The observance of Kartik concisely explained.
By Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
Translated from the Bengali editorial
published in Sri Gaudiya Darsan,
Volume 3,Issue 3, 14 October 1957.
Krtika is the name of a naksatra (zodiacal sign). There are twenty-seven naksatras. The month ‘Kartik’ comes from Krtika naksatra’s name. Sri Radhika’s mother’s name is Krtika. Those who can look up, through fine ontological analysis, towards Sri Radhika’s position far above the naksatras have faith that the fundamental identity of the month of Kartik originates from Sri Radha’s worshippable mother Krtika, see the special presence of Kartiki Devi, Sri Radhika, within the month of Kartik, in that connection, through the Lord’s statement (Bg 10.35), “Masanam marga-sirso ’ham: of months, I am Agrahayan (the month following Kartik)”, see Sri Radha-Madhava’s coupled position, and rejoice.
During this month, all sections of worshippers of Sri Radha-Govinda carefully observe special regulations. Those who have faith in Sri Gaurasundar’s sankirtan-yajna (sacrifice of chanting the Holy Name) engage in this method of worship in service to Sri Gaurasundar. Presently, the servitors of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math engage in sankirtan and various other services. The devotees perform the standard service to the Math’s presiding Deities, Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Govindasundar, and engage themselves daily in various services from daybreak until nearly four and half hours into the night. During the observance of Kartik, the devotees residing in the Math daily lead a kirtan through the village at sunrise, and morning, afternoon, and evening recite Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta, and other scriptures, chant the Holy Name, distribute prasadam, and perform other customary devotional practices. Many gentlemen and ladies join in this practice of the eternal dharma and benefit both themselves and their community.