Mahanidhi Swami The Fall season in Vrindavana (October-November), Karttika, is surcharged with both sensual beauty and spiritual shakti. The peacocks freely advertise their rainbow colors, and tall trees scent the breeze with sweet aromas from their flowers. With the loving arms of her soothing waves, the Yamuna River offers crystal clear water for tasting and […]
Mahanidhi Swami The Karttika Vrata means, “Don’t eat, don’t sleep; just chant Hare Krishna 24/7!” In 1972, Srila Prabhupada once observed Karttika month in Sri Vrindavana beginning on Ashwina Shukla Ekadasi, [Hari Bhakti Vilasa says start on Purnima also ok] and he advised his American disciples to do likewise. Before leaving America to go to […]
Mahanidhi Swami Karttika is a special month to collect lots of mercy and blessings from Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Before citing the super benefits of observing the Karttika Vrata, we will quote Srila Prabhupada’s translation of one verse of Satyavrata Muni’s “Damodarastakam” which is chanted daily in the Karttika month. Srila Prabhupada said, “In this prayer, […]
Mahanidhi Swami Why do Gaudiya Vaisnavas observe Karttika Vrata? Gaudiyas especially observe Karttika Vrata for the purpose of worshiping and pleasing Srimati Radharani. Because Radha is most famous as Karunamayi Radha, we very strictly follow all the rules and regulations of the Kartika Vrata, NIYAMA SEVA, so that Srimati showers us with Her divine compassion. […]
Mahanidhi Swami Hurry! Karttika Vrata begins! The Karttika Vrata, the one month long vow performed especially to please Srimati Radharani, consists of “niyama-seva” or increased sevas and offerings in sadhana bhakti performed every day at particular times. Most sincere sadhakas are trying their best every day to serve Radha Govinda Yugala, so they really can’t […]
Mahanidhi Swami In every possible way, our Srila Prabhupada was a strict disciple and follower of his beloved Gurudeva, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. On two different occasions Srila Prabhupada’s Guru observed a Karttika Vrata in Vraja Mandala. “In October 1934, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada and many disciples stayed in Mathura strictly executing the Kartika Vrata. […]
Mahanidhi Swami Every year throughout the world, thousands of sincere, love divine hankering devotees seriously observe the “Karttika or Urja Vrata”. The Puranas and Gaudiya Goswamis proclaim that Srimati Radharani is Karttiki-Devi, the Empress or Queen presiding over the yearly Karttika month (October-November) which is also called the Urja month. The word urja means power, […]
Mahanidhi Swami Before introducing a most wonderful and simple Karttika vrata, we will highlight the ultimate vow of austerities to please Sri Sri Radha Govindadeva. In 1972, during his Karttika vrata in Vrndavana, one devotee asked, “Srila Prabhupada, this is the beginning of Urja-vrata. Can you describe what that is and how it should be […]
Mahanidhi Swami To confirm the connection between Radharani, the Karttika vrata and the uniqueness of this month, Sri Rupa Goswamipada says Radha is Karttika-devi, Urjadevi, Urjesvari, and the Kartika-devata. KARTTIKA VRATA—SIX INCONCEIVABLE BENEFITS The benefits of other vows last for only one life, but the benefits from a Karttika vow last for a 100 lives, […]
Mahanidhi Swami In Karttika month, Maa Yashoda bound her Lala Damodara, Dhruva had darshana of his ishta-deva, Lord Vishnu, and King Amburisha humbled the powerful Rishi Durvasa. In Mathura Mahatmya, Srila Rupa Goswamipada highlights the glories of living in Vraja Mandala during Karttika: “It gives immense pleasure to Bhagavan Sri Krishna, and Krishna awards one […]