Shloka 14

Kārtika Vrata, Bhīṣma-pañcaka, and Ekādaśī Timing

Tithi & Pāraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

चतुर्दशीं प्रतिपदं पूर्वमिश्रामुपावसेत् / पौर्णमास्या ममावास्यां प्रतिपन्मिश्रितां मुने

Transliteration

caturdaśīṃ pratipadaṃ pūrvamiśrāmupāvaset / paurṇamāsyā mamāvāsyāṃ pratipanmiśritāṃ mune

Translation

噢牟尼，当第十四日（Caturdaśī）与初一（Pratipadā）与前一日相连时，应行斋戒；同样，满月日（Paurṇamāsī）与新月日（Amāvāsyā）若与初一相连，亦当持斋，噢圣者。

Word by Word

• चतुर्दशीम्: Caturdaśī (14th tithi)
• चतुर्दशीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; तिथिवाचक

• प्रतिपदम्: Pratipadā (1st tithi)
• प्रतिपदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिपद्/प्रतिपदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (प्रतिपदा), द्वितीया, एकवचन; तिथिवाचक

• पूर्वमिश्राम्: mixed with the previous (tithi)
• पूर्वमिश्राम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + मिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (पूर्वा च सा मिश्रिता)

• उपावसेत्: should fast
• उपावसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + वस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपद, तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; उपवासं कुर्यात् इत्यर्थः

• पौर्णमास्याम्: on Paurṇamāsī (full moon)
• पौर्णमास्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौर्णमासी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तिथिवाचक (on full-moon day)

• अमावास्याम्: on Amāvāsyā (new moon)
• अमावास्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमावास्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तिथिवाचक (on new-moon day)

• प्रतिपत्-मिश्रिताम्: mixed with Pratipadā
• प्रतिपत्-मिश्रिताम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतिपत्/प्रतिपदा (प्रातिपदिक) + मिश्रित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रतिपदा-मिश्रिता); मिश्रित = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (mixed)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th case), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra; addressing a sage in this verse as 'mune')

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Fasting is prescribed on specific tithis when joined with adjacent days (pūrva-miśra / pratipad-miśra), emphasizing precision in kāla-dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline of time as a form of tapas; ordered living supports inner clarity and devotion.

Application: Use accurate lunar calendar guidance to observe fasts on Chaturdaśī/Pratipad and on Pūrṇimā/Amāvāsyā when conjoined with Pratipad; keep the observance simple, pure, and consistent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual time (tithi conjunctions)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata-kalpa and tithi-miśra rules for upavāsa; Garuda Purana: broader achara sections on kāla (time) and niyama

FAQs

What is the importance of fasting on mixed (miśra) tithis in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that the merit of a vrata depends on correct tithi timing; when a tithi is joined with another (sandhi/miśra), the fast is prescribed according to that junction.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that dharmic observances (like properly timed fasts) purify karma, which in turn affects one’s post-death condition and journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When observing Purnima/Amavasya or vrata days, consult a reliable pañcāṅga and follow the rule of tithi overlap (miśra) rather than fasting by civil date alone.