Kārttika-vrata

Kārttika-vrata

Parahiṁsā u Dayā (Violence and Mercy)Parahiṁsā u Dayā (Violence and Mercy)
Muṣṭi-bhikṣā (Begging Alms)Muṣṭi-bhikṣā (Begging Alms)

Overview

In Kārttika-vrata, published in the 7th issue of the 10th volume of Sajjana Toṣaṇī in 1899, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura briefly explains the rules observed during the month of Kārttika.

(translated by Swami B.V. Giri)

Kārttika-vrata is one of the main duties of a Vaiṣṇava. This year, Vaiṣnavas observe Kārttika-vrata from the 9th of Kārttika to the 9th of Agrahāyaṇa.*

*Generally corresponding to the months of October and November.

āśvinasya tu māsasya yā śuklaikādaśī bhavet
kārttikasya vratāniha tasyām kuryād-atandritaḥ

(“One should enthusiastically begin the prescribed vows of Kārttika from the Ekādaśī of the waxing moon in the month of Aśvina.” – Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 16.168)

According to this statement, every year, Kārttika-vrata begins from the day of Ekādaśī, the day after Vijaya-Daśamī. The observance ends on Utthana Ekādaśī. The vow that is observed during this one month is called niyamasevā (‘offering service by observing regulations’). The rule of niyamasevā is that every day during this month, at the last yama of the night*, one should offer maṅgala-ārati to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. After bathing in the morning, one should worship Dāmodara. At night, a bright lamp filled with ghee or sesame oil should be placed offered in Bhagavān’s temple and at the base of tulasī and the sky. During the month of Kārttika, one should be vegetarian and eat Bhagavān’s prasāda. One should avoid eating food cooked by others, sleeping in another person’s bed, oil, honey, and the use of bell-metal vessels. After prasāda-sevā, one should listen to and recite the Śrīmad Bhāgavata and other śāstra in the association of Vaiṣṇavas. One should constantly perform hari-nāma kīrtana and smaraṇa. Spending the month following these kinds of rules, on Utthana Ekādaśī, one should fast, even from water, and stay awake at night by speaking kṛṣṇa-kathā. The next morning after purifying oneself and performing hari-kīrtana, one should serve the affectionate Vaiṣṇavas and finally perform prasāda-sevā oneself. On that day, the vow will be completed at the end of the night.

* Three hours before sunrise.

(‘Kārttika-vrata’ by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura was published in the 10th Volume, 7th issue of  Sajjana Toṣaṇī in 1899. This was translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri)
Parahiṁsā u Dayā (Violence and Mercy)Parahiṁsā u Dayā (Violence and Mercy)
Muṣṭi-bhikṣā (Begging Alms)Muṣṭi-bhikṣā (Begging Alms)

Share this article!

More Articles by Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Dainya (Humility)

In this Bengali article Dainya (Humility), Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura stresses the need for humility in nāma-sādhana, the practice of chanting the Holy Name.

Salve for the Eyes of the Blind (Andhera Cakṣe Añjana)

Andhera Cakṣe Añjana (Salve for the Eyes of the Blind) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī, Vol.8 issue 12 in 1897. In this short article, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains the historicity of the name of Māyāpura. Some scholars opine that the name only became known as Māyāpura during the time of the Sena Dynasty, whereas Bhaktivinoda claims that it was known as Māyāpura since time immemorial.

Opposition to the Conclusions of Bhakti and Incompatible Rasa (Bhakti-siddhānta-viruddha o Rasābhāsa)

Bhakti-siddhānta-viruddha o Rasābhāsa (Opposition to the Conclusions of Bhakti and Incompatible Rasa) was first published in Sajjana Toṣaṇi Vol.6. Issue 2. In this article Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura writes about the various styles of rasa-kīrtana that orginated with Śrīnivāsa Ācārya, Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura and Śyāmānanda Prabhu. He also discusses the so-called 'rasa-kīrtana' performed by professional kīrtaneers.

Go to Top