Page 131 - SBV (English)

Glossary 505

Karatälas—small hand cymbals played in accompaniment to kértana.
Karma—(1) action; (2) fruitive activity performed in accordance to karma-käëòa
injunctions; (3) the principle governing material action and reaction; (4)
reactions to previously performed activities; destiny.
Karma-käëòa—(1) the path of fruitive activities, particularly sacrificial rites, for
achieving resultant sense gratification; (2) the portion of Vedic literature
that recommends performance of such activities.
Karma-käëòéya—pertaining to karma-käëòa.
Karmé, Karma-käëòé—a follower of karma-käëòa, engaged in materialistic work
and having little or no spiritual inclination.
Kärñëa—(1) a devotee of Kåñëa; (2) a member of Kåñëa’s family.
Kärtika—the sacred month (mid-October to mid-November) of Dämodara, the
final and most important month of Cätur-mäsya, during which Vaiñëavas
traditionally reside in a holy place, especially Mathurä-Våndävana, and
perform extra austerities and spiritual practices.
Kärtika-vrata—special vows followed during Kärtika. Also known as Ürja-vrata
or Dämodara-vrata.
Kathä—talk, discourse, story, topic, words, message. See also Hari-kathä; Kåñëa-
kathä.

Kätyäyané—a name of Durgä (q.v.).
Kaupéna—loincloth. In Gauòéya Vaiñëavism, a sanctified kaupéna is a symbol of
renunciation awarded to men entering bäbäjé life.

Käyastha—a subcaste. *
Khol—See Mådaìga.
Kértana—(1) chanting of the names and glories of the Supreme Lord; (2) a sung
litany; (3) a specific song of glorification. See also Bhajana; Saìkértana.

Kértanéyä—a performer of sung kértana, especially a lead singer.
Krishnanagar—a town near Mäyäpur.
* Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura and Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté superficially belonged
to this subcaste. His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda wrote: “The
käyastha class of Bengal is regarded all over India as çüdras. It is said that the Bengali
käyasthas were originally engaged as servants of brähmaëas who came from North India
to Bengal. Later, the clerical class became the käyasthas in Bengal. Now there are many
mixed classes known as käyasthas. Sometimes it is said in Bengal that those who cannot
claim any particular class belong to the käyastha class. Although these käyasthas are
considered çüdras, they are very intelligent and highly educated. Most of them are
professionals, such as lawyers or politicians.” (Cc 2.7.63, purport)