Damodar Lila

According to Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Lord Krishna enacted the Damodara-lila on the day of Diwali. It is described in the 10th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Krishna angered mother Yashoda, by breaking a pot of butter and running away when he saw Mother Yashoda was furious and chasing him. After great struggle, Mother Yashoda caught little Krishna and tried to bind him with rope to a grinding mortar. Surprisingly, she found the rope she was using was two inches too short. Although she added more rope, every time she tried to bind Krishna she found the rope was short by exactly two inches. Finally, Krishna, appreciating his mother’s hard endeavor, agreed to be bound. He is called Damodara, “one whose udara (belly) is bound by dama (ropes).”

Mother Yaśodā chased Him to all corners, trying to capture the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never approached even by the meditations of great yogis. In other words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is never caught by the yogīs and speculators, was playing just like a little child for such a great devotee as Mother Yaśodā.” – Krishna Book Chapter 9 Significance of two inches short

1. One inch - Our own sincere endeavor to please and serve Krishna

2. Second inch - Very important, Krishna's mercy and grace without which our hard work has no meaning

Glories of Kartik month

Srimati Radhika is the presiding deity of the holy month of Kartik. Rupa Goswami and others refer to Radharani as Karttika Devi; in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the Kartik Vrata.

1. Kartik month is considered to be the holiest and the most favorable month for one to advance on the path of bhakti.

2. Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers, and the most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya.

3. The month with the most festivals such as Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Disappearance Day Festival of Srila Prabhupada, Gopastami, Tulsi Vivah, and also the month where Lord Krishna enacted many of his sweet childhood pastimes.

4. By hearing Krishna's pastimes we can make rapid progress in the path of bhakti, these pastimes contain many lessons that are relevant and essential for our spiritual well-being and growth.

5. Even unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Karttika are very easily awarded the Lord’s personal service.

6. A person who offers a lamp to Lord Damodara during Kartika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.

In this month of Kartik, one should daily worship Lord Radha Damodar, remember his childhood pastimes and sing the Damodarastakam daily by offering a ghee lamp and also listen and sing Gopi Geet