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Kārttikamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 12

Chapter 12

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Kārttikamāsa-māhātmya · Chapter 12

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।। शौनक उवाच ।। ।। कार्तिकस्य च माहात्म्यं महत्पुण्यफलप्रदम् ।। कदा धात्री समुत्पन्ना कथं सा ख्यातिमागता ।। १ ।। कस्मादियं पवित्रा च कस्मात्पापप्रणाशिनी ।। आमर्दकी कृता केन कथयस्वात्र विस्तरात् ।। २ ।। ।। सूत उवाच ।। ।। कथयामि द्विजश्रेष्ठ यथा चेयं हि पुण्यदा ।। ऊर्जशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां धात्रीपूजां समाचरेत् ।। ३ ।। आमर्दकीमहावृक्षः सर्वपापप्रणाशनः ।। वैकुण्ठाख्यचतुर्दश्यां धात्रीछायां गतो नरः ।। ४ ।। पूजयेत्तत्र देवेशं राधया सहितं हरिम् ।। प्रदक्षिणां ततः कुर्याच्छतमष्टोत्तरं तथा ।। ५ ।। सुवर्णरजतैर्वापि फलैरामलकैस्तथा ।। शतमष्टोत्तरं कुर्यादेकैकेन प्रदक्षिणाम् ।। ६ ।। साष्टांगं प्रणतो भूत्वा प्रार्थयेत्परमेश्वरम् ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य शृणुयाच्च कथामिमाम् ।। ७ ।। ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चाद्यथाशक्त्या च दक्षिणाम् ।। ब्राह्मणेषु च तुष्टेषु तुष्टो मोक्षप्रदो हरिः ।। ।। अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि कथां पुण्यफलप्रदाम् ।। आमर्दकीफलं वक्तुं ब्रह्मा चाऽपि न पार्यते ।। ९ ।। एकार्णवे पुरा जाते नष्टे स्थावरजंगमे ।। नष्टे देवाऽसुरगणे प्रणष्टोरगराक्षसे ।। 2.4.12.१० ।। तत्र देवाधिदेवेशः परमात्मा सनातनः ।। जजाप ब्रह्म परममात्मनः परमाव्ययम् ।। ११ ।। ततोऽस्य ब्रह्म जपतो निरगाच्छ्वसितं पुरः ।। तद्दर्शनाऽनुरागेण नेत्राभ्यामगमज्जलम् ।। १२ ।। प्रेमाश्रुभरनिर्भिन्नो भूमौ बिंदुः पपात सः ।। तस्माद्बिंदो समुत्पन्नः स्वयं धात्री नगो महान् ।। १३ ।। शाखाप्रशाखाबहुलः फलभारेण पीडितः ।। सर्वेषामेव वृक्षाणामादिरोहः प्रकीर्तितः ।। १४ ।। ब्रह्मा तमसृजत्पूर्वं तत्पश्चाच्चाऽसृजत्प्रजाः ।। देवदानवगन्धर्वयक्षराक्षसपन्नगान् ।। १५ ।। असृजद्भगवान्देवो मानुषांश्च तथामलान् ।। आजग्मुस्तत्र देवास्ते यत्र धात्री हरिप्रिया ।। १६ ।। तां दृष्ट्वा ते महाभागाः परमं विस्मयं गताः ।। न जानीम इमं वृक्षं चिंतयन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः ।। १७ ।। एवं चिंतयतां तेषां वागुवाचाऽशरीरिणी ।। आमर्दकी नगो ह्येष प्रवरो वैष्णवो यतः ।। १८ ।। अस्य वै स्मरणादेव लभेद्गोदानजं फलम् ।। दर्शनाद्द्विगुणं पुण्यं त्रिगुणं भक्षणात्तथा ।। १९ ।। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सेव्या आमर्दकी सदा ।। सर्वपापहरा प्रोक्ता वैष्णवी पापनाशिनी ।। 2.4.12.२० ।। तस्या मूले स्थितो विष्णुस्तदूर्ध्वं च पितामहः ।। स्कन्धे च भगवान्रुद्रः संस्थितः परमेश्वरः ।। २१ ।। शाखासु सवितारश्च प्रशाखासु च देवताः ।। पर्णेषु देवताः संति पुष्पेषु मरुतस्तथा ।। २२ ।। प्रजानां पतयः सर्वे फलेष्वेवं व्यवस्थिताः ।। सर्वदेवमयी ह्येषा धात्री वै कथिता मया ।। २३ ।। अतः सा पूजनीया च सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये ।। एकदा नारदो योगी ब्रह्मणः पुरतः स्थितः ।। नमस्कृत्वा जगन्नाथं पप्रच्छातीव विस्मितः ।। २४ ।। ।। श्रीनारद उवाच ।। ।। यथा प्रियं सुतुलसीकाननं सर्वदा हरेः ।। तथा धात्रीवनं मासे कार्तिके श्रीहरिप्रियम् ।। २५ ।। ।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। धात्रीवने हरेः पूजा धात्री छायासु भोजनम् ।। कार्तिके मासि यः कुर्यात्तस्य पापं विनश्यति ।। २६ ।। तीर्थानि मुनयो देवा यज्ञाः सर्वेऽपि कार्तिके ।। नित्यं धात्रीं समाश्रित्य तिष्ठंत्यर्के तुलास्थिते ।। २७ ।। यत्किंचित्कुरुते पुण्यं धात्रीछायासु मानवः ।। तत्कोटिगुणितं भूयान्नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा ।। २८ ।। अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।। ।। २९ ।। अयोध्यानगरे कश्चिद्वैश्यश्चासीद्विजोत्तम ।। पुत्रदारविहीनश्च दैवाद्दारिद्र्यपीडितः ।। 2.4.12.३० ।। भिक्षया चोदराग्निं स शमयामास नारद ।। कदाचिद्वणिजो वैश्यो ययाचे क्षुत्प्रपीडितः ।। ३१ ।। भिक्षाप्तचणकान्गृह्य धात्रीछायामगात्किल ।। तत्र तान्भक्षयामास कार्तिके मासि नारद ।। ३२ ।। केचिदुर्वरितास्तेपु चणकास्तत्र नारद ।। वैश्येन तेन दत्ता हि क्षुत्क्षामाय द्विजातये ।। ३३ ।। तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन राजाऽऽसीद्धनिकः क्षितौ ।। तस्माद्दानं प्रकर्तव्यं कार्तिके मासि सर्वदा ।। ३४ ।। धात्रीवने मुनिश्रेष्ठ सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कार्तिके च हरेः कथाम् ।। यः शृणोति स पापेभ्यो मुच्यते द्विजसूनुवत् ।। ३५ ।। ।। ।। नारद उवाच ।। ।। कोऽभूद्द्विजसुतो ब्रह्मन्किं पापं कृतवान्पुरा ।। तस्य जाता कथं मुक्तिरेतद्विस्तरतो वद ।। ३६ ।। ।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। पुरा द्विजवरश्चासीत्कावेर्या उत्तरे तटे ।। ३७ ।। देवशर्मेति विख्यातो वेदवेदांगपारगः ।। तस्य पुत्रो दुराचारस्तमाह च पिता हितम् ।। ३८ ।। इदानीं कार्तिको मासो वर्तते हरिवल्लभः ।। तत्र स्नानं च दानं च व्रतानि नियमान्कुरु ।। ३९ ।। तुलसीपुष्पसहितां कुरुपूजां हरेः सुत ।। दीपदानं च विविधं नमस्कारं प्रदक्षिणाम् ।। 2.4.12.