Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "O Janardana, O protector of all beings, what is the name of the Ekadasi that comes during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Karttika (October - November)? Please impart this sacred knowledge to me.
The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna then spoke as follows, "O lion among kings, please listen as I narrate to you. The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Karttika is called Ramaa Ekadasi. It is most auspicious, for it at once eradicates the greatest sins and awards one the passage to the spiritual abode. I shall now narrate to you its history and glories.
"There once lived a famous king of the name Muchakunda, who was friendly to Lord Indra, the king of the heavenly planets, as well as with Yamaraj, Varuna, and Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon Ravana. Muchakunda always spoke the truth and constantly rendered devotional service to Me. Because he ruled according to religious principles, there were no disturbances in his kingdom.
"Muchakunda's daughter was named Chandrabhaagaa, after a sacred river, and the king gave her in marriage to Shobhana, the son of Chandrasena. One day, Shobhana visited his father-in-law's palace on the auspicious Ekadasi day. This visit made Shobhana's wife Chandrabhaagaa quite anxious, for she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast. She said to him, `My father is very strict about following Ekadasi. On Dasami, the day before Ekadasi, he strikes a large kettledrum and announces, "Nobody should eat on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari!
"When Shobhana heard the sound of the kettledrum, he said to his wife, `O beautiful one, what am I to do now? Please tell me how I can save my life and obey your father's strictness and at the same time satisfy our guests!
"Chandrabhaagaa then spoke, `My dear husband, in my father's house nobody - not even the elephants or horses, what to speak of consenting human beings - eats on Ekadasi. Indeed, none of the animals are given their ration of grains, leaves, or straw - or even water ! - on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari. So how can you escape fasting? My beloved husband, if you must eat something, then you should leave here at once. Now, with firm conviction decide on what you have to do.'
"Prince Shobhana then said, `I have decided to fast on the sacred Ekadasi day. Whatever my fate is, it will surely come to pass.' "Deciding thus, Shobhana attempted to fast on this Ekadasi, but he became unbearably disturbed with excessive hunger and thirst.
Eventually the sun set in the west, and the arrival of the auspicious night made all the Vaishnavas very happy. O Yudhisthira, all the devotees enjoyed worshipping Me (Sri Hari) and remaining awake all through night, but Prince Shobhana that night became absolutely unbearable.
Indeed, when the Sun rose on the Dwadasi, that Prince Shobhana was dead. "King Muchakunda observed his son-in-law's funeral, ordering a large stack of wood be assembled for the fire, but he instructed his daughter Chandrabhaagaa not to join her husband on the funeral pyre.
Thus Chandrabhaagaa, after performing all the purificatory processes and procedures for honouring her deceased husband, continued to live in her father's house. Lord Sri Krishna continued, "O best of the kings, Yudhisthira, even though Shobhana died because of observing Ramaa Ekadasi, the merit that he accrued enabled him, after his death, to become the ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandarachala Mountain.
This kingdom was like a city of the demigods; very lustrous, with unlimited jewels set in the walls of its buildings that gave off light. The pillars were made of rubies, and gold inlaid with diamonds shone everywhere. As King Shobhana sat upon a throne beneath a pure white canopy, servants fanned him with yak-tail whisks.
A stunning crown rested upon his head, beautiful earrings adorned his ears, a necklace graced his throat, and bejewelled armlets and bracelets encircled his arms. He was served by Gandharvas (the best of heavenly singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers). Verily, he resembled a second Indra.
"One day, a brahmin named Somasharma, who lived in Muchakunda's kingdom, happened upon Shobhana's kingdom while travelling to various places of pilgrimage. The brahmin saw Shobhana in all his resplendent glory and thought he might be the son-in-law of his own king Muchakunda. When Shobhana saw the brahmin approaching, he immediately rose up from his seat and welcomed him. After Shobhana had paid his respectful obeisances he asked the brahmin about his well-being and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhana's) father-in-law, his wife and all the residents of the city. "Somasharma then said, `O king, all the residents and subjects are well in your father-in-law's kingdom, and Chandrabhaagaa and your other family members are also quite well. Peace and prosperity reign throughout the kingdom.
But there is one thing, I'm quite astonished to find you here! Please tell me about yourself. Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful city as this! Kindly tell me how you obtained it.'
"King Shobhana then began to tell his story, `Because I observed the Ramaa Ekadasi, I was given this splendid city to rule over. But for all of its grandeur, it is only temporary. I beg you to do something to correct this deficiency. You see, this is only an ephemeral city, a place of this material world. How may I make its beauties and glories permanent? Kindly reveal this to me by your instructions.
