atha kärttika-kåtyaà
dämodaraà prapadye 'haà
çré-rädhä-ramaëaà
prabhum
prabhäväd yasya tat-preñöhaù
kärttikaù sevito bhavet
atha-now; kärttika-kåtyam-the duties of Kärttika; dämodaram-to Lord Kåñëa; prapadye-surrender; aham-I; çré-rädhä-of Çré Rädhä; ramaëam-the lover; prabhum-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prabhavät-by the power; yasya-of whom; tat-preñöhaù-dear to Him; kärttikaù-Kärttika; sevitaù-served; bhavet-is.
Duties in the Month of Kärttika
I surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
who was tied about the waist with a rope, and who is the lover of Çré
Rädhä. By His power one is able to serve His favored month: the
month of Kärttika.
Text 2
bhäti kärttika-kåtyädi
skända-pädmädiñu sphuöam
tathäpy ekatra saìgåhya
särato 'tra vilikhyate
bhäti-manifested; kärttika-kåtyädi-the duties of Kärttika; skända-pädmädiñu-in the Skanda, Padma, and other Puräëas; sphuöam'clearly; tathäpi-still; ekatra-in one place; saìgåhya-collecting; särataù-the essence; atra-here; vilikhyate-is written.
The duties of the month of Kärttika are clearly described in the Skanda Puräëa, Padma Puräëa, and other scriptures. The essence of what they say is collected here in one place.
Text 3
kärttike 'smin viçeñeëa
nityaà kurvéta vaiñëavaù
dämodarärcanaà prätaù-
snäna-däna-vratädikam
kärttike-in Kärttika; asmin-in this;
viçeñeëa-specifically; nityam-always; kurvéta-should
do; vaiñëavaù-a devotee of Lord Viñëu; dämodara-of
Lord Dämodara; arcanam-the worship; prätaù-in the morning;
snäna-bathing; däna-gifts; vrata-vows; ädikam-beginning
with.
Especially in the month of Kärttika a Vaiñëava should regularly bathe in the morning, worship Lord Dämodara, give charity, follow vows, and perform other spiritual activities.
Text 4
tathä dina-viçeñe yad
bhagavat-püjanädikam
kuryäd vidhi-viçeñeëa
lekhyam agre vivicya tat
tathä-so; dina-viçeñe-on a specifé
day; yat-what; bhagavat-püjanädikam-beginning with worship of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kuryät-should do; vidhi-viçeñeëa-with
specifé rules; lekhyam-will be written; agre-in the beginning; vivicya-considering;
tat-thus.
Here I will write when the month of Kåñëa begins and how one should worship the Lord during this month.
Text 5
atha kärttika-vrata-nityatä
skände brahma-närada-samväde
duñpräpyam- präpya mänuñyaà
kärttikoktaà caren na hi
dharmaà dharma-bhåtaà çreñöha
sa mätå-pitå-ghätakaù
atha-now; kärttika-vrata-nityatä-one
should always follow the vow of worshiping the Lord in the month of Kärttika;
skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; brahma-närada-samväde-in
a conversation of Brahma' and Närada; duñpräpyam-difficult
to attain; präpya-attaining; mänuñyam-human birth; kärttika-of
the month of Kärttika; uktam-said; caren-follows; na-not; hi-indeed;
dharmam-religion; dharma-bhåtäm-of the followers of religion;
çreñöha-the best; sa-he; mätr„-pitr„-ghätakaù-the
killer of his father and mother.
One Should Always Follow the Vow of Kärttika-vrata
In the Skanda Puräëa, in a conversation
of Brahma' and Närada, it is said:
"O best of the followers of religion, a person
who does not follow the vow of Kärttika-vrata is a sinner. He is like
a person who murders his father and mother.
Text 6
avratena kñiped yas tu
mäsaà dämodara-priyam
tiryag-yoëim aväpnoti
sarva-dharma-bahis-kåtaù
avratena-without following the vow; kñipet-spends;
yaù-who; tu-indeed; mäsam-the month; dämodara-to Lord
Dämodara; priyam-dear; tiryag-yoëim-birth as an animal; aväpnoti-attains;
sarva-dharma-bahis-kåtaù-outside all religious principles.
"A person who does not follow the vow in this month that is dear to Lord Dämodara finds himself outside all religious principles. He takes birth in an animal's womb.
Text 7
sa brahma-hä sa go-ghnaç ca
svarëa-steyé sadänåti
na karoti muni-çreñöha
yo naraù kärttike vratam
sa-he; brahma-hä-murderer of a brähmaëa;
sa-he; go-ghnaù-killer of a cow; ca-and; svarëa-steyé-thief
of gold; sadä-always; anåti-lying; na-not; karoti-does; muni-çreñöha-O
best of sages; yaù-who; naraù-person; kärttike-in Kärttika;
vratam-vow.
"O best of sages, a person who does not follow this vow in the month of Kärttika is a brähmaëa-killer, a cow-killer, a thief of gold, and a perpetual liar.
Text 8
vidhavä vä viçeñena
vrataà yadi na kärttike
karoti muni-çärdüla
narakaà yäti sa dhruvam
vidhavä-a widow; vä-or; viçeñena-specifically;
vratam-vow; yadi'if; na-not; kärttike-in Kärttika; karoti-does;
muni-çärdüla-O tiger of sages; narakam-to hell; yäti-goes;
sa-she; dhruvam-indeed.
"O tiger of sages, a widow especially who does not follow the vow of Kärttika certainly goes to hell.
Text 9
vrataà tu kärttike mäse
yadä na kurute gåhé
iñöäpürtaà våthä
tasya
yävad ähüta-näraké
vratam-vow; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika;
mäse-month; yadä-when; na-not; kurute-does; gåhé-a
householder; iñöäpürtam-pious deeds; våthä-useless;
tasya-of him; yävat-as; ähüta-screaming; näraké-a
person in hell.
"If a householder does not follow the vow of Kärttika, his pious and charitable deeds do him no good. They become like the screams of a person in hell.
Text 10
sampräpte kärttike mäse
dvijo vrata-paräì-mukhaù
bhavanti vimukhäù sarve
tasya deväù sa-vävaräù
sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika;
mäse-month; dvijaù-a brähmaëa; vrata-parän-mukhaù-averse
to the vow; bhavanti-become; vimukhäù-averse; sarve-all; tasya-of
him; deväù-the demigods; sa-väsaväù-with Indra's
followers.
"if a brähmaëa spurns the Kärttika vow, then Indra and all the demigods spurn him.
Text 11
iñövä ca bahubhir yajïaiù
kåtvä çräddha-satäni
ca
svargaà näpnoti viprendra
akåtvä kärttike vratam
iñövä-worshiping; ca-and; bahubhiù-with
many; yajïaiù-yajnas; kåtvä-doing; çräddha-satäni-a
hundred sraddhas; ca-and; svargam-Svarga; na-not; äpnoti-attains;
viprendra-O king of the brähmaëas; akåtvä-not doing;
kärttike-in Kärttika; vratam-the vow.
"O king of brähmaëas, a person who performs a hundred çräddhas and a host of yajïas, but does not follow the Kärttika vow, cannot enter Svargaloka.
Text 12
yatiç ca vidhavä caiva
viçeñenä vanäçrämé
kärttikaà narakaà yänti
akåtvä vaiñëavaà
vratam
yatiù-sannyasi; ca-and; vidhavä-widow;
ca-and; eva-indeed; viçeñenä-specifically; vanäçrämé-vanaprastha;
kärttikam-Kärttika; narakam-to hell; yänti-go; akåtvä-not
doing; vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; vratam-the vow.
"Especially a sannyäsé, vänaprastha, or widow who do not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow go to hell.
Text 13
vedair adhétaiù kià tasya
puräëa-paöhanaiç ca kim
kåtaà yadi na viprendra
kärttike vaiñëavaà vratam
vedaiù-Vedas; adhétaiù-studied;
kim-what is the use?; tasya-of him; puräëa-paöhanaiù-studying
the Puräëas; ca-and; kim-what?; kåtam-done; yadi-of; na-not;
viprendra-O king of the brähmaëas; kärttike-Kärttika;
vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow.
"O king of brähmaëas, what good will study of the Vedas and Puräëas do for a person who does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow?
Text 14
janma-prabhåti yat puëyaà
vidhivat samupärjitam
bhasmé-bhavati tat sarvaà
akåtvä kärttika-vratam
janma-prabhåti-beginning with birth; yat-what;
puëyam-piety; vidhivat'properly; samupärjitam-earned; bhasmé-ashes;
bhavati-becomes; tat-that; sarvam-all; akåtvä-not doing; kärttika-vratam-the
Kärttika vow.
"A person who does not follow the Kärttika vow finds his life's pious deeds burned to ashes.
Text 15
yad dattaà ca paraà japtaà
kåtaà ca su-mahat-tapaù
sarvaà viphalatäm eti
akåtvä kärttike vratam
yat-what; dattam-given; ca-and; param-more; japtam-chanted;
kåtam-doen; ca-and; su-mahat-tapaù-great austerities; sarvam-all;
viphalatäm-uselessness; eti-attain; akåtvä-not performing;
kärttike'in Kärttika; vratam-the vow.
"A person who does not follow the Kärttika
vow finds that all his charity, great austerities, and mantra-chanting
is useless.
Text 16
sapta-janmärjitaà puëyaà
våthä bhavati närada
akåtvä kärttike mäsi
vaiñëavaà vratam uttamam
sapta-janmärjitam-earned in seven births;
puëyam-piety; våthä-useless; bhavati-is; närada-O
Narada; akåtvä-not doing; kärttike mäsi-in Kärttika
month; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava; vratam-vow; uttamam-transcendental.
"O Näarada, if one does not follow the Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow, seven births of his pious deeds become useless.