४० ।। एवं पितुर्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रः क्रोधसमन्वितः।। पितरं प्राह दुष्टात्मा चलदोष्ठो विनिंदयन् ।। ४१ ।। ।। पुत्र उवाच ।। ।। न करिष्याम्यहं तात कार्तिके पुण्यसंग्रहम् ।। इति पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा सक्रोधः प्राह तं सुतम् ।। ४२ ।। मूषको भव दुर्बुद्धे वने वृक्षस्य कोटरे ।। इति शापभयाद्भीतो नत्वा पितरमब्रवीत् ।। ४३ ।। दुर्योनेर्मम मुक्तिः स्यात्कथं तद्वद मे गुरो ।। इति प्रसादितो विप्रः प्राह निष्कृतिकारणम् ।। ४४ ।। यदोर्ज्जव्रतजं पुण्यं शृणोषि हरिवल्लभम् ।। तदा ते भविता मुक्तिस्तत्कथाश्रवणात्सुत ।। ४५ ।। स पित्रा चैवमुक्तस्तु तत्क्षणान्मूषकोऽभवत् ।। बहुवर्षसहस्राणि गह्वरे विपिने वसन् ।। ४६ ।। एकदा कार्तिके मासि विश्वामित्रः सशिष्यकः ।। स्नात्वा नद्यां हरिं चार्च्य धात्रीछायां समाश्रितः ।। ४७ ।। कथयामास माहात्म्यं शिष्येभ्यश्चोर्ज्जसंभवम् ।। तदा कश्चिद्दुराचारो व्याधोऽगान्मृगयां चरन् ।। ४८ ।। दृष्ट्वा ऋषिगणान्हंतुं कृतेच्छः प्राणिघातकः ।। तेषां दर्शनमात्रेण सुबुद्धिरभवत्तदा ।। ४९ ।। अथोवाच द्विजान्नत्वा भवद्भिः क्रियतेऽत्र किम् ।। तेनैवमुक्तो विप्रेंद्रो विश्वामित्रस्तमब्रवीत् ।। 2.4.12.५० ।। ।। ।। विश्वामित्र उवाच ।। ।। सर्वेषामेव मासानां कार्तिकः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते ।। तस्मिन्यत्क्रियते कर्म वर्धते वटबीजवत् ।। ५१ ।। कार्तिके मासि यः कुर्यात्स्नानं दानं च पूजनम् ।। विप्राणां भोजनं चैव तदक्षय्यफलं भवेत् ।। ५२ ।। व्याधप्रयुक्तमाकर्ण्य धर्मं च ऋषिणा द्विजः ।। मौषकं देहमुत्सृज्य दिव्यदेहोऽभवत्तदा ।। ५३ ।। विश्वामित्रं प्रणम्याथ स्ववृत्तांतं निवेद्य च ।। अनुज्ञातोऽथ ऋषिणा विमानस्थो दिवं ययौ ।। ५४ ।। विस्मितो गाधिपुत्रस्तु व्याधश्चैव विशेषतः ।। व्याधोऽप्यूर्जव्रतं कृत्वा जगाम हरिमंदिरम् ।। ५५ ।। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कार्तिके केशवाऽग्रतः ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कथाश्रवणमाचरेत् ।। ५६ ।। मूषकोऽपि च दुर्योनेर्मुक्त ऊर्जकथाश्रुतेः ।। शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्यो वा मुक्तिभागी न संशयः ।। ।। ५७ ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य वनभोजनमाचरेत् ।। आदौ कृत्वा तथा स्नानमुदके वनसंस्थिते ।। कृत्वा कर्माणि नित्यानि माधवं पूजयेत्ततः ।। ५८ ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य हरौ भक्तिसमन्वितः ।। शृणुयाच्च कथां दिव्यां मासमाहात्म्यशंसनीम् ।। ५९ ।। ततस्तु ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या भोजयेद्ब्रह्मवित्तमान् ।। ततो भुंजीत विप्रेंद्र स्वयं हरिमनुस्मरन् ।। 2.4.12.६० ।। एवंकृते व्रते विप्र कार्तिके हरिवल्लभे ।। यत्पापं नश्यते पुत्र सावधानमना शृणु ।। ६१ ।। हरेर्नार्पितभोगाच्च भोजने सूर्यदर्शनात् ।। रजस्वलावाक्छ्रवणपापाद्भोजनके तथा ।। ६२ ।। भोजनावसरे चान्यस्पर्शदोषस्तु यद्भवेत् ।। निषिद्धभोजनात्तस्माद्भोजने चाऽन्नदूषणात् ।। ६३ ।। शुद्धस्यापि तथा त्यागात्पुण्यकाले हरिप्रिये ।। एतैर्यत्साधितं पापं तत्सर्वं नश्यति धुवम् ।। ६४ ।। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन धात्र्यां भोजनमाचरेत् ।। ६५ ।। कार्तिके मासि वै विप्रो धात्रीमालां तु यो वहेत् ।। तथैव तुलसीमालां तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम् ।। ६६ ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य दीपमालार्पणं नरः ।। करिष्यति विशेषेण तस्य पुण्यमनंतकम् ।। ६७ ।। राधादामोदरौ पूज्यौ तुलस्यधो विशेषतः ।। तुलस्यभावे कर्तव्या पूजा धात्रीतले शुभा ।। ६८ ।। धात्रीछायातले येन सकृद्भुक्तं तु कार्तिके ।। दंपत्योर्भोजनं दत्तमन्नदोषात्प्रमुच्यते ।। ६९ ।। संपूर्णे कार्तिके यस्तु संपूज्यामलकीं शुभाम् ।। राधादामोदरप्रीत्यै भोजयित्वा च दंपती ।। पश्चात्स्वयं तु भुंजीत न श्रीस्तस्य क्षयं व्रजेत् ।। 2.4.12.७० ।। यः कश्चिद्वैष्णवो लोके धत्ते धात्रीफलं मुने ।। प्रियो भवति देवानां मनुष्याणां च का कथा ।। ७१ ।। धात्रीफलविलिप्तांगो धात्रीफलसमन्वितः।। धात्रीफलकृताहारो नरो नारायणो भवेत् ।। ७२ ।। धात्रीफलानि यो नित्यं वहते करसंपुटे ।। तस्य नारायणो देवो वरमिष्टं प्रयच्छति ।। ७३ ।। श्रीकामः सर्वदा स्नानं कुर्यादामलकैर्नरः ।। तुष्यत्यामलकैर्विष्णुरेकादश्यां विशेषतः ।। ७४ ।। नवम्यां दर्शे सप्तम्यां संक्रांतौ रविवासरे ।। चन्द्रसूर्योपरागे च स्नानमामलकैस्त्यजेत् ।। ७५ ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कुर्य्यात्पिंडं त यो नरः ।। प्रयांति पितरो मुक्तिं प्रसादान्माधवस्य तु ।। ।। ७६ ।। मूर्ध्नि पाणौ मुखे चैव बाह्वोः कंठे तु यो नरः ।। धत्ते धात्रीफलं वत्स धात्रीफलविभूषितः ।।७७ ।। यावल्लुठति कण्ठस्था धात्रीमाला नरस्य हि ।। तावत्तस्य शरीरे तु प्रीत्या लुंठति केशवः। ७८ ।। धात्रीफलं च तुलसी मृत्तिका द्वारकोद्भवा ।। सफलं जीवितं तस्य त्रितयं यस्य वेश्मनि ।। ७९ ।। यावद्दिनानि वहते धात्रीमालां कलौ नरः ।। तावद्युगसहस्राणि वैकुण्ठे वसतिर्भवेत् ।। 2.4.12.८० ।। मालायुग्मं वहेद्यस्तु धात्रीतुलसिसंभवम् ।। यो नरः कंठदेशे तु कल्पकोटिं दिवं वसेत् ।। ८१ ।। धात्रीछायां गतो यस्तु द्वादश्यां पूजयेद्धरिम् ।। तत्रैव भोजनं यस्तु ब्राह्मणानां च कारयेत् ।। ८२ ।। स्वयं च तत्र भुंक्ते यः सूपभक्षादिकं तथा ।। न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि ।। ८३ ।। तुलस्याश्चैव धात्र्याश्च फलैः पत्रैर्हरिं यजेत् ।। ८४ ।। तुलसी धात्रीयुक्ता हि सिक्ते सति च कार्तिके ।। विलयं यांति पापानि ब्रह्महत्यादिकानि च ।। ८५ ।। धर्मदत्तो द्विजः पूर्वं यथा मुक्तिमवाप ह ।। ८६ ।। ।। नारद उवाच ।। ।। कार्तिके मासि सा सेव्या पूजनीया सदा नरैः ।। चातुर्मास्ये न सेव्या सा इत्युक्तं भवता पुरा ।। तस्मात्सर्वमशेषेण कथयस्व ममाग्रतः ।। ८७ ।। ।। ब्रह्मोवाच ।। ।। कार्तिके मासि विप्रर्षे शुक्ला या दशमी शुभा ।। तद्दिनाऽऽरभ्य सा सेव्या दैवे पित्र्ये च कर्मणि ।। दशम्यारभ्य तत्पत्रैः फलकैर्मधुसूदनम् ।। ८८ ।। पूजयंति नरा ये वै ते वै वैकुण्ठगामिनः ।। समाप्ते कार्तिकव्रते वनभोजनमाचरेत् ।। ८९ ।। दशम्यां वाऽथ द्वादश्यां पौर्णमास्यामथाऽपि वा ।। पंचम्यां वा महाभाग वनभोजनमाचरेत् ।।।। 