"The brahmin then asked, `Why is this kingdom unstable and how will it become stable? Please fully explain this to me, and I shall try to help you.'
"Shobhana then answered, `Because I fasted on the Ramaa Ekadasi without any faith, this kingdom is impermanent. Now hear how it can become permanent. Please return to Chandrabhaagaa, the beautiful daughter of king Muchukunda, and tell her what you have seen and understood about this place and about me.
Surely, if you, a pure hearted brahmin, tell her this, my city will soon become permanent. "Thus the brahmin returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandrabhaagaa, who was both surprised and overjoyed to hear this news of her husband. She said, `O brahmana, is this a dream you have seen, or is it actually a factual thing?'
"Somasharma the brahmin replied, `O Princess, I have seen your late husband face to face in that wonderful kingdom, which resembles a realm of the denizens' of heavens playgrounds.
But you former husband has asked me to relate to you that he says that his kingdom is unstable and could vanish into thin air at any moment. Therefore he hope you can find a way to make it permanent.'
"Chandrabhaagaa then said, `O sage among the brahmins, please take me to that place where my husband resides at once, for I greatly desire to see him again! Surely I shall make his kingdom permanent with the merit that I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadasi throughout my life. Please reunite us at once, again. It is said that one who reunites separated persons also obtains very great merit.'
"The humble brahmin Somasharma then led Chandrabhaagaa to Shobhana's effulgent kingdom. Before reaching it, however, they stopped at the foot of Mount Mandaracala, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva. Upon hearing their story, Vamadeva chanted hymns from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water from his samanya arghya upon Chandrabhaagaa.
By the influence of that great Rishi's rites, the merit she had accrued by fasting for so many Ekadasis made her body transcendental. Ecstatic, her eyes beaming in wonder, Chandrabhaagaa continued on her journey.
"When Shobhana saw his wife approaching him high on Mount Mandarachala, he was overwhelmed with joy and called out to her in great happiness and jubilation.
After she arrived , he seated her on his left side and she said to him, `O dearest Patiguru, please listen as I tell you something that will benefit you greatly. Since I was eight years old I have fasted regularly and with full faith on every Ekadasi. If I transfer to you all the merit I have accumulated, your kingdom will surely become permanent, and its prosperity will grow and grow until the coming of the great inundation!'
Lord Sri Krishna then continued to address Yudhisthira as follows, "O Yudhisthira, in this way Chandrabhaagaa who was beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments and had an exquisitely transcendental body, at last enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband.
By the potency of Ramaa Ekadasi, Shobhana found his kingdom on the peaks of Mount Mandarachala able to fulfill all his desires and bestow upon him everlasting happiness, like that achieved from the transcendental Kaama-dhenu milch cow.
"O greatest of kings, I have thus narrated to you the glories of Ramaa Ekadasi that falls in the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika.
"Anyone who observes sacred Ekadasi during both the light and the dark fortnight of each month is undoubtedly freed from the reactions to the sin of killing a brahmin. One should not differentiate between the Ekadasis of the light and dark parts of the month.
As we have seen, both can award pleasure in this world and liberate even the most sinful and fallen souls. Just as black cows and white cows give equally good quality milk. So the Ekadasis of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) and the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) award the same high degree of merit and eventually liberate one from the repeated cycle of birth and death.
Anyone who simply hears this narration of the glories of the sacred day of Ramaa Ekadasi, is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.
Thus ends the narration for the glories of the sacred Karttika-krishna Ekadasi, or Ramaa Ekadasi, from the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana of Srila Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyaasa.
Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura
Among the great spiritual masters of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura shines as an extraordinary example of renunciation, humility, and pure devotion. Through his deeply moving devotional songs and dedicated service, he carried the teachings of Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu into the hearts of countless souls, inspiring generations of devotees to seek the loving service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition identifies Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura as Campaka Mañjarī, an eternal associate of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī who assists Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī in the loving service of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Out of compassion for the conditioned souls of this world, this eternal associate appeared on earth to distribute the treasure of divine love.
Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura appeared on the auspicious full-moon day of the month of Māgha in the village of Kheturi, in present-day Bangladesh. His father was Rāja Kṛṣṇānanda Datta, a prominent landholder, and his mother was Nārāyaṇī Devī. Although born into a wealthy Kāyastha family, Narottama’s heart was naturally drawn toward spiritual life. His appearance demonstrated that pure devotion is not determined by social position or birth, but by the mercy of the Lord and sincere love for Him.