Text 17
päpa-bhütaç ca te jïeyä
loke martyä mahä-mune
vaiñëaväkhyaà vrataà
yais tu
na kåtaà kärttike çubham
päpa-bhütaù-sinners; ca-and; te-they;
jïeyä-known; loke-in the world; martyä-people; mahä-mune-O
great sage; vaiñëaväkhyam- vratam-the Vaiñëava
vow; yaiù-by whom; tu-indeed; na-not; kåtam-done; kärttike-in
Kärttika; çubham-auspicious.
"O great sage, they who do not follow the auspicious Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow are known as sinners in this world."
Text 18
kià ca
akåtvä niyamaà viñëoù
kärttikaà yaù kñipen
naraù
janmärjitasya puëyasya
phalaà näpnoti närada
kim- ca-furthermore; akåtvä-not doing;
niyamam-vow; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; kärttikam-Kärttika;
yaù-one who; kñipen-spends; naraù-a person; janmärjitasya-earned
in an entire lifetime; puëyasya-of piety; phalam-the result; na-not;
äpnoti-obtains; närada-O Narada.
It is further said:
"O Närada, a person who does not follow the
Vaiñëava Kärttika-vow loses the pious deeds of an entire
life."
Text 19
kià ca
niyamena vinä caiva
yo nayet kärttikaà mune
cäturmäsyaà tathä caiva
brahma-hä sa kulädhamaù
kim- ca-furthermore; niyamena-vow; vinä-without;
ca-and; eva-indeed; yaù-who; nayet-leads; kärttikam-Kärttika;
mune-O sage; cäturmäsyam-Caturmasya; tathä-so; ca-and; eva-indeed;
brahma-hä-a ârähmaëa-killer; sa-he; kulädhamaù-the
lowest of his family.
It is also said:
"O sage, a person who does not follow the Kärttika
and Cäturmäsya vows is sinful like a brähmaëa-killer.
He is the most degraded person in his family.
Texts 20-22
kià ca
piëòä-dänaà pitåëäà
ca
pitå-pakñe na vai kåtam
vrataà na kärttike mäsi
çrävaëyäm åñi-tarpaëam
caitre nändolito viñëur
mägha-snänaà na saj-jale
na kåtämardaké puñye
çrävaëe rauhiëäñöamé
saìgame na kåtä yena
dvädaçé çravaëänvitä
kutra yäsyanti te müòhä
nähaà vedmi kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; piëòä-dänam-offering
pinda; pitåëäm-to the pitas; ca-and; pitr„-pakñe-on
pitr-paksa; na-not; vai-indeed; kåtam-done; vratam-vow; na-not; kärttike-in
Kärttika; mäsi-month; çrävaëyäm-in the
month of Sravana; åñi-tarpaëam-offering tarpaëa
to the sages; caitre-in the month of Sravana; na-not; ändolitaù-moved
on a swing; viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; magha-in
the month of Magha; snänam-bath; na-not; saê-jale-in clear water;
na-not; kåta-done; ämardaké-the ämardaké
vow; puñye-in Puñya; çravaëe-in Çravaëa;
rauhiëäñöamé-Rauhiëäñöamé;
saìgame-in the meeting; na-not; kåtä-done; yena-by which;
dvädaçé-dvädaçé; çravaëänvitä-with
sravana; kutra-where?; yäsyanti-will go; te-they; müòhä-foolish;
na-not; aham-I; vedmi-know; kali-priya-O Närada.
What is the fate of the fools who do not offer piëòa' to the ancestors on pitr„-pakña, who do not observe the vow of Kärttika, who do not offer tarpaëa to the sages in the month of Çrävaëa (July-August), who do not observe Lord Viñëu's swing-festival in the month of Caitra (March-April), who do not bathe in clear water in the month of Mägha (January-February), who do not follow the ämardaké vow during the time of the star Puñya, and who do not observe the Rohiëäñöämé day when in the month of Çrävaëa the star çravaëa is present on the dvädaçé day? O Närada, I do not know.
Text 23
pädme ca çré-närada-çaunakädi-muni-gaëa-samväde
mänuñaù karma-bhümau yaù
kärttikaà nayate mudhä
cintämaëià kare präpya
kñipyate kardamämbuni
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-and;
çré-närada-çaunakädi-muni-gaëa-samväde-in
a conversation of Çré Narada anmd the sages headed
by Çré Saunaka; mänuñaù-a human being;
karma-of karma; bhümau-in the world; yaù-who; kärttikam-Kärttika;
nayate-passes; mudhä-uselessly; cintämaëim-a ciontamani
jewel; kare-in the hand; präpya-attaining; kñipyate-throws;
kardamämbuni-in muddy water.
In the Padma Puräëa, in a conversation
of Çré Närada and the sages headed by Çré
Çaunaka it is said:
"A human being in this world of karma who does
not follow the vow of Kärttika takes the cintämaëi jewel
placed in his hand and throws it into muddy water.
Text 24
niyamena vinä vipräù
kärttikam- yaù kñipen naraù
kåñëaù parän-mukhas
tasya
yasmäd ürjo 'sya vallabhaù
niyamena-vow; vinä-without; vipräù-O
brähmaëas; kärttikam-Kärttika; yaù-who; kñipen-spends;
naraù-a person; kåñëaù-Lord Kåñëa;
parän-mukhaù-averse; tasya-of him; yasmät-because; ürjaù-Kärttika;
asya-to Him; vallabhaù-dear.
"O brähmaëas, the month of Kärttika is very dear to Lord Kåñëa. That is why Lord Kåñëa turns His face from anyone who does not follow the Kärttika vow.
Text 25
atha tatra viçeñena snäna-dänädi-tat-karma-nityatä
skände tatraiva
yair na dattaà hutaà japtaà
na snänaà na harer vratam
na kåtaà kärttike putra
dvijäs te vai narädhamäù
atha-now; tatra-there; viçeñena-specifically;
snäna-bathing; däna-giving charity; ädi-beginning with;
tat-karma-those activities; nityatä-should be done regularly; skände-in
thekanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; yaiù-by
whom; na-not; dattam-given; hutam-yajna; japtam-chanted japa; na-not; snänam-bathed;
na-not; hareù-of Lord Kåñëa; vratam-the vow; na-not;
kåtam-done; kärttike-in Kärttika; putra-O son; dvijäù-brähmaëas;
te-they; vai-indeed; narädhamäù-the lowest of men.
One Should Always Follow the Kärttika Bow by
Bathing, Giving Charity, and Performing Other Pious Deeds
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
"O son, brähmaëas who in the month of
Kärttika do not give charity, perform yajïas, chant japa, bathe,
or follow the vow to please Lord Kåñëa are the lowest
of men."
Text 26
kià ca
yair na dattaà hutaà japtaà
kärttike na vrataà kåtam
tenätmä härito nünaà
na präptaà prärthitaà phalam
kim- ca-furthermore; yaiù-by whom; na-not;
dattam-given charity; hutam-offered yajnas; japtam-chanted japa; kärttike-in
Kärttika; na-not; vratam-vow; kåtam-done; tena-by that; ätmä-slef;
häritaù-robbed; nünam-indeed; na-not; präptam-attained;
prärthitam-requested; phalam-result.
It is further said:
"They who in the month of Kärttika do not
give charity, perform yajïas, chant japa, or follow vows are thieves
who roâ themselves of their own valuables. They do not attain what
they wish."
Text 27
kià ca
sampräpte kärttike mäsi
ye ratä na janärdane
teñäà sauri-pure väsaù
pitåbhiù saha närada
kim- ca-furthermore; sampräpte-attained; kärttike-Kärttika;
mäsi-month; ye-who; ratä-engaged; na-not; janärdane-in Lord
Kåñëa; teñäm-of them; sauri-pure-in the city
of Yamaräja; väsaù-residence; pitåbhiù-ancestors;
saha-with; närada-O Narada.
It is further said:
"O Närada, they who do not worship Lord Kåñëa
during the month of Kärttika reside, along with their ancestors, in
hell."
Text 28
kià ca
kärttike närcito yais tu
bhakti-bhävena keçavaù
narakaà te gamiñyanti
yamadütais tu yantritäù
kim- ca-furthermore; kärttike-in Kärttika;
na-not; ärcitaù-worshiped; yaiù-by whom; tu-indeed;
bhakti-bhävena-with love and devotion; keçavaù-Lord
Kåñëa; narakam-to hell; te-they; gamiñyanti-will
go; yamadütaiù-by the Yamadütas; tu-indeed; yantritäù-chained.
It is further said:
"They who in the month of Kärttika do not
worship Lord Kåñëa with love and devotion are chained
and dragged to hell by the messengers of Yamaräja.
Text 29
janma-koöi-sahasrais tu
mänuñyaà präpya durlabham
kärttike närcito viñëur
häritaà tena janma vai
janma-koöi-sahasraiù-by thousands and
millions of births; tu-indeed; mänuñyam-human; präpya-attaining;
durlabham-rare; kärttike-in Kärttika; na-not; arcitaù-worshiped;
viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; häritam-removed;
tena-by him; janma-birth; vai-indeed.
"He loses the rare human life he attained after many thousands and millions of births who does not worship Lord Viñëu in the month of Kärttika.
Text 30
viñëoù püjä kathä
viñëor
vaiñëavänäà ca darçanam
na bhavet kärttike yasya
hanti puëyaà daçäbdikam
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu;
püjä-worship; kathä-topics; viñëoù-of
Lord Viñëu; vaiñëavänäm-of the Vaiñëavas;
ca-qand; darçanam-sight; na-not; bhavet-is; kärttike-in Kärttika;
yasya-of whom; hanti-kills; puëyam-piety; daça-ten; abdikam-years.
"A person who in the month of Kärttika does not worship Lord Viñëu, chant Lord Viñëu's glories, or associate with the Vaiñëavas, kills ten years of pious deeds."
