कार्त्तिक्यां तु विशेषेण कथितं शङ्करेण तु । तच्छृणुष्व नृपश्रेष्ठ सर्वपापापनोदनम्
kārttikyāṃ tu viśeṣeṇa kathitaṃ śaṅkareṇa tu | tacchṛṇuṣva nṛpaśreṣṭha sarvapāpāpanodanam
Ceci a été enseigné avec une insistance particulière pour le mois de Kārttikī par Śaṅkara Lui-même. Écoute donc, ô meilleur des rois, ce qui ôte tous les péchés.
Śiva (Śaṅkara)
Tirtha: Loṭaṇeśvara (Revā Khaṇḍa observance)
Type: kshetra
Listener: A king (nṛpaśreṣṭha)
Scene: Śaṅkara (as the divine teacher) is envisioned imparting instruction; a royal listener sits respectfully; behind them, the river and shrine indicate the setting, emphasizing Kārttika’s sanctity.
Kārttikī is presented as a uniquely powerful time for dharmic observance taught by Śiva, capable of destroying accumulated sin.
The broader context is Revā Khaṇḍa (Narmadā region); the immediate verse introduces Kārttikī-related instruction that culminates in local tīrtha practice.
A general injunction to hear and follow Śiva’s Kārttikī-specific observance; details follow in subsequent verses.