Shloka 54

Kārtika-Māhātmya

The Greatness of Kārtika

Devanagari script

कार्तिके वर्जयेन्मांसं कार्तिके वर्जयेत्स्त्रियः । निष्पावान्कार्तिके देवि त्यंजेद्विष्णुतत्परः ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

kārtike varjayenmāṃsaṃ kārtike varjayetstriyaḥ | niṣpāvānkārtike devi tyaṃjedviṣṇutatparaḥ || 54 ||

Translation

കാർത്തികയിൽ മാംസം ഒഴിവാക്കണം; കാർത്തികയിൽ സ്ത്രീസംഗം (കാമഭോഗം)യും ഒഴിവാക്കണം. ഹേ ദേവി! കാർത്തികയിൽ വിഷ്ണുപരായണനായ ഭക്തൻ നിഷ്പാവം (ഒരു തരത്തിലുള്ള പയർ)യും ഉപേക്ഷിക്കണം॥54॥

Word by Word

• kārtike: in Kārtika
• kārtike: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (मासे)

• varjayet: should avoid
• varjayet: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛj (धातु; वर्जयति)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• māṃsam: meat
• māṃsam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māṃsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• kārtike: in Kārtika
• kārtike: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (मासे)

• varjayet: should avoid
• varjayet: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛj (धातु; वर्जयति)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• striyaḥ: women
• striyaḥ: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• niṣpāvān: one who eats niṣpāva (a kind of bean)
• niṣpāvān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niṣpāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (नीष्पावान् = niṣpāva-eater/one associated with niṣpāva; form as given in text)

• kārtike: in Kārtika
• kārtike: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (मासे)

• devi: O Goddess/Lady
• devi: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• tyajet: should abandon
• tyajet: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tyaj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• viṣṇu-tatparaḥ: devoted to Viṣṇu
• viṣṇu-tatparaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (कर्ता-विशेषण)

Speaker

Sage Nārada (instructing, within the Karttika-vrata teaching context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kārttika-vrata (month observance; specific sub-vrata not named here)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

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.

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

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.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

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.