Text 31
atha kärttika-mähätmyaà
kärttikasya tu mähätmyaà
präk sämänyena likhyate
tato viçeñatas tatra
karma-deçädi-bhedataù
atha-now; kärttika-mähätmyam-the
glories of Kärttika; kärttikasya-of Kärttika; tu-indeed;
mähätmyam-the glory; präk-first; sämänyena-in
a general way; likhyate-is written; tataù-then; viçeñataù-specifically;
tatra-there; karma-deçädi-bhedataù-differences beginning
with work and place.
The Glories of Kärttika
First I will write of the glories of Kärttika
in a general way and then I will write of the different situations beginning
with the differences of work and place.
Text 32
atha sämänya-kärttika-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
kärttikasya tu mäsasya
koöy-aàçenäpi närhati
sarva-tértheñu yat snänaà
sarva-däneñu yat phalam
atha-now; sämänya-in a general way; kärttika-of
Kärttika; mähätmyam-the glory; skände-in the Skanda
Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttikasya-of Kärttika;
tu-indeed; mäsasya-glory; koöy-aàçena-with a ten-millionth
part; api-even; na-not; arhati-is worthy; sarva-in all; tértheñu-holy
places; yat-what; snänam-bathing; sarva-däneñu-in all
charities; yat-what; phalam-result.
A General Description of Kärttika's Glories
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
"The pious result obtained by bathing in all holy
places and giving all charities is not equal to one ten-millionth part
of the result obtained by following the vow of Kärttika.
Texts 33 and 34
ekataù sarva-térthäni
sarve yajïäù sa-dakñiëäù
ekataù puñkare väsaù
kurukñetre himäcale
meru-tulya-suvarëäni
sarva-dänäni caikataù
ekataù kärttiko vatsa
sarvadä keçava-priyaù
ekataù-as one; sarva-térthäni-all
holy places; sarve-all; yajïäù-yajnas; sa-dakñiëäù-with
daksina; ekataù-as one; puñkare-in Puñkara; väsaù-residence;
kurukñetre-in Kurukñetra; himäcale-in the Himalayas;
meru-tulya-suvarëäni-gold equal to Mount Meru; sarva-dänäni-all
charity; ca-ad; ekataù-as one; ekataù-as one; kärttikaù-Kärttika;
vatsa-child; sarvadä-in all ways; keçava-to Lord Kåñëa;
priyaù-dear.
"All holy places, yajïas, dakñiëäs, residence in Puñkara, Kurukñetra, and the Himalayas, and all giving in charity a pile of gold like Mount Meru, reside in Kärttika, Lord Kåñëa's favorite month.
Text 35
yat kiïcit kriyate puëyaà
viñëum uddiçya kärttike
tad akñayaà bhavet sarvaà
satyoktaà tava närada
yat-waht; kiïcit-something; kriyate-is done;
puëyam-piety; viñëum-to Lord Viñëu; uddiçya-in
relation to; kärttike-in Kärttika; tat-that; akñayam-eternal;
bhavet-is; sarvam-all; satya-truth; uktam-said; tava-of you; närada-O
Narada.
"The service one does to Lord Viñëu in the month of Kåñëa is all eternal. O Närada, I tell you the truth.
Text 36
kärttikaà khalu vai mäsaà
sarva-mäseñu cottamam
puëyänäà paramaà puëyaà
pävanänäà ca pävanam
kärttikam-Kärttika; khalu-indeed; vai-indeed;
mäsam- -month; sarva-mäseñu-in all months; ca-and; uttamam-the
best; puëyänäm-of pious deeds; paramam-the best; puëyam-pious
deed; pävanänäm-of purifiers; ca-and; pävanam-the purifier.
"Kärttika is the best of months, the most pious of pious deeds, the most purifying of all that purify."
Text 37
kià ca
yathä nadénäà viprendra
çailänäà caiva närada
udadhénäà ca viprarñe
kñayo naivopapadyate
kim- ca-furthermore; yathä-as; nadénäm-of rivers; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; çailänäm-of mountains; ca-and; eva-indeed; närada-O Narada; udadhénäm-of oceans; ca-and; viprarñe-O sage of brähmaëas; kñayaù-destruction; na-not; eva-indeed; upapadyate-is.
It is further said:
"O Närada, O king of brähmaëas,
O great sage, rivers, mountains, and oceans will all be destroyed, but
the month of Kärttika will never be destroyed.
Text 38
puëyaà kärttika-mäse tu
yat kiïcit kriyate mune
na tasyästi kñayo brahman
päpasyäpy evam eva ca
puëyam-piety; kärttika-mäse-in the
month of Kärttika; tu-indeed; yat-what; kiïcit-something; kriyate-does;
mune-O sage; na-not; tasya-of that; asti-is; kñayaù-destruction;
brahman-O brähmaëa; päpasya-of sin; api-also; evam-thus;
eva-indeed; ca-and.
"O sage, in the month of Kärttika neither pious deeds nor sins are ever destroyed."
Text 39
na kärttika-samo mäso
na kåtena samaà yugam
na veda-sädåçaà çästraà
na térthaà gaìgayä samam
na-not; kärttika-samaù-equal to Kärttika;
mäsaù-month; na-not; kåtena-Satya; samam-equal; yugam-yuga;
na-not; veda-sädåçam-like the Vedas; çästram-scripture;
na-not; tértham-holy place; gaìgayä-the Gaìgä;
samam-like.
"No month is like Kärttika. No yuga is like Satya-yuga. No scripture is like the Vedas. No holy place is like the Gaìgä.
Text 40
kärttikaù pravaro mäso
vaiñëavänäà priyaù
sadä
kärttikaà sakalaà yas tu
bhaktyä seveta vaiñëavaù
pitån uddharate sarvän
naraka-sthän mahä-mune
kärttikaù-Kärttika; pravaraù-best;
mäsaù-month; vaiñëavänäm-of ther Vaiñëavas;
priyaù-dear; sadä-always; kärttikam-Kärttika; sakalam-all;
yaù-who; tu-indeed; bhaktyä-with devotion; seveta-serve; vaiñëavaù-Vaiñëava;
pitån-the pitas; uddharate-delivers; sarvän-all; naraka-sthän-staying
in hell; mahä-mune-O great sage.
"Kärttika is the best of months. Kärttika is always dear to the Vaiñëavas. O great sage, a Vaiñëava who with devotion serves Kärttika delivers his ancestors from hell.
Text 41
pädme ca
tatraiva dvadaçeñv api mäseñu
kärttikaù kåñëa-vallabhaù
tasmin sampüjito viñëur
alpakair apy upäyanaiù
dadäti vaiñëavaà lokam-
ity evaà niçcitaà mayä
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-and;
tatra-there; eva-indeed; dvadaçeñv-in the twelve; api-even;
mäseñu-months; kärttikaù-Kärttika; kåñëa-to
Lord Kåñëa; vallabhaù-dear; tasmin-in that; sampüjitaù-worshiped;
viñëuù-Lord Viñëu; alpakaiù-with
slight; api-even; upäyanaiù-vow; dadäti-gives; vaiñëavam-of
Lord Viñëu; lokam-the world; iti-thus; evam-thus; niçcitam-concluded;
mayä-by me.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
"Of the twelve months, Kärttika is the most
dear to Lord Kåñëa. To anyone who even slightly worships
Lord Viñëu during its time, the month of Kärttika gives
residence in Lord Viñëu's transcendental abode.
Text 42
yathä dämodaro bhakta-
vatsalo vidito janaiù
tasyäyaà tädåço mäsaù
sv-alpam apy uru-kärakaù
yathä-as; dämodaraù-Lord Damodara;
bhakta-the devotees; vatsalaù-loves; viditaù-known; janaiù-by
the people; tasya-of Him; ayam-this; tädåçaù-like
this; mäsaù-month; sö-alpam-very slight; api-even; uru-kärakaù-making
big.
"As everyone knows, Lord Dämodara loves His devotees. Lord Dämodara's month, the month of Kärttika, also loves the devotees. The month of Kärttika thinks even the slightest devotional service is very big and important.
Text 43
durlabho mänuño deho
dehinäà kñaëa-bhaìguraù
taträpi durlabhaù kälaù
kärttiko hari-vallabhaù
durlabhaù-rare; mänuñaù-human;
dehaù-body; dehinäm-of they who possess bodies; kñaëa-bhaìguraù-breaking
in a moment; taträpi-still; durlabhaù-rare; kälaù-time;
kärttikaù-Kärttika; hari-vallabhaù-dear to Lord
Kåñëa.
"Even though its lasts for only a brief moment, the human form of life is very rare and valuable. In the same way the brief month of Kärttika is also very rare and valuable.
Text 44
dépenäpi hi yaträsau
préyate harir éçvaraù
su-gétaà ca dadäty eva
para-dépa-prabodhanät
dépena-with a lamp; api-even; hi-indeed;
yatra-where; asau-He; priyate-is pleased; hariù-Lord Hari; éçvaraù-the
Supreme Personality of Godhead; su-gétam-glorified; ca-and; dadäti-gives;
eva-indeed; para-dépa-prabodhanät-from liughting another's
lamp.
"Lord Kåñëa is pleased by the offering of a single lamp during the month of Kärttika. Lord Kåñëa glorifies anyone who lights a lamp for someone else to offer."
Text 45
atha tatra vrata-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
vratänäm iha sarveñäà
eka-janmänugaà phalam
kärttike tu vratasyoktaà
phalaà janma-çatänugam
atha-now; tatra-there; vrata-mähätmyam-glory
of the vow; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa; tatra-there; eva-indeed;
vratänäm-of vows; iha-here; sarveñäm-all; eka-one;
janma-birth; anugam-following; phalam-result; kärttike-in Kärttika;
tu-indeed; vratasya-of the vow; uktam-spoken; phalam-result; janma-births;
çata-a hundred; anugam-following.
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
"Other vows bring the results of a lifetime of
pious deeds. The vow of Kärttika brings the result of a hundred lifetimes
of pious deeds.
