The execution of devotional service during Urja-vrata in the month of Kartika is especially recommended to be performed at Mathura. This system is still followed by many devotees. They go to Mathura or Vrindavana and stay there during the month of Kartika specifically to perform devotional services during this period.

In the Padma Purana it is said, ‘The Lord may offer liberation or material happiness to a devotee, but after some devotional service has been executed, particularly in Mathura during the month of Kartika, the devotees want only to attain pure devotional service unto the Lord.’

The purport is that the Lord does not award devotional service to ordinary persons who are not serious about it. But even such unserious persons who execute devotional service according to the regulative principles during the month of Kartika, and within the jurisdiction of Mathura in India, are very easily awarded the Lord’s personal service. (Nectar of Devotion, Chap. 12) 

Throughout Kartika this year (October / November 2006), Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja gave his morning and evening classes in Hindi (and Sripad Damodara Maharaja intermittedly translated his words to English). On a rare day he spoke in English. The following is a transcription from one of these rare times.]

Those who have attended this Parikrama should think about why they have come. We have come here to earn Bhakti, especially Suddha-bhakti (pure devotion), and more especially Vraja-bhakti – the very highest attainment. We have come to the best place in the world – Vraja. In Vraja, superior to Gokula is Nandagaon and Varsana, more superior is Vrndavana, more superior is Govardhana and most superior is Radha-kunda. You have come here, so we should not have any desire other than vraja-bhakti and radha-dasyam (service to Srimati Radhika). If anyone comes and has other desires, they are very unlucky. I have not invited them for this.

Always remember that I have invited you to receive bhakti from Vraja Mandala Parikrama – or Navadvipa Parikrama.

I have not invited you for a marriage party. This is not a gathering where ladies discover their husbands and boys search for wives. Where is bhakti in that case?

My request is that you stop all these things. Try to make your heart empty and ready for what we are giving; desire only krsna-bhakti and pray, "Oh Giriraja Govardhana, oh Radha-Kunda, oh Varsana-Nandagaon, oh Hari-katha, oh Vaisnavas – please give me bhakti."

I can only request, but what can I do if you do not want these attainments? Try to remember my request to not do these material things here. You can do this when you return to your countries. Actually, even when you return to your countries you should know that the aim and object of your life is not marriage. You have married in so many species of life. This will not give you happiness. Only krsna-bhakti will give happiness – nothing else. So, try to give up all these material things to attain bhakti.