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Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

The Glory of the Month of Karttik and Lord

Durgamadhab Dash

n every religion, a particular period of a year is Iconsidered most auspicious. Christians consider the month of Christmas most auspicious. In Islam, Muslims, consider the month of Ramzan most sacred and auspicious. Likewise, in Hindu religion, the regard the month of Karttik holy and most sacred. Scriptures say that those who perform spiritual ‘sadhana’ by observing the customary practice of ‘Habisya’ taking one-time strict vegetarian meal and spend their time reading or listening to ‘Karttik Puran’ in remembrance of his Kulaguru Vasista to explain to him, the surest Lord Jagannath and His cosmic ‘Lilas’ are sure ways to attain in life. In reply to the king, to be absolved of all sins. They attain ‘Moksha’ Maharshi Vasista said that by observing, Karttik after death. Brata, one can have ‘Moksha’ in life. The king then wanted to know the ways of observance of In this way, the month of ‘Karttik’ is ‘Karttik Brata’ which is a unique . considered a religious month. Generally, the He also wanted to know from his ‘Kulaguru’ the devotees of the Lord observing ‘Karttik Brata’ inhibitions, in particular, that are required to be in the Grand Temple in the month of ‘Karttik’ strictly followed to achieve this goal. practice austere ‘sadhana’ and lead a strict disciplined life away from their homes. As regards the rituals to be observed in this regard, Vasista said that in the first instance, It is said in Karttik Purana that a devotee one should observe ‘Karttik Brata’ in ‘Purusottam observing Karttik Brata gains immense virtues in Kshetra’. This Kshetra is also known as ‘ life. He gains the highest spiritual reward of “no Kshetra’ in scriptures. One should have the life after death” which means that he has no further ‘Darshan’ of the Lord every-day during this birth after this life. This is the actual goal of life. month. Along with it, one should also have It is said in Skanda Purana (Utkal Khand) ‘Habisyanna’ i.e. one-time strict vegetarian meal that once King Dillip, a ‘Suryabansi’ ruler, asked in the month in observance of the ‘Brata’. One

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should, at the same time, take bath in the sea early There is another spiritual story in this in the morning and do ‘Japa’ of ‘Astakshara regard. One day, Lord was sitting alone ’ and religiously listen to ‘Karttik Purana’ in a pensive mood in the garden of His Dwarika- for spiritual elevation. All these rituals go to show palace. Satyabhama, the consort of the Lord, was that one should be truthful in one’s behavior closely observing His state of mind. The Lord was practicing the ‘Brata’ resorting to charity looking absentminded as Satyabhama distinctly according to one’s capacity. These are the marked. She came near the Lord and said minimum spiritual practices, one has to do while “Prabhu, You are oblivious of your surrounding observing ‘Karttik Brata’ during the month of and not in Your usual undisturbed self. I find on Karttik. your face a faint mark of abnormal consternation Next, the Maharshi also said that while which presents You in a different form. What has observing ‘Karttik Brata’, one has to keep one’s actually happened to You?” inclinations of sense-indulgence under strict The Lord said, “Satyabhama, It is simply control in the order of hard austerity in the month. nothing. It is a case of my casual divine digression. There is a Puranic story which says that In fact, I was thinking about my devotees in the at an auspicious moment in the , cosmic evolution. Saying so, He narrated the facts Lord Narayan had descended on earth in His about her past life which runs as follows: incarnation as Divine Fish. His incarnation in this Satyabhama was a girl-child in a divine form was known as ‘Matchya ’. In family. She was born in a poor Brahmin family. that appearance, He retrieved the four However she was devoutly upright in her spiritual which a demon called Sankhasura had stolen from behavior. Her ‘Ista’ was Lord Narayan. She earth and escaped into the deep sea. The Lord worshipped Him in deep devotion. She went to that place and had a fierce battle with religiously observed all along with acts Sankhasura. After killing him in the fierce battle, of charity on all auspicious days. According to He recovered the Vedas from possible the custom of the family, she also practiced all destruction. This occurrence had taken place in spiritual rituals. Accordingly, she observed the month of Karttik. Devotees, during Karttik ‘Karttik Brata’ with all the austerities of her Brata, observe in remembrance of this religion. She earned spiritual virtues as a result of Cosmic Lila of the Lord and gain spiritual virtues. her austere ‘Sadhana’. She got the Lord in His In practice of this spiritual ‘Brata’, they Krishna Avatar as her husband in Dwapara Yuga. take their ablution early in the morning. They So there is a belief among the Hindus that he or observe strict fasting with the Japa of Astakshara she who observes ‘Karttik Brata’ with unflinching Mantra before Lord Jagannath. They also observe faith in the glories of the Lord shall have immense other spiritual restrictions. spiritual benefits as Satyabhama had earned by

