Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 89
अव्रतः कार्तिको येषां गतो मूढधियामिह । तेषां पुण्यस्य लेशोपि न भवेत्सूकरात्मनाम्
avrataḥ kārtiko yeṣāṃ gato mūḍhadhiyāmiha | teṣāṃ puṇyasya leśopi na bhavetsūkarātmanām
For the dull-minded who let Kārtika pass without any vow, not even a particle of merit arises; such people are spoken of as swine-souled.
Skanda
Tirtha: Kārtika observance in Kāśī (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A split scene: on one side, illuminated ghats with devotees performing Kārtika rites; on the other, a person sleeping in darkness as Kārtika moon passes—shadowy boar imagery symbolizes tamas and missed merit.
FAQs
Kārtika is a rare spiritual opportunity; neglecting it entirely is portrayed as a grave loss of merit and discernment.
While Kāśīkhaṇḍa frames the discourse in Kāśī, this verse chiefly glorifies the sacred time—Kārtika month.
Do not let Kārtika pass without undertaking some form of vrata (religious observance).