Śrī-dāmodara-priyaḥ — The Month Dear to Dāmodara

I surrender at the lotus feet of Their Lordships, Sri Radha and Sri Damodara, who is the predominating Lord of the month of Karttika. By His influence, the month of Karttika has become glorious.

The rituals to be performed during the month of Karttika have been clearly mentioned in literatures such as the Skanda Purdna and Padma Purdna. We are trying to present here a summary of all those rules and regulations.

During the month of Karttika, devotees should regularly worship Lord Damodara after bathing in the morning, and they should also give charity and observe other vows.

314 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA This special worship, as well as the special rules and regulations t h a t are m e n t i o n e d regarding t h e special days in t h e m o n t h of Karttika will be described later in this chapter.

that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated) dusprapyarh prdpya mdnusyam karttikoktarh caren rxa hi dharmarh dharma bhrtarh srestha sa mat? pitr ghdtakah O pious soul, one who, after receiving the rare h u m a n form of life, does not observe the religious duties prescribed for t h e m o n t h of Karttika is certainly t h e killer of his parents.

A h u m a n being who spends the m o n t h of Karttika, which is very dear to Lord Damodara, without observing any vow, falls down from the platform of religious principles and thereafter, takes birth as a bird or an animal.

O exalted sage, one who does n o t observe this vow in t h e m o n t h of Karttika is n o better t h a n t h e killer of a brdhmana, the killer of a cow, a liar, or a thief of gold.

O lion among sages, especially if a widow does not observe the vow of Karttika, she will certainly go to hell.

All pious activities and the performance of austerities of a householder who does not observe the vow of Karttika are to be considered useless, and he will reside in hell for one kalpa.

All the demigods, along with their king, Indra, become averse to a twice-born person who neglects the vow of Karttika.

O foremost brahmana, even if one performs many sacrifices and offers oblations to the forefathers hundreds of times, but fails to observe the vow of Karttika, he will be denied access to heaven.

As a result of not observing the Vaisnava vows in the month of Karttika, a sannyasl, a widow, or a vdnaprastha will traverse the path to hell.

O foremost brahmana, what is the use of studying all the Vedas and Puranas if one does not observe the Vaisnava vow in the month of Karttika?

Even if one has accumulated heaps of piety through proper means since his birth, if he does not observe the vow of Karttika, then all his piety will be burnt to ashes.

All kinds of pious activities, such as giving in charity, undergoing austerity, or chanting mantras are in vain if one does to observe the vow of Karttika.

O Narada, if one fails to observe the sacred Vaisnava vow in the month of Karttika, then all the piety he has accumulated during his previous seven lifetimes is rendered null and void.

O foremost sage, know for certain that those who do not observe the auspicious Vaisnava vow of Karttika are certainly personifications of sin in this world.

O Narada, one who passes through the month of Karttika without observing the rules and regulations prescribed in this regard loses all the piety that he had accumulated throughout his life.

O sage, one who passes through the month of Karttika without observing the prescribed rules and regulations, and does not observe the vow of caturmasya, is a disgrace to his family and no better than the killer of a brahmana.

318 ^Ri HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O Narada, those who do not offer oblations to the forefathers at the appropriate time, those who do not observe the vow of Karttika, those who do not offer oblations to the sages on the full moon day in the month of Sravana, those who do not celebrate the swing festival in the month of Caitra, those who do not take a holy bath in the month of Magna, those who do not observe the amalakl vrata during the period of the Pusya naksatra, those who do not observe the Janamastami festival, and those who do not bathe at the confluence of two holy rivers on Sravana DvadasI, I do not know—where will all these foolish people go?

Saunaka, that is recorded in the Padma Purdna it is stated) mdnusah karma bhumau yah karttikam nayate mudha cintdmanirh kare prapya ksipyate kardamdmbuni

Anyone who, in the land of Bharata-varsa, passes through the month of Karttika without observing the rules and regulations prescribed for this month, throws away a touchstone into dirty water after having received it.

O brahmanas, Lord Krsna becomes averse to one who passes the entire month of Karttika without following the necessary vows because the Karttika vrata is very dear to Him.

charity during the month of Karttika is an eternal function) skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) yair na dattarh hutamjaptam na sndnam na harer vratam na krtam kdrttike putra dvijas te vox naradharndh My dear son, those twice-born persons who, in the month of Karttika, do not give charity, perform fire sacrifice, chant mantras, take holy bath, or observe the prescribed vows, are the lowest among mankind.

Those who did not give charity, perform fire sacrifice, chant mantras, or observe the prescribed vows, certainly cheated themselves and thus became bereft of attaining the fulfillment of their desires.

320 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O Narada, one who does not engage in devotional service to Lord Janardana during the month of Karttika, will reside in the abode of Yamaraja, along with his forefathers.

Those who will not worship Lord Kesavadeva with devotion in the month of Karttika will be arrested by the Yama-dutas and taken to be punished in hell.

After thousands of millions of births, one attains the rare human form of body and after receiving such a body, if one does not worship Lord Visnu in the month of Karttika, then his human life must be considered useless.

Those who, in the month of Karttika, do not worship Lord Visnu, do not discuss topics of Lord Visnu, and do not associate with the devotees of Lord Visnu, spoil the piety that they had accumulated during the previous ten years.

First, we will describe the glories of Karttika in general. Then, we will discuss the glories of Karttika in particular, according to the difference in rituals and place.

The benefit one attains by giving all kinds of charity and bathing in all the holy places is not equal to even one ten-millionth portion of the benefit one attains by observing the vows of Karttika.

322 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O child, you could place pious activities, such as bathing in all the holy places, performing sacrifices while giving sufficient daksina, living in Puskara, Kuruksetra, or Himacala, and donating as much gold as that on Sumeru mountain, on one side of a scale, and the month of Karttika, which is very dear to Lord Kesava, on the other side, they would be seen as equal.

O Narada, I am telling the truth—whatever pious activities one performs for the pleasure of Lord Visnu in the month of Karttika award unlimited merit.

Among all the months, Karttika is definitely the best. It is more auspicious than the most auspicious and more sanctified than the most sanctified.

O Narada! O best of brdhmanasl O sage among the brdhmanas, just as it is difficult to know the limit of the oceans, rivers, or mountains, it is difficult to estimate the piety one accumulates by observing the vow of Karttika. The same applies to committing sinful activities.

There is no month equal to Karttika, no yuga equal to Satya-yuga, no sastra equal to the Vedas, and no holy river equal to the Gariga.

The month of Karttika is best of all months and it is very dear to the Vaisnavas. O great sage, whatever is produced in the month of Karttika should be faithfully used for the service of the Vaisnavas. Vaisnavas deliver their forefathers from hellish conditions by observing the vow of Karttika.

324 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Among all twelve months, Karttika is the best If Lord Visnu is worshiped with even meager offerings during the month of Karttika, He rewards the worshiper with residence in His own abode. This I have concluded after careful consideration.

Just as Lord Damodara is known to be very affectionate to His devotees, His favorite month, Damodara, or Karttika, is also very magnanimous because even a small service rendered that month is accepted as very great.

This valuable human form of life is rarely achieved by the conditioned souls and even rarer is the opportunity to observe the vows of Karttika, which is very dear to Lord Hari.

By the offering of a ghee lamp in the month of Karttika, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari, is pleased. Even if one offers a ghee lamp through someone else, the Lord awards him a very auspicious destination.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated)

vratdndm iha sarvesdrh eka janmanugarh phalam kdrttike tu vratasyoktarh phalam janma satdnugam The benefit one receives by observing vows in this world accompanies a person for only one lifetime, but the benefit one receives by observing the Karttika vows accompanies a person for one hundred lifetimes.

O best of brdhmanas, the pious merit one achieves by observing the vow of Karttika, and bathing at Akrura-tirtha, can be achieved simply by hearing about the rules and regulations prescribed for the Karttika vow.

The benefit one obtains by visiting VaranasI, Kuruksetra, Naimisaranya, Puskara and Arbuda can be obtained simply by observing the vow of Karttika.

Without worshiping the Supreme Lord, without performing any fire sacrifices, and without offering oblations to the forefathers, one can attain the abode of Lord Visnu if he simply observes the vow of Karttika.

326 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

If one consciously minimizes his daily intake of food in the month of Karttika, then he certainly attains the liberation of having the same bodily features as Lord Krsna.

O foremost of sages, by observing the vow of Karttika, brdhmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras will no longer experience birth in lower species of life, which is the result of performing sinful activities.

O lion among sages, liberation from material existence is guaranteed for a person who, according to his own ability, observes the vow of Karttika as it is prescribed in the scriptures.

Persons can achieve great benefit in a short time by observing the vow of Karttika, which is observed with great respect by the demigods, sages, and forefathers.

skdnde tatraiva (In that connection, the Skanda Purana states) ddnarh dattarh hutarh japtarh tapas caiva tatha krtam tad aksaya phalanx proktarh kdrttike ca dvijottama O best among the twice-born, it is stated that any pious activity, such as the giving of grains in charity, performing fire sacrifice, undergoing penance, or chanting mantras, that is executed during the month of Karttika, bestows unlimited benefit.

Whatever one offers to Lord Visnu during the month of Karttika, especially food grains, awards one inexhaustible benefit.

There is no doubt that one who performs fire sacrifice every day for one full year, and one who draws svastikas as decorations during the month of Karttika, attain the same benefit.

328 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

During the month of Karttika, if a woman decorates the temple of the Supreme Lord with drawings made with colored powder, she will be transferred to the heavenly planets and become as charming as a female dove.

One who daily eats off a leaf plate every day throughout the month of Karttika will not suffer any distress for one kalpa.

Human beings can nullify all the reactions to the sins they had committed since birth simply by eating off a lotus leaf plate during the month of Karttika.

Those who eat from a lotus leaf plate during the month of Karttika will not suffer hellish life. Such people will achieve the benefit of traveling to all the holy places, and all their desires will be fulfilled.

O foremost sage, the palasa tree, which awards one all kinds of benefit, is also known as brahma. A sudra should avoid eating off the middle leaf of a palasa tree. If he does, he will have to suffer in hell for one kalpa.