2.4.12.९० ।। सर्वोपस्करसंयुक्तो वृद्धबालैश्च संयुतः ।। वनं प्रवेशयेद्धीमान्धात्रीवृक्षैः सुशोभितम् ।। ९१ ।। चूतैर्बकैस्तथाऽश्वत्थैः पिचुमंदैः कदंबकैः ।। न्यग्रोधतिंतिणीवृक्षैः समंतात्परिशोभितम्।। ९२।। तत्र गत्वा महाप्राज्ञ पुण्याऽहं कारयेत्पुरा।। वास्तुपीठं तथा पूज्यं धात्रीमूले तु कारयेत् ।। ९३ ।। वेदिकां चतुरस्रां च हस्तमात्रायतां शुभाम् ।। तथोपवेदिकां कृत्वा वेदिकाग्रे महामते ।। ९४ ।। उपवेशाय देवस्य ह्यलं कार्यं तु धातुभिः ।। वेदिकापश्चिमेभागे कारयेत्कुण्डमंडपम् ।। ९५ ।। मेखलात्रयसंयुक्तं पिप्पलच्छदसंयुतम् ।। हस्तमात्रायतं सौम्य एवं कुण्डं तु कारयेत् ।। ९६ ।। पश्चात्स्नात्वा ततो जप्त्वा देवपूजां समाचरेत् ।। पश्चादग्निं समाधाय होमं कुर्याद्यथाविधि ।। ९७ ।। पायसाऽऽज्यगुडसूपपालाशसमिधा तथा ।। ग्रहाणां वास्तुदेवेभ्यश्चरुं कृत्वा प्रयत्नतः ।। ९८ ।। धात्री शांतिस्तथा कांतिर्माया प्रकृतिरेव च ।। विष्णुपत्नी महालक्ष्मी रमा मा कमला तथा ।। ९९ ।। इंदिरा लोकमाता च कल्याणी कमला तथा ।। सावित्री च जगद्धात्री गायत्री सुधृतिस्तथा ।। 2.4.12.१०० ।। अंतज्ञा विश्वरूपा च सुकृपा ह्यब्धिसंभवा ।। प्रधानदेवताभिस्तु रक्षाहोमं समारभेत् ।।१।। संसृष्टेति च मंत्रेण ऋषभं मेति मंत्रतः ।। अपूपं गुडसूपाभ्यां संयुतं जुहुयाद्धविः ।। २ ।। अष्टोत्तरशतं हुत्वा मूलमंत्रेण पायसम् ।। ततो ग्रहादि देवांस्तु यथासंख्येन होमयेत् ।। ३ ।। धात्रीहोमे महाप्राज्ञ रक्षाहोमे तु पायसम् ।। ततः स्विष्टकृतं हुत्वा बलिदानं समाचरेत् ।। ४ ।। इंद्रादि लोकपालांश्च रक्षा पूज्या प्रयत्नतः ।। धात्रीवृक्षस्य सर्वत्र वेदिकासंयुतस्य च ।। ५ ।। सूपेन गुडमिश्रेण बलिं पश्चान्निवेदयेत् ।। देवि धात्रि नमस्तुभ्यं गृहाण बलिमुत्तमम्।। ६ ।। मिश्रितं गुडसूपाभ्यां सर्वमंगलदायिनि ।। पुत्रान्देहि महाप्राज्ञान्यशो देहि शुभप्रदम् ।। ७ ।। प्रज्ञां मेधां च सौभाग्यं विष्णुभक्तिं च देहि मे ।। नीरोगं कुरु मे नित्यं निष्पापं कुरु सर्वदा ।। ८ ।। वर्चस्कं कुरु मां देवि धनवंतं तथा कुरु ।। इति तां प्रार्थयेद्देवीं प्रादक्षिण्याद्बलिं न्यसेत् ।। ९ ।। बलिप्रदानकाले तु ये कुर्वंति प्रदक्षिणम् ।। ते यांति विष्णुसालोक्यं पितृभिः सार्द्धमेव च ।।2.4.12.११०।। ततः पूर्णाहुतिं कृत्वा होमशेषं समापयेत् ।। ११ ।। धात्रीवृक्षस्य मूलस्थं मंदस्मितरमापतिम् ।। ते यांति विष्णुसायुज्यं ये पश्यंतीह चक्षुषा ।। १२ ।। वैश्वदेवं ततः कृत्वा पूजयेद्वनदेवताः ।। गंधाक्षतांस्ततो दत्त्वा विप्रेभ्यः पद्मसंभव ।। १३ ।। ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्पश्चात्स्वयं भुंजीत बंधुभिः ।। गृहं प्रवेशयेत्पश्चाद्वृद्धान्बालादिकैः सह ।। १४ ।। ब्रह्मचारी भवेद्रात्रौ क्षितिशायी भवेत्ततः ।। ग्रामस्थैश्च मिलित्वा च स्वयं वा कारयेद्बुधः ।। १५ ।। सर्वपापविमुक्त्यर्थं वनभोजनमुत्तमम् ।। कृत्वैवं सकलं कर्म कृष्णाय च समर्पयेत् ।। १६ ।। अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य राजसूयशतस्य च ।। यत्फलं समवाप्नोति तत्फलं वनभोजने ।। १७ ।। अतो धात्री महाभाग पवित्रा पापनाशनी ।। धात्री चैव नृणां धात्री धात्रीवत्कुरुते क्रियाम् ।। १८ ।। ददात्यायुः पयःपानात्स्नानाद्वै धर्मसंचयम् ।। अलक्ष्मीनाशनं स्नानमात्रैर्निर्वाणमाप्नुयात् ।। विघ्नानि नैव जायंते धात्रीस्नानेन वै नृणाम् ।। १९ ।। तस्मात्त्वं कुरु विप्रेंद्र धात्रीस्नानं हि यत्नतः ।। प्रयास्यसि हरेर्द्धाम देवत्वं प्राप्य नारद ।। 2.4.12.१२० ।। यत्रयत्र मुनिश्रेष्ठ धात्रीस्नानं समाचरेत् ।। तीर्थे वाऽपि गृहे वाऽपि तत्रतत्र हरिः स्थितः ।। २१ ।। धात्रीस्नानेन विप्रर्षे यस्यास्थीनि कलेवरे ।। प्रक्षाल्यंते मुनिश्रेष्ठ न स गर्भगृहं वसेत् ।। २२ ।। धात्रीजलेन विप्रेंद्र येषां केशाश्च रंजिताः ।। ते नराः केशवं यांति नाशयित्वा कलेर्मलम् ।। २३ ।। धात्रीफलं महापुण्यं स्नानं पुण्यतमं स्मृतम् ।। पुण्यात्पुण्यतरं वत्स भक्षणे मुनिसत्तम ।। ।। २४ ।। न गंगा न गया काशी न वेणी न च पुष्करम् ।। एकैव हि यथा पुण्या धात्री माधववासरे ।। २५ ।। धात्रीस्नानं हरेर्नाम तथैवैकादशी सुत ।। गयाश्राद्धं तथा वत्स समानि मुनयो विदुः ।। २६ ।। संस्पृशन्यस्तु वै धात्रीमहन्यहनि मानवः ।। मुच्यते पातकैः सर्वैर्मनोवाक्कायसंभवैः ।। २७ ।। धात्रीफलैरमावास्यासप्तमीनवमीषु च ।। रविवारे च संक्रांतौ न स्नायान्मुनिसत्तम ।। २८ ।। यस्मिन्गृहेमुनिवर धात्री तिष्ठति सर्वदा ।। तस्मिन्गृहे न गच्छंति प्रेतकूष्मांडराक्षसाः ।। २९ ।। धात्रीफलकृतां मालां कंठस्थां यो वहेन्नहि ।। स वैष्णवो न विज्ञेयो विष्णोर्भक्तिपरो यदि ।। 2.4.12.१३० ।। न त्याज्या तुलसीमाला धात्रीमाला विशेषतः ।। तथा पद्माक्षमालाऽपि धर्मकामार्थमीप्सुभिः ।। ३१ ।। यावद्दिनानि वहते धात्रीमालां कलौ नरः ।। तावद्युगसहस्राणि वैकुण्ठे वसतिर्भवेत् ।। ३२ ।। सर्वदेवमयी धात्री वासुदेवमनःप्रिया ।। आरोपणीया सेव्या च पूजनीया सदा नरैः ।। ३३ ।। एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं धात्रीमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ।। श्रोतव्यं च सदा भक्तैश्चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम् ।। ३४ ।। धात्रीछायां समाश्रित्य कार्तिकेऽन्नं भुनक्ति यः ।। अन्नसंसर्गजं पापमावर्षं तस्य नश्यति ।। १३५ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे कार्तिकमासमाहात्म्ये धात्रीमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम द्वादशोऽध्यायः ।। १२ ।। ।। छ ।।

