Karthika Puranam · Day 13 of 30
Karthika Puranam Day 13
Chapter 13 — The fruit of Kanyadanam — the story of Suveera
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Sunday, November 22, 2026
Shukla Paksha Trayodashi · శుద్ధ త్రయోదశి
Chapter 13 — the story
Vasishtha first says that paying for a poor Brahmin boy's upanayanam is worth more than a sacred river bath. Then he tells of King Suveera of Vanga who, driven from his kingdom, lived by the Narmada, sold his elder daughter for a bride-price, and brushed off an ascetic's advice to give the younger one in proper kanyadanam.
When Suveera died, his sin dragged even his righteous ancestor Shrutakeerti down from heaven into hell. Yama let Shrutakeerti return to earth in human form, and in Karthika he gave the younger daughter in kanyadanam to a worthy Brahmin — and Suveera and all the ancestors were freed.
What this chapter teaches
Kanyadanam must be a gift, never a sale — and done rightly in Karthika, its merit reaches the ancestors.
How to read the Karthika Puranam
- Read or listen to one chapter each day of Karthika Masam, usually in the evening after lighting the deepam.
- Many families read together after the pre-dawn Karthika snanam or at the Tulasi kota.
- These are short summaries; for the full text, read a printed Karthika Puranam or listen to a pravachanam.