Damodarashtakam -Kartik Prayer

Singing Damodar Ashtakam is part of Damodara Vrata, also called as Karthika Vrata, which is observed in the month of Karthika (October - November). Suta Goswami says: If anyone fasts and observes the Karthika Vrata according to the rules and regulations, the Yamadutas (the messangers of Yamaraja) run away from him. The performance of Karthika Vrata is better than performing one hundred great sacrifices as prescribed in Vedic Scriptures (Padma Purana).

You can sing the Damodara-ashtaka and offer a ghee lamp to Lord Damodara. In Padma Purana, it is mentioned: Anyone who offers a ghee lamp to Lord Damodara in the month of Karthika will be freed from all kinds of sins and he goes to the abode of Lord Hari.