|| śaunaka uvāca || || kārtikasya ca māhātmyaṃ mahatpuṇyaphalapradam || kadā dhātrī samutpannā kathaṃ sā khyātimāgatā || 1 || kasmādiyaṃ pavitrā ca kasmātpāpapraṇāśinī || āmardakī kṛtā kena kathayasvātra vistarāt || 2 || || sūta uvāca || || kathayāmi dvijaśreṣṭha yathā ceyaṃ hi puṇyadā || ūrjaśuklacaturdaśyāṃ dhātrīpūjāṃ samācaret || 3 || āmardakīmahāvṛkṣaḥ sarvapāpapraṇāśanaḥ || vaikuṇṭhākhyacaturdaśyāṃ dhātrīchāyāṃ gato naraḥ || 4 || pūjayettatra deveśaṃ rādhayā sahitaṃ harim || pradakṣiṇāṃ tataḥ kuryācchatamaṣṭottaraṃ tathā || 5 || suvarṇarajatairvāpi phalairāmalakaistathā || śatamaṣṭottaraṃ kuryādekaikena pradakṣiṇām || 6 || sāṣṭāṃgaṃ praṇato bhūtvā prārthayetparameśvaram || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya śṛṇuyācca kathāmimām || 7 || brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścādyathāśaktyā ca dakṣiṇām || brāhmaṇeṣu ca tuṣṭeṣu tuṣṭo mokṣaprado hariḥ || || atra te kathayiṣyāmi kathāṃ puṇyaphalapradām || āmardakīphalaṃ vaktuṃ brahmā cā'pi na pāryate || 9 || ekārṇave purā jāte naṣṭe sthāvarajaṃgame || naṣṭe devā'suragaṇe praṇaṣṭoragarākṣase || 2.4.12.10 || tatra devādhideveśaḥ paramātmā sanātanaḥ || jajāpa brahma paramamātmanaḥ paramāvyayam || 11 || tato'sya brahma japato niragācchvasitaṃ puraḥ || taddarśanā'nurāgeṇa netrābhyāmagamajjalam || 12 || premāśrubharanirbhinno bhūmau biṃduḥ papāta saḥ || tasmādbiṃdo samutpannaḥ svayaṃ dhātrī nago mahān || 13 || śākhāpraśākhābahulaḥ phalabhāreṇa pīḍitaḥ || sarveṣāmeva vṛkṣāṇāmādirohaḥ prakīrtitaḥ || 14 || brahmā tamasṛjatpūrvaṃ tatpaścāccā'sṛjatprajāḥ || devadānavagandharvayakṣarākṣasapannagān || 15 || asṛjadbhagavāndevo mānuṣāṃśca tathāmalān || ājagmustatra devāste yatra dhātrī haripriyā || 16 || tāṃ dṛṣṭvā te mahābhāgāḥ paramaṃ vismayaṃ gatāḥ || na jānīma imaṃ vṛkṣaṃ ciṃtayanto muhurmuhuḥ || 17 || evaṃ ciṃtayatāṃ teṣāṃ vāguvācā'śarīriṇī || āmardakī nago hyeṣa pravaro vaiṣṇavo yataḥ || 18 || asya vai smaraṇādeva labhedgodānajaṃ phalam || darśanāddviguṇaṃ puṇyaṃ triguṇaṃ bhakṣaṇāttathā || 19 || tasmātsarvaprayatnena sevyā āmardakī sadā || sarvapāpaharā proktā vaiṣṇavī pāpanāśinī || 2.4.12.20 || tasyā mūle sthito viṣṇustadūrdhvaṃ ca pitāmahaḥ || skandhe ca bhagavānrudraḥ saṃsthitaḥ parameśvaraḥ || 21 || śākhāsu savitāraśca praśākhāsu ca devatāḥ || parṇeṣu devatāḥ saṃti puṣpeṣu marutastathā || 22 || prajānāṃ patayaḥ sarve phaleṣvevaṃ vyavasthitāḥ || sarvadevamayī hyeṣā dhātrī vai kathitā mayā || 23 || ataḥ sā pūjanīyā ca sarvakāmārthasiddhaye || ekadā nārado yogī brahmaṇaḥ purataḥ sthitaḥ || namaskṛtvā jagannāthaṃ papracchātīva vismitaḥ || 24 || || śrīnārada uvāca || || yathā priyaṃ sutulasīkānanaṃ sarvadā hareḥ || tathā dhātrīvanaṃ māse kārtike śrīharipriyam || 25 || || brahmovāca || || dhātrīvane hareḥ pūjā dhātrī chāyāsu bhojanam || kārtike māsi yaḥ kuryāttasya pāpaṃ vinaśyati || 26 || tīrthāni munayo devā yajñāḥ sarve'pi kārtike || nityaṃ dhātrīṃ samāśritya tiṣṭhaṃtyarke tulāsthite || 27 || yatkiṃcitkurute puṇyaṃ dhātrīchāyāsu mānavaḥ || tatkoṭiguṇitaṃ bhūyānnā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā || 28 || atraivodāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam || || 29 || ayodhyānagare kaścidvaiśyaścāsīdvijottama || putradāravihīnaśca daivāddāridryapīḍitaḥ || 2.4.12.30 || bhikṣayā codarāgniṃ sa śamayāmāsa nārada || kadācidvaṇijo vaiśyo yayāce kṣutprapīḍitaḥ || 31 || bhikṣāptacaṇakāngṛhya dhātrīchāyāmagātkila || tatra tānbhakṣayāmāsa kārtike māsi nārada || 32 || kecidurvaritāstepu caṇakāstatra nārada || vaiśyena tena dattā hi kṣutkṣāmāya dvijātaye || 33 || tena puṇyaprabhāvena rājā''sīddhanikaḥ kṣitau || tasmāddānaṃ prakartavyaṃ kārtike māsi sarvadā || 34 || dhātrīvane muniśreṣṭha sarvakāmārthasiddhaye || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya kārtike ca hareḥ kathām || yaḥ śṛṇoti sa pāpebhyo mucyate dvijasūnuvat || 35 || || || nārada uvāca || || ko'bhūddvijasuto brahmankiṃ pāpaṃ kṛtavānpurā || tasya jātā kathaṃ muktiretadvistarato vada || 36 || || brahmovāca || || purā dvijavaraścāsītkāveryā uttare taṭe || 37 || devaśarmeti vikhyāto vedavedāṃgapāragaḥ || tasya putro durācārastamāha ca pitā hitam || 38 || idānīṃ kārtiko māso vartate harivallabhaḥ || tatra snānaṃ ca dānaṃ ca vratāni niyamānkuru || 39 || tulasīpuṣpasahitāṃ kurupūjāṃ hareḥ suta || dīpadānaṃ ca vividhaṃ namaskāraṃ pradakṣiṇām || 2.4.12.40 || evaṃ piturvacaḥ śrutvā putraḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ|| pitaraṃ prāha duṣṭātmā caladoṣṭho viniṃdayan || 41 || || putra uvāca || || na kariṣyāmyahaṃ tāta kārtike puṇyasaṃgraham || iti putravacaḥ śrutvā sakrodhaḥ prāha taṃ sutam || 42 || mūṣako bhava durbuddhe vane vṛkṣasya koṭare || iti śāpabhayādbhīto natvā pitaramabravīt || 43 || duryonermama muktiḥ syātkathaṃ tadvada me guro || iti prasādito vipraḥ prāha niṣkṛtikāraṇam || 44 || yadorjjavratajaṃ puṇyaṃ śṛṇoṣi harivallabham || tadā te bhavitā muktistatkathāśravaṇātsuta || 45 || sa pitrā caivamuktastu tatkṣaṇānmūṣako'bhavat || bahuvarṣasahasrāṇi gahvare vipine vasan || 46 || ekadā kārtike māsi viśvāmitraḥ saśiṣyakaḥ || snātvā nadyāṃ hariṃ cārcya dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritaḥ || 47 || kathayāmāsa māhātmyaṃ śiṣyebhyaścorjjasaṃbhavam || tadā kaściddurācāro vyādho'gānmṛgayāṃ caran || 48 || dṛṣṭvā ṛṣigaṇānhaṃtuṃ kṛtecchaḥ prāṇighātakaḥ || teṣāṃ darśanamātreṇa subuddhirabhavattadā || 49 || athovāca dvijānnatvā bhavadbhiḥ kriyate'tra kim || tenaivamukto vipreṃdro viśvāmitrastamabravīt || 2.4.12.50 || || || viśvāmitra uvāca || || sarveṣāmeva māsānāṃ kārtikaḥ śreṣṭha ucyate || tasminyatkriyate karma vardhate vaṭabījavat || 51 || kārtike māsi yaḥ kuryātsnānaṃ dānaṃ ca pūjanam || viprāṇāṃ bhojanaṃ caiva tadakṣayyaphalaṃ bhavet || 52 || vyādhaprayuktamākarṇya dharmaṃ ca ṛṣiṇā dvijaḥ || mauṣakaṃ dehamutsṛjya divyadeho'bhavattadā || 53 || viśvāmitraṃ praṇamyātha svavṛttāṃtaṃ nivedya ca || anujñāto'tha ṛṣiṇā vimānastho divaṃ yayau || 54 || vismito gādhiputrastu vyādhaścaiva viśeṣataḥ || vyādho'pyūrjavrataṃ kṛtvā jagāma harimaṃdiram || 55 || tasmātsarvaprayatnena kārtike keśavā'grataḥ || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya kathāśravaṇamācaret || 56 || mūṣako'pi ca duryonermukta ūrjakathāśruteḥ || śṛṇuyācchrāvayedyo vā muktibhāgī na saṃśayaḥ || || 57 || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya vanabhojanamācaret || ādau kṛtvā tathā snānamudake vanasaṃsthite || kṛtvā karmāṇi nityāni mādhavaṃ pūjayettataḥ || 58 || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya harau bhaktisamanvitaḥ || śṛṇuyācca kathāṃ divyāṃ māsamāhātmyaśaṃsanīm || 59 || tatastu brāhmaṇānbhaktyā bhojayedbrahmavittamān || tato bhuṃjīta vipreṃdra svayaṃ harimanusmaran || 2.4.12.60 || evaṃkṛte vrate vipra kārtike harivallabhe || yatpāpaṃ naśyate putra sāvadhānamanā śṛṇu || 61 || harernārpitabhogācca bhojane sūryadarśanāt || rajasvalāvākchravaṇapāpādbhojanake tathā || 62 || bhojanāvasare cānyasparśadoṣastu yadbhavet || niṣiddhabhojanāttasmādbhojane cā'nnadūṣaṇāt || 63 || śuddhasyāpi tathā tyāgātpuṇyakāle haripriye || etairyatsādhitaṃ pāpaṃ tatsarvaṃ naśyati dhuvam || 64 || tasmātsarvaprayatnena dhātryāṃ bhojanamācaret || 65 || kārtike māsi vai vipro dhātrīmālāṃ tu yo vahet || tathaiva tulasīmālāṃ tasya puṇyamanaṃtakam || 66 || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya dīpamālārpaṇaṃ naraḥ || kariṣyati viśeṣeṇa tasya puṇyamanaṃtakam || 67 || rādhādāmodarau pūjyau tulasyadho