Shloka 5

Kārtika-Māhātmya

The Greatness of Kārtika

Devanagari script

कृतस्य स्पर्द्धिनि युगे त्रेतान्ते द्वापरे युगे । व्यतीते जलदापाये निर्मले चांबरे गृहे ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtasya sparddhini yuge tretānte dvāpare yuge | vyatīte jaladāpāye nirmale cāṃbare gṛhe || 5 ||

Translation

स्पर्धायुक्त कृतयुगात, त्रेतायुगाच्या शेवटी आणि द्वापरयुगातही—पावसाळा सरून गेल्यावर, मेघ निवळल्यावर आणि घरावरचे आकाश निर्मळ झाल्यावर—हा विधी/आचार केला जाई।

Word by Word

• कृतस्य: of the Kṛta (age)
• कृतस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• स्पर्द्धिनि: in the rivalrous/competitive (time)
• स्पर्द्धिनि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्पर्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• युगे: in the age
• युगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• त्रेता-अन्ते: at the end of the Tretā (age)
• त्रेता-अन्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रेता (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): ‘त्रेतायाः अन्तः’

• द्वापरे: in the Dvāpara (age)
• द्वापरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वापर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• युगे: in the age
• युगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• व्यतीते: when (it was) passed/elapsed
• व्यतीते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + अति + इ (धातु) → व्यतीत (कृदन्त/क्त)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• जलद-अपाये: at the clearing away of clouds
• जलद-अपाये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलद (प्रातिपदिक) + अपाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘जलदानाम् अपायः’ (disappearance of clouds)

• निर्मले: in the clear (state)
• निर्मले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अम्बरे: in the sky
• अम्बरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• गृहे: in the house/home
• गृहे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana dialogue; verse is contextual/time-setting within the Mahatmya narration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a kāla-nirdeśa (time-indicator), stressing that sacred acts are strengthened when performed in a purified season—after the rains—when the environment is clear and conducive to sattva.

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

Indirectly, it frames bhakti-practices as disciplined observances: devotion is not only emotion but also orderly worship aligned with proper time (kāla), which supports steadiness and purity in worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Jyotiṣa/Vedic calendrical practice (kāla-nirṇaya): choosing an auspicious season (post-monsoon clarity) for rites, vratas, or tirtha-related observances mentioned in the surrounding Mahatmya.