Shloka 31
Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
अव्रतेन गतो येषां कार्तिको मर्त्यधर्मिणाम् । इष्टापूर्तौ वृथा तेषां धर्मो द्रुहिणसंभवे ॥ ३१ ॥
avratena gato yeṣāṃ kārtiko martyadharmiṇām | iṣṭāpūrtau vṛthā teṣāṃ dharmo druhiṇasaṃbhave || 31 ||
Wahai yang lahir daripada Brahmā, bagi para insan fana yang membiarkan bulan Kārtika berlalu tanpa sebarang vrata, segala yajña dan kebajikan awam mereka menjadi sia-sia; dharma mereka sendiri pun menjadi hampa.
Narada
Vrata: Kārtika-vrata (implied by contrast: ‘avratena’ letting Kārtika pass without a vow)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates Kārttika as a decisive sacred window: if one neglects vrata-dharma in this month, even otherwise meritorious religious works (iṣṭa and pūrta) are said to lose their spiritual efficacy.
By stressing vrata-observance in Kārttika, the verse points to disciplined, time-sacralized devotion—regular vows, restraint, and worship—rather than relying only on occasional charity or ritual for spiritual progress.
Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implicit: the verse prioritizes proper vrata-vidhi (vow-procedure and observance) tied to sacred time (māsa), showing that merit depends on correct religious practice, not merely the external act.