The Rules of Purification and Worship in Kartika

Verse 1 (padma.6.92.1)

पृथुरुवाच । महाफलं त्वया प्रोक्तं मुने कार्त्तिकमाघयोः । तयोः स्नानविधिं सम्यङ्नियमानपि नारद । उद्यापनविधिं चैवं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

pṛthuruvāca mahāphalaṁ tvayā proktaṁ mune kārttikamāghayoḥ tayoḥ snānavidhiṁ samyaṅniyamānapi nārada udyāpanavidhiṁ caivaṁ yathāvadvaktumarhasi

Prithu said: O sage, you have told of the great fruit of Kartika and Magha. O Narada, please also fittingly tell the rite of bathing, the observances, and the concluding rite for both.

Verse 2 (padma.6.92.2)

नारद उवाच । त्वं विष्णोरंशसंजातो नाज्ञातं विद्यते तव । तथापि वदतः सम्यङ्माहात्म्यं शृणु वेनज

nārada uvāca tvaṁ viṣṇoraṁśasaṁjāto nājñātaṁ vidyate tava tathāpi vadataḥ samyaṅmāhātmyaṁ śṛṇu venaja

Narada said: O son of Vena, you are born of a portion of Vishnu; nothing is unknown to you. Yet, as I speak, listen well to this glory.

Verse 3 (padma.6.92.3)

आश्विनस्य तु मासस्य या शुक्लैकादशी भवेत् । कार्तिकव्रतनियमं तस्यां कुर्यादतंद्रितः

āśvinasya tu māsasya yā śuklaikādaśī bhavet kārtikavrataniyamaṁ tasyāṁ kuryādataṁdritaḥ

On the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashvina, one should, without laziness, begin the observance of the Kartika vow.

Verse 4 (padma.6.92.4)

रात्र्यां तुर्यांशशेषायां मुदो तिष्ठत्सदा व्रती । नैरृत्यां संव्रजेद्वासाद्बहिः सोदकभाजनः

rātryāṁ turyāṁśaśeṣāyāṁ mudo tiṣṭhatsadā vratī nairṛtyāṁ saṁvrajedvāsādbahiḥ sodakabhājanaḥ

When the last quarter of the night remains, the vow-keeper should ever rise cheerfully. Taking a vessel of water, he should go out from the house in the southwest direction.

Verse 5 (padma.6.92.5)

दिवासंध्या सुकर्णस्थ ब्रह्मसूत्र उदङ्मुखः । अंतर्धाय तृणं भूमौ शिरः प्रावृत्य वाससा

divāsaṁdhyā sukarṇastha brahmasūtra udaṅmukhaḥ aṁtardhāya tṛṇaṁ bhūmau śiraḥ prāvṛtya vāsasā

During the day, at twilight, having placed the sacred thread properly over the ear, facing north, having spread grass upon the ground, and covering the head with cloth —

Verse 6 (padma.6.92.6)

वक्त्रं नियम्य यत्नेन ष्ठीवनश्वासवर्जितः । कुर्यान्मूत्रपुरीषे च रात्रौ चेद्दक्षिणामुखः

vaktraṁ niyamya yatnena ṣṭhīvanaśvāsavarjitaḥ kuryānmūtrapurīṣe ca rātrau ceddakṣiṇāmukhaḥ

— keeping the mouth carefully closed, free of spitting or heavy breathing, one should relieve oneself. If it is night, one should face south while doing so.

Verse 7 (padma.6.92.7)

गृहीतशिश्नश्चोत्थाय गृहीत्वा शुचिमृत्तिकाम् । गंधलेपक्षयकरं शौचं कुर्यादतंद्रितः

gṛhītaśiśnaścotthāya gṛhītvā śucimṛttikām gaṁdhalepakṣayakaraṁ śaucaṁ kuryādataṁdritaḥ

After relieving oneself, holding one's own limb and rising, taking clean earth, one should, without laziness, perform the purification that removes odor and residue.

