Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
नित्यं दीपप्रदो यस्तु व्रतेऽभीष्टे सुरालये । स कांचनं तथा ताम्रं सघृतं दीपकं प्रिये ॥ ७७ ॥
nityaṃ dīpaprado yastu vrate'bhīṣṭe surālaye | sa kāṃcanaṃ tathā tāmraṃ saghṛtaṃ dīpakaṃ priye || 77 ||
பிரியே! விரும்பிய விரதத்தில் தேவாலயத்தில் தினமும் தீபதானம் செய்பவன், நெய் நிரம்பிய பொன் அல்லது செம்பு தீபத்தை அர்ப்பணித்தவனாகிறான்।
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
It elevates dīpa-dāna (offering a lamp) as a steady, vrata-linked act of merit in temple worship, emphasizing purity (ghee) and intentional devotion through regular practice.
By prescribing a simple, repeatable temple offering—lighting and gifting a ghee lamp—it frames bhakti as consistent seva (service) expressed through tangible worship during vowed observances.
Ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra) is implied: proper dāna in a sacred space (surālaya), selection of suitable materials (gold/copper), and the prescribed fuel (ghee) for a lamp-offering.