Kartik Mahatmya Adhyay 8: The Udyapan of the Kartik Vow

This is chapter 8 of the Kartik Mahatmya. Devarshi Narada explains the udyapan of the Kartik vow, that is, how to bring the vow to its proper completion.

Listen in the video: hear this chapter in Hindi on our YouTube channel. The full list is on the Kartik Mahatmya Katha page.

संक्षेप में: कार्तिक व्रत कैसे पूर्ण करें? तुलसी मंडप, सर्वतोभद्र मंडल, चतुर्दशी का जागरण, पूर्णिमा का हवन और गौ दान की विधि। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

The story

Narada said that the udyapan should be done on Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi, for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu. Over the tulsi, build a beautiful mandap with banana pillars and set rows of lamps all around it. Make four doors in the mandap and decorate them with flowers and bandanwar. At each door make two clay dwarpalas and worship them: Jaya, Vijaya, Chanda, Prachanda, Nanda, Sunanda, Kumuda and Kumudaksha.

Near the root of the tulsi, draw a sarvatobhadra mandal in four colours. Place a kalash on it with the pancharatna, and on the kalash worship Lord Vishnu, who bears the conch, discus and mace. Fast with devotion on Chaturdashi and keep vigil all night with bhajan, kirtan and instruments.

Narada described the merit of that vigil. He says that the sins of hundreds of births vanish for one who sings the Lord's bhajans all night. The sins of many births are destroyed for one who dances and sings before the Lord. And one who delights the devotees by playing a flute or other instrument gains the fruit of crores of tirthas.

On the morning of Purnima, after bathing and worship, respectfully invite a Brahmin couple. Set up fire on the vedi and offer havan with sesame and kheer for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu. After the havan, worship the Brahmins with devotion and give dakshina according to your means.

Then ask their forgiveness and pray that Lord Vishnu be pleased with you, that the sins of your seven births be destroyed, that your children live long, and that at the end you reach Vishnu Loka. After that, give a cow to the guru along with the materials of the puja, and then eat with family and friends.

Why Chaturdashi? Narada explains that on Dwadashi the Lord wakes from sleep, on Trayodashi he meets the gods, and on Chaturdashi everyone receives his darshan and worships him. A journey to Pushkar tirtha on Purnima is called the best of all. And Narada says that one who hears or tells the glory of this udyapan with faith attains sayujya with Lord Vishnu.

The teaching of this chapter

The full rite is grand, but the lesson drawn from this chapter is simple enough for any home. At the close of Kartik, light a lamp near the tulsi and do a simple udyapan at home. Then give food or charity to someone in need.

The udyapan in order

• Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi: build the banana-pillar mandap over the tulsi, with rows of lamps
• Make four decorated doors with two clay dwarpalas at each, and worship them
• Draw the sarvatobhadra mandal in four colours near the tulsi root and set the kalash with pancharatna
• Worship Lord Vishnu on the kalash
• Fast, and keep vigil all night with bhajan, kirtan and instruments
• Purnima morning: bathe, worship and invite a Brahmin couple
• Offer havan with sesame and kheer
• Worship the Brahmins, give dakshina, ask forgiveness and pray
• Give a cow to the guru with the puja materials
• Eat with family and friends

Frequently asked questions

What does udyapan mean here?
It is the rite that brings the Kartik vow to its proper completion, as Narada lays it out in this chapter.

Who are the eight dwarpalas of the mandap?
Jaya, Vijaya, Chanda, Prachanda, Nanda, Sunanda, Kumuda and Kumudaksha, two at each of the four doors, made of clay.

Why is the worship done on Chaturdashi?
Narada says that the Lord wakes on Dwadashi, meets the gods on Trayodashi, and on Chaturdashi everyone receives his darshan and worships him.

What is offered in the Purnima havan?
Sesame and kheer, for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu.

Can the udyapan be done simply at home?
The chapter's lesson suggests it: light a lamp near the tulsi at the close of Kartik, and give food or charity to someone in need.

Previous chapter: Adhyay 7: The Rules of the Kartik Vow