Shloka 32
Kārttika-vrata Discipline: Purity Rules, Morning Bath Saṅkalpa, Tilaka Injunctions, and Food Prohibitions
दृष्ट्वा तु विलयं याति कार्तिकव्रतिनं क्षणात् । कार्त्तिकव्रतिनः पुण्यं ब्रह्मा चैव चतुर्मुखः
dṛṣṭvā tu vilayaṃ yāti kārtikavratinaṃ kṣaṇāt | kārttikavratinaḥ puṇyaṃ brahmā caiva caturmukhaḥ
कार्तिकव्रतिनं दृष्ट्वैव क्षणात् पापं विलयं याति। कार्तिकव्रतिनः पुण्यं चतुर्मुखो ब्रह्मा अपि जानाति।
Unspecified (narrative voice within the chapter; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context for Brahma-khaṇḍa sections)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव
FAQs
It extols the extraordinary sanctifying power of Kārtika observance, stating that even seeing a person who keeps the Kārtika vow can destroy sins immediately, and that Brahmā himself affirms its great merit.
‘Caturmukha’ means “four-faced” and refers to Brahmā, the creator-deity, who is traditionally depicted with four faces.
It encourages reverence for sincere religious discipline and devotion, portraying vowed practice (vrata) as spiritually transformative and socially uplifting—so much so that contact with the practitioner is described as purifying.