Pious activities, such as donating sesame seeds, taking a holy bath, hearing the topics of the Supreme Lord, serving saintly persons, and eating off a palasa leaf plate, during the month of Karttika, awards one liberation from material existence.

O leader of the brahmanas, one who rises from bed before sunrise during the month of Karttika and stands before Lord Damodara achieves the result of giving one thousand cows in charity.

330 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O great sage, one who remains awake during the last three hours of the night during the month of Karttika while standing in front of Lord Visnu attains the abode of Supreme Lord.

In this age of Kali, serving saintly persons, feeding cows, hearing topics of Lord Visnu, worshiping the Supreme Lord, and remaining awake during the last three hours of the night in the month of Karttika, are opportunities rarely achieved.

The merit one achieves by donating water and one thousand cows in the month of Jaistha can be attained simply by bathing in the morning during the month of Karttika.

The merit one attains by bathing in the sacred lake known as Sannihatya on a Sunday during the occasion of a solar eclipse at Kuruksetra can be attained simply by bathing in the morning, even once during the month of Karttika.

O foremost sage, anything offered as an oblation to the forefathers, such as food or water, during the month of Karttika, which is very dear to Lord Krsna, awards one unlimited benefit.

O Narada, one who discusses the Bhagavad-gita during the entire month of Karttika will never again return to this material world.

One who circumambulates the temple of Lord Visnu during the month of Karttika achieves the merit of performing a horse sacrifice with each step.

One who enthusiastically dances, sings, and plays musical instruments before Lord Hari during the month of Karttika will attain the inexhaustible abode of Lord Visnu.

332 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

One who recites the one thousand names of Lord Visnu and the prayers of Gajendra during the month of Karttika will never again experience birth in this material world.

O Narada. one who offers prayers and sings the glories of the Supreme Lord at the end of the night furing the month of Karttika will go to reside in the spiritual abode of Svetadvipa, along with his forefathers.

O best among sages, one who offers grains of barley to Lord Hari during the month of Karttika will happily reside in heaven for as many yugas as there were grains of barley.

O foremost sage, one who offers aguru, camphor, sandalwood paste, and incense to Lord Kesava during the month of Karttika will never again take birth in the material world.

Those who hear the topics of Lord Hari with great devotion in a regulated manner during the month of Karttika will achieve the merit of donating one hundred cows in charity, even if they have understood only one-half or one-quarter of a sloka.

O great sage, during the month of Karttika, one should give up all varieties of religious performances and simply hear narrations of the scriptures in the presence of the Deity of the Supreme Lord.

O lion-like sage, one who glorifies the names, forms, qualities, and pastimes of Lord Hari during the month of Karttika, whether for his ultimate benefit or with some material motive, will deliver one hundred generations of his family.

SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - VILAS A One who engages much of his time in discussing the holy scriptures during the month of Karttika will quickly become relieved of all sinful reactions, and obtain the merit of performing ten thousand sacrifices.

Lord Madhusudana becomes more pleased with those who discuss the scriptures during the month of Karttika, than He does with those who give charity, even cows and elephants, and those who perform sacrifices.

O lion among sages, one who hears discussions of Lord Hari during the month of Karttika will be freed fromall suffering during the next ten million lifetimes.

O sage, during the month of Karttika, if a person daily recites even a single sloka of the Srlmad-Bhdgavatam with gteat devotion, he will attain the merit of studying the eighteen Purdnas in their entirety.

Give up all varieties of welfare activities, such as the performance of sacrifice and the digging of wells, and just faithfully associate with devotees of Lord Visnu during the month of Karttika.

One who practices celibacy, sleeps on the floor, eats havisya rice off a palasa leaf plate, and worships Lord Damodara during the month of Karttika certainly becomes freed from all sinful reactions. Such a person will attain the transcendental abode of Vaikuntha and enjoy blissful life in the association of Lord Hari by thus engaging in His devotional service.

Those who rise early in the morning, bathe, control their senses, chant mantras, eat havisya rice, and remain self-controlled throughout the month of Karttika will be freed from all sinful reactions.

336 SRJ HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

One who eats only once a day for the entire month of Karttika will become very famous, powerful, and glorious.

One who eats off a paldsa leaf plate during the month of Karttika becomes cleansed of all sinful reactions. One who honors the remnants of Lord Hari's food attains liberation from material existence. Not only brahmanas—others are also advised to avoid eating off the middle leaf of a paldsa tree.

Because of being worshiped during the month of Karttika, the Supreme Lord, Hari, becomes inclined to forgive one thousand offenses and even grave sins performed by His worshiper.

One who daily partakes of, and distributes to the devotees, Lord Visnu's favorite food— sweet rice mixed with ghee and sugar candy— attains the merit of performing a sacrifice.

that is recorded in the same Purdna this verse is found) sndnarh jdgaranarh diparh tulasi vana pdlanam kdrttike ye prakurvanti te nard visnu murtayah Those who bathe in the morning, remain awake the entire night, offer ghee lamps, and serve the tulasi plant during the month of Karttika attain the liberation of having bodily features similar to that of Lord Visnu.

in this way, one who observes the vow of Karttika for even three days becomes worshipable by the demigods. What can be said of those who observe the vow of Karttika throughout their entire life?

During the month of Karttika, one should rise early in the morning for the pleasure of Lord Hari, take a morning bath, serve tulasi, offer a ghee lamp, and celebrate a festival at the end of the Karttika vow.

338 SRJ HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

By observing the above-mentioned five limbs of the Karttika vrata throughout the month of Karttika, one becomes eligible for liberation, as well as material happiness.

In the month of Karttika, one should remain awake throughout the night, either in the temple of Lord Visnu, in the temple of Siva, underneath a banyan tree, or in the tulasl garden.

One who makes the vow of observing the Karttika vrata may bathe by chanting mantras if, due to some awkward circumstance, water is unavailable, or if oen is unable to bathe because of sickness.

If one is unable to celebrate the closing ceremony of the Karttika vow, then he should faithfully feed the brahmanas to conclude his vrata.

SIXTEENTH VILAS A 339

If, for some reason, one is unable to personally offer a ghee lamp during the month of Karttika, then he should do so through the agency of another person, or he should carefully protect from the wind a burning ghee lamp offered by someone else.

In the absence of a tulasl plant, one should worship a brahmana Vaisnava. In the absence of these, just to complete his vow, one should serve the brahmanas, cows, or banyan trees.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) kalpa koti sahasrdni pdtakdni bahuny api nimesardhena dipasya vilayarh yanti kdrttike As a result of offering a ghee lamp, even for a fraction of a second, during the month of Karttika, all the sinful reactions that one accumulated during thousands of millions of previous lifetimes are destroyed.

340 SRI H A R I - B H AKTl-VILAS A

O foremost brahmana, hear now t h e glories of offering a ghee lamp during the m o n t h of Karttika, which is very dear to Lord Kesava. O n e who offers a ghee lamp during that m o n t h will never again take birth in this material world.

Offering a ghee lamp to t h e Supreme Lord during the m o n t h of Karttika awards o n e ten million times the merit o n e obtains by bathing at Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse, or by bathing in the N a r m a d a during a lunar eclipse.

O exalted sage, what is the use performing a horse sacrifice if one's ghee lamp, or sesame seed oil lamp, burns during the m o n t h of Karttika?

Just by offering a ghee lamp to Lord Janardana during the month of Karttika, even one who never chants mantras, or never performs rituals or other acts of purification, will attain full perfection.

One who offers a lamp to Lord Kesava during the month of Karttika has already performed all kids of sacrifice, and has bathed in all the holy places.

Pious activities continue to exhibit their pride, in heaven, on earth, and in the hellish planets, only up until the time when a lamp is offered before Lord Kesava during the month of Karttika.

O twice-born sage, this was heard from the prayers of the forefathers in ancient times: In our family, a son who is devoted to his father will take birth and please Lord Kesava by offering Him a ghee lamp during the month of Karttika. As a result, we will certainly be liberated.

342 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

There is no doubt that by the influence of offering a ghee lamp during the month of Karttika, the reactions to unlimited sinful activities, even if they are as tall as Sumeru or Mandara Mountains, are burnt to ashes.

By offering a ghee lamp before Lord Vasudeva in the temple, or in the courtyard, during the month of Karttika, one achieves the highest perfection of going back to Godhead.

The human birth of one who offers a ghee lamp to Lord Madhusudana during the month of Karttika becomes successful. He is glorious and becomes famous in this world.

The merit of offering a ghee lamp, even for a very short time, during the month of Karttika, cannot be considered equal to merit obtained by

performing one hundred sacrifice, or by bathing one hundred times in sacred rivers.

There is no doubt that by the influence of offering a ghee lamp during the month of Karttika, even one who has never performed any kind of ritualistic activity, and is thus full of sin, becomes purified.

O Narada, there is no such sinner within the three worlds who the offering of a ghee lamp before Lord Kesava during the month of Karttika cannot purify.

Offering a ghee lamp before Lord Vasudeva during the month of Karttika ensures one's transfer to the eternal spiritual world, which is free from all kinds of material obstacles.

344 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA kule tasya prasutd ye ye bhavisyanti narada samatitds ca ye kecid yesdrh sankhya na vindate kriditvd su cirarh kdlarh devaloke yadrcchayd te sarve muktim dydnti prasdddc cakra pdninah O Narada, I shall now describe the merit one attains by burning a ghee lamp with camphor during the month of Karttika, especially on Dvadasi. All the members of his family who had taken birth in the past, who have taken birth at present, and who will take birth in future, will, by the mercy of Lord Krsna, who carries a cakra in His hand, enjoy life in the planets of the demigods for as long as he wishes and then achieve liberation.

O best of brdhmanas\ O greatly fortunate one, one who illuminates the temple of Lord Hari with ghee lamps in the month of Karttika, even for the purpose of playing chess, will deliver seven generations of his family.

One who offers a ghee lamp in the house of a Vaisnava during the month of Karttika receives wealth, good children, fame, and a good reputation.

As by rubbing, fire is produced from wood, by the influence of offering a ghee lamp during the month of Karttika, one experiences righteousness everywhere.

