Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
विशेषात्पुष्करे तीर्थे द्वारावत्यां च शौकरे । मासोऽयं भक्तिदः प्रोक्तो व्रतदानार्चनादिभिः ॥ ४८ ॥
viśeṣātpuṣkare tīrthe dvārāvatyāṃ ca śaukare | māso'yaṃ bhaktidaḥ prokto vratadānārcanādibhiḥ || 48 ||
Ang buwang ito ay ipinahayag na tagapagkaloob ng bhakti—lalo na sa banal na tawiran ng Puṣkara, sa Dvāravatī, at sa sagradong pook na Śaukara (kaugnay ni Varāha)—sa pamamagitan ng mga panata, pagkakaloob ng limos, pagsamba, at iba pa.
Suta (narrating Narada Purana teachings; within the section attributed to Narada’s tirtha-mahatmya discourse)
Vrata: Kārttika-māsa observance (implied)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
It teaches that a particular sacred month becomes a direct means to awaken bhakti, especially when supported by tīrtha-sevā (pilgrimage) and dharmic acts like vrata, dāna, and arcana.
Bhakti is presented as something that can be nourished through disciplined observances (vrata), selfless giving (dāna), and heartfelt worship (arcana), intensified by performing them at renowned tīrthas like Puṣkara and Dvāravatī.
The verse reflects Kalpa-style ritual application—how to structure religious practice through vows, worship procedures, and charity—rather than technical grammar or astrology.