Shloka 71
The Tale of the Five Pretas and the Glory of Puṣkara & the Eastern Sarasvatī
प्राजापत्यं यदा ऋक्षं तिथौ तस्यां नराधिप । सा महाकार्तिकी प्रोक्ता देवानामपि दुर्लभा
prājāpatyaṃ yadā ṛkṣaṃ tithau tasyāṃ narādhipa | sā mahākārtikī proktā devānāmapi durlabhā
أيها الملك، إذا اقترن النكشتر المسمّى «براجابَتيا» بذلك التيثي، سُمّيت تلك المناسبة «الكارتيكي العظمى»، وهي نادرة حتى على الآلهة.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (narādhipa) in a dialogue context
Concept: Rare conjunctions of nakṣatra and tithi create extraordinary spiritual opportunity (Mahā-Kārtikī).
Application: When rare auspicious days arise, prioritize worship, charity, japa, and restraint; treat them as spiritual ‘appointments’ that can reset one’s trajectory.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a royal court, a sage addresses a crowned king, pointing to a celestial chart where the Prājāpatya nakṣatra aligns with the sacred tithi. Above them, the sky opens in a vision: devas gaze down in wonder at the rare Mahā-Kārtikī, while lamps and lotus garlands adorn the palace-pillars.","primary_figures":["a sage/ācārya","a king (narādhipa)","celestial devas (visionary)"],"setting":"royal sabhā with pillars and hanging lamps; a visionary sky tableau showing the rare conjunction","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["royal blue","antique gold","ivory white","crimson","lapis indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: opulent royal court with the king seated on a jeweled throne; a sage stands with palm-leaf almanac; above, a gold-leaf celestial arc with devas and star symbols marking Prājāpatya; heavy gold embellishment on throne, crowns, and lamps; rich reds/greens, ornate borders with conch-chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court scene with delicate architecture; the sage instructs the king; a translucent upper register shows devas in the sky; cool yet regal palette, fine textile patterns, subtle star cluster depiction, lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical sabhā with bold outlines; king and sage in iconic poses; upper band with stylized devas and nakṣatra symbols; strong reds, yellows, greens with black contouring; temple-wall aesthetic despite court setting.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Mahā-Kārtikī celebration motif—rows of lamps, lotus borders, celestial band of devas; central vignette of sage teaching the king; deep blue ground with gold highlights; intricate floral and diya patterns throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["court ambience hush","temple bells in distance","conch shell accent","soft drone (tanpura)","wind chimes"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवानामपि = देवानाम् + अपि
FAQs
It highlights an exceptionally auspicious calendrical conjunction: when the Prājāpatya nakṣatra aligns with a particular tithi, it is revered as Mahā-Kārtikī, a rare spiritual opportunity.
It emphasizes the extraordinary merit and spiritual potency of the time—suggesting that such an auspicious occasion is uncommon and highly prized, even in heavenly realms.
It provides a scriptural basis for identifying a high-merit day in Kārtika by using nakṣatra–tithi alignment, encouraging intensified observances (vrata, dāna, pūjā) when this conjunction occurs.