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Sage Naarad enquired of Lord Brahmaa as to which was the best month of the year, who was the best Deity to worship and which was the best Teerth to visit. Brahmaa’s instant reply was that the best month of a Year was Kaarttik, the Supreme Deity to worship was Naaraayan and the most sacred Teerth was Badaree Kshetra. As regards Kaarttik Month, Bhagavaan Vishnu always accorded high esteem and whatever good deeds were performed in this Maas were fully accepted by all the Devtaa since they were readily available there through out the month.

The acts and endeavors of the devotees like Snaan (bath), Daan (donations), Bhojan (feeding, Vrat (fasting), Til (Sesame Seeds), Dhenu (cows), Swarn (gold), Rajat (silver), Bhoomi (Land), Vastra (clothing), Tapasyaa (penance), Jap (recitation of Mantra), Yagya, Anna Daan (donating grains), Poojaa with Tulasee leaves, Abhishek of Vishnu’s Idol with Ganges and other holy river waters as also Panchaamrit (comprising milk, ghee, curd, honey and sugar); Shodashopachaar to Deities, Ved - Paaraayan, Puraan Shravan, singing Bhajan, Dev Stuti, Visits to Temples, fasting, abstinence, Jaagaran (keeping awake in the night singing hymns), Guru Sevaa etc would indeed secure manifold returns in the consecrated month of Kaarttik.

At every time during the day and night, Keertan (chanting the name) on one’s own lips must be uttered like "Govind Govind Hare Muraaree, Govind Govind Mukund Krishn, Govind Govind Rathangapane, Govinda Damodara Maadhaveti". Specific time on each day must also be apportioned for Bhagavad Geetaa Paath or reading as many Chapters as possible. Also, a devotee must observe sleeping on the floor and if possible perform Kanyaa Daan and Vidyaa Daan in this month. Practice of the month long austerity and good conduct even in one Kaarttik month in a year ought to result in tangible benefits for sure.

One has to observe certain don'ts during Kaarttik Month such as avoiding use of oil on the body and food (except on Narak Chaturdashee), food from others, fruits with many seeds, rice, left over or spoilt food, heavy food and twice a day food, drinking intoxicants, use of glass items, eating group food or Graam Purohit, Shraaddh and from women during menses period; eating in lotus leaves, consuming egg plants, carrots, Laukee (white gourd), onions and Masoor Daal; eating on Ekaadashee days; turning off guests at eating time; conversing with Chaandaal, Mlechchh, and Patitaa (women with bad character), Vrataheen ( those not observing the rules of Kaarttik month), hater of Braahman, those who talk ill of others, non believers of God and immoral beings.

During the month of Kaarttik, Snaan (bathing) acquire considerable importance. Those who are devoted to Soorya Dev, Ganesh, Shakti, Shiv and Vishnu are all required to formally observe Kaarttik Snaan. Snaan in favor of Soorya need to be followed as long as Soorya is in ‘Tulaa’ Raashi (in Libra). Snaan in favor of Shankar be performed from Aashwin Poornimaa to Kaarttik Poornimaa. Bathing in favor of Devee be observed from Aashwin Shukla Pratipadaa day till Kaarttik Krishn Chaturdashee while for Ganesh Snaan are to be performed from Aashwin Krishn Chaturdasheei till Kaarttik Krishn Chaturdashee. Bhagavaan Janaardan would be pleased with formal Snaan from Aashwin Shukla Ekaadashee till Kaarttik Shukla Ekaadashee. Those who observe the Snaan Procedure during the month of Kaartik would be free from the tributations of Yam (Dharm Raaj). Special Snaan and worship to Raadhaa and Gopaal during the month preferably under a Tulasee Tree has immense significance. While observing Kaarttik Snaan the following Stanza is recited:

Kaarttikeham Karishyaami Prathaa Snaanam Janaardana,
Preetyaartha Tava Devesh Damodar maya sahah.
(Janardan, Deveshwar, Damodar, I am performing my early morning Snaan to please You and Devee Lakshmee).

Also recite the following:
Grihaanaarghya maya dattam Raadhaaya Sahiti Hare,
Namah Kamalaa - naabhaaya Namastey Jalashhayiney,
Namastestu Hrishikesh Grihaanaarghya Namostutey.
(Bhagavan, Please accept this ‘Arghya’ (handful of water) of mine to please You and Devee Raadhaa; My greetings to you Kamalanaabh, greetings to You Jalashaayiney, greetings to You Hrishikesh; my repeated greetings to You!).

Before taking bath, one should take the name of Pavitra Gangaa (Holy Ganges); while taking the bath on the head, recite ‘Purush Sookt or Shree Sookt and after the Snaan, take Tulasee in hand and perform Aachaman (Sipping water thrice with the Names of Keshav - Naraayan, Maadhav etc.) and later apply Tilak  of Vibhooti or Kumkum on the forehead.

Cold water Snaan is always preferable to hot water for double Punya. It is said that there are four types of Snaan viz. ‘Vaayavya’ (along with Godhooli Snaan (Cow dung); Varun Snaan (in the Sea and Holy Rivers); Brahm Snaan or with Ved Mantra and Divya Snaaan or as Sun rays pass on the body. Women should not do Snaan with Ved Mantra.

Lord Brahmaa affirmed that the fortnight from Kaarttik Krishn Trayodashee to the end of the month ie from Deepaavalee on the Amaavasyaa of Maargsheersh should be observed as Festival Days. The Pradosha time of that Trayodashee is the most significant time when Lord Yam is worshipped with Deep at the main door of the residence and Naivedya to ensure that there would never be an Apa-Mrityu or Akaal Mrityu (premature and sudden death) in the family. Yam Raaj would be pleased with the recitation of the Mantra after the worship:

Mrityuna pasha dandaabhyaam Kaalen cha maya saha,
Trayodashyam Deep daanaat Sooryajah Preeyataamiti
[With this Deep daan on Trayodashee, may Soorya’s son Yam be pleased without Mrityu (Death), Paash (Yam’s rope of death), Dand (Yama’s stick) and ‘Kaal’ (Death time)]

Thereafter, on Kaarttik Amaavasyaa morning, worship is to be performed to Devataa and at the Pradosh time of the same evening, strings of Deep should be lit and Devee Lakshmee is worshipped saying: ‘Devee Lakshmee, We welcome You with ‘Deep Jyoti’ (the splendor of these Lamps) as You are the Symbol of Limitless Illumination; You are the representation of Soorya, Chandra, Agni, and Gold (Prosperity); Do make Your residence as our own!’ Thus the Kaarttik Krishn Paksh is the most auspicious fortnight praying for ‘Apa-Mrityu’ and Good Health to Yam Raaj and Wealth for Devee Lakshmee ushering an era of happiness. If during the entire Kaarttik Month, or at least Pancha Raatra (five nights), a devotee recites ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ as well as reads or hears ‘Vishnu Sahastra Naam’ and ‘Gajendra Moksh Paath’, he secures freedom from want, disease, adversity and discontent.

Most certainly, the austerities observed on Kaarttik Ekaadashee day alone would ensure contentment in ‘Iham’ (Current Life) and bliss in ‘Param’ (Post Life). Each act of virtue on the most auspicious day of Kaarttik Ekaadashee is bound to obtain a multiplier effect endlessly.

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