Srimad Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS

Bhagavad Gita:   Chapter 6 - Dhyana-yoga

TEXT 7
                         jitatmanah prasantasya
                           paramatma samahitah
                         sitosna-sukha-duhkhesu
                           tatha manapamanayoh
 
WORD FOR WORD

   jita-atmanah--of one who has conquered his mind; prasantasya--who has attained tranquillity by such control over the mind; parama-atma--the Supersoul; samahitah--approached completely; sita--in cold; usna--heat; sukha--happiness; duhkhesu--and distress; tatha--also; mana--in honor; apamanayoh--and dishonor.
 
TRANSLATION

   For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquillity. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same.
 
PURPORT by His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad:

   Actually, every living entity is intended to abide by the dictation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is seated in everyone's heart as Paramatma. When the mind is misled by the external,  illusory energy, one becomes entangled in material activities.
   Therefore, as soon as one's mind is controlled through one of the yoga systems, one should be considered to have already reached the destination. One has to abide by superior dictation. When one's mind is fixed on the superior nature, he has no alternative but to follow the dictation of the Supreme. The mind must admit some superior dictation and follow it. The effect of controlling the mind is that one automatically follows the dictation of the Paramatma, or Supersoul. Because this transcendental position is at once achieved by one who is in Krsna consciousness, the devotee of the Lord is unaffected by the dualities of material existence, namely distress and happiness, cold and heat, etc. This state is practical samadhi, or absorption in the Supreme.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

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Prabhupada Uvacha:
(here's some nectar, sometimes it comes in the form of Srutakirti prabhu's diary, other times from Govinda dasi's diary, Hari Sauri prabhu's Transcendental Diary, or sometimes from a letter, or other related source, but still nectar...)

Krsna takes such luglus with Him when He goes out to play

One day I brought a painting done by our artist Muralidhara for Prabhupada's approval. On Prabhupada's request, Muralidhara had reproduced on canvas the Srimad-Bhagavatam jacket cover showing the spiritual sky. As I held the painting up, Prabhupada began to explain the plan of the creation. First he pointed to where Krsna was and described how the entire creation was an expansion of Krsna's energy. The Vaikuntha planets, broad and effulgent, were unlimited in number. Then Prabhupada pointed to the corner of the painting where the material world was situated. Maha-Visnu is lying down there, and millions of universes emanate from His skin holes. Prabhupada said, "Each universe is filled up with unlimited numbers of living entities who inhabit all of the planets and stars. One of these planets is our earth, and on this planet are many continents. On one continent there is America, and in America there are so many big cities. Here is Los Angeles, and in Los Angeles there is a street, La Cienega Boulevard. On this boulevard, among all of the buildings, is a temple of Lord Krsna. And in this temple there is one Tamal Krishna. He is there, and is thinking that he is very important." Then Prabhupada looked at me and smiled. He was showing me how unimportant I really was. The lesson was clear: no one had the right to become puffed up, no matter how important his position might seem to be. In comparison with Krsna, the cause of all causes, each jiva is tiny and insignificant. But despite this vast difference between the Lord and the living entity, Krsna allows His pure devotees to associate with Him equally. Prabhupada was kindly revealing the unlimited extent of Krsna's glories. His silent smile communicated the deep love he felt for Krsna and his desire to share it with his disciples. There were other, similar moments when Prabhupada would allow us to enter into the intimacy of his spiritual emotions. Once, after returning in the evening from the temple, we stepped into his room, which was lit only by the light over the altar. Radha and Krsna stood bathed in the soft light;, which resembled the autumn moon in Vrndavana. Krsna, His body covered with jewels and fine cloth, played upon His flute, and Radharani, His eternal consort, held a garland of delicate jasmine flowers. When Prabhupada beheld Their effulgent, golden forms, he stood still and exclaimed, "Just see! Radha and Krsna are dancing tonight!" And on another occasion, Prabhupada offered me a luglu which he had personally prepared and asked that I please taste it and tell him how I liked it. Truthfully, I had never experienced any taste with which it could he compared. "It is out of this world," is all that I could say. And Prabhupada replied, "Yes, it is not of this world. Krsna takes such luglus with Him when He goes out to play in the fields. Wherever He goes, mother Yasoda fills His pocket with these luglus." Srila Prabhupada's mood conveyed more than just something he had heard from a book. He was speaking from realization from an intimate relationship which he enjoyed with Krsna. Moments like these convinced me of Prabhupada's extraordinary position. We were all so fortunate to be his disciples.

- From the "Servant of the Servant" by HH Tamala Krsna Goswami

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Pradyumna: Bhagavad-gita, chapter number four, "Transcendental Knowledge."

One: "The Blessed Lord said, I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind. And Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku." Purport: "Herein we find the history of the Bhagavad-gita traced from a remote time when it was delivered to the kings of all planets. The royal order is especially dedicated to the protection of the inhabitants, and as such, its members should also understand the science of the Bhagavad-gita in order to rule the citizens and protect them from the onslaught of material bondage to lust. Human life is meant for cultivation of spiritual knowledge, an eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the executive heads of all states and all planets are obliged to impart this lesson to the citizens by education, culture, and devotion."

Prabhupada: Hm. Stop. So in this verse the exact Sanskrit word is

imam vivasvate yogam
proktavan aham avyayam
vivasvan manave praha
manur iksvakave 'bravit
 [Bg. 4.1]

evam parampara-praptam
imam rajarsayo viduh
sa kaleneha (mahata)
yogo nastah parantapa
 [Bg. 4.2]

So this Bhagavad-gita, science of Bhagavad-gita, is not a new presentation. Just from this verse we can understand that it was instructed to the sun-god. Sun-god, apart from what is the duration of age of sun-god, but from the Manu, because the next statement is vivasvan manave praha... Vivasvan. The sun-god's name is Vivasvan. Just like your, the chief executive head is called the president, similarly, there is a chief executive head also in the sun planet, president. And the present president's name is... Just like your present president's name is Mr. Nixon, similarly, the present predominating deity in the sun planet is known as Vivasvan. So everything is in detail.

This is called Vedic literature. Vedic literature is not concerned only with this planet. Vedic literature deals with all the universal planets. Just see here is the statement. Krsna says that "In the beginning I explained this science of Bhagavad-gita to the present predominating deity of sun planet, whose name is Vivasvan." Do you think that Krsna is playing joke or speaking something lie, that he said to Vivasvan, the present presiding deity? No, that is not possible. Actually He has spoken. And Krsna... One... Others may think of Krsna... Avajananti mam mudhah [Bg. 9.11]. Rascals and fools may think of Krsna as ordinary man, but in India the great acaryas, just like Sankaracarya, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu -- practically these acaryas are guiding the whole destiny of the Hindu world -- they have all accepted Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So whatever Krsna is speaking, that is right.

Now, you can understand that if Krsna spoke to the sun-god, and the sun-god spoke to his son Manu, then how old is this science of Bhagavad-gita. Apart from sun-god's duration of age, if we simply take the present age, Vaivasvata Manu, Vaivasvata Manu, the age of Vaivasvata Manu is seventy-one multiplied by forty-three hundred thousands of years. Forty-three hundred thousands of years multiplied by seventy-one. It is a very long duration of life. Now, at the present moment the Vivasvan, the Vaivasvata Manu's age is half-finished. That means the number, the numerical strength, forty-three hundred thousands of years into seventy-one, divide by two. So long years Bhagavad-gita was spoken.

continued.......................