O best of brahmanas, a poor person should also offer a ghee lamp throughout the month of Karttika, even if for this purpose, he has to sell himself.

O sage, a foolish person who does not offer a ghee lamp in the temple of Lord Visnu during the month of Karttika cannot be considered a Vaisnava.

that is found in the Naradtya Purdna it is stated) ekatah sarva ddndni dipa ddndni caikatah kdrttike na samarh proktarh dipa do hy adhikah smrtah

346 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA If all kinds of pious activities are put on one side of a scale and the offering of a ghee lamp during the month of Karttika on the other, the offering of the lamp will be seen to be more glorious.

One who continuously burns ghee lamps in the temple of Lord Hari during the month of Karttika will board an effulgent chariot and ascend to the abode of Lord Hari.

shdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purdna it is stated) pitr-pakse 'nnaddnena jyaisthasadhe ca vdrind kdrttike tat phalarh purhsdrh para dlpa prabodhandt The merit one obtains by distributing food grains during the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadra, or by distributing water during summer, can be obtained by offering a ghee lamp given by others in the month of Karttika.

By offering a ghee lamp given by another person, and by serving Vaisnavas, during the month of Karttika, one receives the merit of performing a Rajasuya sacrifice, or a horse sacrifice.

O King, those who light ghee lamps given by others within the temple iple of Lord Hari during durii the month of Karttika are delivered from the punishment of Yamaraja.

O best of brahmanas, the merit one earns by offering a ghee lamp given by another person during the month of Karttika cannot be obtained by performing many great sacrifices.

A rat had accidentally assisted in the lighting of a ghee lamp offered by another person on Ekadasi in the month of Karttika and as a result, she first received the rarely achieved human birth and thereafter, attained liberation.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is also stated) yadd yadd bhdsayate dlpakah kalasopari tadd tadd muni srestha dravate papa sancayah

348 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA O foremost sages, whenever one offers a ghee lamp on the top of a temple, his sinful reactions are destroyed. There is no doubt of this.

The merit one obtains by giving in charity to the brahmanas the entire earth, surrounded by the oceans, cannot be considered equal to even a fraction of the merit one obtains by offering a ghee lamp on the top of a temple of Lord Hari.

The merit one obtains by donating ten million cows with their calves cannot be considered as equal to the merit one achieves by offering a ghee lamp on the top of a temple of Lord Hari.

O great sage, the result one is awarded by giving everything in charity to the Vaisnavas is not even equal to even a fraction of the merit one receives by offering a ghee lamp on the top of a temple of Lord Hari.

O great sage, the person who purchased the ghee lamps that were put on the top of a temple of Lord Hari by others has delivered one hundred generations of his family.

No person in the families of those who witness with great devotion the temple of Lord Kesavadeva illuminated by ghee lamps during the month of Karttika will ever have "0 reside in hell.

Whenever one offers a ghee lamp to Lord Visnu, the demigods in heaven wait in anticipation, thinking, "When will we meet this great devotee who is engaged in such pious activities?"

O foremost sage, it is not at all difficult to occupy the post of Indra for one who, throughout the month of Karttika, offers a ghee lamp on the top of the temple of Lord Hari.

skdnde tatraiva (In that connection, it is stated in the Skanda Purdna) dipa panktes ca racandrh sa bdhydbhyantare hareh

350 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA visnor vimdne kurute sa narah sankha cakra dhrk One who decorates the interior and exterior of the temple of Lord Hari with many lamps during the month of Karttika, will certainly become an associate of Lord Visnu.

One hundred thousand descendents of the family of a person who offers many ghee lamps in the temple of Lord Hari will be exempted from undergoing the torments of hell.

O sage, one who illuminates the inside and outside of a temple of Lord Visnu with many lamps will be greeted very respectfully by the inhabitants of the Lord's supreme abode, with lamps in their hands, when he arrives there.

One who offers rows of ghee lamps during the month of Karttika, especially on Utthana EkadasI and DvadasI, will board an effulgent airplane that is as bright as ten thousand suns and depart for the transcendental abode of Lord Visnu. He will then reside in the abode of Lord Visnu for as many thousands of years as the ghee lamps he had offered to the Supreme Lord.

One who offers ghee lamps in the sky during the month of Karttika delivers all his dependents back to Godhead.

Now hear the merit one obtains by offering ghee lamps for the pleasure of Lord Visnu, either in the water or in the sky.

O n e who offers ghee lamps in this way will become enriched with stocks of food grain, prosperity, good children, and opulence. He will possess beautiful eyes and take birth to become a learned scholar.

It is the opinion of thoughtful m e n t h a t those who offer ghee lamps in t h e house of a brahmana will a t t a i n the merit of performing a n agnistoma sacrifice.

By offering a ghee lamp at a n intersection, o n a highway, in the house of a brahmana, at the root of a tree, in a pasturing ground, in a field, a n d in a forest, one attains great pious merit.

I offer this lamp to Sri R a d h a Damodara in t h e sky during t h e m o n t h of Karttika. Let me also offer my respectful obeisances to the unlimited Lord Sri Visnu.

pddme tatraiva (In the Padma Purana it is stated) yatra kutrdpi dese yah karttika sndna ddnatah agnihotra soma phalah pujdydrh ca visesatah Taking a holy bath, giving charity, and especially offering worship to the Supreme Lord during the month of Karttika in any country awards one the merit of performing an agnihotra sacrifice.

O Bhargava, by bathing at Kuruksetra, one achieves millions of times more merit than by an ordinary ritualistic bath. The same merit is attained by regularly bathing in the Ganges. One obtains more merit than this by taking a holy bath at Puskara. More than that is obtained by bathing at Dvaraka but by bathing and worshiping the Supreme Lord during the month of Karttika, one is transferred to the planet of Lord Krsna.

O sages, except Mathura, all other holy places are equal in terms of sanctity. Mathura is considered superior because it was there that Lord Damodara performed His transcendental pastime of being bound by the ropes of mother Yasoda.

354 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Residing at Mathura in the month of Karttika gives pleasure to Lord Govinda. The ultimate goal of life can be accomplished simply by residing at Mathura during the month of Karttika.

As there is no superior piety than bathing at Prayaga in the month of Magha, and in the Ganges in the month of Vaisakha, there is no piety superior to residing at Mathura during the month of Karttika.

There is no need for one to deliberate on this further. Those who take a holy bath at Mathura and worship Lord Damodara during the month of Karttika attain the same bodily features as Lord Krsna.

O brahmana, it is very rare for one to obtain the opportunity of residing at Mathura during the month of Karttika. Being worshiped by His devotees there, Lord Damodara awards them bodily features like His.

When Lord Hari is worshiped elsewhere, He bestows material enjoyment and liberation upon His worshipers but He does not award devotional service because it is His personal property.

One can easily obtain devotional service from Lord Hari simply by worshiping Lord Damodara even once during the month of Karttika at Mathura.

The merciful Lord Damodara accepts the worship offered to Him by those who do not observe the prescribed rules and regulations, chant the proper mantras, of offer the required ingredients during the month of Karttika in Mathura-mandala.

356 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA The best and most effective form of atonement for those sinful activities that will produce reactions in future lives is to worship Lord Hari in Mathura during the month of Karttika. This is the verdict of the scriptures.

By worshiping Lord Damodara and meditating upon Him during the month of Karttika at Mathura, the child, Dhruva Maharaja, quickly attained the Lord's darsana, which is rarely attained, even by mystic yogis.

The abode of Mathura is easily attainable in this world and the month of Karttika appears every year and yet, foolish people remain floating on the waves of birth and death within the material ocean.

What is the use of performing sacrifice? What is the use of undergoing austerity? What is the use of visiting holy places if one can worship Sri Damodara, who is dear to Radha, at Mathura during the month of Karttika.

All holy places, rivers, and lakes reside in Mathura-mandala during the month of Karttika.

One who visits the sacred birth place of Lord Kesavadeva during the month of Kartika attains shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna.

One who, even neglectfully, worships Lord Hari in Mathura during the month of Karttika achieves the supreme abode of the Lord, which is rarely attained. What then can be said of a person who faithfully worships Lord Hari in Mathura during Karttika?

In this way, the activities to be performed during the month of Karttika have been discussed. Now, some special characteristics will be discussed.

358 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sri krsna satyd samvddiya kanaka mdhdtmye (In a conversation between Satyabhama and Lord Krsna that is found in the Karttika Mdhatmya it is stated) asvinasya tu mdsasya ya suklaikddasi bhavet kartakasya vratdnlha tasyarh kurydd atandritah One should enthusiastically begin the prescribed vows of Karttika from the EkadasI of the waxing moon in the month of Asvina.

In order to wake up the Deity of the Supreme Lord, one should rise at the end of the third quarter of the night. He should purify himself first, wake up the Lord, and then offer drati while reciting prayers.

One should hear discussions of Vaisnava dharma in the association of devotees, followed by singing, dancing, and the playing of musical instruments. One should then once again worship Lord Damodara before the end of the morning.

Thereafter, one should approach a reservoir of water, such as a river, and formally make a vow after performing acamana. Then, one should offer the Supreme Lord arghya, after showering prayers upon Him.

O Janardana! O master of the demigods! O Damodara! I will bathe every day in the morning during the month of Karttika for Your pleasure and the pleasure of Your consort, Radhika.

O master of the demigods! O Damodara! I am about to bathe in this water while fixing my mind on You. Let all my sins be vanquished, by Your mercy.

O Damodara! I am duty bound to follow the vows for bathing, and so on, during the month of Karttika. O slayer of the demons, kindly accept this arghya from me.

360 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O Lord Hari, along with Radhika, kindly accept this arghya that is being offered by me during the month of Karttika, which nullifies the reactions to all of one's recent and previous sinful activities.

After smearing one's body with sesame seeds and then bathing while chanting the holy names of the Lord, such as Krsna and Narayana, one should perform his daily worship before returning home from the reservoir of water.

The temple courtyard should be smeared with cow dung and then decorated with auspicious drawings, such as the svastika. To worship the Supreme Lord, one should offer various flowers, such as jasmine, lotus, and agastya, as well as tulasi leaves.

