Kārtika Vrata, Bhīṣma-pañcaka, and Ekādaśī Timing
Tithi & Pāraṇa Rules
दशम्येकादशी यत्र तत्रस्थाश्चासुरादयः / द्वादश्यां पारण कुर्यात्सूतके मृतके चरेत्
daśamyekādaśī yatra tatrasthāścāsurādayaḥ / dvādaśyāṃ pāraṇa kuryātsūtake mṛtake caret
Di mana tithi kesepuluh dan kesebelas berlaku, di situ dikatakan para Asura dan seumpamanya hadir. Oleh itu hendaklah dilakukan pāraṇa (membuka puasa) pada Dvādaśī, walaupun berada dalam tempoh ketidak-sucian kerana kelahiran (sūtaka) atau kematian (mṛtaka).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Timing: During sūtaka (birth-impurity) or mṛtaka (death-impurity) periods, pāraṇa on Dvādaśī is still to be done as stated.
Concept: Tithi discernment matters: avoid pāraṇa at the Daśamī–Ekādaśī overlap; pāraṇa is prescribed on Dvādaśī, and the rule is upheld even during sūtaka/mṛtaka.
Vedantic Theme: Primacy of dharma-niyama in sustaining sattva and devotion; external impurity does not nullify time-bound duty when scripture mandates it.
Application: Consult reliable tithi calculation; break the fast on Dvādaśī as prescribed; in exceptional impurity periods, follow the stated allowance while maintaining inner purity and minimal necessary rites.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual-legal context (tithi junction)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata-nirnaya passages on Ekadashi pāraṇa timing; Garuda Purana: discussions of sūtaka/mṛtaka and exceptions for obligatory duties
This verse emphasizes that the proper completion of the Ekādaśī observance is pāraṇa on Dvādaśī, treated as the correct and safe time for concluding the vrata.
It links the presence of inauspicious influences with Daśamī–Ekādaśī overlap and directs practitioners to complete the observance by breaking the fast on Dvādaśī, highlighting tithi-based discipline.
If you observe Ekādaśī, prioritize correct pāraṇa timing on Dvādaśī; when unsure due to family circumstances or impurity periods, follow traditional guidance and local authoritative panchāṅga/ācārya advice.