Kartik 2024 is here! Some rules to follow

The most awaited month of Kartik is finally here. The month in which one can gain immense spiritual credits very easily through devotional service. So fasten your seatbelts and without wasting any time, let us dive deep into the nectar of this most holy month..

It is said in the Hari Bhakti Vilas,

“na kartika samo maso na krtena samam yugam    

na veda sadrsam na tirtha gangaya samam    

kartikah pravaro maso vaisnavanam priyah sada    

kartikam skalam yastu bhaktya sevate vaisnavah”

“There is no other month equal to Kartik and there is no other yuga equal to Krta-yuga. There is no other scripture equal to Vedas. There is no other place of pilgrimage equal to Ganges, therefore, the month of Kartik is very dear to the Vaisnavas.

Make this Kartik vrat your best one yet, by following some or all of the below said rules.

1. Snanam: Taking bath during Brahma muhurta is of utmost importance, atleast during Kartik. One can also add a few drops of Gangajal into the bathing bucket and take a bath. One should then perform acaman and express his sankalpa. He should then formulate his request to the Lord with prayers

2. Tilak Seva: Apply tilak on the 12 mandatory places on the body.

3. Guru Seva: First bathe the photos of our Gurujan with 5 drops of water from an achaman bowl and wipe it clean. Then one can offer Guru Puja, Guru Ashtakam and flowers at their lotus feet.

4. Mangalarati Seva: First wake the Lord. Offer obeisances to the Lord. Offer achaman to the Lord and then offer bhoga. This should be followed by singing mangalarati to the Lord in a soft melodious tune with subtle instruments. Alternatively, you can just attend mangalarati in a temple the whole month.

5. Narasimha Arati: Offer any Narasimha mantra to the Lordships for the whole month, and pray to Lord Narasimha to protect you from any obstacles while performing this vrat.

6. Tulsi Seva: First wake Tulsi Maharani, offer 5 drops of water, offer a skirt, put kumkum tilak at the roots, offer bhoga and then offer arati to Tulsi Maharani.

7. Granth Seva: Read one scripture at least completely. It may be the Bhagavad Gita or any canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, whatever speaks to you. Also bow down in obeisance to the scriptures.

8. Damodarashtakam: Sing Damodarashtakam to Lord Damodar with love daily morning and evening. One can also offer other ashtakams to the Lord.

9. Bhagavatam Seva: Listen to Hari Katha

10. Dham Vaas: Stay in a holy place during this month, if not, at least for a day.

11. Charity: Offer in charity one or all of the following- Annadaan, vastradaan, gyandaan, deepa daan.

12. Extra rounds: Take a vow to do extra number of rounds this month.

13. Sankirtan Seva: Help other people to offer a lamp to Damodar.

14. Speech: Avoid speaking on topics other than Hari Katha. Do not waste time in prajalpa.

15. Prasadam: Honor as little prasadam as possible - don’t indulge yourself. Give up on one of your favourite foods.

One of the most important sevas done during this Damodar month is to offer ghee lamps with love to our sweet little Damodar. Ghee lamps can be offered in the morning as well as evening. Offer as many lamps as possible and also bring many other people to do the same. 

Fill your days with service at the lotus Feet of Lord Damodar, and see the Lord reciprocate with you on the deepest level! Wishing everyone a highly spiritualized Kartik month!