Discussions specifically related with the various aspects of practice of bhakti-sadhana in Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Niyam Seva - Today starts Niyam Seva
Radhapada - Wed, 16 Oct 2002 15:05:27 +0530
Within the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition the ekadashi preceding the Purnima which marks the beginning of the month of Kartika is the beginning of niyam seva. Gaudiya Vaisnavas take up vows and restrictions in order to satisify Sri Radha-Damodara in this most auspicious month. It ends on the last ekadashi in the month of Kartik.
Radhapada - Fri, 18 Oct 2002 15:19:43 +0530
kartika vratasya ca tapo'msena nitittatvam sravana kirtanady amsena upadanatvam api. sri rupa gosvami carananam asakrd uktau kartika devateti kartika deviyurjjadevitti urjjesvaritti sravanad visesatah sri vrndavanesvari prapakatvam avagamyate.
The vow in the month of Kartika (Oct.-Nov.) is an indirect cause for the limb of 'penance' and a direct cause for the limb of hearing and chanting. In many different places, Srila Rupa Goswami has called Vrndavanesvari Radha 'Kartika-devata', 'Urjjadevi', or 'Urjjesvari', the goddess of the month of Kartika, so it is clear that in the month of Kartika one has special opportunity to attain Her. (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, Raga Vartma Candrika)