Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
संभोगं दक्षिणोपेतं व्रतस्य परिपूर्तये । प्रातः स्नाने हयं दद्यान्निःस्नेहे घृतसक्तुकान् ॥ ७४ ॥
saṃbhogaṃ dakṣiṇopetaṃ vratasya paripūrtaye | prātaḥ snāne hayaṃ dadyānniḥsnehe ghṛtasaktukān || 74 ||
Pour l’accomplissement parfait du vœu, qu’on accomplisse le rite de clôture avec la dakṣiṇā prescrite (rétribution sacrée). Au bain du matin, qu’on donne un cheval ; et pour celui qui a observé le vœu sans huile, qu’on offre du saktu (farine de grains grillés) mêlé de ghee (ghṛta).
Narada (teaching in the Uttara-bhaga context of vrata and tirtha-linked ritual duties)
Vrata: none (general vrata completion)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
It teaches that a vow is spiritually “complete” only when it is properly concluded—by finishing rites and generosity (dakṣiṇā and dāna), transforming personal austerity into dharmic giving.
By emphasizing sincere completion and charitable offering, it frames devotion as disciplined practice plus selfless giving—actions traditionally offered to the Divine and to dharma through service to priests and the needy.
It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure): how a vrata is concluded (paripūrti), the role of dakṣiṇā, and timing tied to daily rites like the prātaḥ-snān (morning bath).