The Presiding Deity of the Holy Month of Kartik  Damodara

Srimati Radharani is also known as Kartika Devi, in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the most holy month of Kartika.

Scriptural Evidence

What follow below are evidences on why Srimati Radhika is the Supreme Adi-Para Shakti.

The twelve months of the Calendar according to the Vedic system each month is given the name of Krishna. But this particular month of Damodar is also called Kartika, Kartika is the name of Srimati Radharani.

Lord Damodara becomes very pleased if during the month of Kartik one worships Radha’s deity, solely for Her pleasure. Srila Sanatana Goswami [Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 16.197]

She is Damodar’s unrivalled beloved, who bestows auspiciousness during the Kartika month. Srila Raghunath Dasa Goswami [Śrī Śrī Rādhikā Aṣṭottara- Śata-Nāma-Stotra ṁ, 4th verse, 7-8th names]

Once in the auspicious month of Kartik, Krishna came late for a rendezvous with Radharani in Her kunja. In loving anger, Sri Radha looked at Krishna with frowning eyebrows. Using some golden vines, Radha then tied a rope around Sri Krishna’s belly to punish Him for not showing up as promised. Krishna said He was late because Mother Yasoda kept Him home for a festival. Seeing Her mistake, Radha quickly untied Her beloved Damodara. HH Mahanidhi Swami [Radha Kunda Mahima Madhuri, page no. 50. The pastime is from Bhavishya-purana’s Uttara Khanda]

There is a beautiful Lila in Vrindavan where and Radharani were having their Rasalila and Krishna came late so Radharani tied Krishna around the waist with some flower bedeck creepers and tied him to a tree, Kadamba tree I believe. This is Radha Damodar, just as Yashoda Mai bound Krishna by the waist with her love; Radharani bound Krishna by the waist by her love. HH Radhanath Swami [Lecture, 09-048 ‘Wonderful Festivals In Kartik’, Mumbai]

Our Acharyas and our scriptures teach us that whatever spiritual practices are sincerely perform during this month, especially in Vrindavan are specially blessed by Srimati Radharani. It is the time of the year wherein accessing the grace of Shree Radha. HH Radhanath Swami [Lecture, 09-048 ‘Wonderful Festivals In Kartik’, Mumbai]

Radha should be adored on the full moon day of the month of Kartika. Brahma Vaivarta Purana [Prakriti Khanda, 56th chapter, 102nd verse]

The one who performs the adoration of the image of Radha on the full moon day in the Kartika month and offers Her his adoration, he is relieved of the bondages of birth and death. Brahma Vaivarta Purana [Krishna-janma Khanda, 76th chapter, 20th verse]

On the first day of Kartika and on full moon day of the same month, Radha the beloved of Lord Krishna has to be adored. Brahma Vaivarta Purana [Prakriti Khanda, 34th chapter, 90th-91st verse]

Lord Shree Krishna says, “Of all plants, the sacred Tulsi is most dear to Me; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days , Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112 .3 )

Kartik is special because it represents Srimati Radharani, the beloved of Lord Krishna, and our eternal Mother. In Bhagavad Gita 10.35, Lord Krishna says, “Of months I am Margasirsa [November-December]”. Kartik month [October – November] represents Radharani and it precedes Lord Krishna’s month.

Srimati Radharani is also known as Kartika Devi. If we can please Her with our sincere devotion during this auspicious month then Lord Krishna will also be pleased.

Skanda Purana glorifies the Kartik month, “As Satya- yuga is the best of yugas (ages), as the Vedas are the best among scriptures, as Ganga is best of rivers, so Kartik is the best of months, the most dear to Lord Krishna.”

Why the Kartik Month Is Sacred

Kartik month (Kartik maas) is the best of the month for spiritual progress. Vedic scriptures mentions that Kartik month is the holiest month. Sacred Vedic literatures sing the glories of the auspicious month in the following ways:

• If one offers a lamp during the month of Kartika, his/her sins of many thousands and millions of births perish in half an eye blink.
• Even if there is no mantras, no pious deeds, and no purity, everything becomes perfect when a person offers a lamp during the month of Kartika.
• A person who during the month of Kartika offers a lamp to Lord Keshava (Krishna) has already performed all yajnas (sacrifice for the pleasure of the Lord) and bathing in all the holy rivers.
• The ancestors mentions that “when someone in our family pleases Lord Keshava by offering Him a lamp during the month of Kartika, then by the mercy of the Lord who holds the Sudarshan-Chakra in His hand, we will all attain liberation.”
• To one who either at home or in a temple offers a lamp during the month of Kartika, Lord Vasudeva (Krishna) bestows great blessings to the worshipper.
• A person who offer a lamp to Lord Krishna during the month of Damodara (Kartika) becomes very glorious and fortunate.
• By offering a ghee lamp during the month of Kartika one burns away a collection of sins as big as Mount Meru or Mount Mandara. Of this there is no doubt.
• No sins exist anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Keshava (Krishna) during Kartika. Skanda Purana
• A person who offers a lamp to Lord Damodara during Kartika attains the eternal spiritual world. In the spiritual world there is no suffering.
• One who offers a steady ghee lamp to Lord Hari during the month of Kartika enjoys pastimes in Lord Hari’s splendid spiritual world. Padma Purana
• Of all gifts the gift of a ghee lamp during the month of Kartika is the best. No gift is its equal. Source: Narada Purana, in a conversation of Sri Mohini-devi and Sri Rukmangada

Devotees take special vows called urja – vrata during this month. The purpose is to utilize most of the time and energy in practicing devotion to Lord Krishna.

Vrndavandhama, ki jaya! Kartikvrata, ki jaya! Urjavrata, ki jaya! BhishmaPanchaka, ki jaya! DamodaraLila, ki jaya! Jaya Shree Shree RadhaDamodara! Jaya, jaya Shree Radhe!