Questions And Answers: Vratās (Austerities) / Kārtika-māsa-vratā

(Tips on) Observing the Dāmodara-vrata?
Questioner:
Date: 2023-02-25
Jayapatākā Swami: You see in the month of Dāmodara, any bhakti we do, we get a 100-times the benefit.
So at least we would like to offer a lamp.
And that is a 100-times.
But if you can do other things no problem.
You distribute one book it is equal to 100 books.
If you distribute one cup of Pongal, it is equal to 100 cups!
One jalebi equal to 100!
Category: [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Kārtika-māsa-vratā]
How do those who have haviṣyānna during the Puruṣottama-vrata/Dāmodara-māsa break the vrata?
Questioner: Anon
Date: 2022-08-01
Jayapatākā Swami: For that purpose, I am thinking of making a video.
You have to break the vrata on Caturdaśī.
That day you have to offer 33 mālpuas
and give it to a gṛhastha brāhmaṇa.
And that day you have to different services and donations.
Category: [Sādhanā / Technicalities], [Vratās (Austerities) / Kārtika-māsa-vratā], [Vratās (Austerities) / Puruṣottama-māsa-vratā]
Please tell people the greatness in the month of Dāmodara from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books
Questioner: Devotee
Date: 2023-12-19
Jayapatākā Swami: So you want to give synopsis of the question.
Basically she is saying that how do we tell people the greatness, in the month of Dāmodara from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books.
So through the different Vedic literatures, the greatness of the month of Dāmodara is mentioned.
But that is in the Padma Purāṇa and other Purāṇas.
Slightly mentioned in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
but the most important thing is to engage in devotional service and then during these special months and special days we get multiple benefits.
So to encourage people to engage in devotional service.
We mentioned how Jagāi and Mādhāi, by receiving the mercy of Nitāi-Gaura, they were able to achieve perfection in their lives.
So have them take up the service of Nitāi-Gaura.
Have them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Have them discussing in the holy month of Dāmodara.
Engage them in offering a lamp to Kṛṣṇa, chanting His holy names and doing some services to the devotees of the Lord and the Lord.
In this way, one may get a tastes.
Don’t be attached to the result.
If the persons accepts or maybe the person does not accept.
We don’t have the potency yet, then bring the person to someone who is more advanced
and by their association, that person might get changed.
In the market of the holy name described by Bhakti Vinoda Ṭhākura,
he said how some people sell the goods and some people act as brokers.
They bring the people to the sellers of the goods.
If you have the goods to sell, if you have the personal capacity to give Kṛṣṇa, then you give.
If you don’t have the capacity, you give Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books or bring them to someone who is more advanced
and then that person can hopefully be able to influence the person.
But don’t be discouraged.
Do as far as you can and sometimes may overtly show some disregard but later they change.
But this question said, he or she really believes in what she says and therefore the person remembers.
So the person may outwardly show disdain but inwardly he may be affected,
that how this devotee, how Priyanka is so sincere, I don’t believe in anything.
I was in one TV show in Montreal, Canada,
and they paid me at that time 45 dollars,
I had to play the part of a devotee. And ha! Ha!
It was not difficult for me.
My parents in the show they were trying to tell this kind of personal court.
I was wondering if I got some tips from my father, how I would use it in the service of Kṛṣṇa.
Which I discussed.
Alright, my father said, this acting father,
if I give a gift I want my son use it, not give it to the organization to use it for Kṛṣṇa.
That was the whole thing.
Then the judge, the personal judge was supposed to give his order.
So naturally there was scope for advertisement.
So during the stop the actor said, he really believes in what he is saying!
I don’t believe in anything.
That was his off the record comment.
So the judge he found that I was right, ha! Ha!
But it is a fact that most people don’t believe anything.
That was an eye opener for me.
Category: [Sādhanā / Reading / Śāstra], [Vratās (Austerities)], [Vratās (Austerities) / Kārtika-māsa-vratā]
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