Verse 8 (padma.6.92.8)

एका लिंगे गुदे पंच तथा वामकरे दश । उभयोः सप्त दातव्यास्तथा तिस्रस्तु पादयोः

ekā liṁge gude paṁca tathā vāmakare daśa ubhayoḥ sapta dātavyāstathā tisrastu pādayoḥ

One application of earth on the private member, five on the anus, ten on the left hand, seven on both hands together, and three on both feet should be given.

Verse 9 (padma.6.92.9)

एतद्द्वि त्रिगुणं प्रोक्तं ब्रह्मचारि वनस्थयोः । यतेश्चतुर्गुणं रात्रौ तदर्द्धं शौचमाचरेत्

etaddvi triguṇaṁ proktaṁ brahmacāri vanasthayoḥ yateścaturguṇaṁ rātrau tadarddhaṁ śaucamācaret

This rule is said to be double or triple for the celibate student and the forest-dweller. For the renunciant, it should be fourfold, and at night, half of that should be performed.

Verse 10 (padma.6.92.10)

तदर्द्धमपि मार्गस्थः स्त्रीशूद्राणां तदर्द्धकम् । शौचकर्मविहीनस्य सकला निष्फलाः क्रियाः

tadarddhamapi mārgasthaḥ strīśūdrāṇāṁ tadarddhakam śaucakarmavihīnasya sakalā niṣphalāḥ kriyāḥ

For one traveling on a road, it should be half of that again, and for women and shudras, half again. For one devoid of this purificatory rite, all his ritual acts are fruitless.

Verse 11 (padma.6.92.11)

मुखशुद्धिविहीनस्य नो मंत्राः फलदाः स्मृताः । दंत जिह्वा विशुद्धिं च ततः कुर्यात्प्रयत्नतः

mukhaśuddhivihīnasya no maṁtrāḥ phaladāḥ smṛtāḥ daṁta jihvā viśuddhiṁ ca tataḥ kuryātprayatnataḥ

The mantras of one devoid of mouth-purification are not deemed fruitful. Therefore, one should diligently purify the teeth and tongue.

Verse 12 (padma.6.92.12)

आयुर्बलं यशो वर्चः प्रजाः पशुवसूनि च । ब्रह्म प्रज्ञां च मेधां च त्वन्नो देहि वनस्पते

āyurbalaṁ yaśo varcaḥ prajāḥ paśuvasūni ca brahma prajñāṁ ca medhāṁ ca tvanno dehi vanaspate

'O lord of the forest, grant us longevity, strength, fame, vigor, offspring, cattle, wealth, spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and intellect.'

Verse 13 (padma.6.92.13)

इति मंत्रं समुच्चार्य द्वादशांगुलकं सदा । समिधा क्षीरवृक्षास्य क्षयाहोपोषणं विना

iti maṁtraṁ samuccārya dvādaśāṁgulakaṁ sadā samidhā kṣīravṛkṣāsya kṣayāhopoṣaṇaṁ vinā

Having recited this mantra, one should always use a twig twelve fingers in length, from a fuel-tree that exudes a milky sap, except on the day of the moon's decline or a fasting day.

Verse 14 (padma.6.92.14)

प्रतिपद्दर्श नवमी षष्ठीश्चार्कदिनं विना । चंद्रसूर्योपरागे च न कुर्याद्दंतधावनम्

pratipaddarśa navamī ṣaṣṭhīścārkadinaṁ vinā caṁdrasūryoparāge ca na kuryāddaṁtadhāvanam

One should not clean the teeth on the first lunar day, the new-moon day, the ninth, the sixth, or Sunday, nor during a lunar or solar eclipse.

Verse 15 (padma.6.92.15)

कंटकीवृक्षकार्पास निर्गुंडी ब्रह्मवृक्षजम् । बिल्वैरंडविगंधाढ्यं वर्जयेद्दंतधावनम्

kaṁṭakīvṛkṣakārpāsa nirguṁḍī brahmavṛkṣajam bilvairaṁḍavigaṁdhāḍhyaṁ varjayeddaṁtadhāvanam

One should avoid using twigs from thorny trees, cotton, nirgundi, the ashvattha (peepal) tree, bilva, castor, and foul-smelling trees for cleaning the teeth.

