Shloka 34
Kārttika-vrata Discipline: Purity Rules, Morning Bath Saṅkalpa, Tilaka Injunctions, and Food Prohibitions
क्व गच्छामि क्व तिष्ठामि कार्त्तिकव्रतिनो भयात् । पौर्णमास्यां यथाशक्ति चान्नवस्त्रादिकं द्विज
kva gacchāmi kva tiṣṭhāmi kārttikavratino bhayāt | paurṇamāsyāṃ yathāśakti cānnavastrādikaṃ dvija
‘கார்த்திக விரதிகளின் பயத்தால் நான் எங்கே போவேன், எங்கே தங்குவேன்?’ ஓ த்விஜா, பௌர்ணமி நாளில் இயன்ற அளவு அன்னம், வஸ்திரம் முதலியவற்றை தானம் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Unspecified (contextual speaker not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Kārttika-vrata generates such spiritual potency that negativity ‘fears’ it; on Pūrṇimā one should give dāna—food, clothing, etc.—according to capacity.
Application: During sacred months/days, add a concrete act of generosity (anna/vastra-dāna) within your means; let ‘yathāśakti’ prevent both miserliness and showy excess.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A shadowy personification of sin/inauspiciousness looks for refuge but recoils as a radiant Kārttika-vratin approaches, carrying a lamp and tulasī leaves. Nearby, on a full-moon night, devotees distribute food and folded cloth to brāhmaṇas, the moonlight turning the courtyard into a silver sanctum.","primary_figures":["Kārttika-vratin (devotee)","Brāhmaṇas receiving dāna","Personified pāpa/kalmaṣa (symbolic)","Śrī Hari (icon in background)"],"setting":"Village temple courtyard or riverside ghat under Pūrṇimā moon; dāna pavilion with baskets of grain and neatly folded garments.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver white","midnight blue","lamp-flame amber","saffron","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: full-moon Kārttika scene with Vishnu shrine in the center, gold leaf moon and haloed lamps; a devotee offering vastra and anna to seated brāhmaṇas; ornate pillars, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders; a small dark demon-like pāpa figure shrinking at the edge, gem-studded ornaments and traditional motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: cool moonlit courtyard with delicate figures; the vratin in simple saffron shawl, brāhmaṇas in white; silver moon reflected in a nearby water tank; lyrical trees and distant hills, fine linework, gentle expressions, subtle symbolic shadow fleeing into the night.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized full moon, bold outlines; devotees in rhythmic arrangement giving dāna; Vishnu icon behind with large eyes; curling dark form of fear at the margin; warm lamp yellows against deep blues, temple-wall composition with patterned borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Pūrṇimā night with rows of lamps and lotus borders; central Vishnu/Keśava shrine; devotees offering heaps of grain and bright cloth bundles; peacocks perched on arches, intricate floral frames, deep indigo ground with gold and white moon motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["night insects","soft drum (mridanga) in distance","temple bells","rustle of cloth","low conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चान्नवस्त्रादिकं = च + अन्नवस्त्रादिकम्
FAQs
It recommends giving charity—food, clothing, and related gifts—according to one’s capacity (yathāśakti) on the full-moon day.
It frames giving as proportional to one’s means, emphasizing sincerity and ability rather than hardship or display.
It rhetorically underscores the perceived spiritual seriousness and merit of Kārttika observances—implying that one should be careful to honor such devotees and the duties associated with the month.