Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
तैलत्यागे घृतं दद्याद्धृतत्यागे पयस्तथा । धान्यानां नियमे शालींस्तत्तद्धान्यमथापि वा ॥ ७१ ॥
tailatyāge ghṛtaṃ dadyāddhṛtatyāge payastathā | dhānyānāṃ niyame śālīṃstattaddhānyamathāpi vā || 71 ||
Lorsqu’on fait vœu de s’abstenir d’huile, qu’on donne en aumône du ghee (ghṛta) ; lorsqu’on s’abstient de ghee, qu’on donne pareillement du lait. Et lorsqu’on observe des restrictions sur les grains, qu’on offre du riz fin śāli, ou bien ce même grain selon le vœu.
Narada (teaching in a vrata/dāna context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
It links self-restraint (tyāga) with generosity (dāna), teaching that a vow is completed not only by renunciation but by offering a corresponding pure substitute for the welfare of others.
By prescribing disciplined living and charitable giving, it supports bhakti as a lived practice—purifying daily habits and dedicating one’s resources in a spirit of offering, which strengthens devotional steadiness.
Ritual application (kalpa-style vrata procedure) is emphasized: matching a dietary restriction with an appropriate dāna item (ghee, milk, rice/grain) as a practical rule for vow-observance.