Hindus observe holiest month

ACCORDING to Hinduism, Kartik is the holiest month on its lunar calendar. It is described in the scriptures as the best among months for performing austerities.

Lord Shri Krishna says: “Of all plants, the sacred Tulsi 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, or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda.

Observing vrata (fast) in the month of Kartik is glorified in the Puranas.

This fast (vrata) began from Sharad Purnima this year and ends on November 23.

One may observe the following activities throughout the month of Kartik:

Japa – chanting the holy names of the Lord; worship the Lord by offering ghee lamps (diyas); worship of Tulsi Devi; give charity; and perform austerities.

If you cannot observe the above-mentioned rules and regulations, then at least chant any mantra of your choice as much as you can during this pious month.

Whether you are observing a fast or not, it doesn’t matter. You will still get manifold benefits.

The following are excerpts from scriptures (Puranas) describing the glory of the pious Kartik month:

“If somebody performs even a little worship of Lord Shri Hari in this month, He offers own abode.”

“If somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari, even for a short time (in the month of Kartik), then whatever sins he has acquired for births are all destroyed.”

“A person, who for the entire month of Kartik eats only once a day, becomes very famous, powerful and heroic.”

“O Narada! I have personally seen that a person who happily reads the that devotee His Bhagavad Gita in the month of Kartik does not return to the world of birth and death.”

ASTRO ADVICE:

Avoid gossip this month. Get up early.

Worship Tulsi Devi.

Light a clay lamp.

Take an oil bath at this month. least once