Shloka 54
Kārtika-Māhātmya
The Greatness of Kārtika
कार्तिके वर्जयेन्मांसं कार्तिके वर्जयेत्स्त्रियः । निष्पावान्कार्तिके देवि त्यंजेद्विष्णुतत्परः ॥ ५४ ॥
kārtike varjayenmāṃsaṃ kārtike varjayetstriyaḥ | niṣpāvānkārtike devi tyaṃjedviṣṇutatparaḥ || 54 ||
Trong tháng Kārtika nên kiêng thịt; trong Kārtika cũng nên kiêng dục lạc. Hỡi Nữ Thần, người sùng kính chuyên tâm nơi Viṣṇu trong Kārtika cũng nên từ bỏ niṣpāva (một loại đậu).
Sage Nārada (instructing, within the Karttika-vrata teaching context)
Vrata: Kārttika-vrata (month observance; specific sub-vrata not named here)
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
FAQs
It frames Kārtika as a month of intensified vrata-discipline: compassion (no meat), self-restraint (celibacy/avoidance of sensuality), and regulated diet—done as an offering of conduct to Viṣṇu.
Bhakti is shown as practical commitment: a Viṣṇu-parāyaṇa devotee expresses devotion through regulated living in Kārtika—purifying food and senses so worship and remembrance of Viṣṇu become steadier.
Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implied through vrata-niyamas—specific do’s and don’ts for a sacred month—rather than grammar or astrology; it is a rule-based observance supporting devotional practice.