Information about Karttika (Damodara) Vrata:

Performing vrata in the month of Kartika (Damodara) is glorified profusely in the puranas. Since this month is very dear to Krsna by performing austerities, or restraining ones sense gratification and performing activities to please the senses of the Lord, one becomes very dear to the Krsna. As Satya yuga is the best of yugas, as the vedas are the best of scriptures, as ganga is the best of rivers, so kartika is the best of months, the most dear to Krsna. The vrata may begin on the ekadasi of the waxing moon of asvina, on the purnima, or (samkranti) when the sun enters the house of Libra.

Five activities are glorified: staying awake, early morning bath, worship of Tulasi, offering lamps and performing austerities.

One should practice brahmacarya, give charity, and perform homa and japa.

One is advised to give up eating beans, kalami saka, patola, eggplant, meat, fish, liquor, oil massage, illicit sex, grains cooked by others.

One should eat once a day havisana.

One should increase ones devotional service by performing more deity worship, hearing and speaking about the Lord, by extra japa of the Lord's name, worshipping tulasi, staying awake at night chanting, visiting holy tirthas and offering lamps to the Lord.

One should worship Radha Damodara and recite the Damodarastaka daily.

More on Chaturmasya vratas HERE:

Sri Dik Darshini Tika and Hari Bhakti Vilas on the Month of Karttika, Urja Vrata, Damodar Utsav seva, Akash Dipa:

KARTIKE'SMIN VISESENA NITYAM KURVITA VAISNAVAH
DAMODARA ARCANAM PRATAH SNANA DANA VRATA ADIKAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/3 from SKANDA PURANA)

 Specifically in the month of Damodara, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and take bath early in the morning, give charity and follow a fasting vow. This is the duty of Vaisnavas.

NIYAMENA VINA VIPRAH KARTIKAM YAH KSIPEN NARAH
KRSNA PARAN-MUKHAS TASYA YASMAD URJO'SYA VALLABHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/24 from PADMA PURANA conversation between Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi)

 Oh brahmanas, any person who tries to observe a Karttika month without following rules and regulations properly, Lord Sri Krsna remains against them because this month (Karttika) is very pleasing to Him.

YAIR NA DATTAM HUTAM JAPTAM NA SNANAM NA HARER VRATAM
NA KRTAM KARTIKE PUTRA DVIJAS TE VAI NARADHAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/25 from SKANDA PURANA)

 Oh son Narada, those brahmanas who do not give charity in the month of Karttika, perform sacrifice, chant japa and fast for Lord Hari are the lowest of mankind.

KARTIKA KHALU VAI MASAM SARVA MASESU CA UTTAMAM
PUNYANAM PARAMAM PUNYAM PAVANANAM CA PAVANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/36 from SKANDA PURANA)

 The month of Karttika is the topmost of all other months. It is the most meritorious and purified of all other pure months.

NA KARTIKA SAMO MASO NA KRTENA SAMAM YUGAM
NA VEDA SADRSAM SASTRAM NA TIRTHA GANGAYA SAMAM
KARTIKAH PRAVARO MASO VAISNAVANAM PRIYAH SADA
KARTIKAM SKALAM YASTU BHAKTYA SEVATE VAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/39,40 from SKANDA PURANA)

 There is no other month equal to Karttika 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 Karttika is very dear to the Vaisnavas (people dedicated to Visnu).

DVADASU API MASESU KARTIKAH KRSNA VALLABHAH
TASMIN SAMPUJITO VISNUR ALPAKAIR APY UPAYANAIH
DADATI VAISNAVAM LOKAM ITI EVAM NISCITAM MAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/41 from PADMA PURANA)

 Among all twelve months, the month of Karttika is dear to Lord Sri Krsna. If
somebody performs a little worship of Lord Sri Hari in this month, He offers
that devotee His own abode. This statement is true.

PRAVRTTANAM CA BHAKSANAM KARTIKE NIYAME KRTE
AVASYAM KRSNA RUPATVAM PRAPYATE MUKTIDAM SUBHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/49 from SKANDA PURANA)

 Whatever one usually eats, if he gives up some of the ingredients of it in the month of Karttika, then he achieves the same aupicious form as Lord Sri Krsna undoubtedly.

 Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in the Digdarsini-tika, "Those who are engaged in eating daily and following the rules of Karttika, they should try to minimize and give up certain ingredients in eating. Obtaining the same form as Krsna means that it liberates one from the miseries of this material world and gives all auspiciousness and happiness."

SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA KARTIKE KESAVA AGRATAH
SASTRA AVATARANAM PUNYAM SROTAVYAN CA MAHAMUNE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/76 from SKANDA PURANA Lord Brahma speaks to Narada
Muni)

 Oh great sage, after giving up all varieties of religious functions, one
should follow Karttika fast and listen to the narrations of Lord Sri Hari
before His Deity form.

PALASA PATRA BHOJI CA KARTIKE PURUSO NARAH
NISPAPAH SYAT TU NAIVEDYAM HARER BHUKTVA VIMUCYATE
MADHYASTHAM ISVARAM PATRAM VARJAYED BRAHMANE TARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/87 from PADMA PURANA)

 Any person in the month of Karttika, who eats on the leaf plate of Palasa the remnants of the Lord, becomes free from all sins and achieves liberation. Besides brahmanas (twice born persons), others are not advised to eat from this leaf because this leaf is said to be the leaf of the Supreme Lord.

SNANAM JAGARANAM DIPAM TULASI VANA PALANAM
KARTIKE YE PRAKURVANTI TE NARA VISNU MURTAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/90 from PADMA PURANA Lord Krsna speaks to Satyabhama)

 Any person who performs bathing in the month of Karttika, remaining awake, offering lamps, giving charity or planting and transplanting Tulasi, he achieves the same form as Lord Sri Visnu.

KALPA KOTI SAHASRANI PATKANI BAHUNY API
NIMESA ARDHENA DIPASYA VILAYAM YANTI KARTIKE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/99 from SKANDA PURANA)

 If even for a short time somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Sri Hari, then whatever sins he has acquired for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed.

YATHA CA MATHANAD VAHNIH SARVA KASTHESU DRSYATE
TATHA CA DRSYATE DHARMO DIPADANE NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/120 from PADMA PURANA)

 Just as by rubbing of two sticks of wood one can see fire, so by offering a burning ghee wick to the Lord in the month of Karttika, one can see his merits without a doubt.

 In his Digdarsini-tika Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains, "Even though fire is present in all pieces of wood, still without rubbing fire does not manifest. Similarly, in all kinds of functions, although merit is available, by offering a lamp in this month, certainly one can see the merit. Not otherwise. Of this there is no doubt. Therefore, without offering lamps, all merits are unprofitable. This is the essence here."

VAISNAVO NA SA MANTAVYAH SAMPRAPTE KARTIKE MUNE
YO NA YACCHATI MUDHATMA DIPAM KESAVA SADMANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/122 from PADMA PURANA)

 Oh sage, a person who does not offer a ghee lamp in Lord Kesava's temple in Karttika, that foolish person is not addressed as a Vaisnava.