One should always hear the transcendental topics of the Supreme Lord in the association of devotees and keep the ghee lamps or sesame oil lamps burning throughout the day and night.

During the month of Karttika, one should offer special food to the Deities. One should also offer one hundred and eight obeisances every day, and eat only once a day.

After rising early in the morning, one should bathe in a pure reservoir of water and perform other such duties and then engage in the worship of Lord Damodara.

One who is observing the vow of Karttika should remain silent while having his meal and he should continue to offer ghee lamps or sesame oil lamps to the Supreme Lord.

362 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA One should spend the entire day discussing the glories of Lord Krsna in the association of devotees. The vows that one had made for observing Karttika should be very strictly followed.

One may begin to observe the vow of Karttika either from the EkadasI of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Asvina, from the full moon day of the same month, or from the day when the sun enters the constellation, Tula.

It is recommended that one should continuously offer ghee lamps in front of Lord Visnu within the temple room, in front of the tulasl plant, and in the sky during the month of Karttika.

In the course of observing the vow of Karttika, one should give in charity a gold lamp, a silver lamp, jewels, or pearls, for the pleasure of Lord Damodara.

that is found in the Skanda Purana it is stated)

na grhe kdrttike kurydd visesena tu kdrttikam tirthe tu kdrttikirh kuryat sarva-yatnena bhdvini. iti. O gentle lady, as far as possible, o n e should try to observe t h e vow of Karttika while residing in a holy place, and n o t simply at home.

that is found in the Podma Purdna it is stated) kdrttike tu visesena rdja-mdsdrhs ca bhaksayan nispdvdn muni-sdrdula ydvad dhutci'ndraki O great sage, during the m o n t h of Karttika, one should especially avoid eating urad dal and kidney beans because by doing so, o n e will be forced to reside in hell for o n e kalpa.

O n e who eats kalml sak, parbala, egg plant, and pickle during the m o n t h of Karttika will surely suffer in hell for a n entire kalpa.

364 ^R* HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA A pious person should never eat fish and meat during the month of Karttika. Even if one is very sick, he must especially eating the meat of a rabbit or pork.

During the month of Karttika, one should carefully avoid eating food from another person's house, sleep in another person's bed, plunder another person's wealth, and enjoy someone else's wife.

During the month of Karttika, if one avoids oil massages, sleeping on a couch, eating food cooked by others, and eating off a bell metal plate, he will surely achieve the complete perfection of his vow.

Those who, during the month of Karttika, carefully avoid enjoying the food that is cooked by others obtains the merit of performing severe austerities every day.

that is found in the same literature it is stated)

kdrttike varjayet tailarh kdrttike varjayen madhu kdrttike varjayet karhsyarh kdrttike sukla-sandhitarh During the month of Karttika, one should avoid oil, honey, bell metal plates, sour preparations, such as pickles, and stale rice water.

O woman with beautiful eyebrows, one should not eat fish, meat of the tortoise, or any other type of meat, even as medication, because, by eating meat during the month of Karttika, one will have to become a dog-eater.

pddme tatraiva (In the same portion of the Padma Purana it is stated) tatah priyatamd visno rddhikd gopikdsu ca kdrttike pujaniya ca sri'ddmodara'Sannidhau Sri Radhika, who is most dear to Lord Krsna and the foremost gopl, should be worshiped along with Lord Damodara during the month of Karttika.

366 SR! HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Thinking a VrajavasI brahmana to be Damodara, and his wife to be Radhika, one should worship them by giving them new clothes,.ornaments, and food during the month of Kartika.

O brdhmanas, one who, during the month of Karttika, worships the Deity of Radhika, for Her pleasure, pleases Lord Damodara immensely.

During the month of Karttika, one should daily recite the famous prayers, Damodarastaka, which were composed by Satyavrata Muni. The offering of these prayers is the best form of worshiping Lord Damodara because this attracts His mercy.

To the Supreme Lord, whose form embodies eternity, knowledge, and bliss, whose earrings swing to and fro, who shines beautifully in Gokula, who quickly ran from the grinding mortar in fear of mother Yasoda, and who was caught from behind by her, who ran faster than He—to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.

SIXTEENTH VILAS A 357

[Upon seeing His mother's stick], He cried and rubbed His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes were fearful, and His quick breathing shook the strand of pearls on His neck, which bore three lines like a conch shell's. To that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, whose belly is bound with the ropes of His mother's pure love, I offer my humble obeisances.

With these superexcellent childhood pastimes Lord Krsna drowned the residents of Gokula in pools of ecstasy. In this way He declared to those absorbed in knowledge of His majesty and opulence: "I am conquered only by My pure loving devotees." With great love I again offer my obeisances to Lord Damodara hundreds and hundreds of times.

O Lord, though You can award all kinds of benedictions, I pray to You neither for the boon of impersonal liberation, nor for the highest liberation of eternal life in Vaikuntha, nor for any other such boon. O Lord, I simply wish that this form of Yours as Bala Gopala in Vrndavana may ever be manifest in my heart, for what use do I have for any other boon besides this?

O Lord, again and again mother Yasoda kisses Your lotus face, which is framed by locks of soft black hair tinged with red and beautified by Your lips colored red like the bimba fruit. May this vision of Your lotus face be ever manifest in my heart. Thousands and thousands of other benedictions are of no use to me.

O Supreme Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. O Damodara! O Ananta! O Visnu! O master! O Lord, be pleased upon me. Shower me with Your merciful glances and deliver this poor ignorant fool immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows, and become visible to my eyes.

O Lord Damodara, as a baby tied to a grinding mortar, You delivered Kuvera's two sons from the curse of Narada and made them into great devotees. In the same way, please give me pure loving devotion for You. I long for this alone and have no desire for any kind of liberation.

O Lord Damodara, obeisances unto the brilliantly effulgent rope binding Your belly! Obeisances unto Your belly, the abode of the entire universe! Obeisances unto Your dearmost beloved, SrlmatT Radharanl! And obeisances unto You, O Lord, who display unlimited pastimes!

padme tatraiva (In the same section of the Padma Purana it is stated) govardhana^girau ramye rddhd'kuridarh priyarh hareh kdrttike bahuldstamydrh tatra sndtvd hareh priyah naro bhakto bhaved viprds tad dhi tasya pratosanam Sri Radha-kunda, which is very dear to Lord Hari, is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill, which is a most enchanting place and a foremost devotee of Lord Hari. Radha-kunda manifested at midnight on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Karttika. By bathing in Radha- kunda, one becomes a dear devotee of Lord Hari. O brahmanas, bathing at Radha-kunda is very pleasing to Lord Hari.

Just as Srlmatl Radharanl is most dear to Krsna, Her bathing pond is similarly dear. Of all the gopls, She is the most beloved of the Lord.

370 SRI H A R I - B H A K T I - V I L A S A krsnendnyatra devi tu radha vrnddvane vane For the satisfaction of Radhika, Krsna has given her dominion over Vrndavana. Other goddesses have been allotted various places but Radha is the queen of Vrndavana.

It is the duty of everyone bathe at Radha-kunda on BahulastamI and worship Lord Krsna. As Krsna becomes pleased by the observance of Uttana EkadasI, He is very pleased with a person who bathes at Radha- kunda on BahulastamI.

To counteract the possibility of an unnatural death, one should offer a ghee lamp to Yamaraja just outside one's house on the Trayodasi in the dark fortnight of the month of Karttika.

As a result offering a ghee lamp on TrayodasI during the m o n t h of Kartika, may Yamaraja, the son of Surya, be pleased with me, as may his ropes, stick, and sydmald.

tatraiva (In the same Purana it is stated) caturdasydrh dharma-rdja' pujd kdryd prayatnatah sndnam avasyakarh kdryarh narair naraka-bhirubhih Those who are afraid of being punished in hell must take a bathe and t h e n worship Yamaraja with great faith o n the Caturdasi of the waning m o o n in the m o n t h of Karttika.

T h e r e is no doubt t h a t o n e who fails to bathe just before sunrise o n Caturdasi will nullify t h e results of all t h e pious acts performed throughout t h e year.

It is t h e duty of everyone who is afraid of being punished in hell to bathe during moonrise on the Caturdasi of the fortnight of the waning m o o n in the m o n t h of Karttika.

372 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Thereafter, o n e should offer oblations to Yamaraja while c h a n t i n g his names. However, if one's father is still alive, one should n o t offer oblations to Yamaraja a n d Bhlsma.

W h i l e offering oblations to Yamaraja, one should wear his sacred thread over his right shoulder. Yamaraja has two forms—one as a demigod and the other as a pita.

O n e w h o remains awake at night a n d has his night meal in a temple of Siva o n Yama Caturdasi attains so more merit t h a n can be earned by performing o n e h u n d r e d sacrifices.

T h e r e is no doubt that if, on that day, one worships a n d unmarried girl, a young brahmana boy, a n d a n ascetic devotee of Siva, h e obtains t h e merit of performing a Rajasuya sacrifice.

If the Caturdasi of the waning moon in the month of Karttika falls on Tuesday, then it is considered to be even more auspicious. By worshiping Siva, the master of the living entities, on this day, one will surely attain his abode.

As a result of offering a ghee lamp in the evening of the new moon day on the Caturdasi of the dark fortnight in the month of Karttika, one is freed from having to traverse the dark path to a hellish life.

pddme tatraiva (In the same section of the Padma Purdria it is stated) diva tatra na bhoktvyarh vind jandn pradosa samaye laksmirh pujayecca yathdkramam During the day of the new moon in the month of Karttika, no one except children and those who are ill should eat anything. In the evening, one should worship goddess Laksmi, according to the prescribed rules and regulations.

O brdhmanas, in the evening, one should offer many ghee lamps to goddess LaksmI, after waking up the Deity.

You are the light of the stars, the sun, the moon, lightning, gold, and all other sources of illumination. You are situated in the light of the lamp. 1 offer my obeisances unto you.

O brdhmanas, the ladies should recite this mantra while holding a lamp in their hands. They should first wake up Laksmi-devi and then have their meal.

