Kārttika-vrata Discipline: Purity Rules, Morning Bath Saṅkalpa, Tilaka Injunctions, and Food Prohibitions
द्विजक्रीता रसाः सर्वे जलं चाल्पसरः स्थितम् । ब्रह्मचर्यं तुर्यकाले पत्रावल्यां च भोजनम्
dvijakrītā rasāḥ sarve jalaṃ cālpasaraḥ sthitam | brahmacaryaṃ turyakāle patrāvalyāṃ ca bhojanam
सर्व रसयुक्त द्रव्ये ब्राह्मणाकडून विकत घेतलेली असावीत; पाणी अल्पसर (मर्यादित जलाशय) येथूनच घ्यावे। ब्रह्मचर्य पाळावे, दिवसाच्या चतुर्थ प्रहरात भोजन करावे आणि पानावर (पत्तळीत) भोजन करावे।
Unspecified (context-dependent instruction within Brahma-khaṇḍa narration)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cālpasaraḥ = ca + alpasaraḥ
It prescribes conduct associated with disciplined living: sourcing certain liquids via a brāhmaṇa, restricting one’s water source, observing brahmacarya (continence), eating at an appointed time (the fourth division of the day), and eating on leaf-plates.
Turya-kāla literally means “the fourth time/quarter.” In vrata-style instructions it commonly indicates a regulated time-window for eating, emphasizing restraint and routine rather than constant or indulgent eating.
The verse emphasizes self-control (in sexuality, consumption, and routine), simplicity in food practice (leaf-plates), and regulated resource-use (water), framing restraint as a form of dharmic discipline.