Bhakti-ratnākara(1.281) beautifully describes his auspicious appearance:
“Narottama was born on the Māghī Pūrṇimā. From that day on he thrived and grew like the waxing moon.”
His spiritual identity and exalted position are also glorified in Bhakti-ratnākara (1.256):
akumāra-brahmacārī sarva-tīrtha-darśī
parama-bhāgavatottamaḥ śrīla-narottama-dāsa
This verse glorifies Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura as a lifelong brahmacārī who visited the sacred places of pilgrimage and attained the highest platform of devotional achievement.
From an early age, Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura possessed an intense longing for the mercy of Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu. By divine arrangement, he received the mercy of Mahāprabhu and later became the devoted disciple of Śrīla Lokanātha Dāsa Gosvāmī, dedicating his life to spiritual practice and the service of the Vaiṣṇavas.
One of his greatest contributions was his devotional poetry. His songs, including Śrī Guru Caraṇa Padma, Gaurāṅga Bolite Habe and Hari Hari Biphale Janama Goṅāinu, express profound spiritual truths through heartfelt prayers. They teach us to take shelter of the spiritual master, chant the holy names, and develop genuine longing for the mercy of Lord Gaurāṅga and Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura also played a significant role in preserving and spreading the teachings of the previous ācāryas. The historic festival at Kheturi brought devotees together in a grand celebration of Lord Gaurāṅga’s mercy and became an important milestone in the history of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition.
His life reminds us that the true perfection of human existence lies in awakening pure love for the Supreme Lord through the mercy of the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas.
May we pray for the mercy of Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, whose songs continue to awaken devotion in countless hearts and guide sincere souls toward the eternal loving service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
A Message from Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa Prabhus
Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation,
Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar, and hope you and your family are well and in blissful Krishna conscious spirits. This time of the year is always greeted with great anticipation and excitement by devotees eager to chant the Damodarastakam and remember the pastimes of the Lord with Mother Yashoda.
One important lesson to learn from this pastime is that Krishna responds to desire and effort in His service. These two elements, desire and effort, are essential in devotional service and play a key role in our progress towards love of God, Krishna prema. And therefore, it’s no wonder that the Lord tests us to see the extent of our strength of purpose and resolve in this regard, and rewards us accordingly. Krishna wants our love so we can join Him in His eternal lilas in the spiritual world and be happy, but He doesn’t force us to express it; it must come from our own heart. His job is to find ways to draw it out of us more and more as part of His lila.
The same principle applies to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. How much do we desire to build this for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and our acharyas, to fulfill their desire to spread Krishna consciousness? The intensity of our desire and willingness to sacrifice must be there for it to manifest. And this pleases Krishna more than even the temple itself, just as Mother Yashoda’s sweat and tears pleased Lord Damodar more than being bound with the rope. Rather, He was bound by Mother Yashoda’s love, which overwhelmed Him.
Now, we are approaching the next historic phase of the project, the incredible Grand Opening ceremony, a six-month-long, world-class celebration starting on November 1, 2027, Srila Prabhupada’s 50th Disappearance Anniversary. All our beloved Mayapur Deities will be relocated into the TOVP, and gorgeous worship of Sri Sri Radha Madhava & the Ashta Sakhis, Sri Pancha Tattva and Lord Nrsimhadeva, as well as fifteen new Acharya murtis will begin.
Amazing cultural programs, divine yajnas, unmatched kirtans, ecstatic parikramas, and much more will take place at this one-of-a-kind and once-in-many-lifetimes event. At a later time we will officially announce the dates and procedures for registering to attend.
It is our humble and sincere appeal to all devotees to use this auspicious time of Kartik to increase their desire and prayers to see the TOVP opened on Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day in 2027. We also still need your financial support to make this possible. If you have made a pledge, please make a payment or complete it as soon as possible. If you have already completed a pledge, please support us and make another. Or just give a one-time donation of any amount.
Visit the TOVP Seva Opportunity page to see all the current pledge options and make a pledge, pledge payment or one-time donation today.
Thank you for your support and attention to this matter.