One who, in the evening, first offers food to Laksmi-devi and then takes his meal is favored by the goddess of fortune for one full year.

yathd nirnaydmrte (In the Nirnaydmrta it is stated) apavasddisva mdvasyd pratipad yutd grahyd One can observe fasting and perform other prescribed rituals on the Amavasya that overlaps the Pratipad, or the first day of the waxing moon.

If Amavasya and Trtlya overlap the following tithi, then one may observe fasting.

nigame (In the Nigamas it is stated) bhutaviddhd wamdvdsyd nisphalarh sydttrayantvidam It is a fact that the observance of vows on an Amavasya that is overlapped by Caturdasi is useless.

Foremost sages never observe vows on an Amavasya that is overlapped by Caturdasi.

376 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

the waxing moon in the month of Karttika) skdnde (In the Skanda Pur ana it is stated) pratar govarddhanarh pujya dyutahcaiva samdcaret bhusanlyds tathd gavah pujydsca dohavdhandh It is everyone's duty to worship G o v a r d h a n a Hill early in the morning o n the first day of the waxing m o o n in the m o n t h of Karttika. O n e should play chess, decorate and worship the cows, as well as the milk pots and carts.

G o v a r d h a n a Hill is t h e foremost devotee of Lord Krsna. Giriraja is to be worshiped by all Vaisnavas o n the morning of the first day of the waxing m o o n in t h e m o n t h of Karttika.

Govardhana-puja should be performed in the morning and t h a t night, o n e should remain awake for t h e pleasure of t h e Lord.

Go-puja and go-kridd should be observed on Amavasya when it overlaps Pratipada. One who observes this vow on a Pratipada that overlaps Dvitiya will lose his wife, children, and wealth.

O King, you should worship the cows on an Amavasya that overlaps Pratipada because such worship will result in an increase in one's followers, wealth, and number of cows.

Govardhana-puja must be completed before noon and it is absolutely prohibited to perform the sacrifice when there is a presence of Dvitiya.

To observe the ceremony of Raksabandhana on Pratipada, to perform balidana on DasamI, and to conduct the ritual of go-kridd on Dvitiya will cause the destruction of the entire country.

378 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

is moonrise is prohibited in the Puranas) gavdrh kridd dine yatra rdtrau drsyet candramah somo raja prasun hand surabhi pujakdrhs tatha If the moon is visible during the night after the performance of go- krida, the moon-god, Sasanka, will kills both the animals and those who had worshiped the cows.

nirnaydmrte nirnitam (In the Nrnayamrta it is stated) Pratipadaya parahni katri muhurtta vyapinydrh dvitiyaydrh candra darsanarh sambhdvyate During the afternoon of Pratipada, there may be moonrise during the three muhurthas when the presence of Dvitiya commences.

If there is the presence of Dvitiya for a duration of three muhurtas, or six dandas, in the afternoon of Pratipada, then there is a possibility of moonrise. In that case, the agnyadhana ritual should be performed on Caturdasl.

Divide the entire day into five parts. The forth part of the day is called afternoon. So, during the afternoon of Pratipada, when the presence of Dvitiya remains for six muhurtas, there is a possibility of the moonrise.

On other days, the formerly-given understanding of Pratipada should be accepted.

When a tithi increases so that its presence remains for ten and half hours of the next day, and if Dvitiya also overlaps the next day, then Pratipada should be observed.

If all sixty dandas of Pratipada overlap the next day, then Govardhaha- puja, go-puja, and Annakuta festivals should be observed the previous day.

There are twelve m o n t h s in every year but there is an excess of about eleven days so that, at the end of thirty-two months, a n extra m o n t h is formed, which is called mala masa, or adhika masa. Similarly, when a tithi overlaps t h e next day, it is called mala tithi. Just as the m o n t h prior to t h e mala masa is to be observed while the next m o n t h is to be rejected, the day previous to a tithi is to be accepted and the next day is to be rejected, unless it is Ekadasl.

Just as on Vyanjull DvadasI, the day and night is accepted while other portions are rejected, one should reject the earlier a n d later portions of Pratipada a n d accept t h e middle portions of the day a n d night. T h i s has been confirmed by the statement of the sage, Devala.

pddme tatraiva (In the same sectien of the Padma Purana it is stated) mathurdyds tathdnyatra krtvd govarddhanarh girim

gomayena mahdsthularh tatra pujyo girir yatha One should prepare a Govardhana Hill with cow dung and other things, either within Mathura-mandala or elsewhere. Thereafter, one should worship the hill with love and devotion, just as one would worship the factual Govardhana Hill.

Those who directly worship and circumambulate Govardhana Hill in Mathura-mandala are transferred to the supreme abode of Lord Hari and happily reside there.

O Govardhana, You sustain the entire universe. You delivered the residents of Gokula by being held as an umbrella in Lord Krsna's hand. May You with millions of cows.

skdnde tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) laksmiryd lokapdldndm dhenurilpena sarhsthitd ghrtarh vahati yajndrthe yamapdsarh vyapohatu

382 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA May goddess LaksmI, who is known as the form of the cow among the demigods, headed by Indra, and who awards an abundance of ghee for the sake of fire sacrifices, deliver me from the ropes of Yamaraja.

May cows stay in front of me, may cows stay behind me, and may cows stay on both sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) krodhdpayed dhdvayecca go mahisyddikarh tatah vrsdn karsdpayed gopair ukti pratyukti vddandt Thereafter, one should tease the cows and buffaloes so as to make them angry and run. One should similarly induce the bulls so that they fight among themselves.

Domestic animals, such as bulls and buffaloes, should be decorated very nicely and then engaged in bellowing and fighting.

tatraiva (In the same literature it is stated) evam govarddhano gdsca pujaniyd vidhdnatah

SIXTEENTH VILAS A 333 govarddhana makho jamyah krsna sdntosa kdrakah It is the duty of everyone to worship Govardhana Hill and the cows,, according to the prescribed rrules and regulations of the scriptures. Performance of the Govardhaiia yajna is very pleasing to Lord Krsna.

With great happiness, one should paint the forms of Bali Maharaja and Vindhyavali on a canvas and worship them during the evening of Pratipada.

One should paint a nicely-colored picture of Bali, the king of the demons, on a canvas. One should also paint Vindhyavali, decorated with all kinds of ornaments, seated by his side.

O King, one should also paint the forms of Bali Maharaja's associates, such as Kusmanda, Mayadanava, Jambhoru, and Mura. After painting

384 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA the two-armed form of Bali, the king of the demons, whose joyful face is decorated with an excellent crown, one should worship him with great respect.

padme tatraiva (In the same section of the Padma Purana it is stated) yathdrpitarh dehamanena visnave bhitena mithyd vacaso mahdtmand daityena tendtha kathora cestayd baddho balir vdmana murttind vata The great soul, Bali Maharaja, surrendered everything , even his body, unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, Vamanadeva, being afraid of violating his promise. Lord Vamanadeva then displayed His staunch mood and arrested Bali Maharaja.

Although Bali Maharaja was arrested by Vamanadeva and brought to Patala-loka, and although he became very morose, he did not find any fault with the Lord because he was completely free from the sense of "I" and "mine" with regards to the material body and things related to the body. As a result, Lord Hari became extremely pleased and said: "From now on, Bali Maharaja will receive a share of sacrificial offerings."

The Lord also declared: Let all the merit of those who give charity to unqualified people who disregard the injunctions of the Vedas, who perform fire sacrifices without chanting the proper mantras, who chant mantras in a restless manner, and who do not worship You on the Pratipada during the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika come to you.

Because Lord Hari awarded benedictions to Bali Maharaja in this manner, he should be worshiped with great care and attention on this day.

skdnde tatraiva (In the same section of the Padma Purdna it is stated) grhasya madhye sdldyam visaldyarh tator'ccayet bhrdtrmdtrjanaih sdrddham santustd bandhubhis tathd kamalaih kumudaih puspaih kahldrai raktakot palaih gandha puspddi naivedyair aksatair guda pupakaih. One should assemble with his brothers, mother, aunts, friends, and the other relatives in the courtyard of his house and happily engage in the worship of Bali Maharaja by offering him nice flowers, such as lotuses, water lilies, kahlara, and red lotuses, as well as sandalwood paste and various kinds of food, such as milk cakes, gur, and rice preparations.

386 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

O Bali Maharaja, my obeisances to you. O son of Virocana, who will become the king of the demigods during the rule of a future Manu. O enemy of the demigods, please accept this worship, offered by me.

Learned persons who blissfully worship Bali Maharaja in the association of others, during the festival of Dipavali, and give charity to qualified people, certainly are awarded happiness and prosperity so that they spend the entire year in a joyful state of mind.

skdnde padme ca (In the Skanda Purdna and Padma Purana it is stated) urjje sukladvitlyayarh madhydhne yamam arccayet sndnarh krwd bhdnujdydrh yamalokarh na pasyati On the Dvitiya of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika, one should worship Yamaraja at noon and bathe in the water of the Yamuna. By doing so, one will never have to see the abode of Yamaraja.

O brahmana, o n e who is intelligent should not eat at home on this day but should eat at his sister's house. She should cook very nourishing food with great affection.

According to the injunctions of sastra, one should give various articles in charity to his sisters. He should worship t h e m and show t h e m due respect. In the absence of a sister, one should perform these rituals to his step-sisters.

O n e who eats food cooked by his sister o n t h e day when Yamaraja's sister, Yamuna, cooked with great affection and fed him, will attain great wealth, good fortune, and u n e n d i n g opulence.

388 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sukldstami kdrttike tu smrtd gopastami budhaih taddine vdsudevo'bhud gopah purvvantu vatsapah According to learned authorities, on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika is known as Gopastami. On that day, Lord Krsna was formally given charge of the cows in Vrndavana. Before that, He only took care of the calves.

On that day, those who want the fulfillment of all their desires should worship and feed the cows, and circumambulate with them, following them from behind.

On Utthana EkadasI, which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Karttika, one should celebrate the festival known as Kslrabdhi, which should be performed in the same way as when the Supreme Lord goes to sleep. During this festival, one should wake up the sleeping Deity of Lord Krsna and put Him on a chariot, after worshiping Him according to the prescribed rules and regulations.