viśeṣataḥ || tulasyabhāve kartavyā pūjā dhātrītale śubhā || 68 || dhātrīchāyātale yena sakṛdbhuktaṃ tu kārtike || daṃpatyorbhojanaṃ dattamannadoṣātpramucyate || 69 || saṃpūrṇe kārtike yastu saṃpūjyāmalakīṃ śubhām || rādhādāmodaraprītyai bhojayitvā ca daṃpatī || paścātsvayaṃ tu bhuṃjīta na śrīstasya kṣayaṃ vrajet || 2.4.12.70 || yaḥ kaścidvaiṣṇavo loke dhatte dhātrīphalaṃ mune || priyo bhavati devānāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ ca kā kathā || 71 || dhātrīphalaviliptāṃgo dhātrīphalasamanvitaḥ|| dhātrīphalakṛtāhāro naro nārāyaṇo bhavet || 72 || dhātrīphalāni yo nityaṃ vahate karasaṃpuṭe || tasya nārāyaṇo devo varamiṣṭaṃ prayacchati || 73 || śrīkāmaḥ sarvadā snānaṃ kuryādāmalakairnaraḥ || tuṣyatyāmalakairviṣṇurekādaśyāṃ viśeṣataḥ || 74 || navamyāṃ darśe saptamyāṃ saṃkrāṃtau ravivāsare || candrasūryoparāge ca snānamāmalakaistyajet || 75 || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya kuryyātpiṃḍaṃ ta yo naraḥ || prayāṃti pitaro muktiṃ prasādānmādhavasya tu || || 76 || mūrdhni pāṇau mukhe caiva bāhvoḥ kaṃṭhe tu yo naraḥ || dhatte dhātrīphalaṃ vatsa dhātrīphalavibhūṣitaḥ ||77 || yāvalluṭhati kaṇṭhasthā dhātrīmālā narasya hi || tāvattasya śarīre tu prītyā luṃṭhati keśavaḥ| 78 || dhātrīphalaṃ ca tulasī mṛttikā dvārakodbhavā || saphalaṃ jīvitaṃ tasya tritayaṃ yasya veśmani || 79 || yāvaddināni vahate dhātrīmālāṃ kalau naraḥ || tāvadyugasahasrāṇi vaikuṇṭhe vasatirbhavet || 2.4.12.80 || mālāyugmaṃ vahedyastu dhātrītulasisaṃbhavam || yo naraḥ kaṃṭhadeśe tu kalpakoṭiṃ divaṃ vaset || 81 || dhātrīchāyāṃ gato yastu dvādaśyāṃ pūjayeddharim || tatraiva bhojanaṃ yastu brāhmaṇānāṃ ca kārayet || 82 || svayaṃ ca tatra bhuṃkte yaḥ sūpabhakṣādikaṃ tathā || na tasya punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi || 83 || tulasyāścaiva dhātryāśca phalaiḥ patrairhariṃ yajet || 84 || tulasī dhātrīyuktā hi sikte sati ca kārtike || vilayaṃ yāṃti pāpāni brahmahatyādikāni ca || 85 || dharmadatto dvijaḥ pūrvaṃ yathā muktimavāpa ha || 86 || || nārada uvāca || || kārtike māsi sā sevyā pūjanīyā sadā naraiḥ || cāturmāsye na sevyā sā ityuktaṃ bhavatā purā || tasmātsarvamaśeṣeṇa kathayasva mamāgrataḥ || 87 || || brahmovāca || || kārtike māsi viprarṣe śuklā yā daśamī śubhā || taddinā''rabhya sā sevyā daive pitrye ca karmaṇi || daśamyārabhya tatpatraiḥ phalakairmadhusūdanam || 88 || pūjayaṃti narā ye vai te vai vaikuṇṭhagāminaḥ || samāpte kārtikavrate vanabhojanamācaret || 89 || daśamyāṃ vā'tha dvādaśyāṃ paurṇamāsyāmathā'pi vā || paṃcamyāṃ vā mahābhāga vanabhojanamācaret |||| 2.4.12.90 || sarvopaskarasaṃyukto vṛddhabālaiśca saṃyutaḥ || vanaṃ praveśayeddhīmāndhātrīvṛkṣaiḥ suśobhitam || 91 || cūtairbakaistathā'śvatthaiḥ picumaṃdaiḥ kadaṃbakaiḥ || nyagrodhatiṃtiṇīvṛkṣaiḥ samaṃtātpariśobhitam|| 92|| tatra gatvā mahāprājña puṇyā'haṃ kārayetpurā|| vāstupīṭhaṃ tathā pūjyaṃ dhātrīmūle tu kārayet || 93 || vedikāṃ caturasrāṃ ca hastamātrāyatāṃ śubhām || tathopavedikāṃ kṛtvā vedikāgre mahāmate || 94 || upaveśāya devasya hyalaṃ kāryaṃ tu dhātubhiḥ || vedikāpaścimebhāge kārayetkuṇḍamaṃḍapam || 95 || mekhalātrayasaṃyuktaṃ pippalacchadasaṃyutam || hastamātrāyataṃ saumya evaṃ kuṇḍaṃ tu kārayet || 96 || paścātsnātvā tato japtvā devapūjāṃ samācaret || paścādagniṃ samādhāya homaṃ kuryādyathāvidhi || 97 || pāyasā''jyaguḍasūpapālāśasamidhā tathā || grahāṇāṃ vāstudevebhyaścaruṃ kṛtvā prayatnataḥ || 98 || dhātrī śāṃtistathā kāṃtirmāyā prakṛtireva ca || viṣṇupatnī mahālakṣmī ramā mā kamalā tathā || 99 || iṃdirā lokamātā ca kalyāṇī kamalā tathā || sāvitrī ca jagaddhātrī gāyatrī sudhṛtistathā || 2.4.12.100 || aṃtajñā viśvarūpā ca sukṛpā hyabdhisaṃbhavā || pradhānadevatābhistu rakṣāhomaṃ samārabhet ||1|| saṃsṛṣṭeti ca maṃtreṇa ṛṣabhaṃ meti maṃtrataḥ || apūpaṃ guḍasūpābhyāṃ saṃyutaṃ juhuyāddhaviḥ || 2 || aṣṭottaraśataṃ hutvā mūlamaṃtreṇa pāyasam || tato grahādi devāṃstu yathāsaṃkhyena homayet || 3 || dhātrīhome mahāprājña rakṣāhome tu pāyasam || tataḥ sviṣṭakṛtaṃ hutvā balidānaṃ samācaret || 4 || iṃdrādi lokapālāṃśca rakṣā pūjyā prayatnataḥ || dhātrīvṛkṣasya sarvatra vedikāsaṃyutasya ca || 5 || sūpena guḍamiśreṇa baliṃ paścānnivedayet || devi dhātri namastubhyaṃ gṛhāṇa balimuttamam|| 6 || miśritaṃ guḍasūpābhyāṃ sarvamaṃgaladāyini || putrāndehi mahāprājñānyaśo dehi śubhapradam || 7 || prajñāṃ medhāṃ ca saubhāgyaṃ viṣṇubhaktiṃ ca dehi me || nīrogaṃ kuru me nityaṃ niṣpāpaṃ kuru sarvadā || 8 || varcaskaṃ kuru māṃ devi dhanavaṃtaṃ tathā kuru || iti tāṃ prārthayeddevīṃ prādakṣiṇyādbaliṃ nyaset || 9 || balipradānakāle tu ye kurvaṃti pradakṣiṇam || te yāṃti viṣṇusālokyaṃ pitṛbhiḥ sārddhameva ca ||2.4.12.110|| tataḥ pūrṇāhutiṃ kṛtvā homaśeṣaṃ samāpayet || 11 || dhātrīvṛkṣasya mūlasthaṃ maṃdasmitaramāpatim || te yāṃti viṣṇusāyujyaṃ ye paśyaṃtīha cakṣuṣā || 12 || vaiśvadevaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā pūjayedvanadevatāḥ || gaṃdhākṣatāṃstato dattvā viprebhyaḥ padmasaṃbhava || 13 || brāhmaṇānbhojayetpaścātsvayaṃ bhuṃjīta baṃdhubhiḥ || gṛhaṃ praveśayetpaścādvṛddhānbālādikaiḥ saha || 14 || brahmacārī bhavedrātrau kṣitiśāyī bhavettataḥ || grāmasthaiśca militvā ca svayaṃ vā kārayedbudhaḥ || 15 || sarvapāpavimuktyarthaṃ vanabhojanamuttamam || kṛtvaivaṃ sakalaṃ karma kṛṣṇāya ca samarpayet || 16 || aśvamedhasahasrasya rājasūyaśatasya ca || yatphalaṃ samavāpnoti tatphalaṃ vanabhojane || 17 || ato dhātrī mahābhāga pavitrā pāpanāśanī || dhātrī caiva nṛṇāṃ dhātrī dhātrīvatkurute kriyām || 18 || dadātyāyuḥ payaḥpānātsnānādvai dharmasaṃcayam || alakṣmīnāśanaṃ snānamātrairnirvāṇamāpnuyāt || vighnāni naiva jāyaṃte dhātrīsnānena vai nṛṇām || 19 || tasmāttvaṃ kuru vipreṃdra dhātrīsnānaṃ hi yatnataḥ || prayāsyasi harerddhāma devatvaṃ prāpya nārada || 2.4.12.120 || yatrayatra muniśreṣṭha dhātrīsnānaṃ samācaret || tīrthe vā'pi gṛhe vā'pi tatratatra hariḥ sthitaḥ || 21 || dhātrīsnānena viprarṣe yasyāsthīni kalevare || prakṣālyaṃte muniśreṣṭha na sa garbhagṛhaṃ vaset || 22 || dhātrījalena vipreṃdra yeṣāṃ keśāśca raṃjitāḥ || te narāḥ keśavaṃ yāṃti nāśayitvā kalermalam || 23 || dhātrīphalaṃ mahāpuṇyaṃ snānaṃ puṇyatamaṃ smṛtam || puṇyātpuṇyataraṃ vatsa bhakṣaṇe munisattama || || 24 || na gaṃgā na gayā kāśī na veṇī na ca puṣkaram || ekaiva hi yathā puṇyā dhātrī mādhavavāsare || 25 || dhātrīsnānaṃ harernāma tathaivaikādaśī suta || gayāśrāddhaṃ tathā vatsa samāni munayo viduḥ || 26 || saṃspṛśanyastu vai dhātrīmahanyahani mānavaḥ || mucyate pātakaiḥ sarvairmanovākkāyasaṃbhavaiḥ || 27 || dhātrīphalairamāvāsyāsaptamīnavamīṣu ca || ravivāre ca saṃkrāṃtau na snāyānmunisattama || 28 || yasmingṛhemunivara dhātrī tiṣṭhati sarvadā || tasmingṛhe na gacchaṃti pretakūṣmāṃḍarākṣasāḥ || 29 || dhātrīphalakṛtāṃ mālāṃ kaṃṭhasthāṃ yo vahennahi || sa vaiṣṇavo na vijñeyo viṣṇorbhaktiparo yadi || 2.4.12.130 || na tyājyā tulasīmālā dhātrīmālā viśeṣataḥ || tathā padmākṣamālā'pi dharmakāmārthamīpsubhiḥ || 31 || yāvaddināni vahate dhātrīmālāṃ kalau naraḥ || tāvadyugasahasrāṇi vaikuṇṭhe vasatirbhavet || 32 || sarvadevamayī dhātrī vāsudevamanaḥpriyā || āropaṇīyā sevyā ca pūjanīyā sadā naraiḥ || 33 || etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ dhātrīmāhātmyamuttamam || śrotavyaṃ ca sadā bhaktaiścaturvargaphalapradam || 34 || dhātrīchāyāṃ samāśritya kārtike'nnaṃ bhunakti yaḥ || annasaṃsargajaṃ pāpamāvarṣaṃ tasya naśyati || 135 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe kārtikamāsamāhātmye dhātrīmāhātmyavarṇanaṃnāma dvādaśo'dhyāyaḥ || 12 || || cha ||

