Significance of the month of Karthika

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*Source : BakthiMala old edition*

 

 

Akasha deepa is a minute dharma emphasized in our shastras. Akasha deepa

vrata (religious observance) is undertaken during the month of Kartika (the

month that commences after Deepavali). This vrata can be started either from

the first day of Kartika (Kartika suddha padyami) or from the tula sankramam

and continued for a period of one month. This vrata consists of three

rituals:

 

1) Bathing during the early hours of the day

 

2) Worshipping God

 

3) Lighting deepam (lamp) during the evening twilight hours.

 

Since worshipping God is a feature that is common to all festivals and

vratas, bathing in the early morning and lighting an oil lamp in the evening

are considered the primary rituals of this vrata. This has been emphasized

in our granthas as well as in the Kartika Purana.

 

It is said that during the month of Kartika, Ganga Mata and Sri Maha Vishnu

together with all the Devatas reside in every drop of water on earth.

Lakshmi Devi resides in the oil. That is why Kartika Purana emphasizes on

the rituals of bath and lighting of the oil lamp. Lamps can be lit in the

temples. They can also be lit at homes. In addition, lamps can be lit and

set afloat in lakes, rivers, ponds etc. All these various ways of offering

the lamp to the Lord are emphasized in our dharma shastras (scriptures

relating to dharma).

 

We can draw a very close parallel between our body which we refer to as I

and the wick that is there in a lamp. In this body too there exists a

Chaitanya; a buddhi (intelligence); a jyoti (light). In its absence this

body cannot even address itself as I. But the real Jyoti, the real Chaitanya

that exists has not yet touched the wick (the body). (We have not been able

to light that lamp). This is the reason for all our re-births. A pramida

(the base vessel) contains both the oil and the wick. However the Jyoti

retains an identity that is separate from both the oil and the wick.

 

Through the deepaaradhana a sadhaka (spiritual practicant) is being taught a

very valuable lesson. He learns gradually through practice to see not only

the visible Jyoti in the lamp that is distinctly different from both the

wick and the oil in it, but also the invisible Jyoti that is all pervading

and ever lasting. From this, he further realizes that the atma, the true

self within us, is the form of a Jyoti and that it is different from both

the body and the senses. This small Jyoti or akasha deepa teaches us that

similar to I, within our body there exists a great energy, a great light

that is also all pervading, like the akasha. It has an identity that is

eternal and indestructible. This is the real I. This great message has been

further emphasized through the akasha deepa ritual.

 

There is a small anecdote from the Skanda purana that signifies the

importance of this Kartika deepa.

 

Eons ago, some great Maharishis belonging to Matanga maharishis ashram began

the Kartika vrata. After lighting the akasha deepa, they kept it on the

branch of a dried tree that was just outside the temple and proceeded to the

temple for the Hari katha (discourse on Lord) programme. Suddenly on hearing

a loud deafening sound from the tree all of them rushed outside. What they

came across was an unbelievable and astonishing sight! The dried tree had

been torn apart into shreds and from it had emerged a man who was glowing in

all brilliance. On seeing them the man came forward and after prostrating to

them in salutation said, O great Rishis! I was a great sinner in one of my

previous births. Though I was extremely wealthy I refrained from giving away

even a grain of rice in charity. Many a times when pious Brahmins approached

me for alms due to dire poverty, I would arrogantly sit in front of them and

point my feet towards them as a sign of disrespect. In addition I would take

money from several people promising to fulfill the jobs they sought but

never did anything in return for them. I had committed many such heinous

crimes due to which I had to take several lakhs of births as a

dog.Thereafter I took several lakhs of births as a crow, followed by several

lakhs of births as a chameleon. I have also been born as an insect several

crores of times. Lastly I was reborn as this tree. I cannot understand how I

could suddenly be liberated from all my sins. How could I get the form of a

human being suddenly?

 

The Rishis replied, Son! This is the result of lighting the Kartika deepa.

As the lamp was kept on you (on the tree) you could get immense benefit. The

young man prayed, O great Rishis! Kindly preach me the path to liberation.

What is the reason for all these bondages? What are these senses and how

does one overcome it? Please suggest an easy path.

 

The Maharishis were extremely pleased on hearing this prayer and they said,

Son, it is enough if you light a lamp like this daily. Analyzing and

contemplating on the meaning of tatvamasi itself leads to liberation they

said. The second chapter (adhyaya) of Skanda purana explains lucidly and

elaborately the meaning of tatvamasi. Thus the young man could evolve to

higher level by just lighting the deepa.

Through this story it becomes very clear that the ultimate inner meaning of

akasha deepa is atma vichara or self analysis itself!

 

*This year Karthika Masa lasts till November 27, 2008.*

**

Sri Guru Datta !

Bala