O n e loses all t h e pious merit h e has accumulated since birth if he does not celebrate the festival of waking up the Supreme Lord.

O foremost sage, now hear about the glories of the Prabodhani vow, which frees one of all sinful reactions, e n h a n c e s one's piety, and award liberation to those who faithfully observe it.

O exalted brdhmana, throughout the world, the Gahga, who was brought to earth by King Bhagiratha, continues to be glorified until t h e auspicious day of PrabodhinI in the m o n t h of Karttika, a day t h a t frees one from all sinful reactions.

390 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA All holy places and holy reservoirs of water, beginning with the oceans, continue to be glorified until the day Lord Visnu wakes up in the month of Kartika.

Simply by observing a single vow of PrabodhanI EkadasI, one can obtain the merit of one thousand Vajapeya sacrifices and one hundred horse sacrifices.

O brahmana, even the most rare and unavailable objects within the three worlds can easily be obtained by all moving and non-moving living entities simply by observing the vow of Haribodhanl.

O brahmana, by fasting on Haribodhanl EkadasI, one can effortlessly be awarded opulence, good children, adoration, happiness, and prosperity.

Just by observing a single vow of fasting on HaribodhanI, all of one's sinful reactions, even if they are piled as high as Mount sumeru Mount Mandara, are burnt to ashes.

Simply by observing a single fast on the day of HaribodhanI, one can obtain all the pious merit of this world that can be earned by giving all kinds of charity.

O exalted sage, the birth of a person who observes the vow of PrabodhanI in the month of Karttika is to be considered glorious. Such a person is certainly very pious and as such, he purifies his entire family.

All the holy places within the three worlds remain within the house of ta person who observes the vow of PrabodhanI during the month of Karttika.

392 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA uposyaikddasi samyak kdrttike haribobhani For the pleasure of the Supreme Lord, who carries a cakra in His hand, one should give up all other duties to observe the vow of HaribodhanI Ekadasl.

O sage, what is the use of observing various vows that award pious merit to be enjoyed after death for one who has once fasted on the day of HaribodhanI in the month of Karttika?

He is learned, he is a yogi, he is an ascetic, he is self-controlled, and he is qualified to enjoy life in the heavenly planets and achieve liberation who fasts on the day of HaribodhanI in the month of Karttika.

This vow of HaribodhanI is very dear to Lord Visnu and it bestows piety upon those who observe it. Simply by fasting only once on this day, one becomes eligible for liberation.

O Narada, simply by fasting on PrabodhanI Ekadasi one can avoid entering the womb of any future mother. Therefore, give up all varieties of religion and just fast on this day.

O brahmana, whatever a person does on PrabodhanI, such as bathing in a sacred river, giving charity, performing austerity, or performing a sacrifice for the pleasure of Lord Janardana, bestows upon one unlimited benefit.

My dear son, this is an excellent vow and it nullifies the reactions to all sinful activities. Therefore, you should observe a complete fast on this auspicious day of Lord Visnu while following the prescribed rulec and regulations.

By satisfying Lord Janardana, the master of the demigods, by observing this vow, one will live in this world enlightening the ten directions and then finally attain the abode of Lord Hari.

394 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

The Supreme Lord, Ananta, who rides on the back of Garuda, awards the fulfillment of all desires to those who observe a complete fast without deviation on those days when the Supreme Lord goes to sleep on the bed of Ananta Sesa in the ocean of milk, and when He wakes up from His sleep.

O lady with broad eyes, it is recommended that those who were unable to observe various fasts should observe the auspicious vow of Prabodhani EkadasI, or dvadasl.

By worshiping Lord Krsna, the supreme controller of universal affairs and master of the various planetary directors, on this particular day, one can obtain the merit of observing all twelve Dvadasls.

O dear one, if Uttana EkadasI is joined with the Uttara-bhadrapada naksatra and falls on a Tuesday, it is to be considered even more glorious. By observing this vow, one achieves millions of times more benefit.

O beautiful one, BhudevI, those who observe the vow of the Supreme Lord's going to sleep, moving from one side to another, and waking up, according to the injunctions of the scriptures, will certainly attain My association in the near future.

O gentle lady, if Utthana EkadasI in the month Karttika is joined by the Uttara-bhadrapada naksatra and falls on a Monday, then it is known as Ananta.

O auspicious lady, whatever pious act one performs on that EkadasI awards one ananta, or unlimited merit. For this reason, this day is known as Ananta.

that is found in the same Purana it is stated)

396 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA anyacca te pravaksydmi guhyad guhyatararh mime kdrttike'malapakse tu saksdd ekadasi smrta bhaktipradd hareh sdtu ndmnd khyata prabodhani O Narada, I shall now disclose to you something very confidential. The vow of Prabodhani, which occurs during the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika is simply known as Ekadasi and its observance certainly bestows upon one devotional service to Lord Hari.

O foremost sage, although the internal energy of Lord Visnu is beyond the reach of mundane perception, she assumes various forms within the material world. The Supreme Lord has dispatched her into this world as Ekadasi and DvadasI, just to propagate devotional service.

padme tatraiva (In this connection, the Padma Purana states) tdvad garjjanti tlrthdni vdji medhd dayo makhdh mathurdyarh priydvisnor ydvanndydti bodhanl The glories of all holy places and sacrifices, such as the horse sacrifice, continue to be discussed only until Prabodhani Ekadasi, which is very dear to Lord Visnu, arrives at Mathura.

Shelter at Lord Krsna's lotus feet, which are very soothing and which destroy the three-fold miseries, is the best remedy for those who are suffering in the great forest fire of material existence, and for those who hanker after sensual enjoyment. The vow of Prabodhani awards association of Lord Krsna's lotus feet to those who are traveling in the desert of material existence. Therefore, O foolish mind, what is the value of visiting so many holy places? Why are you not observing the vow of Prabodhani EkadasI at Lord Krsna's birthplace, Mathura?

this verse is found in the Skanda Purana) yer'ccayanti nards tasydrh bhaktya devantu mddhavam samuposya pramucyante pdpaiste samuparj)itaih Those who worship Lord Madhava with great devotion on Prabodhani EkadasI and observe a complete fast are completely relieved of all the sinful reactions that were accumulated since birth.

398 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA suskdrdrarh munisddrdula suguhyam api ndrada tat ksdlayati govindas tithau tasydrh supujitah My dear son! O great sage, Narada, if Lord Govinda is faithfully worshiped on the auspicious day of PrabodhanI, then all the reactions to the sinful activities committed during childhood, youth, and old age during the previous seven lifetimes are vanquished by the mercy of the Supreme Lord.

O Narada, one who hears about and glorifies the transcendental name, form, qualities, and pastimes of Lord Hari on Prabodhani EkadasI day obtains the merit of giving the entire earth, consisting of seven islands, in charity.

O Madhavi Just hear with attention about the pious merit one obtains by worshiping Me on the EkadasI of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika. For as long as this universe, with all its planets and you yourself

continue to exist, such a worshiper will be born as My unalloyed devotee and will never deviate from My devotional service.

bhavisye (In the Bhavisya Purdna it is stated) a bhd kd sitapaksesu matrai sravana revau adi madhya vasdnesu prasvdpd varttanddil<am The Supreme Lord, Hari, goes to sleep when DvadasI is joined by the Anuradha naksatra during the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Asadha. He rolls over onto His other side when DvadasI is joined by the Sravana naksatra during the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra, and He wakes up when DvadasI is joined by the RevatI naksatra during the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika.

Even if the above-mentioned naksatras are not present on those days, one should observe these vows only on DvadasI.

Lord Hari goes to sleep at night, wakes up in the morning and, turns over on His side in the evening. This procedure should be observed on DvadasI.

400 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILAS A

W h e n the Lord goes to sleep or t u r n s over o n t o His other side, there are n o h a r d a n d fast rules t o be observed. Normally, these days are to be observed if there is the presence of one of t h e pieviously-mentioned naksatras.

If the presence of the Revati naksatra continues until t h e end of t h e night of DvadasI, Lord Visnu should be awakened in the afternoon.

If t h e beginning or end of the presence of t h e Revati naksatra is n o t joined with DvadasI, t h e n t h e festival of waking up t h e Supreme Lord should be held in the evening.

If the above-mentioned naksatras are not present on the DvadasI of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the months of Asadha, Bhadra, or Karttika, then rituals, such as putting the Lord to rest and His moving on His side should be performed in the evening.

There are various tithis and naksatras indicated for putting the different forms of the Supreme Lord to rest and waking Him up. Lord Visnu should be put to rest only on DvadasI. One should fast on EkadasI and wake up the Lord on DvadasI.

Just as in the sayana, or festival for waking up the Lord, one should first offer very grand worship to Lord Krsna and then take Him to a reservoir of water and wake Him up, after performing sankalpa, or making of a vow.

O master of the demigods, Your lotus feet are always worshiped by great demigods, such as Brahma, Indra, Rudra, Agni, Kuvera, Surya, and

402 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA Candra. O shelter of the universe! O Supreme Lord, by my chanting of this mantra please wake up in a happy mood.

O Supreme Lord, who sleeps on the bed of Ananta Sesa, to wake up from Your sleep and to benefit all the people of the world, you have inaugurated this auspicious Dvadasi.

O Govinda, please wake up! Please wake up! O Lord of the universe, please give up Your sleep!

You are the Lord of the universe! When You remain asleep, the entire universe remains asleep and when You wake up, the entire world wakes up. O Madhava, please wake up! Wake up!

Your form is inconceivable. Your lotus feet are adored by Brahma, Indra and other great personalities. Your unalloyed devotees constantly

worship You. Your favorite Dvadas'I, which is called Kaumudi, has arrived. 0 Lord of the living entities, kindly wake up from Your sleep.

O Lord of the universe, the clouds have vanished from the sky. The beautiful full moon has risen. Various kinds of flowers that grow during the autumn have blossomed. In order to attain devotional service to You, 1 am offering You these seasonal flowers. O Lord of the living entities, please wake up!

This mantra from the Rg Veda should also be recited.

Thereafter, one should wake up Lord Krsna while ringing a bell, and after seating Him on the bank of a river, one should beg for His mercy.

