🕯️ Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) Vrat Katha
The story
The three sons of Tarakasura — Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali — won from Brahma by penance three flying cities (Tripura) that could be destroyed only when all three came into one line and were pierced by a single arrow. Tormented by them, the gods sought Shiva's refuge.
Shiva made the earth his chariot, the sun and moon its wheels, Meru his bow, Vasuki the bowstring and Vishnu the arrow; on Kartik Purnima, when the three cities aligned, one arrow burnt Tripura to ash. The gods celebrated by lighting lamps in Kashi — that is 'Tripurari Purnima' and 'Dev Deepawali'.
The second story is of the Matsya avatar — on this Purnima Vishnu took the form of a fish and saved Manu and the Vedas from the deluge. And the third — on this day in 1469 Guru Nanak Dev ji was born (by Sikh tradition), hence the Prakash Parv in gurdwaras.
Why this katha — the significance
The Padma Purana equates the merit of the Kartik Purnima bath and lamp-offering with an Ashwamedha yajna. The Kartik bath (bathing in Brahma Muhurat all month) concludes on this day — those who could not keep it all month should do it at least on this one day.
It is traditional to float 365 lamps (or as many as possible) on the river — one for every day of the year; the Dev Deepawali on the ghats of Kashi is world-famous. It is also held to be the day of Vishnu's Matsya avatar.
The Purnima fast and arghya to the moon at moonrise — when Krittika nakshatra falls on Kartik Purnima it is called 'Maha Kartiki', even more auspicious.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Kartik Purnima in {Y}?
The date at the top is this year's Kartik Purnima — from panchang calculations; the Delhi times for moonrise, Brahma Muhurat (bath) and Pradosh (lamps) are shown too.
What is the difference between Dev Deepawali and Diwali?
Diwali is the Lakshmi puja of humans on Kartik Amavasya; Dev Deepawali fifteen days later on Kartik Purnima is the festival of lamps of the gods — celebrating the slaying of Tripurasura, grandest on the ghats of Kashi.
How to do deepdaan if there is no river nearby?
Fill a large vessel (tub/paraat) with water in the courtyard/terrace and float dough or clay lamps in it, light lamps at the Tulsi platform — the merit is held to be the same. Do not make plastic boats.
Should the Satyanarayan katha be held on this day?
Kartik Purnima is considered the most auspicious Purnima of the year for the Satyanarayan katha; at home with a priest or from the book yourself — prasad of panjiri, panchamrit and banana.
What is the Kartik bath?
The rule of bathing at dawn, worshipping Tulsi and offering lamps every day through Kartik (Sharad Purnima to Kartik Purnima); it concludes on Kartik Purnima. If the whole month is not possible, the five days from Ekadashi to Purnima (Bhishma Panchak) suffice.
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