Shloka 31

Devanagari script

अव्रतेन गतो येषां कार्तिको मर्त्यधर्मिणाम् । इष्टापूर्तौ वृथा तेषां धर्मो द्रुहिणसंभवे ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

avratena gato yeṣāṃ kārtiko martyadharmiṇām | iṣṭāpūrtau vṛthā teṣāṃ dharmo druhiṇasaṃbhave || 31 ||

Translation

おお、ブラフマーより生まれし者よ。誓（ヴラタ）を守らずにカールティカ月を過ごす凡夫にとって、祭祀と施しの功徳はむなしくなり、そのダルマさえ空しくなる。

Word by Word

a-vratenawithout a vow

gataḥhas passed

yeṣāmof whom

kārtikaḥKārtika (month)

martya-dharmiṇāmof mortal-natured people

iṣṭa-pūrtauin sacrifices and charitable works

vṛthāin vain

teṣāmof them

dharmaḥmerit/dharma

druhiṇa-saṃbhaveO Brahmā (Druhiṇa-born)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kārtika-vrata (implied by contrast: ‘avratena’ letting Kārtika pass without a vow)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

Brahma (Druhiṇa)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It elevates Kārttika as a decisive sacred window: if one neglects vrata-dharma in this month, even otherwise meritorious religious works (iṣṭa and pūrta) are said to lose their spiritual efficacy.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By stressing vrata-observance in Kārttika, the verse points to disciplined, time-sacralized devotion—regular vows, restraint, and worship—rather than relying only on occasional charity or ritual for spiritual progress.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implicit: the verse prioritizes proper vrata-vidhi (vow-procedure and observance) tied to sacred time (māsa), showing that merit depends on correct religious practice, not merely the external act.