^04 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA o 'sdv adabhra-karuno bhagavdn vivrddha- prema-smitena nayandmburuharh vijrmbhan utthdya visva-vijaydya ca no visddarh mddhvyd girdpanayatdt purusah purdnah The Lord, who is supreme and is the oldest of all, is unlimitedly merciful. I wish that He may smilingly bestow His benediction upon me by opening His lotus eyes. He can uplift the entire cosmic creation and remove our dejection by kindly speaking His directions.

Thereafter, one should offer flowers to the Lord and install Him while following the prescribed rules and regulations. This should be followed by the offering of arati, the performance of nydsas, and the offering of fresh cloth.

In the afternoon of the DvadasI of the fortnight during the waxing moon in the month of Karttika, one should wake up Lord Kesava with faith and devotion.

The festival of waking up the Supreme Lord, Sri Krsna, should be celebrated with singing, dancing, and the playing of musical instruments; chanting auspicious mantras from the Vedas; hearing narrations from the Puranas; offering prayers in glorification of Lord Visnu; reciting morning prayers; displaying magical feats; decorating the floor; offering sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, and a ghee lamp; offering various kinds of delicious foods; performing a fire sacrifice; offering milk cake, sweet rice, fruit, vegetable preparations, sweets made from sugarcane juice and honey; grapes, pomegranates, black tulasi manjaris, jasmine flowers, forest flowers, red lotuses, kunkum mixed with sandalwood paste, and colorful threads; and various other expensive flowers and articles.

406 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA hareh pujd vidhdtavyd karttike bodhavasare It is recommended that one worship Lord Hari on Utthana Ekadasi in the month of Karttika by offering Him varieties of flowers and fruit, camphor, aguru, and kunkurh.

After offering grand worship to the Supreme Lord in this way, one should offer all one's vows regarding the four months of Catusmasya unto Him. One should offer some flowers, rice paddy, and a little water at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna.

Thereafter, one should offer lavish prayers to the Supreme Lord, such as those offered by Prahlada Maharaja that are found in the Srlmad-Bhdgavatam. Then, one should place the Deity upon a chariot, accompanied by singing and playing music.

that is recorded in the Bhavisottara Purana it is stated) mahdturyya ravai rdtrau bhrdmayet syandane sthitam utthitarh deva devesarh nagare pdrthivah svayam dipoddyota kare marge nrtya glta samdkule

At night, one should put the Lord on a chariot and take Him on a procession throughout the city, accompanied by the beating of drums. The king should personally lead the procession through the city streets, holding a lamp in his hand.

bhavisyattare tatraiva (In the Bhavisottara Purana it is stated) yam yam ddmodarah pasyed utthito dharanidharah tarn tarn pradesarh rdjendra sarvvarh svargdya kalpayet O foremost king, all places seen by Lord Damodara, who sustains the earth on His hood, during the procession on Utthana Dvadasi are transformed into heavenly abodes.

O foremost of men, while pulling the Lord's chariot, wherever one places his feet, those places transform into places worthy of performing sacrifice.

Those who watch Lord Kes'ava as He is seated on His chariot, even if they do so simply for amusement, will be considered demigods, even if they were born in a family of dog eaters.

408 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Just by participating in the Ratha-yatra festival, even ladies attain liberation and they take with them the members of their father's family, mother's family, and husband's family, to the abode of Lord Hari.

Those who, simply for fun, or as professional dancers, dance in front of the Lord's chariot become eligible to enjoy life in heaven in the company of celestial women for one kalpa.

Those who sing and play musical instruments before the chariot will enjoy happiness in the realm of the demigods and then take birth in this world as kings.

O foremost king, even professional musicians, who are performing their duty for payment, will attain the supreme abode of Lord Hari.

Those who approve of the Ratha-yatra festival of Lord Mukunda and feel happiness upon seeing it, will never experience the pangs of hellish life for one halpa.

Those who propagate the glories of the Ratha-yatra festival in this age of Kali, even if they do so with some material motive, will obtain the merit of donating the entire earth, along with its seven islands, jewels, food grains, mountains, and flower garlands.

By celebrating the festival of waking up the Supreme Lord on the Dvadasi in the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika, and taking Him in procession after placing Him on a chariot—all of one's desires will be fulfilled.

410 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

Those who render service to the Supreme Lord, the master of all universal controllers, as He is seated on His chariot, will experience the fulfillment of their desires, by His mercy.

The Supreme Lord quickly fulfills all the desires of those who enthusiastically endeavor to increase the beauty of His chariot.

The demigods, such as the sun-god, fulfills the ambitions of one who, according to his ability, enhances the beauty of Lord Krsna's chariot.

One who increases the beauty of Lord Krsna's chariot by decorating it with flags and other paraphernalia, becomes fit to enjoy the association of excellent women during the reign of six Manus.

My dear son, those who enthusiastically increase the beauty of Lord Krsna's chariot will obtain the merit of visiting Prayaga with each step he takes.

Now hear about the pious merit that is achieved by those who repeatedly chant, Jayal Jayal during the Ratha-yatra procession of Lord Krsna.

O emperor, the same merit one attains by bathing at Haridvara, Prayaga, Gahga Sagara, and Varanasi, as well as that attained by seeing the demigods, can be achieved simply by chanting Jayal Jayal again and again, during the Ratha-yatra procession of Lord Visnu. This has been confirmed by the compilers of the scriptures.

412 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA yathd labho papannaisca puspair bhaktya samarccitah dadati vanccitan kdman ante ca paramarh padam Those who devotedly worship Lord Visnu, who sustains the universes on His hoods, with the flowers that are easily available, are awarded all kinds of desirable objects and at the end of their lives, they will attain the supreme abode.

I do not know the merit obtained by those who, during the Ratha- yatra procession of Lord Hari on EkadasI, chant auspicious mantras and exclaim ]aya\ Jayal; offer incense, a ghee lamp, and other articles; offer prayers; and offer food to Lord Krsna with devotion. Only Lord Kesava knows the truth of this matter.

Even the most sinful people, such as those who plunder brahmanas, wealth, kill cows, perform abortions, blaspheme the Supreme Lord,

commit other grave sins, kill brdhmanas, enjoy sex with their spiritual master's wife, drink wine, and are bewildered by the influence of Kali and thus are not afraid of committing any kind of sin, can be freed from all sinful reactions simply by approaching a moving ratha of the Supreme Lord.

Those who offer worship and chant Jayal Jayal when Lord Maha- Visnu rides on His chariot, are freed from all sins, and thereafter return to the abode of Lord Hari.

In the ancient times, Prahlada Maharaja, the king of the Daityas, pulled the chariot of the Supreme Lord. Later on, the demigods, Gandharvas, and human beings began to pull the Lord's ratha.

The glories of Ratha-yatra have thus been described. Now, some special procedures will be presented.

414 SRI H A R I - B H AKTI-VILAS A

When Lord Krsna is carried to His chariot and then comfortably seated, one should chant Jayal Jayal, offer Him worship, and shower lavish prayers upon Him.

May Lord Visnu—whose face resembles a fully blossomed blue lotus flower and is illuminated by His brightly shining earrings, swinging to and fro, whose forehead is decorated with moon-shaped tilaka drawn with sandalwood paste and rice paddy, who gives pleasure to everyone by showering the nectar of His darsana, and who is the eternal residence of Laksmi—protect all the people of the world.

May Lord Hari's glorious chariot—which is drawn by four horses, named Saivya, Sugrlva, Meghapuspa and Balahoka; which is decorated with a net of sweetly ringing bells; which is adorned with garlands of jewels, pearls, and diamonds; which is beautified by many flower garlands; which is decorated with golden pitchers, excellent flags, and umbrellas; which is adored by great personalities, headed by Brahma and Siva; and which removes all of one's sinful reactions—maintain all of you.

Pious persons, whose intelligence is worth glorifying, felt joyful; all disturbances came to an end; sober persons felt satisfied; people whose enemies were subdued enjoyed life; and all the demons swiftly ran away to mountain caves or dense forests in fear, as Lord Krsna, the killer of the demons and Lord of the Yadu dynasty, mounted His chariot.

O Danavas, quickly run away! For the purpose of maintaining all the people of the world, Lord Krsna, who had previously assumed the form of the half-lion, half-man incarnation, has mounted His chariot.

416 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

After reciting very nice verses in praise of Lord Krsna, one should joyfully accept the Lord's remnants of food and flower garlands.

The Lord's remnants of food are the source of all auspiciousness. Those who faithfully honor the Lord's prasadam need not hanker after anything, both in this life or the next.

To achieve the fulfillment of one's desires, one should honor with great respect the Lord's remnants of flower garlands, which bestow both material happiness and liberation.

Thinking that great devotees, such as Prahlada Maharaja, are pulling the Lord's chariot, Vaisnavas should pull it on a royal road and bring it to the palace.

The chariot of Lord Visnu should be taken on procession throughout the city, accompanied by singing, the playing of musical instruments, and the dancing of pure devotees.

O son of Pandu, you should place the Supreme Lord on a chariot and take Him in procession to all the other temples in the city on Dvadasi in the month of Karttika.

418 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA In anticipation of the Ratha-yatra festival of Lord Mukunda, devotees should nicely decorate the city, placing colorful flags here and there, erecting large gates, and placing banana trees at all the crossings. O maintainer of the earth, the city should also be decorated with colorful and auspicious paintings of chariots.

It is the duty of everyone to follow the ratha upon which the Supreme Lord is seated. Everyone should worship the Lord when the chariot arrives before their houses. If someone fails to do so, it will be an offense.

Those who accompany the Lord's chariot, either by walking behind it, by its side, or in front of it, are to be considered as good as Lord Visnu, or an exalted brahmana, even if they were born in the family of dog- eaters.

Those who refuse to follow the Supreme Lord as He is seated on His chariot while being taken in procession are lower than dog-eaters, even though they may be well-versed in all scriptures.

It is the duty of everyone to give up miserliness and worship Lord Madhusudana when He arrives in front of one's house, seated upon His chariot.

If the Supreme Lord, who sustains the universe on His hood, returns to His temple without having been worshiped when He came before one's house while seated upon His chariot, one's forefathers become angry and remain hostile for fifteen years.

