains to the eternal spiritual realm where there is no suffering. Even if there are no mantras, no piety, and no purity, everything becomes perfect by such an offering.”

The Padma Purana describes the month of Kartik as Krishna’s favorite month. Devotional activities performed during this holy month are rewarded with greater spiritual results than usual so devotees often take vows to increase their spiritual practices or to simplify their material needs for the entire month. It is a way that they can remember Krishna more and increase their service to Him.

Month of Damodara (Kartika)

17 Oct 2016 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Damodarastakam, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Visnujana Swami Tags: Damodara, glistening earrings, kartik, Lord Krsna's pastimes, month of Damodara, month of Damodara (Kartika)., namamisvaram, sac-cid-ananda-rupam, songs of the vaisnava acharyas, Sri Damosarastaka, Supreme Lord Damodara, the supreme controller

Following song lyrics is a link of Vishnujana Swami chanting the Damodara Prayers

Full song More

Mother Yaśodā Binding Lord Kṛṣṇa

30 Oct 2012 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness, KRSNA The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Damodarastakam Tags: 1970 Edition, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, binding Lord Krishna, Damodara, Damodarastakam, kartik, Krishna's childhood pastimes, Krsna The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mother Yasoda, Mother Yasoda Binding Lord Krsna

…Mother Yaśodā chased Him to all corners, trying to capture the Supreme Personality of Godhead who is never approached even by the meditations of great yogīs. In other words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is never caught by the yogīs and speculators, was playing just like a little child for a great devotee like mother Yaśodā. Mother Yaśodā, however, could not easily catch the fast-running child because of her thin waist and heavy body. Still she tried to follow Him as fast as possible. Her hair loosened, and the flower in her hair fell to the ground. Although she was tired, she somehow reached her naughty child and captured Him. When He was caught, Kṛṣṇa was almost on the point of crying. He smeared His hands over His eyes, which were anointed with black eye cosmetics. The child saw His mother’s face while she stood over Him, and His eyes became restless from fear. Mother Yaśodā could understand that Kṛṣṇa was unnecessarily afraid, and for His benefit she wanted to allay His fears.

Kṛṣṇa, The Supreme Personality of Godhead 1970 Edition
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vol. 1, Chapter 9

Mother Yaśodā Binding Lord Kṛṣṇa

Once upon a time, seeing that her maidservant was engaged in different household duties, mother Yaśodā personally took charge of churning butter. And while she churned butter, she sang the childhood pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and enjoyed thinking of her son.