EKADASYAM PARER DATTAM DIPAM PRAJVALYA MUSIKA
MANUSYAM DURLABHAM PRAPYA PARAM GATIM AVAPA SA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/129 from SKANDA PURANA)

 One rat (female mouse) had once burnt a ghee lamp which was offered by someone else on Ekadasi day. By doing so, she achieved a rarely achievable human form and at last attained the topmost destination.

 Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes in his Digdarsini-tika, "In this verse it is found that it is possible to attain the results of directly offering a lamp on Ekadasi. This history of the mouse is very famous in the Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya. (In a temple of Lord Visnu, there was a mouse living who was eating the ghee from the extinguished ghee lamps which had been offered by others to Him. One day when she felt hungry to eat ghee, she tried to eat the ghee from a lamp which was not yet extinguished. While eating ghee from the lamp, the cotton wick got stuck in her teeth. Since the ghee wick had a flame, the mouse started jumping in front of the Lord's Deity form and thus died due to fire. But Lord Sri Visnu accepted the jumping of that mouse with a lit ghee wick in her mouth as His aratik. In the end He gave her liberation, the topmost destination.)

MATHURAYAM NARAIR URJE SNATVA DAMODARO'RCITAH
KRSNA RUPA HI TE JNEYA NA ATRA KARYA VICARANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/155 from PADMA PURANA)

 Any person who worships Lord Damodara in the month of Karttika in the Mathura area, certainly achieves the same form as Lord Sri Krsna Himself.

 Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments on this in his Digdarsini-tika, "Human beings achieving the same form as Krsna means that they see Lord Sri Krsna. In other words, they become as worshipable as Lord Sri Krsna. This this the understanding here."

KARTIKE MATHURAYAM VAI PUJANAD DARSANAD DHRUVAH
SIGHRAM SAMPRAPTAVAN BALO DURLABHAM YOGA TATPARAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/161 from PADMA PURANA)

 Although a child, Dhruva Maharaja during the month of Karttika in the area of Mathura worshiped Lord Sri Damodara and immediately became fixed in his devotion, became worshipable by Saunaka and the other sages and saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.

SULABHA MATHURA BHUMAU PRATY ABDAM KARTIKAS TATHA
TATHAPI SAMSARANTIHA NARA MUDHA BHAVA AMBUDHAU
YANI SARVANI TIRTHANI NADA NADYAH SARANSI CA
KARTIKE NIVASANTY ATRA MATHURE SARVA MANDALE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/162,164 from PADMA PURANA)

 Although Mathura (Vraja area) is easily available on the earth and Karttika is easily attainable in the year, but oh, what a great misfortune in the side of human beings who are still suffering in the ocean of material existence. In the month of Karttika, all of the places of pilgrimage, oceans, rivers and lakes come to Mathura area [but they do not take advantage of it.]

ASVINASYA TU MASASYA YA SUKLA EKADASI BHAVET
KARTIKASYA VRATA ANIHA TASYAM KURYAD ATANDRITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/168 from PADMA PURANA conversation between Lord Krsna
and Satyabhama)

 One should take a fasting vow for the month of Karttika without any laziness on the Ekadasi which falls in the light part of the month of Asvina (September-October).

NA GRAHE KARTIKE KURYAD VISESENA TU KARTIKAM
TIRTHE TU KARTIKIM KURYAT SARVA YATNENA BHAVINI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/186 from SKANDA PURANA)

 Oh beautiful lady, specifically, one should not take a vow of fasting in the Karttika month in the home or house. Always the endeavor should be made to go to a place of pilgrimage to make this vow and observe it there.

TATAH PRIYATAMA VISNO RADHIKA GOPIKASU CA
KARTIKE PUJANIYA CA SRI DAMODARA SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/195 from PADMA PURANA)

 Among all other gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Lord Krsna. Therefore in the month of Karttika, one should worship Lord Damodara with Srimati Radharani near Him.

DAMODARA ASTAKAM NAMA STOTRAM DAMODARA ARCANAM
NITYAM DAMODARA AKARSI PATHET SATYA VRATA UDITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/198)

 In the month of Karttika, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and sing the Damodarastaka (the eight prayers of Lord Damodara) which pleases Lord Damodara, written by the sage named Satyavrata.

GOVARDHANA GIRAU RAMYE RADHAKUNDAM PRIYAM HAREH
KARTIKE BAHULA ASTAMYAM TATRA SNATVA HAREH PRIYAH
NARO BHAKTO BHAVED VIPRAS TADDHI TASYA PRATOSANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/207 from PADMA PURANA)

 Oh brahmanas, in the beautiful Govardhana area there is a Radhakunda (a lake of Radharani) which is very dear to Lord Sri Hari. One who takes bath in it on the eighth day of the dark moon night of Karttika, becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari.

 Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that, "Although by taking bath in Radhakunda one becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari, still, if he takes bath anywhere in the name of pleasing Lord Hari, he pleases Him as well.

SRI KRSNA DASA VARYO'YAM SRI GOVARDHANA BHUDHARAH
SUKLA PRATIPADI PRATAH KARTIKE'RCYU 'TRA VAISNAVAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/232 from SKANDA PURANA)

 On the first day of the light part of the month of Karttika, a Vaisnava should certainly worship the topmost servant of Lord Sri Krsna, Sri Govardhana Hill, early in the morning as it is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th Canto, 21 chapter, verse 18.

MATHURAYAM TATHA SAKSAT KRATVA CAIVA PRADAKSINAM
VAISNAVAM DHAMA SAMPRAPYA MODATE HARI SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/249 from PADMA PURANA)

 One who stays in the Mathura area, worships Govardhana, and goes around it, he goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari and stays there happily.

URJE SUKLA DVITIYAYAM MADHYAHE YAMA ARCAYET
SNANAM KRTVA BHANUJAYAM YAMA-LOKAM NA PASYATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/267 from SKANDA PURANA and PADMA PURANA)

 On the midpart of the second day of the light part of the month of Karttika one should worship Yamaraja and take bath in the Yamuna. If he does so, he will not have to go to the abode of Yamaraja.

PRABODHINIM UPOSYA EVA NA GARBHE VISATE NARAH
SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA TASMAT KURVITA NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/289 from SKANDA PURANA spoken by Lord Brahma)

 Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhini (when the Lord gets up) Ekadasi, does not enter again into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular Ekadasi day.

DUGDHABDHIH BHOGI SAYANE BHAGAVAN ANANTO
YASMIN DINE SVAPITI CA ATHA VIBHUDHYATE CA
TASMINN ANANYA MANASAM UPAVASA BHAJAM
KAMAM DADATY ABHIMATAM GARUDANKA SAYI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/293 from PADMA PURANA)

 One who fasts with one pointed intelligence on the day when the Supreme Lord Sri Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garuda (snake) goes to take rest in the Milk ocean on the bed of Ananta Sesa and also the day He gets up, gets all of his desires fulfilled.

BHAKTIPRADA HAREH SATU NAMNA KSATA PRAVODHINI
YASA VISNOH PARA MURTIR AVYAKTA ANEKA RUPINI
SA KSIPTA MANUSE LOKE DVADADI MUNI PUNGAVA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/301 from VARAHA PURANA conversation between Yamaraja and Narada Muni)

 This Prabodhini Ekadasi is famous for rewarding devotion to Lord Sri Hari. Oh best of the sages (Narada Muni), the personality of Ekadasi is present on this earthly planet in an unmanifested form of Lord Hari.

 Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that one who exactly observes the Ekadasi fast by observing this, he directly worships Lord Sri Hari. This is the meaning of this verse. Therefore, Ekadasi is said to be equal to Lord Sri Hari Himself.

CATUR DHA GRAHYA VAI CIRNAM CATUR MASYA VRATAM NARAH
KARTIKE SUKLAPAKSE TU DVADASYAM TAT SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/412 from MAHABHARATA)

 A person who observed Caturmasya fast stated in four different ways should end his fast on the Dvadasi day on the light fortnight of the month of Karttika.

EVAM YA ACARET PARTHA SOBHANAM DHARMAM APNUYAT
AVASANE TU RAJENDRA VASUDEVA PURAM VRAJET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/433 from BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)

 Oh son of Prtha, Oh best of the kings, one who follows his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit and at last goes to the abode of  Lord Sri Hari, the son of Vasudeva.

MALATI MALAYA VISNUH PUJITO YENA KARTIKE
PAPAKSARA KRTAM MALAM HATHAT SAURIH PRAMARJJATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/92 from SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

 In the month of Karttika (October-November), any person, if he worships Lord Visnu with Malati (white Jasmine) flowers, whatever sinful activities are registered for him by Yamaraja, death personified, are removed.

KAMALAIH KAMALAKANTAH PUJITAH KARTIKE TU YAIH
KAMALA ANUGA TESAM JANMANTARA SATESU API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/102 from PADMA PURANA, UTTARA KHANDA)

 Any person who offers lotus flowers to Lord Narayana, the dearest personality of Laksmidevi in the month of Karttika, Laksmidevi resides with him for hundreds of births.

The Diwali Period.
The story goes that Hanuman was sent by Rama to Ayodhya the day before Rama's arrival as prearranged with Bharat to let the residents of Ayodhya know how Sita and Rama and all Their retinue were returning.

This was five days before Diwali, and after the Vijaya dasami (victory of Rama ) celebration.

THE STORY BEHIND OF "DIWALI"
King Dashrath ruled the rich and prosperous city of Ayodhya.  He had three wives and Kaikayi was his favourite.  She saved his life in a war at a very crucial time.  Dashrath granted her two favours for saving his life.

Dashrath had four sons.  Rama, the oldest, was everybody's favourite.  He was married to the beautiful and devoted Sita.  Just before Ram's coromation, Kaikayi reminded Dashrath of her two favors.  She told him to crown Bharat as king and to banish Ram to the jungle for fourteen years.  Her wishes were granted.

The old king Dashrath later died of a broken heart. After a few years in the forest, Sita was lured by the demon king Ravana.  Rama, with the help of a monkey general, Hanuman, rescued Sita and defeated Ravana. After fourteen years in exile Ram and Sita and returned to Ayodhya.

It is in Their honor that "Diwali" is celebrated.  "Diwali" signifies the victory of good over evil.

Today in India for Diwali all the shops are decorated brightly.  Many people make "rangoli"  in their house or outside.  They are filled to capacity in this festive season.  Everybody buys new things and decorates their homes.  People visit their friends and relatives and give them sweets. On Diwali friends come over for the whole day and relatives come and go.  Everyone has a wonderful time celebrating the return of Sita and Rama. Thus Diwali has become a day when all the sad things of the past are forgotten and happy times are remembered.

The famous slOkam on DhIpAvaLi is:

thailE LAKSHMEE: JalE  GANGAA dhIpAvaLi dhinE vasEth
alakshmI parihArArTam abhyangasnAnam aacharEth
Tatha Aabharanam vasthram dharEyEth sarvasampadhE

(meaning): On the early morning of DhIpAvaLi (before Sunrise of KrishNa Paksha Chathurthi of Iypaasi Month ), MahA LakshmI resides in oil and GangA Devi stays in the waters. For the sake of chasing away poverty / inauspiciousness, One should take an oil bath and wash oneself with hot water and thereafter wear new clothes. This is refered to in more detail below.

See the Kartika Mahatmya from Hari Bhakti Vilas for the benefits of offering lamps in the month of Kartik.

See also typical Diwali foodstuffs offerings:

Send Diwali Cards from HERE:
http://ecards.rediff.com/ecards/category/ecat%7B24%7D_1.htm
http://www.123greetings.com/events/diwali/

More e-cards HERE

Please continue to scroll down to see the other days in the Diwali fesitval season..........

1st day - Yam:
Generally people place one lamp out in the Southern direction.
Pray to Yamaraj to request the shakti to complete all your tasks, fulfill your life and then safely return home.

 

2nd day - Narak Chaturdasi:
Lord Krishna killed Narakasura (the son of Hiranyaksha and Bhumi Devi) he stole the 16000 princesses and did generally all manner of bad things. Bhumi requested Krishna to come and kill the demon.
Devotees glorify Krishna as the personification of good, who always triumphs and destroys evil - on this day!!!

Here's some details:

This is the day when Sathyabhama rode with the Lord to the battle at PrakjyOthisha puram, the capital of Naraka-asuran and helped her Lord to put an end to the adharmic - sinful acts of that Asuran. He was a son of Bhumi Devi, but had strayed and committed many offenses against the devotees oft he Lord. The compassionate Mother understood the role of dushta Nigraham of Her Lord and prayed for Her son to be granted Moksham and be remembered on the day of his destruction by the Sudarsanam discus of the Lord.

Outside the slokams of Bhagavatham, the tradition is that she prayed for the pristine waters of Ganga, which arose from the Lord's feet from TrivikramAvatham time to enter into the oil and waters at the home of pious devotees on this day, when they  take the oil bath in hot water during the early morning ( before sunrise ) of this Naraka Chathurthi day. She also prayed for all people to celebrate her son's moksham as a pandigai wearing new clothes and eat special sweets and nourishments. Lord KrishNA granted her wish and thus we celebrate this day of DipAvaLi. We light fire crackers, light lamps and with "sound and light" we celebrate this great deed of the Lord. We go around inquiring our friends and relatives : " GangA SnAnam Aacchaa? " .

This is also the  day, when the Lord brought the PaarijAthA tree from Indra's Nandavanam to please SathyabhAma and planted it in her garden at Dwaraka.

3rd Day - Bhaktasiroman Hanuman - this is where Hanuman is worshipped.

Dhanteras:
Two days before the main festival of Deepawali is Dhanteras in honour of Dhanwantari, the physician of the gods. He is considered a minor incarnation of Vishnu and arose out of the Ocean of Milk, carrying the pot of amrita, the drink of immortality. He is considered the father of the Indian System of medicine called Ayurveda. Dhanteras is a part of the Deepawali celebrations and not a festival in its own right. People bathe early in the morning and observe a fast, which is broken only after sunset, when the housewife lights an earthen lamp at the gate. New clothes are worn on this day and a new utensil is bought which is kept at the place of worship. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India.139-142.)

 

4th Day - Sri Laxmi Puja:
Lord Vishnu for the first time worhipped Laxmi on this day. What happens is described in the next section on Diwali (Deepawali). Laxmi Puja.