Text 46
akrüra-térthe viprendra
kärttikyaà samupoñya ca
snätvä yat phalam äpnoti
tä chrutvä vaiñëavaà
vratam
akrüra-térthe-at Akrüra-tértha;
viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; kärttikyam-in Kärttika;
samupoñya-fasting; ca-and; snätvä-bathing; yat-what; phalam-result;
äpnoti-attains; tat-that; çrutvä-hearing; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava;
vratam-vow.
"O king of brähmaëas, a person who simply hears the glories of the Kärttika vow attains the result of fasting and bathing at sacred Akrüra-tértha.
Text 47
väräëasyäà kurukñetre
naimiñe puñkare 'rbude
gatvä yat phalam äpnoti
vrataà kåtvä tu kärttike
väräëasyäm-in Varanasi; kurukñetre-at
Kuruksetra; naimiñe-in Naimisaranya; puñkare-in Puskara;
arbude-in Arbuda-tirtha; gatvä-going; yat-what; phalam-result; äpnoti-attains;
vratam-vow; kåtvä-doing; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
"By following the Kärttika vow one attains the result of going on pilgrimage to Väräëasé, Kurukñetra, Naimiñäraëya, Puñkara, and Arbuda-tértha.
Text 48
aniñövä ca sadä yajïair
na kåtvä pitåbhiù svadhäm
vratena kärttike mäsi
vaiñëavaà tu padaà vrajet
aniñövä-not worshiping; ca-and;
sadä-always; yajïaiù-with yajnas; na-not; kåtvä-doing;
pitåbhiù-with the pitas; svadhäm-sraddha; vratena-with
a vow; kärttike-in Kärttika; mäsi-month; vaiñëavam-of
Lord Viñëu; tu-indeed; padam-to the abode; vrajet-goes.
"A person who never performs yajïas or offers çräddha to the ancestors, but who does follow the vow of Kärttika, will go to the abode of Lord Viñëu.
Text 49
pravåttänäà ca bhakñyänäà
kärttike niyame kåte
avaçyaà kåñëa-rüpatvaà
präpyate muktidaà çubham
pravåttänäm-done; ca-and; bhakñyänäm-of
food; kärttike-in Kärttika; niyame-in restriction; kåte-done;
avaçyam-inevitably; kåñëa-rüpatvam-a form,
like that of Lord Kåñëa; präpyate-attains; muktidam-giving
liberation; çubham-auspicious.
"One who sometimes fasts during Kärttika attains liberation. He attains a glorious spiritual form like Lord Kåñëa's.
Text 50
kià ca
brähmaëaù kñatriyo vaiçyaù
çüdro vä muni-sattama
viyoëià na vrajaty eva
vrataà kåtvä tu kärttike
kim- ca-furthermore; brähmaëaù-a
brähmaëa; kñatriyaù-a ksatriya; vaiçyaù-a
vaisya; çüdraù-a sudra; vä-or; muni-sattama-O best
of sages; viyoëim-a bad womb; na-not; vrajati-attains; eva-indeed;
vratam-vow; kåtvä'doing; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
It is further said:
"O best of sages, a brähmaëa, kñatriya,
vaiçya, or çüdra who follows the Kärttika vow will
not take birth in a sinful family.
Text 51
kià ca
kärttike muni-çärdüla
sva-saktyä vaiñëavaà vratam
yaù karoti yathoktaà tu
muktis tasya kare sthitä
kim- ca-furthermore; kärttike-in Kärttika;
muni-çärdüla-O tiger of sages; sva-saktyä-own power;
vaiñëavam-of Lord Viñëu; vratam-the vow; yaù-one
who; karoti-does; yathä-as; uktam-described; tu-indeed; muktiù-liberation;
tasya-of him; kare-in the hand; sthitä-staying.
It is further said:
"O tiger of sages, liberation stands in the hand
of anyone who follows the Kärttika vow as I have described it to you.
Text 52
su-puëye kärttike mäsi
devarñi-pitå-sevite
kriyamäëe vrate nånäà
sv-alpe 'pi syän mahä-phalam
su-puëye-very sacred; kärttike-in Kärttika;
mäsi-month; devarñi-pitr„-sevite-served by the demigods, sages,
and pitas; kriyamäëe'being done; vrate-in the vow; nånäm-of
the people; sö-alpe-very slight; api-even; syän-is; mahä-phalam-great
result.
"He attains a great result who even very slightly follows the very sacred Kärttika vow, which is served by the demigods, sages, and pitäs.
Text 53
atha tatra karma-viçeña-mähätmyaà
skände tatraiva
dänaà dattaà hutaà japtaà
tapaç caiva tathä kåtam
tad akñaya-phalaà proktaà
kärttike ca dvijottama
atha-now; tatra-there; karma-viçeña-mähätmyam-the
glory of specifé activities; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa;
tatra-there; eva-indeed; dänam-charity; dattam-given; hutam-yajna;
japtam-japa; tapaù-austerity; ca-and; eva-indeed; tathä-so;
kåtam-done; tat-that; akñaya-phalam-eternal result; proktam-said;
kärttike-in Kärttika; ca-and; dvijottama-O best of brähmaëas.
The Glories of Specifé Pious Activities Performed
During Kärttika
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
"Charity, yajïa, japa, and austerity performed
in the month of Kärttika bring a result, O best of brähmaëas,
that will never be destroyed."
Text 54
kià ca
yat kiïcit kärttike dattaà
viñëum uddiçya mänavaiù
tad akñayaà labhyate vai
anna-dänaà viçeñataù
kim- ca-furthermore; yat-what; kiïcit-something;
kärttike-in Kärttika; dattam-given; viñëum-to Lord
Viñëu; uddiçya-in relation to; mänavaiù-by
human beings; tat-that; akñayam-imperishable; labhyate-is attained;
vai-indeed; anna-dänam-gift of food; viçeñataù-specifically.
It is further said:
"One who during the month of Kärttika gives
a small gift to Lord Viñëu attains a result that will never
be destroyed. This is especially true when the gift is food.
Text 55
kià ca
yas tu samvatsaraà pürëaà
agnihotram upäsate
kärttike svastike kåtvä
samam etan na saàçayaù
kim- ca-furthermore; yaù-one who; tu-indeed;
samvatsaram-for a year; pürëam-full; agnihotram-agnihotra-yajna;
upäsate-worships; kärttike-in Kärttika; svastike-auspicious;
kåtvä-doing; samam-equal; etan-this; na-no; saàçayaù-doubt.
"One who follows the auspicious Kärttika vow attains the result of an entire year of performing agnihotra-yajïas. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 56
kärttike yä karoty evaà
keçavasyaiva maëòalam
svarga-sthä çobhate sä su
kapoté pakñiëé yathä
kärttike-in Kärttika; yä-who; karoti-does;
evam-thus; keçavasya-of Lord Kåñëa; eva-indeed;
maëòalam-the circle; svarga-sthä-staying in Svargaloka;
çobhate-is splendid; sä-she; su-indeed; kapoté-a dove;
pakñiëé-bird; yathä-as.
"A woman who spends the month of Kärttika in the circle where Lord Keçava stays becomes splendid like a dove in Svargaloka.
Text 57
yaù karoti naro nityaà
kärttike patra-bhojanam
na sa durgatim äpnoti
yävad indräç caturdaça
yaù-who; karoti-does; naraù-a person;
nityam-always; kärttike-in Kärttika; patra-bhojanam-offering
food; na-not; sa-he attains; durgatim-misfortune; äpnoti-attains;
yävat-as; indraù-Indras; caturdaça-fourteen.
"One who regularly offers food to Lord Kåñëa during the month of Kärttika does not suffer troubles. For as long as the fourteen Indras rule, he is free of troubles.
Text 58
janma-prabhåti yat päpaà
mänavaiç ca kåtaà bhavet
tat sarvaà näçam äpnoti
brahma-patreñu bhojanät
janma-with birth; prabhåti-beginning; yat-what;
päpam-sin; mänavaiù-by human beings; ca-and; kåtam-done;
bhavet-may be; tat-indeed; sarvam-all; näçam-destruction; äpnoti-attains;
brahma-of a paläça tree; patreñu-in the leaves; bhojanät-from
eating.
"One who during the month of Kärttika eats prasädam from a paläça-leaf plate destroys all sins committed since the time of his birth.
Text 59
sarva-käma-phalaà tasya
sarva-tértha-phalaà labhet
na väpi narakaà paçyed
brahma-patreñu bhojanät
sarva-all; käma-desires; phalam-result; tasya-of
him; sarva-tértha-phalam-the result of all pilgrimages; labhet-attains;
na-not; vä-or; api-even; narakam-hell; paçyet-sees; brahma-patreñu-in
a palasa-leaf plate; bhojanät-from eating.
"One who during the month of Kärttika eats prasädam from a paläça-leaf plate attains all his desires. He attains the result of all pilgrimages. He never sees hell.
Text 60
brahma caiña småtiù sakñät
paläçaù sarva-käma-daù
madhyamaà varjitaà patraà
çüdrasya muni-sattama
bhuïjan narakam äpnoti
yävad indräç caturdaça
brahma-Brahma; ca-and; eña-this; småtiù-remembered;
sakñät-directly; paläçaù-palasa; sarva-käma-daù-fulfilling
all desires; madhyamam-middle; varjitam-without; patram-leaf; çüdrasya-of
a sudra; muni-sattama-O best of sages; bhuïjan-eating; narakam-hell;
äpnoti-attains; yävat-as; indräù-Indras; caturdaça-fourteen.
"The paläça tree, which is called by the name Brahma, fulfills all desires. O best of sages, a çüdra should avoid the middle leaf of the paläça tree. A çüdra who eats from such a middle-leaf plate goes to hell for as long as the fourteen Indras live.
