Shloka 71
The Tale of the Five Pretas and the Glory of Puṣkara & the Eastern Sarasvatī
प्राजापत्यं यदा ऋक्षं तिथौ तस्यां नराधिप । सा महाकार्तिकी प्रोक्ता देवानामपि दुर्लभा
prājāpatyaṃ yadā ṛkṣaṃ tithau tasyāṃ narādhipa | sā mahākārtikī proktā devānāmapi durlabhā
Tâu bậc quân vương, khi tú mang tên Prājāpatya trùng hợp với tithi ấy, thì đó được gọi là Đại Kārtikī—hiếm có ngay cả đối với chư thiên.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (narādhipa) in a dialogue context
Concept: Rare conjunctions of nakṣatra and tithi create extraordinary spiritual opportunity (Mahā-Kārtikī).
Application: When rare auspicious days arise, prioritize worship, charity, japa, and restraint; treat them as spiritual ‘appointments’ that can reset one’s trajectory.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a royal court, a sage addresses a crowned king, pointing to a celestial chart where the Prājāpatya nakṣatra aligns with the sacred tithi. Above them, the sky opens in a vision: devas gaze down in wonder at the rare Mahā-Kārtikī, while lamps and lotus garlands adorn the palace-pillars.","primary_figures":["a sage/ācārya","a king (narādhipa)","celestial devas (visionary)"],"setting":"royal sabhā with pillars and hanging lamps; a visionary sky tableau showing the rare conjunction","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["royal blue","antique gold","ivory white","crimson","lapis indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: opulent royal court with the king seated on a jeweled throne; a sage stands with palm-leaf almanac; above, a gold-leaf celestial arc with devas and star symbols marking Prājāpatya; heavy gold embellishment on throne, crowns, and lamps; rich reds/greens, ornate borders with conch-chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court scene with delicate architecture; the sage instructs the king; a translucent upper register shows devas in the sky; cool yet regal palette, fine textile patterns, subtle star cluster depiction, lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical sabhā with bold outlines; king and sage in iconic poses; upper band with stylized devas and nakṣatra symbols; strong reds, yellows, greens with black contouring; temple-wall aesthetic despite court setting.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Mahā-Kārtikī celebration motif—rows of lamps, lotus borders, celestial band of devas; central vignette of sage teaching the king; deep blue ground with gold highlights; intricate floral and diya patterns throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["court ambience hush","temple bells in distance","conch shell accent","soft drone (tanpura)","wind chimes"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवानामपि = देवानाम् + अपि
FAQs
It highlights an exceptionally auspicious calendrical conjunction: when the Prājāpatya nakṣatra aligns with a particular tithi, it is revered as Mahā-Kārtikī, a rare spiritual opportunity.
It emphasizes the extraordinary merit and spiritual potency of the time—suggesting that such an auspicious occasion is uncommon and highly prized, even in heavenly realms.
It provides a scriptural basis for identifying a high-merit day in Kārtika by using nakṣatra–tithi alignment, encouraging intensified observances (vrata, dāna, pūjā) when this conjunction occurs.