Maha Lakshmi PoojA. This is also the day, when the new year accounts are started by commercial houses and Maha Lakshmi pooja is performed with great ceremony.

Some do KedAra Gauri poojA on this day (Shiva and Parvati pooja). However, Gauri does not mean exclusively Parvathi. It also  means a eight year old Virgin girl. it also means speech, Turmeric and Tulasi. For Sri VaishNavas, it means Bala Lakshmi. KedAram means a meadow rich with water or a collection of water under the trunk of a tree. It is not just a mountain chain in HimAlayAs. Hence, KedArA symbolizes richness or samrutthi or subheeksham. Under this definition, KedAra Gauri Poojaa is then understood as PoojA for the Goddess of Wealth, MahA Lakshmi.

Bhumi Devi's  prayer to the Lord are moving and are housed in the chapter 59 of the Dasama skandham (10th canto).
Here are some illustrative verses :

namasthE devadEvEsa sakha chakra gadhAdhara I
bhakthEccHOpAttha rUpAya ParamAthman namOsthu thE II

(meaning ) : Salutations to Thee , the God of Gods ! sporting the conch, the disc and the mace ! Obesiance to Thee, the supreme Consciousness, who assumest bodies to fulfill the yearnings of Thy devotees !

Nama: PankajanAbhAya Nama: PankajamAlinE I
Nama: PankajanEhtrAya NamasthE PankajaAngrayE II

( meaning ) : Salutations to the Lotus-navelled ! Salutations to the Lotus-garlanded! Salutations to the Lotus eyed ! Salutations to the Lotus-footed !

namO BhagavathE thubhyam VaasudEvAya VishNavE I
PurushAya AdhibheejAya PurNabhOdAya thE nama: I

(meaning ) : I salute VaasudEvA , the support of all ! I salute VishNu, the inner pervader of everything ! I salute Him, who is the ultimate source of everything ! I salute Him, who is All-Intelligence !

AjAya janayithrEasya BrahmaNE ananthasakthayE I
ParaavarAthman BhUthAthman Paramaathman namOsthu thE II

(Meaning ) : Salutations to Him , who manifests both as the cause and the efect! Salutations to Him, who is ever existent ! Salutations to Him , who is the supreme spirit ! Salutations to Him, Who is the Infinite power ! Salutations to Him , who is the greatest being ! Salutations to Him, who is the father of the worlds ! Salutations to Him, who is birthless !

OM NamO BhagavathE VaasudEvAya !

Today and tomorrow even more , all of us can benefit from reciting Sri Sthuthi of Swami Desikan and Sri Sthavam of KurEsa and ChathusslOki  of AlavandhAr . We can also perform aaradhanam to Maha Lakshmi with Lakshmi AshtOttharam or Lakshmi sahasra Naamam .

Those , who do not have the time can at least  recite one slOkam from Sri Sthuthi, which starts with KalyANAnAm avikala nidhi : and receive Her blessings for the year to come !

Om Sriyai Nama:

5th Day - Amavasya, Dipavali - Dipanvita - Damodhar lila happened.
The 14 year period of exile of Lord Rama, Sita and Rama's brother Laxman was completed, and Rama returns to Ayodhya on the Amavasya night. When Lord Rama reached the outskirts of Ayodhya it was on the night of the New Moon Day (Amavasya).The sky was very dark and Sri Rama enacted the pastime that He could not make out the way to His palace. The citizens of Ayodhya hearing of their beloved Lord's return, with hearts full of love lighted rows and rows of oil lamps so that Sri Rama could make his way back safely
to the Palace and resume ruling the kingdom. How fortunate the Ayodhyavasis were, to welcome the Lord who was none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sriman Narayana and His Consort Lakshmi as Sita, the citizens light lamps etc to greet and light the path for the Divine couple's return.

Deepawali or the festival of lights is celebrated during the last days of Ashvina and at the beginning of Karttika, exactly twenty days after Dussehra. It is the main festival of the season. In north India, it is usually called Diwali. This is a composite festival which includes smaller ones as well. See overview of entire period here.

The day before Deepawali is Chhoti Deepawali, a minor Deepawali, when after puja (worship) five lamps are lit at five strategic places in the house: the gateway, the barn, the well, the peeal tree, and the kitchen. Traditionally, these lamps are of earthenware, filled with clariefied butter (ghee) into which cotton wicks are immersed. These days clarified butter has given place to oil or wax. Nowadays more people prefer candles to earthen lamps.

Before the Deepawali season, houses are cleaned and white-washed. One of the main features of the festival is the worship of Lakshmi (Laxmi), the Goddess of Fortune, Beauty, Prosperity and Wealth. Deepawali is celebrated on Amavasya, the darkest night of the month, and houses, shops, places of work, etc., are lit all through the night, least Lakshmi turn her back on a house that is dark. Since she will not enter a dirty place, the residence or the place of work is thoroughly washed and cleaned. Lakshmi has an elder sister called Jyesthaa Devi, who loves squalor and dark and dingy corners. The understanding between the two sisters is that either will not enter a house if the other is present.This custom of cleaning the house may have started in ancient times when it was realised that the hot summer followed by rains made the house musty and encouraged the prevalence of germs (fungal infections, allergies due to mites, etc) By washing the houses with lime water, the germs were killed. It is , till today, a perfect method of disinfecting a house.

On Deepawali night first Lakshmi is worshipped and silver coins are offered to her. Clay figures of Lakshmi, Vishnu and other gods are also worshipped, invoking their blessings. Lighted earthenware lamps decorate the roof, the walls, the doorways, in fact, the entire house. The rows of light apart from making this dark bright and gay, are also meant to welcome the souls of the departed ancestors who visit the family on Deepawali night. In Bengal, lighted torches are fixed on long poles to guide the souls of the departed ancestors.

The lighting of lamps on Deepawali night is so important that even when a family is in mourning and no festivities take place, five lamps are always lit at strategic places in the house. Fireworks and crakers are let off not only for enjoyment but also to scare away evil spirits that wander about on this night.

Deepawali is also celebrated to mark the victory of Rama over Ravana, of good over evil which is the basic theme of the Ramayana. Rama returned home to Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile and was crowned king. Every house in Ayodhya was illuminated to welcome Him. The illuminations symbolise the removal of spiritual darkness from the country and the expression Ram Rajya, the rule of Rama, is synonymous with the perfect rule. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Pages 142-144.)