One who adores Lord Madhava when He comes before his house while seated upon His chariot will reside in the supreme abode of the Lord known as Svetadvlpa for one kalpa.

420 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA If one, out of mistake, does not follow the Lord as He is seated upon His chariot, he becomes a great demon as a result of that offense, even if he burns to ashes all his karma in the fire of knowledge.

Thereafter, one should bring the Supreme Lord back to His temple and offer Him worship as usual. That night, one should remain awake in the association of devotees.

shande tatraiva (In the Skanda Purana it is stated) purwajanma sahasresu paparh yat samupdrijitam jdgarane prabodhanydrh dahate tidardsivat All sinful reactions that one had accumulated throughout many previous lifetimes are burnt like a heap of cotton simply by remaining awake on the night of Prabodhanl.

O sage, even after committing grave sinful activities, such as killing a brdhmana, one can be freed from all reactions simply by remaining awake on the night of Prabodhanl.

Simply by remaining awake during the night of the PrabodhanI festival of Lord Govinda, one can be freed from all the reactions to the sinful activities he had committed by his body, mind, and speech.

The merit that is rarely attained even by brdhmanas who perform a horse sacrifice can be easily attained simply by remaining awake on the night of PrabodhanI.

The merit one obtains by remaining awake on the night of the PrabodhanI festival of Lord Hari cannot be attained even by bathing in all the holy places, or giving gifts of gold and land in charity.

Remaining awake on the night of PrabodhanI awards one a thousand times more merit than that which one received by bathing at Kuruksetra during a solar or lunar eclipse.

422 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA tat sarwarh kotigunitarh prabodhanydntu jagare Remaining awake during the night of Prabodhani bestows ten million times more merit than taking a holy bath, giving charity, performing austerity and sacrifice, studying the Vedas, and worshiping Lord Hari.

One who remains awake during the night of Prabodhani will be enabled to deliver ten thousand generations—past, present, and future— to the abode of Lord Visnu.

When one remains awake and glorifies Lord Krsna on the night of Prabodhani, his forefathers are liberated from hellish life and happily attain the abode of Lord Visnu.

There is no doubt that all the members of the mother's family, father's family, and wife's family are delivered if their descendents observe the vow of remaining awake during the night of Prabodhani.

While remaining awake on the night of Prabodhani, one should offer varieties of fruit, various articles, and water in a conch shell, to Lord Janardana, as arghya.

Ten million times the merit obtained by giving all kinds of charity and taking bath in all the holy places, can be attained simply by offering arghya to the Supreme Lord on the night of Prabodhani.

Remaining awake on the night of Prabodhani at any place is an activity that is dear to Lord Visnu. What then can be said about observing this vow at the birthplace of Lord Krsria in Mathura?

If one observes only one fast for Ekadasi at the birthplace of Lord Krsna, there is no need for him to perform any other auspicious act.

Those who remain awake during the night of PrabodhanI at Mathura in a mood of love and devotion, will become enlightened as the darkness born of ignorance is destroyed.

Being very pleased with Brahma because he had remained awake during the night of PrabodhanI in the month of Karttika, the Supreme Lord, Krsna, enacted the pastime of the rasa dance in the company of Radhika and the other gopls of Vrndavana.

By assuming the form of a cowherd girl, Sri Radhika, who possesses the topmost ecstatic love for Krsna, who is always overwhelmed by separation from Krsna, and who has the great fortune of dancing with Krsna, enabled all the people of this world to become dear devotees of Lord Hari.

0 brahmanas, after observing the vow of PrabodhanI Dvadas'I by remaining awake that night and watching the Deity of Lord Krsna wake up from His sleep, how can one be fearful of material existence?

What more can I say about the glories of remaining awake throughout the night of PrabodhanI, in front of the Deity of Lord Hari at Mathura? There is nothing more auspicious than observing this vow, which occurs in the month of Karttika.

A vaisya named Sudana helped liberate a brdhmana demon from his curse simply by donating to him the merit he had received by remaining awake for just one-and-a-half seconds during the night of PrabodhanI at Mathura.

1 have no power to describe the glories of remaining awake throughout the night of PrabodhanI while singing, dancing, glorifying the Lord, and playing musical instruments. This vow is very pleasing to Lord Hari.

426 SRI H ARl-BH AKTI-VILAS A sarwalokdn parity ajya visnulokarh sa gacchati One who glorifies, even for a moment, the vow of PrabodhanI DvadasI executed in front of Lord Krsna, will surpass all the planets of the material world and ascend to the planet of Lord Visnu.

Give up, if necessary, a vast and comfortable kingdom but remain awake the entire night of PrabodhanI during the month of Karttika, at Mathura.

O n e should break his fast on DvadasI in the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika. One should offer this great vow, which is observed with great difficulty, at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. By doing so, and by worshiping Lord Janardana, one will certainly attain the abode of Lord Visnu.

Those who make the vow of observing cdturmdsya should complete their vow on the Dvadasi of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika.

After completing the vow, one should bathe in the morning, carry out his daily worship, feed the hrdhmanas according to his capacity, beg permission from the Lord for any offence that may have been committed, and give daksina to the qualified hrdhmanas.

According to the rules prescribed for this vrata, one should first give charity to the hrdhmanas and then should observe the vow of pdrana. From this day onwards, one can resume using all the things that he had renounced before commencing the vow of cdturmdsya.

428 SRI H ARI-BHAKTI-VILASA arccayec candanais curnaih puspa gandhair dvijottamdn In the early morning, one should bathe in fresh water and feed the brdhmanas ghee, sweet rice, yogurt, honey, fried rice, gur, laddus, and so on. One should also worship the qualified brdhmanas by offering them sandalwood paste, colored powder, fragrant objects, and first-class flowers.

After the brdhmanas wash their hands and mouths, one should give them all the things that he had abstained from during the vow of cdturmdsya. He should satisfy them with pleasing words and offerings of flowers, leaves, and fruit.

Then one should discuss with the brdhmanas the rules and regulations that he had followed during the four months of cdturmdsya, and satisfy them with sufficient daksina.

O brdhmanas, at the end of the cdturmdsya vrata, one should beg pardon from the brdhmanas for any mistakes that may have been committed during the execution of this vow.

SIXTEENTH VILAS A 429

O n e should donate two cows and feed the brdhmanas if one observes two severe vratas. If one observes three vratas, one should donate a large water pot, an umbrella, a female goat, and shoes to those who are qualified.

If one observes fasting on every alternate day, he should donate fully decorated cows, and if he is capable of doing so, he should also donate sixteen bulls, along with eight ploughs.

If one observes the vow of eating once a day then he should feed the brdhmanas. If one observes the vow of eating only at night, then he should feed others six types of food. If one observes a vow that is not fixed, he should donate cloth, bulls, gold, and sandalwood.

430 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA If one observes the vow of eating only fruit during cdturmdsya, then he should donate some best quality rice. If one observes the vow of subsisting only on milk, then he should donate a cow, and if he observes the vow of eating only leafy vegetables, he should donate ghee on a silver plate.

If one makes a vow of giving up oil during cdturmdsya, then he should donate ghee. One who renounced ghee during cdturmdsya should donate milk. One who had renounced yogurt should donate gold, and one who had renounced milk should donate silver.

One who had renounced milk cakes during cdturmdsya should donate gold, wheat, and cloth. One who had renounced eating rice should donate best quality rice and gold.

One who had renounced the use of salt should donate salt, a cow, and gold. One who had renounced oil massages should donate a pitcher of oil and ghee, and feed others sweet rice.

One who had renounced his feet being massaged with oil should give great respect to a brahmana by massaging his feet, and he should also give him sufficient daksina, cloth, and betel nuts.

O n e who had renounced the use of flowers during caturmasya should donate golden flowers. One who had renounced the use of shoes should donate shoes, one who had abstained from sleeping on a couch should donate a couch with nice cushions, and one who renounced the use of a bell metal plate should donate a bell metal plate filled with ghee.

One who had renounced the use of honey should donate sugar candy and sweet rice mixed with ghee. O n e who had observed the vow of silence should donate sesame seeds, a bell, and gold.

One who had vowed to eat off the floor should donate bell metal pots and cows. One who had vowed to offer ghee lamps should donate a copper plate filled with ghee. O n e who had refrained from shaving his head and beard during caturmasya should donate a mirror.

432 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA sarvvabhdve ca santosyd cchaidrarh viprdrhstu vdcayet If a married couple observes the vow of celibacy during caturmdsya, they should donate a golden Deity. If one cannot afford to give these prescribed donations, he should simply satisfy the brahmanas by giving them daksina and begging for their forgiveness.

In the absence of the above-mentioned gifts, one should simply beg for forgiveness from the qualified brahmanas to make his vow complete.

A sinful person who takes advice from a brdhmana without giving him daksina in return certainly goes to hell. As a result of failing to keep his vow, he takes birth as a leper, or is born blind

O son of Prtha! O foremost king, one who observes the wonderful vow of caturmasya in this way, will attain the abode of Lord Krsna at the end of his life.

If one is capable of doing so, he should observe the vow of Bhisma Pancaka for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. This vow is observed for five days, beginning from the EkadasI of the waxing moon in the month of Karttika.

In the same way, one should observe the vow of Dhatrlvrata during the month of Karttika. One should also observe the vow of Aksaya Navami in the month of Karttika.

For a detailed description of the rules and regulations that are prescribed for observing various vows during caturmasya, one should consult the Padma Purana. Fearing that this book would become too large, we did not include these vows.

434 SRI HARI-BHAKTI-VILASA

bhavisyottare (In the Bhavisottara Purana it is stated) adhimdse tu samprdpte smrtvd gopipriyarh harim suvarnarh cdjya sarhyuktarh trayas trimsad apupakam dadydcca vedaviduse srotriydya kutumvine nasyatya karane sighrarh punyarh dvadasa mdsajam During the Purusottama-adhika-mdsa, one should donate thirty-three milk cakes cooked in ghee to householder brahmanas who are well-versed in the scriptures, while remembering Lord Krsna. By failing to do so, one will lose all the piety that he had accumulated during the previous year.