What Must You Do in the Month of Kartika (கார்த்திகை)?
In Skanda Purana, Lord Brahma tells Narada Muni, "Philosophical discussion of scriptures in the month of Kartika pleases Lord Vishnu more than if one gives elephants and horses in charity, or performs a costly sacrifice. Whoever chants or hears descriptions of Lord Vishnu's qualities and pastimes, even of but a half or even a fourth of a verse, attains the wonderful merit derived from giving away a hundred cows to a brahmana.
"O, Narada, during the month of Kartika, one should give up all kinds of ordinary duties, and devote one's full time and energy, especially while fasting, to discussing the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Such glorification of Lord Hari on the day so dear to the Lord, Ekadasi, liberates a hundred previous generations. One who spends his time enjoying such discussions, especially in the month of Kartika, achieves the result of performing ten thousand fire sacrifices, and burns all his sins to ashes.
"He who hears the wonderful narrations concerning Lord Vishnu, particularly during the month of Kartika, automatically earns the same merit as that bestowed upon someone who donates a hundred cows in charity. O great sage, a person who chants the glories of Lord Hari on Ekadasi achieves the merit earned by donating seven islands.
"...One who offers tulasi flowers to Sri Krishna in the month of Kartika receives more merit than can be obtained by donating ten million cows. Even a devotional offering of newly grown sprouts of grass brings with it a hundred times the benefit obtained by ordinary ritualistic worship of the Supreme Lord.
"...During this month, everyone should regularly offer a ghee lamp to Lord Vishnu or to Srimati Tulasi-devi in a temple."
Source: pgs. 140, 141, 142, Ekadasi, The Day of Lord Hari by Swami Krsna Balaram Swami
"O, Narada, during the month of Kartika, one should give up all kinds of ordinary duties, and devote one's full time and energy, especially while fasting, to discussing the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Such glorification of Lord Hari on the day so dear to the Lord, Ekadasi, liberates a hundred previous generations. One who spends his time enjoying such discussions, especially in the month of Kartika, achieves the result of performing ten thousand fire sacrifices, and burns all his sins to ashes.
"He who hears the wonderful narrations concerning Lord Vishnu, particularly during the month of Kartika, automatically earns the same merit as that bestowed upon someone who donates a hundred cows in charity. O great sage, a person who chants the glories of Lord Hari on Ekadasi achieves the merit earned by donating seven islands.
Source: pgs. 140, 141, 142, Ekadasi, The Day of Lord Hari by Swami Krsna Balaram Swami
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