On Deepavali Day we may recite the following verses :

For Goddess Lakshmi
*******************
lakshmiiM kshiirasamudraraaja tanayaaM shriiraN^gadhaameshvariiM
daasiibhuuta samastadevavanitaaM lokaikadiipaN^kuraam .
shriimanmanda kaTaakshalabdavibhava brahmendra ga.ngaadharaaM
tvaaM trailokya kuTumbiniiM sarasijaaM vande mukundapriyaam

maatarnamaami kamale kamalaayataakshi
shriivishNuhR^itkamala vaasini vishvamaataH .
kshiirodaje kamalakomala garbha gauri
lakshmii ! prasiida satataM namataaM sharaNye

For Sri Rama
*************
aapadaa maartihantaaraM bhiitaanaaM bhiitinaashanam.h .
dvishhataaM kaaladaNDa.n taM raamachandraM namaamyaham.h .. 1 ..

namaH kodaNDahastaaya sandhiikR^ita sharaaya cha .
khaNDitaakhila daityaaya raamaayaapannivaariNe .. 2 ..

raamaaya raamabhadraaya raamachandraaya vedhase .
raghunaathaaya naathaaya siitaayaaH pataye namaH .. 3 ..

agrataH pR^ishhThatashchaiva paarshvatashcha mahaabalau .
aakarNa puurNa dhanvaanau rakshetaaM raamalakshmaNau .. 4 ..

sannaddhaH kavachii khaDgii chaapabaaNadharo yuvaa .
gachchhanmamaagrato nityaM raamaH paatu salakshmaNaH .. 5

After the chanting the Krishna Ashtakam offer Naivedya such as fruits, sweets, rice preparations, milk and offer some Tulasi leaves and flowers by chanting:

"sri seeta lakshmana bharata shatrugna hanumad sametha sri
ramachandra parabrahmane namah:"

We may then show the aarati by waving either a lamp lighted with a ghee soaked wick or camphor and recitethe mangala shloka for the day :

mangalam kosalendraaya mahaneeya gunaapthaye,
chakravarthy tanujaaya saarvabhoumaaya mangalam

followed by

yatra yatra raghunaatha kiirtanaM
tatra tatra kR^itamastakaaJNjalim .

bhaashhpavaari paripuurNa lochanaM
maarutiM namata raakshasaantakam ..

upachaaraa padesena kR^itaan.h ahara harmayaa.
apachaaraani imaan.h sarvaan.h xamasva puruShottamaH

then offer sashtanga namaskaram to the Lord 4 times.

May The Lord shower his blessings on one and all on Deepavali Day
 

DIWALI DAY:
Lord Damodara and the broken pot - Binding on Diwali Day Srimad Bhagavatam 10:9:1-2.

 "Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued:  One day when mother Yasoda saw that all the maidservants were engaged in other household affairs, she personally began to churn the yogurt.  While churning, she remembered the childish activities of Krsna, and in her own way she composed songs and enjoyed singing to herself about all those activities."(SB 10:9:1-2)

DIWALI FESTIVAL: 10th October. 1968,  (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Hamsadutta dasa written from Seattle., Letters book Vol 1. p.549.)
    Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100's of candles, indifferent parts of the temple, and offering a special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, while Lord Ramachandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years banishment by the order of His father. His younger step-brother Bharat, took charge f the Kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramachandra took back the charge again from His brother, and seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali, and Deepabali. Deepabali means the same thing - Deepa means candles, and bali means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Deepabali. In India, this Deepavali function is celebrated in a special auspicious occassion. This Deepabali function can be observed on 21st October, and Prasad can be distributed on 22nd October, during daytime, which is known as Govardhan Puja and Annakuta Ceremony. In India, in all Vaishnava temples, this ceremony is observed and 100's of people are given prasadam according to the capacity of the temple. So I understand that last year the Deepabali ceremony was held in the temple, and there was collection of $130.00. So you can do the needful.
 Hope you are all well. Your Ever Well Wisher. A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami.

Govardhan Puja - Annakut:
New Grains offered as Annadan at this time
The worship of Giri-Govardhan Hill and the cows.

The day after Deepawali is celebrated as Govadhan Puja when Mount Govardhan, near Mathura, is worshipped. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-four (or 108) different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This ceremony is called ankut which means a mountain of food. Various types of food – cereals, pulses, fruit, vegetables, chutneys, pickles, and salads – are offered to the Deity and then distributed as prasada to devotees.

This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna. According to a legend, before Krishna was born, Indra, the god of Rain, was the chief deity of Vraj. Then Krishna instigated the people to stop worshipping Indra. Indra wanted to show his power over Krishna and brought about a cloud-burst which flooded the countryside for many days. People were afraid that the downpor was a result of their neglect of Indra. But Krishna assured them that no harm would befall them. He lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain. This gave him the epithet Govardhandhari. After this, Indra accepted the supremacy of Krishna. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Pages 145-146.)

Go to Govardhan puja page(s) now:

Bhaidhuj: (Bali-Daityaraj-Puja)
When Lord Vamandev was pleased with Bali maharaj and appeared in Vishnu-rupa, Bali asked a boon that Lord Vishnu would be on every door at Patalaloka because in Nether regions Bali wants his society Lord Vishnu agrees and goes to become a Dwarpalaka of Bali. Narad tells Laxmi where Lord Vishnu is. Laxmi plays trick on Bali - she goes to Bali as a poor woman seeking help - with her she takes raksha bandan. She says to Bali that she doesn't have a brother - and would dearly like one. When the raksha bandan is tied the brother has to offer her something. Bali asked Laxmi what he can give her, Laxmi replied that you have my everything in your service - please release Lord Vishnu.

As Yama's sister is Yamuna and she fed Yama to his satifaction he said that from now on any brother who visits thesister on Bhaidhuj day will escape the hand of Yamaraj - the sister prays for her brother.

Brother goes to sister's house – the very best of foods are cooked, and then the sister feeds brother.

There is another significance to this day culturally: The last festival associated with Deepawali is Bhaya Dhuja, popularly called Tikka in Punjab. In Vedic times, it was called Bhartri-dwitiya. Two days after Deepawali, women and girls apply saffron and rice grains to the foreheads of their brothers to protect them from evil and to wish them long life and prosperity. The brothers in turn give the sisters presents. In Uttara Pradesh and Harayana, the tikka is usually a paste of vermilion with rice grains in it.

A red mark on the forehead is reminiscent of Shiva's third eye and is believed to keep the evil away and thus protect the wearer. With constant wars in North India, the custom of applying a tilak to the forehead of men going to war assumed an aided significance. Mothers, wives and sisters applied tilak to the men to protect them from harm. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Page 146.)

Yama Dwitiya:
During the month of Karttika, the business community observes Yama-dwitiya by worshipping Yama, the god of Death, his scribe Chitragupta, his messanger Yamaduta, Ganapati and the river Yamuna. Om this occasion, the royal seal, the pen and the inkpot are also worshipped. Sisters prepare food for their brothers and, if the brother has this food sitting on the banks of the river Yamuna, on Yama-dwitiya day, it is believed to give him and his sister’s husband a long life.

Yama and Yami, goddess spirit of the river Yamuna, were twins born to Surya, the Sun god and his wife Samjna. According to a legend, Yama was lame and the cause of this disability was a curse pronounced on him by his step-mother, Chhaaya. Samjna, finding the effulgence of her husband Surya excessive, went away and in her place left her shadow Chhaaya. The physical likeness between Sa,jna and Chhaaya was so marked, that Surya had no reason to suspect her. One day Yama kicked his step-mother Chhaaya for being partial to her own children. At this Chhaaya cursed him and said that the leg that kicked her would be full of worms. Surya heard the curse and, realising that a mother would never curse her own children, suspected the identity of Chhaaya and went in search of his real wife, Samjna.

Yami, Yama’s twin sister, was transformed into the sacred river Yamuna in whose purifying waters people bathe on holy days. Yama was given an equally important role and made the god of Death, whom all fear. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Page 146.)