Your servants,
Ambarisa das
Braja Vilasa das
The Special Glories of Kartika Maas
By Sanatana Gosvami
Kartika month is the most important month in our calendar, as it is very dear to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. Just as there is no yuga equal to Satya-yuga, no scripture equal to the Vedas, and no place of pilgrimage equal to the Ganges, so there is no month equal to Kartika. During the Kartika month, millions of devotees worship Damodara Krishna with ghee lamps and devotional bhajans, glorifying His playful childhood pastime of stealing yogurt. And traditionally, desiring to satisfy Their Lordships, Gaudiya Vaisnavas celebrate this month by following certain vows. Below we present these vows, observing which one can easily get a priceless treasure of the pure love of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava! Let us take the opportunity and accept this wonderful gift of the most merciful Karttika.
Kartika is particularly dear to Lord Krishna because it is the month of Srimati Radharani. Gaudiya Vaishnavas observe Kartika-vrata, also known as Damodar-vrata, Urjja-vrata, or niyama-seva-vrata, with the desire to please Srimati Radharani and receive Her mercy. The essence of this vow is to increase our devotional service to Sri Sri Radha-Damodara, offering Them our time, attention, prayers, and sincere efforts.
The name Urjja-vrata is especially significant. Urjjesvari is one of the names of Srimati Radharani, meaning “Mistress of Urjja-vrata.” The word urjjah means “wealth” or “power.” All wealth and strength manifest in Her for serving Sri Krishna. Thus, devotees attach great importance to Kartika, aspiring to satisfy Srimati Radharani and gain the opportunity to serve Her beloved Sri Krishna.
For Gaudiya Vaishnavas, Kartika-vrata is especially dedicated to the worship of Srimati Radharani and Her gopis, while also lovingly glorifying Lord Damodara, the Lord of Gokula. The month is a time to cultivate devotion, follow additional practices, and consciously dedicate ourselves to pleasing the Divine Couple.
Kartika is not only a month for offering lamps; it is also a special opportunity to hear the glories of the Lord and immerse ourselves in spiritual discussions. Hari-bhakti-vilasa and the Skanda Purana describe the extraordinary benefits of hearing Hari-katha during this month.
Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Sanatana Gosvami
Daily offering of ghee lamp to Radha-Damodara (any Radha-Krishna Deity or picture) and singing Damodarastakam is one of main seva that everyone could offer during Karttika month. One should also inspire as many souls as possible to offer lamps to Sri Radha- Damodara for their spiritual benefit. Hari Bhakti Vilasa states that the best place to perform Karttika vrata is at Sri Vrindavan dhama or other holy dhamas like Mayapur.
Skanda Purana, dialogue between Brahma and Narada
Moreover, for those who hear Visnu-katha in this month, each half verse or quarter of verse yields the fruits of donating one hundred cows; indeed, O great sage, all other duties should be given up in favor of hearing scriptures from holy men. Be it for spiritual benefit or with other expectations, by engaging in Hari-katha one uplifts hundreds of his family’s generations.
A person will burn all sinful reactions and gain the fruit of ten thousand sacrifices for each day of Kartika spent in the delight of the scriptures. In fact, Madhusudana is not as pleased by sacrifices or by charity of cows and elephants as He is pleased by discourses from the scriptures during Kartika.
O eminent sage, by hearing Hari-katha one can transcend the distress accumulated in millions of births. By regularly trying to read Srimad Bhagavatam during this month one gains the benefit of reading all eighteen Puranas. (75-81) Furthermore, during Kartika a man should cultivate supreme devotion by living among Vaisnavas, at the cost of giving up acts of piety and other prescribed duties. (82)
These instructions remind us to make space for hearing and reading during Kartika. Even if we cannot take up many additional services, we can try to read a little of Srimad-Bhagavatam each day, hear from devotees, sing devotional songs, and spend time in the association of Vaishnavas. Small, consistent efforts can help us remain connected to the purpose of this sacred month.
One of the most cherished practices during Kartika is offering a lamp to Lord Damodara. Each evening, devotees gather to offer lamps and sing Damodarastakam, remembering how the Supreme Lord lovingly allowed Mother Yashoda to bind Him with ropes.
The scriptures glorify this simple offering in extraordinary ways:
“When one offers a lamp during the month of Karttika, his sins in many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.”
“Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during pleasing to Lord Kesava. O King of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.”
“By offering a lamp during the month of Karttika one attains a pious result ten million times greater than the result obtained by bathing at Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada during a lunar eclipse.”
“O Tiger among sages! For a person who thus offers a lamp burning with ghee or sesame oil, what is the use of performing an asvasmedha-yajna?”
“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 Karttika.”
“A person who during the month of Karttika offers a lamp to Lord Kesava has already performed all yajnas and bathing in all holy rivers.”
“A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during Karttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.”