English translation

Śaunaka said :

1 -2. The eulogy of Kārttika is the bestower of great merit. When did Dhātrī originate? How did it attain fame? Why is it holy? Why is it destructive of sins? By whom was Āmardakī ( Emblica officinalis ) made? Tell it in detail. [1]

Sūta said :

3. I shall narrate it, O excellent Brāhmaṇa , how it is a bestower of merit. The devotee shall worship Dhātrī on the fourteenth day in the bright half of the month of Kārttika.

4-5. The great tree of Āmardakī is destructive of all sins. On the fourteenth day named after Vaikuṇṭha , the man should resort to the shade of a Dhātrī tree and worship there the Lord of Devas , Lord Hari accompanied by Rādhā . Then he should circumambulate it one hundred and eight times.

6. With a hundred and eight pieces of gold or silver or the fruits of Emblic myrobalan , he should severally make a hundred and eight circumambulations.

7. After prostrating with eight limbs touching the ground, the devotee should pray to the great Lord. Resorting to the shade of the Dhātrī tree, he should listen to this story.

8. Afterwards he should feed Brāhmaṇas , paying them Dakṣiṇā in accordance with his capacity. If the Brāhmaṇas are satisfied, Hari, the bestower of salvation, is also satisfied.

9. In this connection I shall recount to you the story that gives merit. Even Brahmā is not competent to recount the benefit of Āmardakī (lit., that which destroys sin all round).

10-11. Formerly when everything was turned into a vast sheet of water, when mobile and immobile beings had been destroyed, when the types of Devas and Asuras , Serpents and Rākṣasas had been annihilated, the eternal supreme soul, the Lord of the chiefs of Devas (Brahmā) performed the Japa of the great and immutable Brahman ( Mahāviṣṇu ) transcending his own soul.

12. As he performed the Japa (mental repetition of the holy names) of Brahman, a deep breath came out of him. Due to the affection on seeing it water came out of the eyes.

13. Drops of tears of love burst out and fell on the ground. The great tree of Dhātrī grew from those drops.

14. It had plenty of branches and twigs. It was laden with fruits. It is glorified as the first among all the trees.

15. Brahmā created it at the beginning and then all the other subjects (such as) Devas, Dānavas , Gandharvas , Yakṣas , Rākṣasas and Serpents.

16. The Lord then created human beings devoid of impurities. Devas came to the place where the Dhātrī, the favourite of Hari, stood.

17. On seeing it those highly fortunate ones were struck with great wonder. They thought and pondered over it frequently, “We do not know what this tree is.”

18-19. Even as they were thinking thus, an unembodied speech said: “This is the Āmardakī tree. Since it is an excellent Vaiṣṇava tree, one will get the benefit of making the gift of cows merely by remembering it. By seeing it one gets twice that benefit and by eating (its fruits) three times the benefit.

20. Hence Āmardakī should always be resorted to by all means. It is Vaiṣṇavī and said to be the destroyer of all sins.

21. Viṣṇu is stationed at its root. [2] Brahmā is stationed above. Lord Rudra Parameśvara is stationed on its trunk.

22. The twelve Suns are stationed on its branches, Devas (the Guardians of the Quarters like Indra and others) are stationed on its twigs. The (thirty-three crores of ordinary) Devas are on its leaves and Maruts are on the flowers.

23-24. All the Prajāpatis (Patriarchs like Dakṣa ) are established on its fruits. This tree has been mentioned by me as full of all the Devas.

Hence it should be worshipped for the purpose of attaining all the desired objects.