Restricting our eating for last month of Chaturmasya; no non-vegetarian foods (which for this period includes urad dahl, masoor dahl etc) See more on vratas during Chaturmasya HERE.
Singing the Damodarastakam for the pleasure of Lord Damodar
Offering lamps for the Lord's pleasure (as mentioned in the Diwali section above)

See EVERYTHING related to the festivals and observances in the month of Kartik - Damodar HERE

A nice overview; an 18 days Guide, from Dhan Teras to Deva Divali:
 

Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth, also known as Karaka Chaturthi is a fast undertaken by the married and the soon-to-be married Hindu women who offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, well-being, and longevity of their husbands. Karva Chauth falls about nine days before diwali on the Kartik ki Chauth, the fourth day of the dark moon (Krishna chaturthi), some time in October or November. It is the most important fast observed by the women of North India. A woman keeps such a fast for the well-being of her husband, who becomes her protector after she leaves her parents home. Her husband provides her with food, shelter, clothing, respectability, comfort and happiness.
   This is indeed a very tough fast to observe as it starts before sunrise and ends after sighting and then simply worshipping the moon, which usually rises at about 8.45 p.m. or so.

No food or water is to be taken after 4 a.m. or after sunrise. Nowadays, this fast is kept even in modern educated homes, becoming a symbol of the sentiment that a woman has for her husband. They do not drink water the whole day and the fast is broken only after the moon is sighted through a sieve. The woman touches the feet of her husband and he gives her water and food.

The preparation for the puja should be started at about 4 or 5 p.m. Someone older, who is willing, or the housewife herself as the situation demands, prepares a suitable place in the puja room, in case it is a big room which can accommodate all the women who have been invited for the baya; otherwise the best place is a verandah or the open courtyard, since generally the weather is not cold during this season (in the northern hemisphere).

   A sari (in the baya) is a must for the first Karva Chauth of a girl. One thing to be taken care of is that the baya reaches the girl's in-laws home, where the girl has gone during the course of the day, before the evening. The baya is given to the mother-in-law after the manasna. If the mother-in-law is not present, then the eldest lady in the house is presented with the baya. Sometimes, the elder one chooses to take only the perishable items, and leaves cash and clothes for the mother-in-law.

This traditional fast bestows happiness and well being of the children too. According to a belief, on this day Sateyvan, who had died at an early age was restored to life by God Yama, at the lamentations and impressive arguing of Savitri, Sateyvan's wife.

In some places, Siva and Parvati are worshipped on this day. The only aim of this fast is to save the husband from an untimely death and have a long married life. After ablution and other daily necessities, and after taking bath in the early morning, before sunrise, women should undertake a vow for the welfare of the husband, sons, and grandsons. Siva, Parvati, Kartikeya, Ganesha and the moon (Chandrama) are worshipped. Their blessings are invoked. After worship, rice, black gram pulse auspicious articles viz. comb, mirror, vermillion, bangles, ribbon, etc. are put on a copper plate or on an earthern plate, along with fruits and kept ready till the fast is broken, after seeing the moon. the fast is to be observed without even taking water.

It is a day of celebration and decoration. On the eve of this festival, the markets are full of women preparing for it. Mehndi stalls are set up in every corner of the market, Bindi's, Red bangles and different  types of cosmetics are sold everywhere. Mother-in-laws buy 'sargi' for their daughter-in-laws (after all they are going to be praying for their son's long and healthy life!) This 'sargi' consists of various types of sweetmeats, and sometime clothes. All these items are supposed to bring good luck to the women.

There is great festivity on this day. Early in the morning, before sunrise, the women bathe and gather to eat the sweetmeats. They pray to Shiva and Parvati, hoping that their married life would be as successful as theirs.

In the afternoon, mothers of newly wed girls give  'Baya'  to the  parents of their son-in-law.

This Baya contains few Mathris, Almonds, and some gifts. In every neighbourhood women gather together to perform a puja and to recite the story of 'Karva Chauth'. Most women are dressed in beautiful red or pink clothes and in traditional Jewellery.

    The puja place is decorated with kharia matti, which has been soaked in water two to three hours earlier, and takes a semi-liquid form. A chowk like in any other puja - is decorated on the floor. This whole chowk should be placed against a wall on one side, where a similarly decorated patta is kept, on which the Gaur Mata is seated. The Gaur Mata used to be made with cowdung in the shape of a human figure, just about two inches tall. Nowadays, a picture or an idol of Parvati is placed on the patta.'just about an hour or so before moonrise, those who have observed the vrat, dress up again in their chunris or in red or pink clothes with chonp and bindi on their foreheads. Everyone now gathers around the place where a carpet or durrie is spread over the leaving space for the puja items.

Then a small pooja to Gaura Ma or goddess Parvati is performed. Married women sit around Gaura ma and pray to her for the well being and long life of their husbands. A small pitcher or Karva with some water is placed in the centre. While the story is being narrated, ladies circulate their Baya thalis.

The baya of individual is kept on a thaali, over the karva, with a little water and seven pieces of pua in it (seven broken from one big pua). The karva itself is dee with kharia, aipun and a little roli .A strand of (red thread) of any thickness is tied around the part of the karva. The top cover is also decorated in the thaali is placed on the cover. The women sit facing the and one elder member (there is no taboo on widow the family narrates the story and does the chanting, each woman doing the puja. This is known as man which means to give away and never take back. First of all, roll teeka is applied on the forehead of Gaur before the start of the puja. All the women doing puja also apply roli teeka - tilak on their foreheads and parting (known as maang). Everyone does pujan by dipping the third finger of the right hand in water sprinkling it with the help of the thumb three time the deity; the same procedure has to be repeated aipun and roli and, lastly, the rice is showered. depicts the bathing of the deity, decoration with a putting of the teeka with roli and, lastly, worship the deity with rice.

After the puja this thali is given to the eldest member of the family who blesses the woman with all the happiness in life.

Moonrise is eagerly awaited and everyone in the family keeps a lookout for it. Once the moon is sighted, women gather on the terrace and offer prayers to the moon 7 times. They pray for their husband's and family's welfare. Then they have a sip of water and in this way the fast comes to an end.

In the evening, all married women, dressed in gorgeous wedding garments and jewellery, undertake worship. As the moon rises, they bow down at the feet of their husbands and give the decorated plate with fruit and other material to their mother in law. This festival deepens the relation between the wife, the husband and the mother in law. In a legend in the region now known as Maharashtra, once Arjun went for worship in Nilgiri Hilllls. Draupadi, believing that there was none to protect her in the horror stricken forest, invoked Krishna. On the appearance of Krishna, Draupadi explained her problem. Krishna explained that once Parvati had expressed such a suspicion before Shiva.

The latter had then said that for a house wife, the fast on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi was a remedy for such apprehensions. Krishna further told Draupadi that once upon a time, there was a Brahmin, who had seven sons and one daughter. Being the only daughter she was married with great pomp and show. On the Karva Chauth day, she undertook the fast, but before the rise of the moon she felt hungry.

