Karthika Puranam Day – 3

Karthika Puranam – Day 3:

Namashshivabhyam Navayauvanabhyam Namo Namah Shankara Parvatibhyam

On the eve of the third day of the sacred Kaartheeka maasam, Let’s start the discourse on the third chapter of Kaartheeka Puraanam. This Kaartheeka Puranam was told by Sri Vashishta Maharshi to King Janaka. Sage Vashishta said, ”Janaka Mahaaraaja! Listen attentively. This Kaartheeka Maasa Vratham has the power to nullify all sins committed by us. Chanting Bhagavadgeetha in the presence of Vishnu during Kaartheeka maasam, rids one of all layers of sins, just like a snake shedding its skin. If chanting entire Bhagavadgeetha is not possible, chanting at least Chapters 10 and 11 will ensure the position of kshetra paalakaas (guardian of the region) in Vaikuntham (abode of VishNu). Performing Vishnu pooja with leaves/twigs of tulasi (basil) or black/white ganneru flower (oleander) will make one  reach Vaikuntam and enjoy all the benefits.

Yah Kaarthikechite vanabhojana maachareth
Swayaati Vaishnavam dhaama sarva paapa pramuchyathe

Participating in vanabhojanam ( group meal in a garden) during Kaartheeka maasam especially in the first fortnight of the month will relieve one of the sins. Whatever extraordinary fruits will accrue on one who performs chanting, fire ritual, feeding, pooja, water offering ritual, will be given to one who partakes food in a garden with all kinds of trees and especially aamla tree (goose berry). Keep a saalagraamam (holy shapeless stones found in river Gandaki) under an aamla tree, perform pooja with sandal powder, flowers, etc., and have a group meal. Those who do these in Kaartheeka maasam will be liberated from their sins and will attain VishNulokam (abode of Sri VishNu). Even listening with devotion and attention to Kaartheeka Mahathyam will give protection from all kinds of problems. That is why one must listen to Kaartheeka Puraanam with full attention. As an example Vashishta narrated Devadathopaakhyaanam (story of devadatta). On every day of the 30 days of this month during this month doing abhishekam (holy bath to the idol) with kasturi (musk), gandham (sandal wood), etc., to VishNu.

Sivaaya Vishnu roopaaya, Siva roopaaya Vishnave,
Sivasya hrudayam Vishur, Vishnoscha hridayam Siva.

When I say Siva I mean Vishnu also, and when I say Vishnu I mean Siva also. This is ordained by Vedas. Please remember this!

Performing this abhishekam is equivalent to special Asvamedha yaagam(A ritual that used to be performed in previous yugas). Those who do deepaaraadhana (lighting a lamp) or deepa Daanam (donating a lamp) in Kaartheeka maasam at dawn/dusk in the presence of Siva/Vishnu will attain VishNulokam.

Clean some cotton, make a wick, make a lamp of rice powder/ wheat powder, pour cow ghee in it, light the wick, invite a good brahmin, on the last day put a golden wick in a silver lamp, put it in rice powder and after pooja, etc. are completed, serve a meal to the brahmin, and chant the following sloka.

Sarvajnaana pradam deepam
Sarvasampad subhaavaham
Deepa daanam pradaasyaami
Saantirasthu sudaamama

 (I am donating a lamp which gives total wisdom, all wealth, all good things. May I be blessed with peace and pleasures.)

This will give unbounded punyam”.

After saying this, Vashishta continued by narrating a story of a widow in the southern part of India.

This lady, though a widow, started accumulating money due to great fondness for wealth. She used to work in households as a cook, tailor etc., and got attached to the money she was earning. On no day did she chant the name of Hari, nor listen to puraanas, nor visit holy places, nor even observe fasting on Ekaadasi (eleventh day of each fortnight of a lunar month). By God’s grace, a pilgrim visited her house, breaking his journey enroute a pilgrimage. Seeing the condition of this miserly lady, he felt that she was heading towards Hell. He took pity on her and decided to tell her a few good words of advice. He said, “ Oh innocent lady, listen to my words attentively. Think about them. Final decision is yours. This body is a leather toy consisting of blood, flesh, bones, pus etc., Realize that this body is temporary. It contains the five elements of Nature: earth, water, fire, air and space. As soon as the body drops down, those five elements will disperse in all four directions just like rain water flowing off the roof of a house. Life is not permanent and is like froth on water.

AdiShankara said:

nalinī-dalagata-jalamati-taralaṃ
tadvaj-jīvitam-atiśaya-chapalam ।
viddhi vyādhy-abhimānagrastaṃ
lokaṃ śokahataṃ cha samastam ॥

The guest said, “This life is not permanent. If you depend on it, you will be consumed by it, just like the moth which, attracted by the glow of the fire,  flies directly into it. Give up all illusions and attachments. Trust that God alone is permanent. Recognise that He is kind to all creatures. Chant the name of Hari always. Kaamam is desire, Kopam is anger, Moham is attachment (and so the inability to differentiate between Soul and non-soul), Lobham is miserliness (and so grief to spend money), madham is arrogance due to ego and maastsaryam is jealousy.

[These need some detailed explanation but lack of time prevents me. I hope you will understand]

“Give up these six enemies”, concluded the guest. “During Kaartheeka maasam, at least do early morning bath, donate a lamp for pleasing VishNu. By these acts, you will be protected from many sins.” By the power of his words, she realised what she had to do and acted accordingly. As a result, she attained Heaven after her death. So Raja! The most important aspect in Kaartheeka maaasam is donating a lamp. Those who donate a lamp knowingly or unknowingly are bringing down their sins”. With this discourse of Vasistha to King Janaka, this chapter is completed.

Tomorrow is Kaartheeka suddha chathurthi (fourth day) and we pray to Lord Ganesha. Tomorrow we must give up brinjal, and amla (goose berry). Donating oil, and yellow gram is beneficial. It will result in sadbuddhi (good sense) and kaaryasiddhi (task achievement.)

Sarvejanaassukhinobhavanthu
Dharmasya Vijayosthu!