Shloka 17
Kārttika-vrata Discipline: Purity Rules, Morning Bath Saṅkalpa, Tilaka Injunctions, and Food Prohibitions
सर्वदा वर्जयेद्विप्र कार्त्तिके च विशेषतः । सौवीरकं तथा माषानामिषं च तथा मधु
sarvadā varjayedvipra kārttike ca viśeṣataḥ | sauvīrakaṃ tathā māṣānāmiṣaṃ ca tathā madhu
ឱ ព្រាហ្មណ៍! គួរតែជៀសវាងជានិច្ច—ជាពិសេសក្នុងខែការត្តិក—សៅវីរៈក (ភេសជ្ជៈកកើត), មាសៈ (សណ្តែកខ្មៅ), សាច់ និងទឹកឃ្មុំ។
Unspecified narrator/instructor addressing a brāhmaṇa (vipra) within Brahma-khaṇḍa context
Primary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्जयेद्विप्र → वर्जयेत् विप्र; माषानामिषं → माषान् आमिषम् (न् + आ → ना संधि)।
FAQs
It prescribes dietary restraint in Kārttika, emphasizing avoidance of fermented liquor (sauvīraka), black gram (māṣa), meat, and honey as part of vrata-like discipline.
Kārttika is traditionally treated in Purāṇic literature as a particularly sacred month for intensified self-control, purity, and devotional observances; hence restrictions are stressed more strongly.
The verse teaches self-regulation and purity through mindful consumption—using food discipline as a practical expression of dharma and spiritual focus.