Seeing the pathetic condition of their only sister, the loving brothers asked her to break the fast, but she did not agree. Then the brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister, taken it as moon rise, broke the fast and took food. Surprisingly, her husband died. The daughter started crying. Per chance, Indrani, the sister of Indra, was passing by with her maids. Hearing the cries, she came to the weeping woman and asked her tale of sorrow. Then she adviced that she should undertake the fast on every fourth day of the month, for one year and undertake the Karva Chauth fast under strict rituals, then only her husband would come to life. Doing so, the daughter relivened her husband back to life. Narrating this story, Krishna consoled Draupadi and advised her to observe Karva Chauth fast and assured her about the ultimate victory of Pandavas.

In Uttar Pradesh, on Karva Chauth, the married women make idols of elephant (Indra's Iravat) and worship it, after seeing the moon. Also in Uttar Pradesh, women decorate the entrance walls of their home with drawings of Gauri Ma, the moon and the sun. The evening puja is done with diyas - lamps and a 'karva' pot made of mud. Before looking at the moon, the women pray to the figurines at their doorstep.

In Rajasthan, the women make 'Karvas' with mud containers, filled with rice and wheat. Most women wear their wedding day 'chunris' on this occasion. In Gujarat also many women observe this fast. In Madhya Pradesh most of them follow the traditions of the women from Uttar Pradesh.

In all these states the first 'Karva Chauth' of any new bride, or bride to be, it is a very important festival. New clothes, new Jewellery and gifts from both mother and mother-in-law are received. The wedding day outfits are worn once again, mehndi is applied and the family gathers to celebrate it with them.
 

 KARVA CHAUTH VRAT KATHA (in Hindi)
 

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However, he could not contend with the persistence of Krishna and finally gave in. He explained that they were arranging for a big yajna (sacrifice) in the honor of Lord Indra, the king of the demigods. Since they belonged to the farming community (Vaisya), they were very dependant on timely  rainfall for their crops and food grains. Lord Indra being the controlling deity of rainfall was therefore being propitiated by the yajna to ensure timely and sufficient rainfall.

Krishna dissuades His father
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Krishna however began to dissuade His father from this sacrifice. Overtly, He took the position of a karma-mimamsa, a class of atheist philosophers that propose that since God is bound to reward or punish one in accordance with one's karma, a person should simply focus on performing his activity and enjoy the results. This argument was countered by Nanda Maharaja that  while activity is essential, the mercy is also needed. Krishna however nullified these arguments saying that Indra sends rains even to the oceans, since he himself is duty bound to do so. Since demigods will be satisfied by the proper execution of duties, there is no need to worship them separately.

Krishna instead proposed that they should worship the local Brahmans and Govardhana hill. Since the Brahmans were the spiritual leaders of the community and Govardhana hill was providing them with so many amenities like grass, water and shelter for the cows, which are the primary assets of the village community. Even though Krishna was debating from an atheistic view point, He had a higher purpose in mind. His descent to the world was to discourage the worship of demigods for material gains, and to establish the true position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He was aware that Lord Indra was very much proud of his position as the king of the demigods. Since Lord Indra is actually a great devotee, Krishna was also showing him His mercy by removing the illusion of false pride from him.

Nanda Maharaja agrees with Krishna
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Even though Nanda Maharaja was very affectionate to Krishna, he was reluctant to give up the traditional ceremony they had been performing for years. So he offered a compromise, that the Govardhana puja would be done after the Indra yajna was completed. However this did not satisfy Krishna. He does not like wishy-washy compromises but clear and uninterrupted commitment. Finally out of affection for Krishna, the villagers lead by Nanda Maharaja relented and began to worship the Govardhana in accordance to the instructions of Krishna.

Thus was established the tradition of the worship of Govardhana, which is followed to this day in a festival called Annakuta. They began the worship by first circumambulating Govardhana hill, a tradition that is followed even now. After Nanda Maharaja and the Brahmins concluded the ceremony, they were awed to see Govardhana personified, personally accepting the foodstuffs offered in the ceremony. They were joyfully surprised to see that Govardhana personified look exactly like Krishna, and from this we can understand that Govardhana is actually non-different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To this day, qualified devotees take small rocks (shilas) from the Govardhana hill to worship as the deity form of the Lord.

Lord Indra angered
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Lord Indra was however most displeased with this. Even though he was aware of the position of Krishna, anger and pride caused him to become illusioned, a symptom that is common in present day materialists. Furious, he summoned the Samvartaka clouds, specially powerful clouds used at the time of cosmic destruction, and ordered them to pour rain over Vrindavana.  So powerful were these rain clouds that soon entire Vrinadavana was  deluged under rain fall as thick as columns and as sharp as arrows,  causing much pain to the people in Vrindavana. The inhabitants of Vrindavan were all pure devotees of Sri Krishna, and in distress turned to  Him for shelter.

Govardhana hill lifted by Krishna
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The omniscient Lord, very much aware of the machinations of Lord Indra, simply picked up the Govardhana hill and asked all the inhabitants of Vrindavana to take shelter under the hill with their families and animals. In this way, Krishna held the mountain up for seven days on the little finger of His left hand. By His mystic potency, no one felt any hunger, thirst or discomfort for the entire time they spent under the hill. Finally when Indra realized that he was actually up against the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he immediately ordered the clouds to stop. The inhabitants of Vrindavana happily went back, singing the glories of Krishna, and Krishna replaced the Govardhana hill to its original position.

Lord Indra forgiven
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Now Lord Indra was terrified at his offenses. Knowing that Krishna is specially merciful to the cows, he enlisted the help of Surabhi, the personification of the cows in the spiritual world. He stealthily approached Krishna in a secluded place and fell prostrate at His feet. In  beautiful prayers, Lord Indra begged for forgiveness and the mercy of Krishna. Since Krishna is always favorably disposed to His sincere devotees, He forgave Indra and cautioned him against false pride. He also pleasingly received the worship from Surabhi and many other denizens of the heavenly planets.

The descent of Govardhana
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In the Padma Purana it is mentioned that when the Lord descends to performs His pastimes, He does so accompanied by His associates and intimate paraphernalia. Part of the paraphernalia is the actual land where the pastimes are performed. Thus the entire tract of land known as Braja Mandala is said to have descended from the spiritual world into the material. When Krishna wound up His pastimes, He left behind this holy dhama for His devotees to enjoy and draw inspiration from.

Along with the Braja Mandala also descended Govardhana hill on which Krishna performed so many of His childhood pastimes. Since the Lord personally picked it with His hands, it is considered non-different from Him. So enjoyable is this pastime of Krishna to His devotees, that He is also called Giridhari, meaning one who holds the mountain. When Krishna descended later as Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the mood of His own devotee, He refused to set foot on Govardhana, recognizing it to be non-different from the Lord.

Vanishing Govardhana
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In the Garga Samhita, it is said that Govardhana Hill was once cursed by Pulastya Muni, a powerful mystic and one of the sons of Lord Brahma. The curse was that every day Govardhana would reduce by the size of one seed of mustard. In accordance with the curse, Govardhana, which was initially two yojnas (sixteen miles) tall, has since been reducing in size. The scriptures say that as long as Govardhana hill and river Yamuna are present, there will be religiosity and God consciousness. On the day they disappear, which is predicted to happen some ten thousand years from now, Kali yuga will start in earnest and any semblance of religion will completely disappear.

So while we can, let us relish the pastime of Govardhana, and if and when we get the opportunity, take darshana and perform the most auspicious parikrama (circumambulate) Govardhana.