The Month of Karthik

Lord Shri Krishna says, “Of all plants, the sacred Tulasi is most dear to Me; of all months, Kartik is most dear, of all places of pilgrimage, My beloved Dwarka is most dear, and of all days, Ekadashi is most dear.” (Padma Purana, Uttara Khand 112.3)

Kartik month is popular as Damodara month in Vaishnava calendar. It is said that in this month of Kartik Lord Krishna had His childhood pastime with Mother Yashoda and got the name Damodara. Damodara means the Lord tied with a cord (daama) around His waist (udara).


The holy month of Karthik begins from the first day after Deepavali. Tulasi Vivah is in this month and worship of the Tulsi plant throughout this month is considered very holy.

There is a custom of taking Kartik snaan for the entire month. One takes bath early in the morning before the sun rises. Doing so will accrue a lot of punya.

Throughout this month, lamps are lit outside the house at the doorsteps, windows; both early in the mornings and late evenings and night. Could be because this is known to be the darkest month astronomically.

It is believed that any service rendered to the Lord bears incalculable fruit, even if done contemptuosly or unwittingly during this month.

In this month the above pastime, Damodara Lila is recited. Devotees of Lord Krishna show lamps to the Deties of Lord Krishna bound by Mother Yasoda and recite Damodarashtaka.

Sri Damodarashtaka

1) namamishvaram sachidananda-rupam
lasat-kundalam gokule bhrajamanam
Yashoda-bhiyolukhalad dhavamanam
paramrishtam atyantato drutya gopya

2) rudantam muhur netra-yugmam mrjantam
karambhoja-yugmena satanka-netram
muhu shvasa-kampa-trirekhanka-kantha-
sthita-graivam damodaram bhakti-baddham
3) itidrk sva-lilabhir ananda-kunde
sva-ghoisham nimajjantam akhyapayantam
tadiyeishita-gyeishu bhaktair jitatvam
puna prematas tam shatavrtti vande

4) varam deva mokisham na mokishavadhim va
na canyam Vrine 'ham vareishad apiha
idam te vapur natha gopala-balam
sada me manasy avirastam kim anyai

5) idam te mukhambhojam atyanta-nilair
vrtam kuntalai snigdha-raktaish ca gopya
muhush cumbitam bimba-raktadharam me
manasy avirastam alam lakisha-labhai

6) namo deva damodarananta viishno
prasida prabho dukha-jalabdhi-magnam
krpa-drishti-vrishtyati-dinam batanu
grhaneisha mam agyam edhy akishi-drshya

7) kuveratmajau baddha-murtyaiva yadvat
tvaya mocitau bhakti-bhajau krtau ca
tatha prema-bhaktim svakam me prayaccha
na mokishe graho me 'sti damodareha
8) namas te 'stu damne sphurad-dipti-dhamne
tvadiyodarayatha vishvasya dhamne
namo radhikayai tvadiya-priyayai
namo 'nanta-lilaya devaya tubhyam