“O King of brahmanas, when someone offers Him a lamp on the full-moon day of the month of Karttika, Lord Krishna, finding that He does not have sufficient money to repay that gift, gives Himself in exchange for that lamp.”
“All the results acquired by donating grains during pitri-paksha or by distributing water in the hot months of Jyeshtha or Ashadha are easily gained in the course of Kartika merely by reviving (relighting) a dipa offered by someone else.”
The ancestors say: When someone in our family pleases Lord Kesava by offering to Him a lamp during the month of Karttika, then, by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarsana-cakra in His Hand, we will all attain liberation.
“O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Kesava during Karttika.”
The glories of lamp offering are further expressed in the following verse:
kim ca meru-mandara-matrani
kritva papany aseshatah
dahate natra sandeho
dipa-danat tu karttike
By offering a lamp during the month of Kartika, one burns away a collection of sins as vast as Mount Meru or Mount Mandara. Of this, there is no doubt.
These verses remind us not to underestimate the offering of a single lamp. We may not always be able to perform elaborate worship or extensive austerities, but we can approach the Lord with a simple offering and a sincere prayer. Kartika gives us the opportunity to make this offering a daily part of our devotional lives.
Kartika is also known as the month of niyama-seva. Niyama means “rules”—additional prayers, pujas, reading, preaching, and extra service to Lord Hari, the Spiritual Master, and the Vaishnavas. The vow encourages us to dedicate this time to a more attentive and purposeful devotional routine.
The following observances are described in the material from Hari-bhakti-vilasa and the Skanda Purana:
Rise at brahma-muhurta and attend mangala-aratika – attain spiritual world.
Offer incense, ghee lamp, flowers (malati, lotus, rose, jasmine, lily) and camphor lamp three times a day.
Daily ghee lamp to Radha-Damodara (any Radha-Krishna Deity or picture) and sing Damodarastakam.
Maintain akhanda ghee/sesame lamp before Deity, base of Tulasi, hang in the sky – attain the spiritual world. Just by offering a ghee lamp to Sri Krishna, one attains perfection and goes back to Godhead.
Offer sweet rice mixed with ghee, tasty food and varieties of fruits.
Mandira-parikrama four times daily while reciting prayers – get the merit of a horse sacrifice with every step.
Offer water and prasada to ancestors.
Offer camphor lamp with aguru oil esp. on Ekadasi – no rebirth.
Offer fresh flower garlands (rose or lotus) and sanadalwood paste.
Offer new clothes.
Offer one lakh of Tulasi leaves to Krishna.
Daily offer incense, ghee lamp and flowers to Tulasi and circumambulate her.
Relight another person’s ghee lamp – attain unlimited merit and not see Yamaraja.
Offer water to the moon.
Offer floating ghee lamp.
Enthusiastically dance, sing and play musical instruments, and recite prayers before the Deity – attain spiritual world with your ancestors.
These observances offer different ways to deepen our service, but each devotee should consider what can be followed sincerely according to their capacity and circumstances. The purpose is not to become overwhelmed by a long list of practices, but to use Kartika as an opportunity to become more attentive in our relationship with Krishna, Srimati Radharani, our spiritual master, and the Vaishnavas.
The last five days of Kartika are known as Bhishma-Pancaka, during which Vaishnavas also follow specific vows. Kartika-vrata is considered one of the main engagements for Vaishnavas, and the Caturmasya-vrata is considered complete only when its final month, Urjja-vrata, is observed.
We do not need to wait until we can perform something extraordinary to begin serving. We can start with what is within our reach: offering a lamp to Sri Sri Radha-Damodara, singing Damodarastakam, reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, chanting the holy names with attention, serving Tulasi Devi, or helping someone else engage in devotional service.
The mercy of Kartika invites us to make these efforts with sincerity and to remember that the purpose of every vow is to please the Lord. May this sacred month inspire us to offer more of our hearts to Sri Sri Radha-Damodara and to grow in our desire to serve Them.
As we light our lamps each evening, may we also remember those who would like to make this offering but may not have the opportunity to do so. By supporting Lamp Seva, we can help more devotees offer lamps to Sri Damodara during this auspicious month and share in the joy of serving the Lord.
May our offerings, however simple, be made with love. May Sri Sri Radha-Damodara be pleased with our sincere endeavours, and may we receive the mercy to continue serving Them with greater devotion.
For opportunities to engage in Kartik Seva, please visit: https://www.mayapur.com/festivals/Kartik
Hare Krishna!