Once Nārada , the Yogin , stood in front of Brahmā. He bowed down to the Lord of the universe and with great wonder asked thus:

Śrī Nārada said :

25. Just as a grove of excellent basil plants is always liked by Hari, so also a grove of Dhātrī trees is liked by Śrī Hari in the month of Kārttika.

Brahmā said :

26. If anyone performs the worship of Hari in the forest of Dhātrī and takes food under the shade thereof in the month of Kārttika, his sin perishes.

27. When the Sun is stationed in the Zodiac Libra, all the Tīrthas , sages, Devas and Yajñas resort to the Dhātrī in Kārttika and abide themselves here.

28. Whatever meritorious deed a man performs here in the shade of Dhātrī trees, shall become increased crores of times. There is no doubt about it.

29-30. In this context they cite this ancient legend. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, there was a certain Vaiśya in the city of Ayodhyā . He had no wife or sons as ill luck would have it. He was afflicted with poverty.

31-35. He used to assuage the fire of his hunger by begging for alms, O Nārada. Once, he was afflicted with hunger and begged of some merchants. By begging he got some whole grams. He took it and went to the shade of a Dhātrī tree. It was in the month of Kārttika, O Nārada, and he ate the grams there.

Some of the grams which had been left over were given to a Brāhmaṇa by the Vaiśya who was hungry and emaciated. Thanks to the power of that merit, he became a rich king on the earth. Hence, charitable gifts should be made always in the month of Kārttika in a park of Dhātrī trees, O excellent sage, for the achievement of all desirable objects.

One who resorts to the shade of Dhātrī and listens to the story of Hari in the month of Kārttika will be released from all sins like the son of a Brāhmaṇa.

Nārada asked :

36. O Brahmā, who was this son of a Brāhmaṇa? What sin did he commit formerly? How did he attain liberation? Tell these in detail.

Brahmā narrated :

37-40. Formerly there was an excellent Brāhmaṇa on the northern bank of Kāverī . He was well-known by the name Devaśarmā . He was a master of Vedas and Vedāṅgas . He had a son of vicious conduct. The father advised him for his welfare:

“It is the month of Kārttika now. This month is a favourite of Hari. During this period take the holy bath, make charitable gifts and perform holy rites and observances. Dear son, perform the worship of Hari with flowers and Tulasī leaves. Make several offerings of lights, obeisances and circumambulations.”

41. On hearing these words of his father the infuriated wicked-souled son spoke to his father censuring him with his lips throbbing (through anger).

The son said :

42. O father, I will not store merit in the month of Kārttika.

On hearing these words of his son, he angrily spoke to his son:

43. “O evil-minded one, be a mouse in the hollow of a tree in the forest.”

Frightened on account of this curse, the son bowed down to his father and said:

44. “O my Sire, tell me how I can have liberation from the evil species.”

On being propitiated thus, the Brāhmaṇa told him the means of expiation and redemption.

45. “When you hear about the merit accruing from Kārttikavrata which Hari likes much, you will have your liberation, O son, by listening to the story.”

46-47. On being told thus by his father, he became a mouse instantly. He stayed in a cavity for thousands of years in the forest. Once, during the month of Kārttika, Viśvāmitra came there along with his disciples. He took his bath in the river, worshipped Hari and resorted to the shade of the Dhātrī.

48-50. He expounded to his disciples the greatness of the Kārttikavrata. At that time, a hunter of vicious conduct came there ahunting. On seeing the groups of sages that slaughterer of living beings (at first) wished to kill them. By their very sight he became pious-minded. He bowed down to the Brāhmaṇas and asked: “What is being done by you all, O Sirs?”

On being enquired by him thus, the eminent Brāhmaṇa Viśvāmitra spoke to him:

Viśvāmitra said :

51. Kārttika is said to be the most excellent of all months. Whatever holy rite is performed during this month increases like the seeds of a banyan tree.

52. One who, in the month of Kārttika, takes holy bath, makes charitable gifts and performs worship and then feeds Brāhmaṇas shall have everlasting benefit thereof.

53. The Brāhmaṇa (the mouse) heard about the virtue as told to the hunter by the sage. Then he cast off the body of a mouse and adopted a divine body.

54. He bowed down to Viśvāmitra, spoke the details about himself and on being permitted by the sage went to heaven seated in an aerial chariot.

55. The son of Gādhi (Viśvāmitra) and the hunter in particular became very much surprised. The hunter then performed the Kārttika Vrata and went to Hari’s world.

56. Hence making all possible efforts, one should resort to the shade of a Dhātrī in the month of Kārttika and listen to the holy story in front of Keśava .

57. Even a mouse was liberated from the evil species by listening to the story about Kārttika. He who listens to or he who recites the story, shall undoubtedly be entitled to salvation.

58-59. One should have open-air meals in a forest (or a park) after resorting to the shade of a Dhātrī. At the outset, the devotee should take his holy bath in the water in the forest. After performing the usual routine religious duties he should worship Mādhava . Then he should sit in the shade of the Dhātrī with devotion to Hari and listen to the divine story in praise of the month.

60. Thereafter, he should feed, with great devotedness, Brāhmaṇas, the most excellent ones among those who have realized Brahman. Then he himself should take food, O great Brāhmaṇa, remembering Hari.

61. Listen with great attention, O son, to the sins that perish when the Vrata that Hari likes much, is performed thus in the month of Kārttika.

62-65. The sin [3] arising from enjoying what has not been dedicated to Hari, from looking at the Sun while taking food, from taking food from a sinner listening to the words of a woman in her monthly course, the sin of touching another person at the time of taking food, from taking prohibited food, the sin arising from taking food which is defiled and the sin accruing from abandoning pure food in the auspicious hour liked by Hari—all the sins like these will certainly perish. Hence, making all possible efforts one should take food under a Dhātrī tree.

66. If a Brāhmaṇa wears a garland of Dhātrī as well as one of Tulasī in Kārttika month, his merit is infinite.

61. If any man resorts to the shade of a Dhātrī tree and offers in particular a row of lamps, his merit is infinite.

68. Rādhā and Dāmodara are to be worshipped particularly under a Tulasī plant. [4] If Tulasī is not available, the splendid worship should be performed under Dhātrī.

69. If a man takes food at least once under a Dhātrī tree in the month of Kārttika and feeds a couple he is liberated from all evils of food.

70. At the conclusion of the Kārttika Vrata, one should worship the splendid Āmalakī ( Emblic myrobalari ), feed a couple for the propitiation of Rādhā and Dāmodara and take one’s own food later. His prosperity and glory will never wane.

71. O sage, if any devotee of Viṣṇu in the world wears the fruit of Dhātrī he becomes a favourite of Devas. Of human beings he is much more so—it is needless to say.

72. A person who smears his body with (the paste of) the fruit of Dhātrī, whose diet consists of the fruit of Dhātrī and who is endowed with the fruit of Dhātrī becomes Nārāyaṇa .

73. If a person holds the fruits of Dhātrī always within his closed hand, Lord Nārāyaṇa grants him the desired boon.

74-75. A man who desires prosperity and glory should always take his bath with Āmalaka fruits. Viṣṇu is delighted with the Āmalaka fruits particularly on Ekādaśī days.

One should avoid taking bath with Āmalaka fruits on the seventh and ninth lunar days, on a new-moon day, on Sundays, on a day when the Sun moves from one zodiac to another, on a day of lunar or solar eclipse.

76. If a man resorts to the shade of Dhātrī and offers rice balls (to Pitṛs ), the Pitṛs attain liberation with the favour of Mādhava.

77-78. If a man wears the fruit of Dhātrī on the head, hands, face, arms and the neck, O dear one, if he is embellished with the Dhātrī fruits, Keśava lovingly rolls on his body as many times as the garland of Dhātrī moves to and fro round his neck.

79. Fruitful indeed is the life of that man in whose house these three exist, viz. a fruit of Dhātn, Tulasī and the clay originating from Dvārakā (called Gopīcandana ).

80. A man can reside in Vaikuṇṭha as many thousands of Yugas as the number of days he wears a garland of Dhātrī (flowers) in Kali Yuga .

81. A man who wears round his neck the two garlands, one of Dhātrī and the other of Tulasī, shall stay in heaven for crores of Kalpas .

82-83. If a person resorts to the shade of Dhātrī on the twelfth lunar day, worships Hari, feeds Brāhmaṇas there itself and himself takes cooked pulses and other stuffs as his food, he does not return (to the world) even after hundreds and crores of Kalpas.

84-86. One should worship Hari with leaves and fruits of Tulasī and Dhātrī; If a Tulasī (plant) is watered along with Dhātrī in the month of Kārttika, all the sins like that of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter perish as in the case of the Brāhmaṇa Dharmadatta [5] who attained salvation formerly.

Nārada said :

87. Previously this has been said by you that it should always be resorted to by men in the month of Kārttika and worshipped. It should not be used in the four (rainy) months. Please tell everything completely to me.