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getting, for instance, Lord Krishna as her divine consort. It is said in Narad Purana that there is no month like Karttik month just as there is no Veda like Sama Veda and no like Snana (bath in the River Ganga). As regards the procedure of observance of Karttik Brata, it is said in the scriptures that devotees practicing this religious order are are available during this period. No food is to be required to take one-time meal with Arhar Dal or taken in night during the period of the austerity. Mung Dal, raw-plantain, colocacia along with The devotee has to read or listen to Karttik acid-fruit (OUUE) in different recipes according Purana every-day. This is said to be compulsory. to taste and worship -Damodar reading or In the Grand Temple, this part of the ‘Brata’ is listening to ‘Karttika Purnana’ in the Grand celebrated in evening hours at different places on Temple or at any other sacred place. It may be the premises of the Grand Temple. In addition, if mentioned here that Maa Radha is the Hladini- the devotees find time, they also read other holy Sakti of Prabhu Damodar i.e. Lord Krishna. He scriptures like the ‘Gita’ or the ‘Bhagabat’. Japa is also Lord Jagannath in ‘ Yug’. Devotees of Lord Jagannath is very important during this for that purpose everyday take bath early in the month. The whole purpose of this holy morning and worship Lord Jagannath with Tulasi observance is that the devotee has to spend his leaf. They repeat the name of Lord Jagannath in entire time during the month in strict remembrance profound devotion. of the Lord. He is not to think about any other ‘Habisanna’ is very important on this thing relating to the material world. This is the score. First it is to be prepared with raw-rice. strict spiritual regimentation which every devotee Specific vegetable are to be used for this purpose. has to follow during the entire month of Karttik. The food is to be prepared with Cow-. The In Hindu houses, another spiritual practice devotees either cook the holy food with sanctified is noticed during the holy month of Karttik. This ‘Bhab’ or even they take the Mahaprasad in the is in relation to what is known ‘Akash Deep’. Temple. ‘Akash Deep’ is light on an earthen ware Turmeric powder is not to be used in with cow ghee. It is tied to a bamboo embedded ‘Habisanna’. There is no bar to take ‘Gazar’ in near the platform of the holy Basil Plant. This is a Habisanna. One may take , ‘Harida’, Til, temporary arrangement. This is to last only in the ripe banana and . In the Habisanna, one month of Karttik. The Hindu devotees believe may also take jackfruit and mango if such fruits that the ‘Akash Deep’ near the platform of the

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Basil Plant displays sacred light to the the safety of the gods. The god’s at last dispersed ‘Pitrupurushas i.e. the ancestors of the family after getting the assurance of Lord Narayan. during the holy month of Karttik. The process of The Lord next made out a plan He acted ‘Akash Deep’ is discontinued after the month of upon it with utmost caution. Karttik. One day, the Lord disguised Himself as In ‘Padma Puran’ it is said that women Jalandhar and appeared before Tulasi. The chaste of Hindu households adore Maa Tulasi as a lady, by then, had been overpowered by of impeccable virtues. She is the most loved of the Lord. So she could not know the mystery devotee of Lord Narayan. Most unfortunately, of the divine sport of the Lord. Tulasi had mistaken her husband was a demon. He was an unholy the Lord for her husband, Jalandhar. That way, person. He was a terror in his time in the three she had lost her virtues. Later when she came to worlds of the cosmic creation. In his unusual know of the details, she was greatly disheartened. behavior, he played havoc with the and the She was very angry. And she expressed her anger spiritually enlightened people of his time. He also to the Lord. tortured them very much in their day-to-day lives. At last, the Lord pacified her by telling He destroyed their ‘’. He did not allow her the purpose of His cosmic Lila. When He them to perform any sort of spiritual activity to explained the whole purpose of His game, Tulasi worship the Gods. calmed down. The Lord blessed Tulasi saying that Jalandhar as described in scriptures was she would be His ardent devotee at every point most powerful because of his wife, Tulasi who of time in future. She would be worshipped by was chaste and virtuous in her life and according one and all on earth as Maa Brundabati and He to a divine boon, she was the strength and life- as ‘Lilamaya Purusha’ would like to be adorned savior of her husband. According to the said boon, with Tulasi leaves on Himself. This way, there is a he was not to die so long as his wife remained saying that the Lord in Srimandir gets immensely chaste. delighted when He is offered a single Tulasi leaf The gods of the Heaven were very much at the time of His worship. afraid of Jalandhar. One day, they appeared In Srimandir, there is a big garden of Tulasi before Lord Narayan in Golak Baikuntha and plants. Everyday, Tulasi leaves are collected from appealed to Him to save them from the torture this place, and offered to the Deities seated on made by Jalandhar. The Lord had known the Ratnasimhasan. Oblation of the Lord’s Prasad is strength of Jalandhar. The Lord heard the appeal also sanctified with Tulasi leaves. Devotees of the of the gods. At last He said that He would take Lord wear Tulasi malas on their necks. With care of the entire situation and do the needful for Tulasi beads, they chant the name of the Lord.