Verse 16 (padma.6.92.16)

ततो विष्णोः शिवस्यापि गृहं गच्छेत्प्रसन्नधीः । गंधपुष्पसुतांबूलान्गृहीत्वा भक्तितत्परः

tato viṣṇoḥ śivasyāpi gṛhaṁ gacchetprasannadhīḥ gaṁdhapuṣpasutāṁbūlāngṛhītvā bhaktitatparaḥ

Then, with a serene mind, taking sandal-paste, flowers, and fine betel, and devoted to devotion, one should go to the temple of Vishnu, and also of Shiva.

Verse 17 (padma.6.92.17)

तत्र देवस्य पाद्यार्घाद्युपचारान्पृथक्पृथक् । कृत्वा स्तुत्वा पुनर्नत्वा कुर्याद्गीतादिमंगलम्

tatra devasya pādyārghādyupacārānpṛthakpṛthak kṛtvā stutvā punarnatvā kuryādgītādimaṁgalam

There, having offered padya, arghya, and the other ritual services to the deity, each in turn, having praised him and again bowed, one should perform songs and other auspicious acts.

Verse 18 (padma.6.92.18)

तालवेणुमृदंगादि ध्वनियुक्तान्सनृत्तकान् । पुष्पैर्गंधैः सतांबूलैर्गायनानपि चार्चयेत्

tālaveṇumṛdaṁgādi dhvaniyuktānsanṛttakān puṣpairgaṁdhaiḥ satāṁbūlairgāyanānapi cārcayet

Those who provide the sound of cymbals, flutes, drums, and the like, together with dancers and singers, should also be honored with flowers, sandal-paste, and betel.

Verse 19 (padma.6.92.19)

देवालये गानपरा यतस्ते विष्णुमूर्त्तयः । तपांसि यज्ञदानानि कृतानि च जगद्गुरोः

devālaye gānaparā yataste viṣṇumūrttayaḥ tapāṁsi yajñadānāni kṛtāni ca jagadguroḥ

For those who are devoted to singing in the temple are themselves embodiments of Vishnu. Austerities, sacrifices, and gifts performed for the world-teacher —

Verse 20 (padma.6.92.20)

तुष्टिदानि कलौ नित्यं भक्त्या देवस्य सत्पतेः । क्व त्वं वससि देवेश मया पृष्टस्तु पार्थिव

tuṣṭidāni kalau nityaṁ bhaktyā devasya satpateḥ kva tvaṁ vasasi deveśa mayā pṛṣṭastu pārthiva

— in the Kali age, offered with devotion to the deity, the lord of the good, ever bring satisfaction. 'O Lord of gods, where do you dwell?' — O king, I asked this —

Verse 21 (padma.6.92.21)

विष्णुरेवं तदा प्राह मद्भक्तिपरितोषितः । नाहं वसामि वैकुंठे योगिनां हृदये न च

viṣṇurevaṁ tadā prāha madbhaktiparitoṣitaḥ nāhaṁ vasāmi vaikuṁṭhe yogināṁ hṛdaye na ca

Then Vishnu, pleased with my devotion, spoke thus: 'I do not dwell in Vaikuntha, nor within the hearts of yogis.'

Verse 22 (padma.6.92.22)

मद्भक्ता यत्र गायंति तत्र तिष्ठामि नारद । सत्पुराणकथां श्रुत्वा मद्भक्तानां च गायनम्

madbhaktā yatra gāyaṁti tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada satpurāṇakathāṁ śrutvā madbhaktānāṁ ca gāyanam

'O Narada, wherever my devotees sing, there I dwell.' Having heard the noble Puranic tale, and the singing of my devotees —

Verse 23 (padma.6.92.23)

नेच्छंति ये नरा मूढा मद्द्वेष्यास्ते भवंति हि । तेषां पूजादिकं गंधपुष्पादि क्रयते नरैः

necchaṁti ye narā mūḍhā maddveṣyāste bhavaṁti hi teṣāṁ pūjādikaṁ gaṁdhapuṣpādi krayate naraiḥ

— those foolish men who do not wish to hear them indeed become hateful to me. Whatever sandal-paste, flowers, and the like are purchased by such men for worship —