Brahmā said :

88. O Brāhmaṇa-sage, beginning with the splendid Daśamī (tenth day) in the bright half of the month of Kārttika, it should be resorted to in all the holy rites of the deities or Pitṛs.

89-91. Men who worship Madhusūdana with its leaves and fruits from the tenth day pass on to Vaikuṇṭha.

When the Kārttika Vrata is concluded one should perform Vanabhojana [6] (taking food in the open air in a park or a forest). O highly fortunate one, one should celebrate Vanabhojana on the fifth, tenth or twelfth day or on the full-moon day.

Equipped with all condiments and ingredients and accompanied by old men and young children, an intelligent person should enter the park rendered splendid by Dhātrī trees.

92. There should be the following trees all round, beautifying that park: mango, Baka ( Sesbana grandiflora ), Aśvattha (the holy fig tree), Picumanda ( Azadirachta indica ), Kadamba , banyan and tamarind.

93-96. After going there, O highly intelligent one, the devotee should perform Puṇyāha rite (purificatory rite) at the outset. The Vāstupīṭha (pedestal of the holy site) for the sake of worship should be made at the root of Dhātrī. A square-shaped altar should be made. It shall be splendid and a Hasta long as a seat of deity. There shall be an Upavedikā (smaller altar) in front of the Altar: O highly intelligent one, the place should be beautified by means of minerals.

To the west of the Altar, he should make the pavilion for the Kuṇḍa (holy pit). It must have three Mekhalās (girdles, circular rings) and a vaginic-shaped frontal inlet. O gentle one, it should extend to one Hasta .

97. Afterwards he should take his bath, perform Japa and worship of the Lord. Thereafter, he should gather fire and perform Homa in accordance with the injunctions.

98-101. The Homa should be with milk-pudding, ghee , jaggery, pulse-soup and Palāśa twigs. Caru should be carefully prepared for the sake of the Planets and the deities of the house-rite. Then Rakṣā -Homa (Homa for the sake of protection) should be begun repeating the synonyms of Dhātrī viz. Dhātrī, Śānti , Kānti , Māyā , Prakṛti , Viṣṇupatnī, Mahālakṣmī , Ramā , Mā, Kamalā , Indirā , Lokamātā , Kalyāṇī , Kamalā, Sāvitrī , Jagaddhātrī , Gāyatrī , Sudhṛti , Antajñā, Viśvarūpā , Sukṛpā and Abdhisaṃbhavā.

The Homa should be performed along with the principal deity.

102. Repeating the Mantra beginning with Saṃsṛṣṭa ( Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa ) as well as Ṛṣabhaṃ mā ( Ṛg Veda X. 166.1) the devotee should make the offerings of Apūpa (sweet pie) mixed with jaggery and cooked pulse.

103. After performing one hundred and eight Homas with milk-pudding while repeating the Mūla Mantra , he should perform the Homas for the presiding Devas of the Planets etc. respectively.

104-109. In the Homa for Dhātrī, O highly intelligent one, and in Rakṣā-Homa, milk-pudding should be offered. Then the Homa for Sviṣṭakṛt ( Fire-god of that name) should be performed. Then oblations should be made. The Rakṣā-Homa and worship should be performed for Indra and other Guardians of the Quarters carefully and scrupulously.

Afterwards oblation should be offered to Dhātrī tree along with the altar everywhere with cooked pulse mixed with jaggery. Then he should pray thus: “Obeisance to you, O goddess Dhātrī. Accept the excellent oblation with a mixture of jaggery and cooked pulse. O deity, the bestower of all auspiciousness, give me highly intelligent sons. Grant me auspicious renown, intelligence, prescience, presence of mind, good luck and devotion to Viṣṇu. Make me free from diseases forever and rid of all sins perpetually. O goddess, make me refulgent and rich.” After praying, he should circumambulate and place the oblations.

110-111. Those who circumambulate at the time of offering oblations attain Sālokya (residence in the same world) with Viṣṇu along with the Manes. Then he should perform the Pūrṇāhuti (offering with ladleful of ghee) and conclude the remaining part of the Homa.

112. Those who see with their own eyes the smiling Lord of Ramā stationed at the root of Dhātrī tree attain Sāyujya with Viṣṇu.

113-116. Thereafter the rite of Vaiśvadeva should be performed and the sylvan deities should be worshipped. Then, O son of Brahmā, perfumes and raw rice grains should be offered to Brāhmaṇas. He should feed the Brāhmaṇas then. Thereafter, he should take his own food along with kinsmen. Afterwards he should take old people and children to their respective houses. At night, he should maintain perfect celibacy and sleep on bare ground.

The excellent rite of Vanabhojana should be celebrated by the learned man himself or in the company of other people in the village for ridding himself of all sins. After celebrating all these rites, he should dedicate everything to Kṛṣṇa .

117. In the rite of Vanabhojana the benefit is the same as that of a thousand horse sacrifices or a hundred Rājasūyas .

118. Hence, O highly fortunate one, Dhātrī is sacred. It is destructive of sins. Dhātrī (i.e. tree) is the Dhātrī (supporter and sustainer) of men. It acts like a Dhātrī (nurse).

119. If water (i.e. juice of Dhātrī) is drunk, it bestows longevity. If people take bath using Dhātrī they can secure more religious merit. It is destructive of Alakṣmī (Ill-luck). Merely by taking the bath, one shall attain salvation. By taking regular bath using Dhātrī men will never meet with obstacles.

120. Hence, O Nārada, O great Brāhmaṇa, try to take regular bath using Dhātrī. You will go to the abode of Hari after attaining Devahood.

121. Wherever one takes bath using Dhātrī (water), whether it is in a Tīrtha or in a house, Hari is present there.

122. O Brāhmaṇa sage, O excellent ascetic, if the bones in the body of a man are washed with the use of Dhātrī while bathing, he will never stay in any womb.

123. If, O great Brāhmaṇa, the hair of anyone is washed with Dhātrī juice, he goes to Keśava after getting rid of the dirt of Kali .

124. The fruit of Dhātrī is highly meritorious. The bath is stated as still more meritorious. O dear one, O excellent sage, if it is eaten, it is more meritorious than other meritorious things.

125. Even one single fruit of Dhātrī on the day of Mādhava (i.e. the eleventh lunar day) is more meritorious than Gaṅgā , Gayā , Kāśī , Veṇī and Puṣkara .

126. Bath with the use of Dhātrī, the name of Hari, Ekādaśī (eleventh lunar day) and Śrāddha at Gayā, O dear son, all these are on a par and the sages know it.

127. One who touches Dhātrī everyday, gets rid of all his sins of mind, body and speech.

128. O excellent sage, one should never take bath with Dhātrī fruit on new-moon days or seventh and ninth days or on Sundays or on the days of the transit of the Sun from one Zodiac to another.

129. Ghosts, evil spirit known as Kūṣmāṇḍa or Rākṣasas do not enter that house where, O excellent sage, Dhātrī grows.

130. He who does not wear round his neck a garland made of Dhātrī fruits, should not be considered a Vaiṣṇava or one who is engaged in devotional duties towards Viṣṇu.

131. Neither a garland of Tulasī nor of Dhātrī in particular nor that of lotus seeds should be abandoned by those who desire virtue, wealth or love.

132. One can stay in Vaikuṇṭha as many thousands of Yugas as the number of days on which the man wears Dhātrī garland in the Kali age.

133. Dhātrī is full of all Devas. It is a favourite of Vāsudeva . It should be planted, resorted to and worshipped always by men.

134. Thus the excellent greatness of Dhātrī has been entirely recounted to you. It yields the fruits of all the four great aims of life. It should be always listened to by devotees.

135. If a person resorts to the shade of Dhātrī in the month of Kārttika and takes food, the sin arising from contact with food for one full year perishes in his case.

[1]: [1] : Tree-worship is an age-old custom in India. Trees like Banyan, Pippal (Aśvattha), Bilva, Tulasī etc. have been objects of worship since hoary antiquity. Purāṇic writers have invested them with interesting legends like a beautiful drapery and we have such stories about religious importance of Dhātrī ( Emblica officinalis ) etc. A picnic and open air food under the shade of a tree is a happy social function but it is converted into a religious function by the Purāṇa writer here.

[2]: [2] : VV 21-24 describe how Dhātrī is occupied by all Devas.

[3]: [3] : VV 62-65 enumerate the social norms current then. The violation of those norms or etiquettes is regarded as ‘sins’.

[4]: [4] : The cult of Rādhā-Dāmodara and the deification of Tulasī plant were well established before this Purāṇa.

[5]: [5] : The story of Dharmadatta is given in details in Ch. 24.

[6]: [6] : Vanabhojana is really a picnic in a park but in vv 90-1 17, we find its transformation into a religious rite.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 14629, revision 71255 (2016-06-14T08:38:32Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371653.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.