Damodara month, also known as Kartik, is considered the most auspicious month in the Vaishnava calendar. It is celebrated with increased devotional activities that glorify Lord Krishna, particularly his childhood pastime of being bound by his mother, Yashoda. Any spiritual service performed during this month is said to yield immense and magnified results.

The significance of Lord Damodara

The month is named after Lord Krishna’s endearing pastime, known as the Damodara-lila.

• The pastime: During this period, a young, mischievous Krishna was caught by his mother, Yashoda, stealing butter. When she attempted to tie him to a wooden grinding mortar to punish him, the ropes she used were always “two fingers” too short.
• The meaning of the name: The name Damodara comes from the Sanskrit words dama (rope) and udara (belly), referring to the rope tied around Krishna’s abdomen.
• The lesson of love: Ultimately, Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and cannot be controlled, allowed himself to be bound by his mother’s pure, unadulterated love and affection. This symbolizes that God can be captured only by the devotion of his pure devotees.

Spiritual benefits of observing Damodara month

According to Vaishnava scriptures such as the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana, observing special vows and practices during this time provides spiritual rewards that are not possible in any other month.

• Destruction of sin: The Skanda Purana states that if one offers a ghee lamp to Lord Damodara during this month, their sins from millions of births are destroyed in a moment. Even if there are no chants, pious deeds, or purity, everything becomes perfect when a lamp is offered during Kartik.
• Attaining the spiritual world: A person who offers a lamp to Lord Damodara during Kartik attains the eternal spiritual world.
• Liberation for ancestors: When a devotee offers a lamp during this month, their ancestors can also achieve liberation.
• Greater than pilgrimage: Offering a lamp during Kartik is said to provide a pious result far greater than bathing at all holy rivers or performing countless yajnas (sacrifices).
• Radharani’s grace: As the presiding deity of the month, Srimati Radharani, Krishna’s eternal consort, is particularly merciful during this period.

Why Damodara month is especially glorious for ISKCON

The profound significance of this month in ISKCON stems directly from the teachings and example of its founder, Srila Prabhupada.

• Special mercy for new devotees: Prabhupada explained that Damodara month acts as a special inducement for those who are new to Krishna consciousness. It is likened to a “special concession” or a store offering a major sale to attract new customers, making it easier to receive great spiritual benefits from even a small act of devotion.
• Magnified results for devotional service: Any act of devotional service—such as chanting, hearing, worshiping, or giving charity—is magnified immensely during this time. The scriptures, cited by ISKCON, state that the effect of performing a special vow (vrata) during Kartik lasts for one hundred lifetimes.
• Focus on the Damodara pastime: The month is named after the enchanting childhood pastime (lila) of Krishna, where his mother Yashoda bound him with ropes around his belly (dama around his udara). This episode beautifully illustrates that the Supreme Lord can be captured by the pure, unalloyed love of his devotees.
• Pleasing Srimati Radharani: ISKCON teachings emphasize that Srimati Radharani, the divine consort of Krishna, is the presiding deity of the month. Therefore, glorifying her name, fame, and qualities during this time is a highly recommended act of devotion

Common practices during Damodara month

Devotees observe a special set of vows and devotional activities, known as Urja-vrata or Damodara-vrata, throughout the month.

• Offer lamps: The most significant and common practice is to offer a ghee lamp to an image or deity of Lord Damodara each day, singing the eight-verse prayer known as the Damodarastaka.
• Chant the holy names: Devotees intensify their chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
• Perform austerity: Some devotees take vows to fast or simplify their diet, while others wake up early for a holy bath and chant.
• Worship Tulasi Devi: As this month is also special for Srimati Radharani, worship of the sacred Tulasi plant is highly recommended.
• Read scriptures: Hearing or reading narrations of Lord Krishna’s pastimes from sacred texts like the Srimad Bhagavatam is a potent activity.