Verse 24 (padma.6.92.24)

तेन प्रीतिं तथा यामि न तथा मत्प्रपूजनात् । शिरीषोन्मत्तगिरिजा मल्लिका शाल्मलीभवैः

tena prītiṁ tathā yāmi na tathā matprapūjanāt śirīṣonmattagirijā mallikā śālmalībhavaiḥ

— by such things I am not as pleased as I am by proper worship of myself. With flowers of shirisha, thorn-apple, girija, jasmine, and the silk-cotton tree —

Verse 25 (padma.6.92.25)

अर्कजैः कर्णिकारैश्च विष्णुर्नार्च्यस्तथाक्षतैः । जपा कुंद शिरीषैश्च यूथिका मालती भवैः

arkajaiḥ karṇikāraiśca viṣṇurnārcyastathākṣataiḥ japā kuṁda śirīṣaiśca yūthikā mālatī bhavaiḥ

— and with akra (madar), karnikara flowers, and broken rice grains, Vishnu should not be worshipped. With flowers of japa (hibiscus), kunda, shirisha, yuthika, and malati —

Verse 26 (padma.6.92.26)

केतकीभव पुष्पैश्च नैवार्च्यः शंकरस्तथा । गणेशं तुलसीपत्रैर्दुर्गां नैव च दूर्वया

ketakībhava puṣpaiśca naivārcyaḥ śaṁkarastathā gaṇeśaṁ tulasīpatrairdurgāṁ naiva ca dūrvayā

— and with ketaki flowers, Shankara too should not be worshipped. Ganesha should not be worshipped with tulasi leaves, nor Durga with durva grass.

Verse 27 (padma.6.92.27)

मुनिपुष्पैस्तथा सूर्यं लक्ष्मीकामो न चार्चयेत् । सुगंधीनि प्रशस्तानि पूजायां सर्वदैव तु

munipuṣpaistathā sūryaṁ lakṣmīkāmo na cārcayet sugaṁdhīni praśastāni pūjāyāṁ sarvadaiva tu

One desiring Lakshmi should not worship the sun with muni-flowers either. In worship, fragrant flowers are ever considered the finest.

Verse 28 (padma.6.92.28)

एवं पूजाविधिं कृत्वा देवदेवं क्षमापयेत् । मंत्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं सुरेश्वर

evaṁ pūjāvidhiṁ kṛtvā devadevaṁ kṣamāpayet maṁtrahīnaṁ kriyāhīnaṁ bhaktihīnaṁ sureśvara

Having thus performed the rite of worship, one should ask forgiveness of the God of gods: 'O Lord of the celestials, though lacking in mantra, lacking in proper ritual, and lacking in devotion —'

Verse 29 (padma.6.92.29)

यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे । ततःप्रदक्षिणंकृत्वादंडवत्प्रणिपत्यच

yatpūjitaṁ mayā deva paripūrṇaṁ tadastu me tataḥpradakṣiṇaṁkṛtvādaṁḍavatpraṇipatyaca

'— whatever worship I have offered you, O god, let it become complete for me.' Then, having circumambulated and prostrated flat upon the ground —

Verse 30 (padma.6.92.30)

पुनःक्षमापयेद्देवंगायनाद्यंक्षमापयेत् । विष्णोः शिवस्यापि च पूजनादिकं कुर्वंति सम्यङ्निशि कार्तिके ये । निर्धूतपापाः सह पूर्वजैस्ते प्रयांति विष्णोर्भवनं मनुष्याः

punaḥkṣamāpayeddevaṁgāyanādyaṁkṣamāpayet viṣṇoḥ śivasyāpi ca pūjanādikaṁ kurvaṁti samyaṅniśi kārtike ye nirdhūtapāpāḥ saha pūrvajaiste prayāṁti viṣṇorbhavanaṁ manuṣyāḥ

— one should again ask forgiveness of the deity, and ask forgiveness also for any fault in the singing and the rest. Those men who, on the nights of Kartika, duly perform the worship of both Vishnu and Shiva become cleansed of sin and go, together with their forefathers, to the abode of Vishnu.