Shloka 54
Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
कार्तिके वर्जयेन्मांसं कार्तिके वर्जयेत्स्त्रियः । निष्पावान्कार्तिके देवि त्यंजेद्विष्णुतत्परः ॥ ५४ ॥
kārtike varjayenmāṃsaṃ kārtike varjayetstriyaḥ | niṣpāvānkārtike devi tyaṃjedviṣṇutatparaḥ || 54 ||
कार्तिक में मांस का त्याग करे; कार्तिक में स्त्री-संग (काम-भोग) का भी त्याग करे। हे देवि! कार्तिक में विष्णु-परायण भक्त निष्पाव (एक प्रकार की दाल) को भी छोड़ दे॥५४॥
Sage Nārada (instructing, within the Karttika-vrata teaching context)
Vrata: Kārttika-vrata (month observance; specific sub-vrata not named here)
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It frames Kārtika as a month of intensified vrata-discipline: compassion (no meat), self-restraint (celibacy/avoidance of sensuality), and regulated diet—done as an offering of conduct to Viṣṇu.
Bhakti is shown as practical commitment: a Viṣṇu-parāyaṇa devotee expresses devotion through regulated living in Kārtika—purifying food and senses so worship and remembrance of Viṣṇu become steadier.
Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implied through vrata-niyamas—specific do’s and don’ts for a sacred month—rather than grammar or astrology; it is a rule-based observance supporting devotional practice.