Text 61
tila-dänam- nadé-snänaà
sat-kathä sädhu-sevanam
bhojanaà brahma-patreñu
kärttike mukti-däyakam
tila-of sesame; dänam-charity; nadé-in
a river; snänam-bathing; sat-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead;
kathä-topics; sädhu-sevanam-service to the devotees; bhojanam-eating;
brahma-patreñu-from a paläça-leaf plate; kärttike-in
Kärttika; mukti-däyakam-giving liberation.
"During the month of Kärttika giving sesame seeds in charity, bathing in a sacred river, talking about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, serving the devotees, and eating prasädam from a paläça-leaf plate, all grant liberation.
Text 62
jägaraà kärttike mäsi
yaù karoty aruëodaye
dämodarägre viprendra
go-sahasra-phalaà labhet
jägaram-staying awake; kärttike-in Kärttika;
mäsi-month; yaù-who; karoti-does; aruëodaye-to sunrise;
dämodarägre-before Lord Dämodara; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas;
go-sahasra-phalam-the result of a thousand cows; labhet-attains.
"O king of brähmaëas, a person who during the month of Kärttika keeps an all-night vigil, in the presence of Lord Dämodara staying awake until sunrise, attains the pious result of giving a thousand cows in charity.
Text 63
jägaraà paçcime yäme
yaù karoti mahä-mune
kärttike sannidhau viñëos
tat-padaà kara-saàsthitam
jägaram-a vigil; paçcime-the last;
yäme-yama; yaù-who; karoti-does; mahä-mune-O great sage;
kärttike-in Kärttika; sannidhau-in the presence; viñëoù-of
Lord Viñëu; tat-padam-His abode; kara-saàsthitam-staying
in the hand.
"O king of brähmaëas, a person who during the month of Kärttika keeps an all-night vigil, in the presence of Lord Viñëu staying awake until the last portion of the night, finds Lord Viñëu's spiritual abode in the palm of his hand.
Text 64
sädhu-sevä gaväà gräsaù
kathä viñëos tathärcanam
jägare paçcime yäme
durlabhaù kärttike kalau
sädhu-to the devotees; sevä-service;
gaväm-of the cows; gräsaù-feeding; kathä-talking;
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; tathä-so; arcanam-worship;
jägare-vigil; paçcime-to the last; yäme-yama; durlabhaù-rare;
kärttike-in Kärttika; kalau-in Kali-yuga.
"During the month of Kärttika serving the devotees, feeding the cows, talking about and worshiping Lord Viñëu, and keeping a vigil until the last part of the night bring, in the Kali-yuga, a very rare result."
Text 65
kià ca
jala-dhenu-sahasraà ca
våña-saàsthe diväkare
toyaà dattvä yad äpnoti
snänaà kåtvä tu kärttike
kim- ca-furthermore; jala-dhenu-sahasram-a thousand
jaladhenus; ca-and; våña-saàsthe-situated in Taurus;
diväkare-in the sun; toyam-water; dattvä-giving; yat-which; äpnoti-attains;
snänam-bath; kåtvä-doing; tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
It is further said:
"One who bathes during the month of Kärttika
attains the pious result of giving water and a thousand jaladhenus in charity
when the sun is in Taurus.
Text 66
sannihatyäà kurukñetre
rähu-graste diväkare
sürya-väreëa yat snänaà
tad ekähena kärttike
sannihatyäm-Sannihatya; kurukñetre-at
Kuruksetra; rähu-graste-swallowed by Rahu; diväkare-when the
sun; sürya-väreëa-on sunday; yat-what; snänam-bath;
tat-that; ekähena-by one day; kärttike-in Kärttika.
"By once bathing during the month of Kärttika one attains the pious result of bathing in Lake Sannihatya' at Kurukñetra during a solar eclipse on a Sunday.
Text 67
pitån uddiçya yad dattaà
kärttike kåñëa-vallabhe
annodakaà muni-çreñöha
akñayaà jäyate nåëäm
pitån uddiçya-to the pitas; yat-what;
dattam-given; kärttike-in Kärttika; kåñëa-vallabhe-dear
to Lord Viñëu; anna-food; udakam-water; muni-çreñöha-O
best of sages; akñayam-immortal; jäyate-is born; nåëäm-of
men.
"O best of sages, they become free from death who offer food and water to the pitäs during the month of Kärttika, which is dear to Lord Kåñëa."
Text 68
kià ca
géta-çästra-vinodena
kärttikaà yo nayen naraù
na tasya punar ävåttir
mayä dåñöä kali-priya
kim- ca-furthermore; géta-çästra-vinodena-by
happily reading Bhagavad-gétä; kärttikam-in Kärttika;
yaù-who; nayen-pass; naraù-a person; na-not; tasya-of him;
punaù-again; ävåttiù-return; mayä-by me;
dåñöä-seen; kali-priya-O Narada.
It is further said:
"O Närada, I have personally seen that a person
who happily reads Bhagavad-géta' during the month of Kärttika
does not return to the world of birth and death."
Text 69
kià ca
pradakñiëaà ca yaù kuryät
kärttike viñëu-sadmani
pade pade 'çvamedhasya
phala-bhägé bhaven naraù
kim- ca-furthermore; pradakñiëam-circumambulation;
ca-and; yaù-who; kuryät-does; kärttike-in Kärttika;
viñëu-sadmani-in the abode of Lord Viñëu; pade
pade-at every step; açvamedhasya-of an asvamedha-yajna; phala-bhägé-attaining
the result; bhaven-is; naraù-a person.
It is further said:
"By circumambulating a temple of Lord Viñëu
during the month of Kärttika one attains at every step the pious result
of performing an açvamedha-yajïa.
Text 70
gétaà vädyaà ca nåtyaà
ca
kärttike purato hareù
yaù karoti naro bhaktyä
labhate cäkñayaà padam
gétam-singing; vädyam-playing musical
instruments; ca-and; nåtyam-dancing; ca-and; kärttike-in Kärttika;
purataù-before; hareù-Lord Hari; yaù-one who; karoti-does;
naraù-a person; bhaktyä-with devotion; labhate-attains; ca-and;
akñayam-imperishable; padam-result.
"During the month of Kärttika a person who with devotion sings, plays a musical instrument, and dances before the Deity of Lord Hari attains a pious result that will never be lost.
Text 71
harer näma-sahasräkhyaà
gajendrasya ca mokñaëam
kärttike paöhate yas tu
punar janma na vindate
harer näma-sahasräkhyam-the thousand
names of Lord Hari; gajendrasya-of Gajendra; ca-and; mokñaëam-liberation;
kärttike-in Kärttika; paöhate-reads; yaù-one who;
tu-indeed; punaù-again; janma-birth; na-not; vindate-is.
"A person who during the month of Kärttika reads the thousand holy names of Lord Hari and the story of Gajendra's liberation does not take birth again.
Text 72
kärttike paçcime yäme
stavaà gänaà karoti yaù
vasate çvetadvépe tu
pitåbhiù saha närada
kärttike-in Kärttika; paçcime-in
the last; yäme-period; stavam-prayers; gänam-songs; karoti-does;
yaù-who; vasate-stays; çvetadvépe-in Çvetadvépa;
tu-indeed; pitåbhiù-anscestors; saha-with; närada-O Narada.
"O Närada, a person who during the month of Kärttika at the end of the night recites prayers and sings songs glorifying Lord Hari lives in Çvetadvépa with all his ancestors.
Text 73
naivedya-dänena tu hareù
kärttike yava-saìkhyayä
yugäni vasate svarge
tävanti muni-sattama
naivedya-food; dänena-by offering; tu-indeed;
hareù-to Lord Hari; kärttike-in Kärttika; yava-of every
tiny portion; saìkhyayä-with the measurement; yugäni-yugas;
vasate-lives; svarge-in SDvarga; tävanti-that long; muni-sattama-O
best of sages.
"O best of sages, one who offers food to Lord Hari during the month of Kärttika lives in Svargaloka for as many yugas as their were grains or crumbs in his offering.
Text 74
aguruà tu sa-karpüraà
yo dahet keçavägrataù
kärttike tu muni-çreñöha
yugänte na punar bhavaù
agurum-aguru; tu-indeed; sa-karpüram-with
camphor; yaù-who; dahet-burns; keçavägrataù-in
the presence of Lord Kåñëa; kärttike-in Kärttika;
tu-indeed; muni-çreñöha-O best of sages; yugänte-at
the end of the yuga; na-not; punaù-again; bhavaù-birth.
"O best of sages, a person who burns incense of aguru and camphor before the Deity of Lord Keçava does not take birth again at the yuga's end.
Text 75
kià ca
niyamena kathäà viñëor
ye çåëvanti ca bhävitäù
çlokärdhaà çloka-pädaà
vä
kärttike go-çataà phalam
kim- ca-furthermore; niyamena-with a vow; kathäm-talking;
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu; ye-who; çåëvanti-hear;
ca-and; bhävitäù-with love; çlokärdham-half
a verse; çloka-pädam-one fourth of a verse; vä-or; kärttike-in
Kärttika; go-çatam-a hundred cows; phalam-result.
"During the month of Kåñëa, they who with love hear the topics of Lord Viñëu, even if they hear only half a verse or a fourth of a verse, attain the pious result of giving a hundred cows in charity.
Text 76
sarva-dharmän parityajya
kärttike keçavägrataù
çästrävataraëaà puëyaà
çrotavyaà ca mahä-mune
sarva-dharmän-all other religious principles;
parityajya-abandoning; kärttike-in Kärttika; keçavägrataù-in
the presence of Lord Keçava; çästra-of the scriptures;
avataraëam-descended; puëyam-sacred; çrotavyam-should
be heard; ca-and; mahä-mune-O great sage.
"O great sage, please give up all other religious practice and simply hear the sacred scriptures in the presence of the Deity of Lord Keçava during the month of Kärttika.
Text 77
çreyasä lobha-buddhyä vä
yaù karoti hareù kathäm
kärttike muni-çärdüla
kulänäà tärayec chatam
çreyasä-by the best; lobha-eager; buddhyä-with
intelligence; vä-or; yaù-who; karoti-does; hareù-of
Lord Kåñëa; kathäm-the topics; kärttike-in
Kärttika; muni-çärdüla-O tiger of sages; kulänäm-of
the family; tärayet-may deliver; çatam-a hundred.
