(Also known as “DAAMODARA MAASAM as also “PURUSHOTTAMA MAASAM”)

Sanaathana Dharmam in so many ways speaks about the concept of “GOD” as one single “AATMAN” which is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent in different forms for the convenience of various perceptions and worships. That is how it is said “EKAM SAT VIPRAA BAHUDHAA VADANTHI”. This is beautifully explained in the following slokam:

“MRUTHPINDAMEKAM BAHU BHANDA RUPAM; GOKSHEERAMEKAM BAHU DHEENU JATHAM; SUVARNAMEKAM BAHU BHUSHANAANI; EKO PARAATMA BAHU DEHA VARTHI”.

Thereby meaning that entire universe is a manifestation from single “AATMAN” otherwise also named as one “GOD”. The three letters stand for “Surshti” ; “Sthithi” and “Layam” of the entire creation. ‘G’- generator (creates); O-organiser (sustains) and D- destroyer. The entire Hindu mythology totally speaks about this concept of GOD as responsible for “Srushti” “Sthithi” and “Layam”. Vedas have clearly expressed this in the following verse:

“PURNAMADAHA PURNAMIDAM PURNAATH PURNAMUDACHYATHE; PURNASYA PURNAMAADAAYA PURNAMEVAAVASHISHYATHE.”

All the three “Srushit” “Sthithi” and “Layam” are the result of the three “GUNAS” known as “SATTVA”; “RAJAS” and “THAMAS” which are inherent in the very nature.Sage ‘Pushpadantha’ wrote “Siva Mahmna Stotram” wherein he defines ‘SHIVAM” as under:

“BAHALA RAJASE VISWOTHPATHOW BHAVAYA (RAJOGUNAM); PRABALA THAMASE TAT SAMHARE RUDRAAYA ( THAMOGUNAM); JANASUKHA KARE SATTWODRIKATHOW MRUDAYA (SATTVAGUNM); NISTRAIGUNYAE PRAMAHASI PADE SIVAYA ( BEYOND ALL THE THREE GUNAS AS SHIVAM).”

To be put in a nutshell, concept of “GOD” is “PARAMAATHMA” (Chaitanyam in nirguna form) and “PARAMESWARA” (prakruthi in saguna form.)

Coming to the importance of Kaarthika maasam, it has a distinct feature compared to other moths wherein both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped throughout the month, which is not so common during other months. The Lord is worshipped in the form of “KAARTHIKA DAAMODARUDU.”

All the Krishna Bhaktas pray Lord in his “DAAMODARA” form, the form in which mother “YASODA” had tied him up with a rope on his abdomen. “DAAMA” is rope and ‘UDARA’ is abdomen.

It is believed that both Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna exist together during this month. As stated above “DAAMA” is rope by which all the humans are materially got entangled like animals (Pashus) to the material world and Lord Shiva will unties such bondage being the “PATHI” (because of his parenthood) and known as “PASHUPATHI”. During this month the star by name “KARTHIKA” stays very close to the moon on” Pournami “day (full moon day.) On this day abhishekam with different fluids to Lord Shiva is performed for his killing the “Tripura Asuras” on this day, thereby relieving the world from all the sins.

Similarly, Lord Krishna also chose to perform “RAASALEELA” on this night in “VRINDAVAN” with “GOPIKAS.”

The indifference between “VISHNU” and “SHIVA” was expressed well in this episode:

Lord “RAMA” installed “SHIVA LINGAM” in the place called “RAAMESWARAM” near the sea coast. When all the “DIKPALAKAS” asked as to who was this Lord? Then ‘RAMA’ said “RAAMASYA EESWARAHA RAMESWARAHA.” When asked, Lord “SHIVA” replied “YESYA EESWARHA RAMAHA SAA RAMESWARAHA.” Thereby both of them established their unique identity with this stanza:

“VISHNUSTHATPLURUSHAM BRUTHE, BAHUVREEHIM MAHESWARAHA; UBHAYORAPI SANTHUSHTAHA SWAYAMBHOOHU KARMA DHAARAYAM.”

Let us invoke the Blessings of Lord “KAARTHIKA DAAMODARA” during this month and redeem ourselves from our material bondages.