08/10/2022
All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gouranga!
BhaktiJivan-Vani
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Damodara-Vrata Kartika Masa
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From the upcoming [9th October, 2022 sunday] day of purnamasi the Urjja- Vrata, Damodara-Vrata, Kartika-Vrata and Niyamseva-Vrata will be celebrated for one month [8th November, 2022 Tuesday marks the end of Niyamseva-Vrata].Therefore, on this occasion, those devotees who want to attain Hari-bhakti–unalloyed devotion, should essentially observe certain regulations and restrictions with utmost devoutness during this month in order to achieve advancement in devotional service.
Important practices which should be inculcated –
1) Consideration of eating habits: — In Chaturmasya-Vrata, not only all the prohibitions on our food intake must be followed, but besides those, mustard, mustard oil, tomato, any gram, gram pulses must be avoided. We also need to restrain our diet. One can take Havishy-anna once or twice but if he is unable to do so, he can get Havishy-anna once and Roti-Sabji Prasada once. And those who want to eat Siddha-chal [Siddha-rice] should try to get prasad with one vegetable item like [dalma] prasad once or twice. However, in some exceptional cases, if one is not physically able to follow the strict rules of eating, then they should try their best to follow the above rules and regulations regarding food intake as much as possible, as forcing the diet can cause physical and mental sufferings which can lead to reduction in devotional services.
2) Swadhyaya [Scriptures Reading by oneself]—- Especially in this month a devotee must wake up and get out of bed at Brahma-muhurt [morning period- 3:30-4:00am] and perform the morning routines of defecation and bathing. Subsequently, the devotee should complete *Ahnika and thereafter perform staba-stuti [glory of Sri Bhagavan], Kirtan-prayers from our ‘Bhakti-Giti Mandir’ kirtan book published by our Math, which specifically includes- Sri Radhika-ashtakam, Dashavatara-stotra, Sri Damodar-ashtakam twice a day, once in morning and once in evening. Apart from these, the devotees have daily routine of reciting various stotras, stutis, reading scriptures etc; which is mandatory.
It is significant in this month that one should regularly and diligently listen to Srimad-Bhagavatam from the lotus-mouth of a pure Sadhu [Saintly personality], and complete the vowed Harinama-sankhya. The number of Harinama is to be kept maximum and should be worked on diligently. But the person practicing this must be careful that Harinama-sankhya shouls not be lessened. Everyday it should be read Srimad Bhagvatam or Chaitanya Charitamrita Grantha. For performing all the vows and services according to the rules religiously, this month is called Niyam-seva-masa [the month of service which should be performed perfectly according to rules and regulations].
3) lamp offering-Deepdan: — In this Urjja-Vrata or Damodara-Vrata, one must offer lamps thrice in the Vishnu temple. If one is unable to offer lamps three times then at least, one lamp must be offered once in the Tulsi temple–Vishnu mandira and should also offer an Akasha-dipa.(A ghee lamp is the best but if it is not available, then one can offer sesame oil lamp, if that is also not possible, then one should offer a lamp with mustard oil).
Dipadana-Mantra: —– दामोदराय नभसि तुलायां लोलया सह। प्रदीपन्ते प्रयच्छामि नमोनन्ताय वेधसे।। (ह: भ: वि: १६।१४९)
Devotees and Devotional practitioners do enjoy the special grace of this Damodara-Vrata, Kartika-Vrata by pleasing Sri Damodara Bhagavana through your loving service in this holy month of Kartika.
—— HDG Sri Srimad Bhakti Jivan Acharya Goswami Maharaj, The Present President-Acharya of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Math, Mithapukur Road, Burdwan and it’s other Branches Math
[SRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA MATH, MITHAPUKUR ROAD, BURDWAN, WEST BENGAL, INDIA]
[SHREE GOUDIYA GURU-VANI PUBLICATION]