"O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Kärttika eagerly hears the topics of Lord Kåñëa delivers a hundred generations of his family.
Text 78
nityaà çästra-vinodena
kärttikaà yaù kñipen
naraù
nirdahet sarva-päpäni
yajïäyuta-phalaà labhet
nityam-always; çästra-vinodena-by pastimes
of the scriptures; kärttikam-Kärttika; yaù-who; kñipen-spends;
naraù-a person; nirdahet-burns; sarva-päpäni-all sins;
yajïa-of yajnas; ayuta-ten thousand; phalam-the result; labhet-attains.
"A person who in the month of Kärttika passes the time in pastimes of studying the holy scriptures burns away all his sins and attains the pious result of performing ten thousand yajïas.
Text 79
na tathä tuñyate dänair
na yajïair go-gajädikaiù
yathä çästra-kathäläpaiù
kärttike madhusüdanaù
na-not; tathä-so; tuñyate-is satisfied;
dänaiù-with charities; na-not; yajïaiù-with yajnas;
go-gajädikaiù-beginning with cows and elephants; yathä-as;
çästra-kathäläpaiù-with discussing the scriptures;
kärttike-in Kärttika; madhusüdanaù-Lord Kåñëa.
"Lord Kåñëa is not as pleased with many yajïas and with charities of many cows, elephants, or other expensive gifts, as He is with discussion of scripture during the month of Kärttika.
Text 80
kärttike muni-çärdüla
yaù çåëoti hareù
kathäm
sa nistarati durgäëi
janma-koöi-çatäni ca
kärttike-in Kärttika; muni-çärdüla-O
tiger of sages; yaù-one who; çåëoti-hears; hareù-of
Lord Kåñëa; kathäm-the topics; sa-he; nistarati-crosses;
durgäëi-troubles; janma-births; koöi-çatäni-hundreds
and millions; ca-and.
"O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Kärttika hears the topics of Lord Hari becomes free from the sufferings of hundreds and millions of births.
Text 81
yaù paöhet präyato nityaà
çlokaà bhägavataà mune
añöädaça-puräëänäà
kärttike phalam äpnuyät
yaù-who; paöhet-recites; präyataù-mostly;
nityam-always; çlokam-öerse; bhägavatam-of Çrémad-Bhägavatam;
mune-O sage; añöädaça-puräëänäm-of
the eighteen Puräëas; kärttike-in Kärttika; phalam-result;
äpnuyät-attains.
"O sage, a person who in the month of Kärttika regularly recites the verses of Çrémad-Bhägavatam attains the pious result of reciting all eighteen Puräëas.
Text 82
kià ca
sarvän dharmän parityajya
iñöäpürtädikän
naraù
kärttike parayä bhaktyä
vaiñëavaiù sahä samvaset
kim- ca-furthermore; sarvän-all; dharmän-religionj;
parityajya-abandoning; iñöäpürtädikän-beginning
with pious deeds; naraù-a person; kärttike-in Kärttika;
parayä-with great; bhaktyä-devotion; vaiñëavaiù-the
Vaiñëavas; sahä-with; samvaset-should reside.
"O great sage, please give up charities and all other pious deeds. Instead engage in devotional service during the month of Kärttika and stay in the company of the Vaiñëavas.
Texts 83 and 84
pädme ca tatraiva
kärttike bhümi-çäyé
yo
brahmacäré haviñya-bhuk
paläça-patraà bhuïjäno
dämodaram athärcayet
sa sarva-pätakaà hitvä
vaikuëöhe hari-sannidhau
modate viñëu-sadåço
bhajanänanda-nirvåtaù
pädme-in the Padma Puräëa; ca-nad;
tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; bhümi-çäyé-resting
on the ground; yaù-who; brahmacäré-celibate; haviñya-bhuk-eating
haviñya; paläça-patram-from a palasa leaf; bhuïjänaù-eating;
dämodaram-Lord Dämodara; atha-then; arcayet-should worship; sa-he;
sarva-pätakam-all sins; hitvä-leaving; vaikuëöhe-in
the spiritual world; hari-sannidhau-in the company of Lord Hari; modate-enjoys;
viñëu-sadåçaù-like Lord Viñëu;
bhajanänanda-nirvåtaù-enjoying the bliss of devotional
service.
In the Padma Puräëa it is said:
"During the month of Kärttika one should sleep
on the floor, remain celibate, eat haviñya from a paläça-leaf
plate, and worship Lord Dämodara. In this way one becomes free of
all sins, goes to the spiritual world, attains a spiritual body like the
Lord's, and enjoys the bliss of directly serving Lord Hari."
Text 85
kià ca
kärttikaà sakalaà mäsaà
prätaù snäyé jitendriyaù
japan haviñya-bhug däntaù
sarva-päpaiù pramucyate
kim- ca-furthermore; kärttikam-Kärttika;
sakalam-all; mäsam-month; prätaù-in the morning; snäyé-bathing;
jitendriyaù-controlling the senses; japan-chanting japa; haviñya-bhug-eating
haviñya; däntaù-peaceful; sarva-päpaiù'from
all sins; pramucyate-is free.
It is further said:
"A person who, for the entire month of Kärttika
rises early, bathes, controls his senses, remains peaceful, chants japa,
and eats only haviñya, becomes free from all sins.
Text 86
kärttikaà tu naro mäsaà
yaù kuryäd eka-bhojanam
çüraç ca bahu-véryaç
ca
kértimäàç ca sa jäyate
kärttikam-Kärttika; tu-indeed; naraù-person;
mäsam-month; yaù-who; kuryät-does; eka-bhojanam-eating
once; çüraù-a hero; ca-and; bahu-véryaù-very
powerful; ca-and; kértimän-glorious; ca-and; sa-he; jäyate-is
born.
"A person who, for the entire month of Kärttika, eats only once a day becomes very famous, powerful, and heroic."
Text 87
kià ca
paläça-patra-bhojo ca
kärttike puruño naraù
niñpäpaù syät tu naivedyaà
harer bhuktvä vimucyate
madhya-stham aiçvaraà patram-
varjayed brähmaëetaraù
kim- ca-furthermore; paläça-patra-bhojaù-eating
from a palasa-leaf plate; ca-and; kärttike-in Kärttika; puruñaù-person;
naraù-human; niñpäpaù-sinless; syät-is;
tu-indeed; naivedyam-offering of food; hareù-to Lord Hari; bhuktvä-eating;
vimucyate-is liberated; madhya-stham-staying in the middle; aiçvaram-palasa;
patram-leaf; varjayet-should reject; brähmaëetaraù-a person
who is not a brähmaëa.
It is further said:
"A person who during the month of Kärttika
eats from a paläça-leaf plate becomes free from all sins. A
person who eats the remnants of food offered to Lord Hari attains liberation.
A person who is not a qualified brähmaëa should not eat from
the middle leaf of the paläça tree."
Text 88
kià ca
aparädha-sahasräëi
pätakäni mahanty api
kñamate 'sya harir devaù
püjite kärttike prabhuù
kim- ca-furthermore; aparädha-sahasräëi-a
thousand offenses; pätakäni-sins; mahanti-great; api-even; kñamate-forgives;
asya-of him; hariù-Lord Hari; devaù-the Supreme Personality
of Godhead; püjite-worshiped; kärttike-in Kärttika; prabhuù-all-powerful.
It is further said:
"Lord Hari, the all-powerful Supreme Personality
of Godhead forgives thousands of offenses and a host of terrible sins committed
by one who worships Him during the month of Kärttika.
Text 89
naivedyaà päyasaà viñëoù
priyaà khaëòaà ghåtänvitam
vibhajya tä ca bhuïjäno
yajïa-sämyaà dine dine
naivedyam-offering of food; päyasam-payasa;
viñëoù-to Lord Viñëu; priyam-dear; khaëòam-sugar;
ghåtänvitam-with ghee; vibhajya-offering; tat-that; ca-and;
bhuïjänaù-eating; yajïa-sämyam-equal to a yajna;
dine-day; dine-after.
"A person who to Lord Viñëu offers delicious päyasa made with sugar and ghee, and then eats the remnants left by the Lord, attains the result of performing every day a great yajïa.
Text 90
tatraiva çré-kåñëa-satyä-samväde
snänaà jägaraëaà dépaà
tulasé-vana-pälanam
kärttike ye prakurvanti
te narä viñëu-mürtayaù
tatra-there; eva-indeed; çré-kåñëa-satyä-samväde-in
a conversation of Lord Kåñëa and Satyabhämä;
snänam-bathing; jägaraëam-vigil; dépam-lamp; tulasé...-vana-pälanam-protecting
a tulasé forest; kärttike-in Kärttika; ye-who; prakurvanti-do;
te-they; naräù-people; viñëu-of Lord Viñëu;
mürtayaù-forms.
Lord Kåñëa explains to Satyabhämä:
"They who during the month of Kärttika bathe,
keep an all-night vigil, offer lamps, and protect a tulasé forest,
attain spiritual forms like Lord Viñëu's.
Text 91
itthaà dina-trayam api
kärttike ye prakurvate
devänäm api te vandyäù
kià yair äjanma tat kåtam
ittham-thus; dina-days; trayam-three; api-even;
kärttike-in Kärttika; ye-who; prakurvate-do; devänäm-of
the demigods; api-even; te-they; vandyäù-bowed down; kim-what?;
yaiù-by whom; äjanma-from birth; tat-that; kåtam-done.
"They who for three days do these pious deeds are offered all respects by the demigods. What, then, can be said of they who have performed these pious deeds for their entire lives?