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Tulasi is thus the divine object most needed in all five days mean a very sacred occasion to all the rituals and functions in the Grand Temple. Hindu devotees. A function called Aanla Nabami is Normally it is said that Hindus not observed in the Grand Temple on the ninth day observing the sacred Brata during the month of of the bright fortnight of Karttik. On this day too, Karttik strictly observe these five days with they take their baths early in the morning anointed Habisyanna at their respective places and worship with Aanla paste. They also offer the same to the Lord Jagannath/Sri Krishna in utmost devotion. idol of Lord Bishnu and celebrate His divine They read scriptures. They do ‘Japa’ and worship in a ritualistic way. Next, they worship and aspire to gain divine virtues of the the Lord by offering Balbhog. Later they prepare month. It is believed in this connection that even Anna Prasad (Rice, Dal etc) under Aanla Tree the Crane-bird that is generally non-Vegetarian and offer the same to the Lord. They take this in nature does not take fish during these five days. ‘Prasad’ in the usual practice of Habisya and So in religious books, this period of five days is spend the rest of the time of the day in Japa and known as ‘Baga-Panchak’. meditation. It is said in ‘Skanda Purana’ (Utkal “Aanla Nabami” is an important function Khanda) that in the past, Lord Jagannath had of the Baishnabas in the holy month of Karttik. prevailed upon Lord Siva to observe ‘Karttik At Puri, there is another religious custom in this Brata’ and the latter had observed the same with regard. On the day of Aanla Nabami, a special due regard to the Lord’s instructions in ‘’ (worship) is observed in the Sakhigopal appreciation of the virtues one gains during this Temple at Sakhigopal about 8 km away from Puri. period. It is further said in this connection that Here, the devotees have a special religious custom. Lord Siva had prevailed upon Swayambhuba They touch the feet of Radha and Gopal and Manu and Agasti to observe ‘Karttik Brata’ worship them by offering Tulasi Malas at their to gain spiritual virtues.They had also observed feet. There is a day-long line of devotees for this the austerity in obedience to Lord Siva’s spiritual purpose. Special vehicles are inducted for this instructions. purpose from Puri and Bhubaneswar to Sakhigopal by the local administration to facilitate Thus the month of Karttik is symbolic of transport convenience of the devotees on this fact that this is the holy month of a year. ‘Karttik sacred day. Brata’ is a sacred spiritual practice. It preaches spiritual austerities. It gives us spiritual progress The five days preceding Karttik Purnami in life. It teaches us the spiritual lesson that are observed as ‘Panchaka Parba’. Normally mundane pleasure is not the end-all and be-all of on these five days, no Hindu devotee in Odisha life. One needs to have spiritual austerities in a takes any type of non-vegetarian food. These regular way. By listening to the sacred words of

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scriptures, the devotee internalizes the spiritual have positive spiritual thoughts.You should have values. His life is filled with peace and joy. Month- self-introspection for that purpose.You should long practice of hard austerities creates positive either read or listen to scriptures. Please remember spiritual vibrations in the minds of the devotees one thing in this connection. This Temple is a and neutralizes their negative emotions. mysterious place. Here, if you think good, the spirit of goodness in you will fly high in your life. Once, a known as Swami If you think bad of others, the spirit of badness in Sachidananda, while narrating the glory of Karttik you will rise to an excruciating end in your mind. said that on one occasion, he was at Puri Temple And this will bring your spiritual downfall over during the holy month Karttik. He was calmly the period of time. Please always bear his spiritual watching the activities of the devotees observing truth in your mind”. the sacred Brata in the Temple. At a little distance from his place, he found a group of women sitting The Sanyasi observed in this connection together and gossiping about their respective that from those days there was a great change in the minds of the devotees. They were found homes. One woman of the group who appeared sitting calmly, at their places and doing Japa of to be very strong-willed was speaking ill of her the Lord’s name. daughter-in law and deriding her social activities. Others present also joined the chorus and vomited This should be the spirit and the attitude out aspersions against their respective kith and of the devotees during observance of any Brata kin. in general. The Swami thought to himself that those Thus the Karttik Brata as observed in the women should be brought to proper line. They Grand Temple, Puri has a different religious should be dissuaded from the wrong path from implication. Here, a devotee has the privilege to the following day. He started his ‘Satsang’ at the observe the austerities by taking ‘Avada’ of the same place where another small group of devotees Lord during the entire month. One reads or listens to scriptures at different places on the premises were sitting. Naturally the women of the other of the Grand Temple. One also attends ‘Satsangs’ place also joined the Satsang. which are organized at different places in the During his spiritual discourse, he said to Temple. It is believed that Karttik Brata properly them, “My dear devotees, all of you who are here, observed in the Temple leads a devotee to have left your respective homes and come to ‘Baikuntha’ after his or her ‘Mahaprayana’ on Srimandir to observe the sacred Brata of Karttik. earth. The austere observance here will bring positive transformations in your life; you should therefore Durgamadhab Dash, House No-138, Vihar, free yourself from mundane desires and need to Phase-II, Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar.

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