Text 92
tatraiva kärttika-vratäìgäni
hari-jägaraëaà prätaù
snänaà tulasé-sevanam
udyäpanaà dépa-dänaà
vratäny etäni kärttike
tatra-there; eva-indeed; kärttika-Kärttika;
vrata-of the vow; aìgäni-the parts; hari-jägaraëam-keeping
an all-night vigil for the sake of Lord Hari; prätaù-in the
morning; snänam-bathing; tulasé-tulasé; sevanam-serving;
udyäpanam-conclusion; dépa-dänam-offering a lamp; vratäni-vows;
etäni-these; kärttike-in Kärttika.
The Various Parts of the Kärttika Vow
The parts of the Kärttika vow are: 1. Keeping
an all-night vigil for the sake of Lord Hari, 2. bathing early in the morning,
3. serving Tulasé, 4. properly concluding the vow, and 5. offering
a lamp.
Text 93
païcabhir vratakair ebhiù
sampürëaà kärttike vraté
phalam äpnoti tat proktaà
bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam
païcabhiù-with five; vratakaiù-vows;
ebhiù-these; sampürëam-full; kärttike-in Kärttika;
vraté-the person following the vow; phalam-result; äpnoti-attains;
tat-that; proktam-said; bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam-giving the results of
happiness and liberation.
A person who follows these five vows during the month of Kärttika attains the full result of happiness and liberation, which has already been described in this book.
Text 94
viñëoù çivasya vä
kuryäd
alaye hari-jägaram
kuryäd açvattha-müle vä
tulasénäà vaneñu ca
viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu;
çivasya-of Lord Çiva; vä-or; kuryät-should do;
alaye-in the temple; hari-jägaram-vigil; kuryät-should do; açvattha-of
a banyan tree; müle-at the root; vä-or; tulasénäm-of
Tulasé; vaneñu-in forests; ca-and.
"In a Viñëu temple, a Çiva temple, at the root of a banyan tree, or in a Tulasé forest, one should keep an all-night vigil for Lord Hari's sake.
Text 95
äpad-gato yadäpy ambho
na labhet savanäya saù
vyädhito vä punaù kuryäd
viñëor nämäpamärjanam
äpat-calamity; gataù-attained; yadä-when;
api-even; ambhaù-water; na-not; labhet-attains; savanäya-for
bathing; saù-he; vyädhitaù-diseased; vä-or; punaù-again;
kuryät-should do; viñëoù-of Lord Viñëu;
näma-with the names; apamärjanam-cleansing.
"If, because of disease or misfortune, one is not able to bathe with water, he should bathe by chanting the holy names of Lord Viñëu.
Text 96
udyäpanaà vidhià kartuà
açakto vä vrate sthitaù
brähmaëän bhojayec chaktyä
vrata-sampürëa-hetave
udyäpanam-conclusion; vidhim-rules; kartum-to
do; açaktaù-unable; vä-or; vrate-in the vow; sthitaù-situated;
brähmaëän-the brähmaëas; bhojayet-should feed;
çaktyä-with potency; vrata-sampürëa-hetave-to make
the vow complete.
"If one is not able to bring the vow to its conclusion with an elaborate ritual, he should conclude the vow by feeding the brähmaëas.
Text 97
açakto dépa-dänasya
para-dépän prabodhayet
teñäà vä rakñaëaà
kuryäd
vatädibhyaù prayatnataù
açaktaù-unable; dépa-dänasya-to
offer a lamp; para-dépän-the lamps of others; prabodhayet-should
light; teñäm-of them; vä-or; rakñaëam-protection;
kuryät-should do; vata-winds; ädibhyaù-beginning; prayatnataù-carefully.
"If one is unable to offer a lamp, he should light the lamps that others offer, he should carefully protect others' lamps from winds or other disturbances.
Text 98
abhäve tulasénäà ca
püjayed vaiñëavaà dvijam
sarväbhäve vrate kuryäd
brähmaëänäà gaväm
api
seväà vä bodhi-vaöayor
vrata-sampürëa-hetave
abhäve-in the absence; tulasénäm-of
Tulasé; ca-and; püjayet-should worship; vaiñëavam-Vaiñëava;
dvijam-brähmaëa; sarväbhäve-if all are absent; vrate-in
the vow; kuryät-should do; brähmaëänäm-of the
brähmaëas; gaväm-of the cows; api-also; seväm-service;
vä-or; bodhi-vaöayoù-of a bodhi of vaöa tree; vrata-sampürëa-hetave-to
complete the vow.
"If there is no Tulasé plant, one should worship a brähmaëa-Vaiñëava. If no brähmaëa-Vaiñëava is present, one should serve the brähmaëas, cows, bodhi tree, and vaöa tree to conclude the vow.
Text 99
atha tatra dépa-däna-mähätmyam-
skände tatraiva
kalpa-koöi-sahasräëi
pätakäni bahüny api
nimeñärdhena dépasya
vilayaà yänti kärttike
atha-now; tatra-there; dépa-däna-mähätmyam-the
glories of offering a lamp; skände-in the Skanda Puräëa;
tatra-there; eva-certainly; kalpa-kalpas; koöi-ten million; sahasräëi-thousand;
pätakäni-sins; bahüni-many; api-even; nimeñärdhena-in
half an eyeblink; dépasya-of a lamp; vilayam-to destruction; yänti-go;
kärttike-in Kärttika.
The Glories of Offering a Lamp During Kärttika
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
"When one offers a lamp during the month of Kärttika,
his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eyeblink."
Text 100
kià ca
çåëu dépasya mähätmyaà
kärttike keçava-priyam
dépa-dänena viprendra
na punar jäyate bhuvi
kim- ca-furthermore; çåëu-please
hear; dépasya-of a lamp; mähätmyam-the glory; kärttike-in
Kärttika; keçava-priyam-dear to Lord Keçava; dépa-lamp;
dänena-by offering; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; na-not;
punaù-again; jäyate-is born; bhuvi-on the earth.
It is further said:
"Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during
the month of Kärttika, an offering that is very pleasing to Lord Keçava.
O king of brähmaëas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will
not take birth again in this world.
Text 101
ravi-grahe kurukñetre
narmadäyäà çaçi-grahe
tat phalaà koöi-guëitaà
dépa-dänena kärttike
ravi-grahe-during a solar eclipse; kurukñetre-in
Kuruksetra; narmadäyäm-in the Nramada; çaçi-grahe-during
a lunar eclipse; tat-that; phalam-result; koöi-guëitam-multiplied
ten million times; dépa-dänena-by offering a lamp; kärttike-in
Kärttika.
"By offering a lamp during the month of Kärttika one attains a pious result ten million times greater than the result obtained by bathing at Kurukñetra during a solar a eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada' during a lunar eclipse.
Text 102
ghåtena dépako yasya
tila-tailena vä punaù
jvalate muni-çärdüla
açvamedhena tasya kim
ghåtena-with ghee; dépakaù-a
lamp; yasya-of whom; tila-tailena-with sesame oil; vä-or; punaù-again;
jvalate-burns; muni-of sages; çärdüla-O tiger; açvamedhena-with
an asvamedha-yajna; tasya-of him; kim-what is the need?
"O tiger of sages, for a person who thus offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil, what is the use of performing an açvasmedha-yajïa?
Text 103
mantra-hénaà kriyä-hénaà
çauca-hénaà janärdane
sarvaà sampürëatäà
yäti
kärttike dépa-dänataù
mantra-mantras; hénam-without; kriyä-pious
deeds; hénam-without; çauca-purity; hénam-without;
janärdane-of Lord Kåñëa; sarvam-all; sampürëatäm-perfection;
yäti-attains; kärttike-in Kärttika; dépa-dänataù-by
offering a lamp.
"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 Kärttika.
Text 104
teneñöaà kratubhiù sarvaiù
kåtaà térthävagähanam
dépa-dänaà kåtaà
yena
kärttike keçavägrataù
tena-by him; iñöam-worshiped; kratubhiù-with
yajnas; sarvaiù-all; kåtam-done; térthävagähanam-bathing
in holy places; dépa-lamp; dänam-offering; kåtam-done;
yena-by whom; kärttike-in Kärttika; keçavägrataù-in
the presence of Lord Kåñëa.
"A person who during the month of Kärttika offers a lamp to Lord Keçava has already performed all yajïas and bathing in all holy rivers.
Text 105
tävad garjanti puëyäni
svarge martye rasätale
yävän na jvalate jyotiù
kärttike keçavägrataù
tävat-then; garjanti-scream; puëyäni-pious
deeds; svarge-in Svarga; martye-in martyaloka; rasätale-in Rasätalaloka;
yävän-when; na-not; jvalate-burns; jyotiù-lamp; kärttike-in
Kärttika; keçavägrataù-before Lord Kåñëa.
"When in the month of Kärttika there is no lamp burning before Lord Keçava, then the pious deeds in Svargaloka, Martyaloka, and Rasätalaloka scream with dissatisfaction.
Text 106
çrüyate cäpi pitåbhir
gäthä gétä purä dvija
bhaviñyati kule 'smäkaà
pitå-bhaktaù suto bhuvi
çrüyate-is heard; ca-and; api-also;
pitåbhiù-by the pitäs; gäthä-verses; gétä-songs;
purä-before; dvija-O brähmaëa; bhaviñyati-will be;
kule-in the family; asmäkam-of us; pitr„-bhaktaù-devoted to
his father; sutaù-a son; bhuvi-on the earth.
"O brähmaëa, when the pitäs hear devotional verses and songs in the month of Kärttika, in that family will be born a son devoted to his father.
Text 107
kärttike dépa-dänena
yas toñayati keçavam
muktià präpsyämahe nünaà
prasädäc cakra-päëinaù
kärttike-in Kärttika; dépa-dänena-by
offering a lamp; yaù-one who; toñayati-satisfies; keçavam-Lord
Kåñëa; muktim-liberation; präpsyämahe-we will
attain; nünam-indeed; prasädät-by the mercy; cakra-päëinaù-of
Lord Viñëu, who holds the cakra in His hand.
"The ancestors say: When someone in our family pleases Lord Keçava by offering to Him a lamp during the month of Kärttika, then, by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarçana-cakra in His hand, we will all attain liberation."
Text 108
kià ca
meru-mandara-mäträëi
kåtvä päpäny açeñataù
dahate nätra sandeho
dépa-dänät tu kärttike
kim- ca-furthermnore; meru-mandara-mäträëi-like
Mount Meru or Mount Mandara; kåtvä-doing; päpäni-sinsd;
açeñataù-completely; dahate-burns; na-not; atra-here;
sandehaù-doubt; dépa-a lamp; dänät-by offering;
tu-indeed; kärttike-in Kärttika.
It is further said:
"By offering a lamp during the month of Kärttika
one burns away a collection of sins as big as Mount Meru or Mount Mandara.
Of this there is no doubt.
Text 109
gåhe väyatane väpi
dépän dadyäc ca kärttike
purato väsudevasya
mahä-phala-vidhäyinaù
gåhe-at home; vä-or; äyatane-in
a temple; vä-or; api-also; dépän-lamps; dadyät-should
offer; ca-and; kärttike-in Kärttika; purataù-before; väsudevasya-Lord
Väsudeva; mahä-phala-vidhäyinaù-who gives a great
result.
"To one who either at home it in a temple offers Him a lamp during the month of Kärttika, Lord Väsudeva gives a great result.
Text 110
sa jäto mänuñe loke
sa dhanyaù sa ca kértimän
pradattaù kärttike mäsi
dépo vai madhuhägrataù
sa-he; jätaù-born; mänuñe-human;
loke-in the world; sa-he; dhanyaù-fortunate; sa-he; ca-and; kértimän-glorious;
pradattaù-offered; kärttike mäsi-in the month of Kärttika;
dépaù-a lamp; vai-indeed; madhuhägrataù-in the
presence of Lord Kåñëa.
"A person who, after taking birth in the world of human beings, offers a lamp to Lord Kåñëa during the month of Kärttika becomes very glorious and fortunate.
Text 111
nimiñärdhärdha-mätreëa
dépa-dänena kärttike
na tat kratu-çataiù präpyaà
phalaà tértha-çatair api
nimiñärdhärdha-mätreëa-in
half an eyeblink; dépa-dänena-the offering of a lamp; kärttike-in
Kärttika; na-not; tat-that; kratu-çataiù-with a hundred
yajnas; präpyam-to be attained; phalam-result; tértha-çataiù-with
a hundred pilgrimages; api-even.
"A person who offers a lamp during the month of Kärttika attains a result that cannot be obtained with even a hundred yajïas or a hundred pilgrimages.
Text 112
sarvänuñöhäna-héno
'pi
sarva-päpa-rato 'pi san
püyate nätra sandeho
dépaà dattvä tu kärttike
sarva-all; anuñöhäna-pious deeds;
hénaù-without; api-even; sarva-päpa-rataù-addicted
to all sins; api-even; san-being so; püyate-is pruified; na-not; atra-here;
sandehaù-doubt; dépam-lamp; dattvä-offering; tu-indeed;
kärttike-during Kärttika.
"Even a person addicted to all sins and averse to all pious deeds who somehow offers a lamp during Kärttika becomes purified. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 113
tan nästi pätakaà kiïcit
triñu lokeñu närada
yan na çodhayate dépaù
kärttike keçavägrataù
tat-that; na-not; asti-is; pätakam-sin; kiïcit-anything;
triñu-in the three; lokeñu-worlds; närada-O Narada;
yan-what; na-not; çodhayate-purifies; dépaù-a lamp;
kärttike-in Kärttika; keçavägrataù-before
Lord Kåñëa.
"O Närada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Keçava during Kärttika.
Text 114
purato väsudevasya
dépaà dattvä tu kärttike
präpnoti çäçvataà
sthänaà
sarva-bädhä-vivarjitam
purataù-in the presence; väsudevasya-of
Lord Kåñëa; dépam-a lamp; dattvä-offering;
tu-undeed; kärttike-in Kärttika; präpnoti-attains; çäçvatam-eternal;
sthänam-abode; sarva-bädhä-vivarjitam-free of all troubles.
"A person who offers a lamp to Lord Kåñëa during Kärttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.
Text 115
yaù kuryät kärttike mäsi
karpüreëa tu dépakam
dvädaçyäà ca viçeñena
tasya puëyaà vadämi te
yaù-one who; kuryät-does; kärttike-in
Kärttika; mäsi-month; karpüreëa-with camphor; tu-indeed;
dépakam-lamp; dvädaçyäm-on the dvadasi day; ca-and;
viçeñena-specifically; tasya-of him; puëyam-piety; vadämi-I
say; te-to you.
"Now I will describe to you the pious result attained by a person who offers a lamp during the dvädaçé day of Kärttika month.
Texts 116 and 117
kule tasya prasütä ye
ye bhaviñyanti närada
samatétäç ca ye kecid
yeñäà saìkhyä na
vindate
kréòitvä su-ciraà kälaà
devaloke yadåcchayä
te sarve muktim äyänti
prasädäc cakra-päëinaù
kule-in the family; tasya-of him; prasütä-born;
ye-who; ye-whoever; bhaviñyanti-will be; närada-O Narada; samatétäù-passed;
ca-and; ye-who; kecit-some; yeñäm-of whom; saìkhyä-measurment;
na-not; vindate-is; kréòitvä-playing; su-ciram-for a
long; kälam-time; devaloke-in the worlds of the demigods; yadåcchayä-spontaneously;
te-they; sarve-all; muktim-liberation; äyänti-will attain; prasädät'by
the mercy; cakra-päëinaù-of Lord Kåñëa.
"His ancestors and descendants, so many they cannot be counted, will enjoy for a long time in the worlds of the demigods, and then they will all easily attain liberation by the mercy of Lord Kåñëa, who holds the Sudarçana-cakra in His hand."
Text 118
kià ca
dyüta-vyäjena viprendra
kärttike keçavälayam
dyotayed yo mahä-bhäga
punäty äsaptataà kulam
kim- ca-furthermore; dyüta-of playing dice;
vyäjena-on the pretext; viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; kärttike-in
Kärttika; keçava-of Lord Keçava; alayam-the temple;
dyotayet-illuminates; yaù-who; mahä-bhäga-O very fortunate
one; punäti-purifies; äsaptatam- kulam-seven generations of his
family.
It is further said:
"O very fortunate one, a person who in order to
play dice lights a lamp in Lord Keçava's temple purifies seven generations
of his family.
Text 119
kärttike dépa-dänaà tu
kuryäd yo vaiñëavälaye
dhanaà putro yaçaù kértir
bhavet tasya ca sarvadä
kärttike-in Kärttika; dépa-dänam-offering
a lamp; tu-indeed; kuryät-may do; yaù-who; vaiñëavälaye-in
a temple of Lord Viñëu; dhanam-wealth; putraù-children;
yaçaù-fame; kértiù-glory; bhavet-is; tasya-of
him; ca-and; sarvadä-always.
"A person who offers a lamp in a temple of Lord Viñëu during the month of Kärttika attains eternal wealth, good children, fame, and glory.
Text 120
yathä ca mathanäd vahniù
sarva-käñöheñu dåçyate
tathä ca dåçyate dharmo
dépa-däne na saàçayaù
yathä-as; ca-and; mathanät-by friction;
vahniù-fire; sarva-käñöheñu-in all wood;
dåçyate-is seen; tathä-so; ca-and; dåçyate-is
seen; dharmaù-piety; dépa-däne-in offring of a lamp;
na-not; saàçayaù-doubt.
"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 Kärttika. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 121
kià ca
nirdhanenäpi viprendra
kåtvä caivätma-vikrayam
kartavyaà dépa-dänaà
tu
yävat kärttika-pürëimä
kim- ca-furthermore; nirdhanena-penniless; api-even;
viprendra-O king of brähmaëas; kåtvä-doing; ca-and;
eva-indeed; ätma-Himself; vikrayam-selling; kartavyam-to be done;
dépa-dänam-offering a lamp; tu-indeed; yävat-when; kärttika-pürëimä-on
the full-moon of Kärttika.
It is further said:
"O king of brähmaëas, when someone offers
Him a lamp on the full-moon day of the month of Kärttika, Lord Kåñëa,
finding that He does not have sufficient money to repay that gift, gives
Himself in exchange for that lamp.
Text 122
vaiñëavo na sa mantavyaù
sampräpte kärttike mune
yo na yacchati müòhätmä
dépaà keçava-sadmani
vaiñëavaù-a devotee; na-not;
sa-he; mantavyaù-is considered; sampräpte-attained; kärttike-when
Kärttika; mune-O sage; yaù-who; na-not; yacchati-gives; müòhätmä-fool;
dépam-a lamp; keçava-sadmani-in the temple of Lord Kåñëa.
"O sage, a fool who does not offer a lamp in Lord Keçava's temple during Kärttika is not considered a Vaiñëava."
Text 123
näradéye çré-rukmäìgada-mohiné-samväde
ekataù sarva-dänäni
dépa-dänäni caikataù
kärttike na samaà proktaà
dépa-do hy adhikaù småtaù
näradéye çré-rukmäìgada-mohiné-samväde-in
the Närada Puräëa, in a conversation of Çré
Mohiné-devé and Çré Rukmäìgada;
ekataù-by one; sarva-dänäni-all gifts; dépa-dänäni-the
gift of a lamp; ca-and; ekataù-by one; kärttike-in Kärttika;
na-not; samam-equal; proktam-said; dépa-daù-giving a lamp;
hi-indeed; adhikaù-better; småtaù-is considered.
In the Närada Puräëa, in a conversation
of Çré Mohiné-devé and Çré Rukmäìgada,
it is said:
"Of all gifts the gift of a lamp during the month
of Kärttika is the best. No gift is its equal."
Text 124
pädme ca tatraiva
k&