Karthika Puranam · Day 20 of 30
Karthika Puranam Day 20
Chapter 20 — King Puranjaya goes astray
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Sunday, November 29, 2026
Krishna Paksha Shashthi · బహుళ షష్టి
Chapter 20 — the story
Janaka asks for more, and Vasishtha relates a dialogue in which Sage Atri tells Sage Agastya a new story. Puranjaya, a Solar-dynasty king of Ayodhya in the Treta Yuga, grows greedy and arrogant — he seizes temple and Brahmin lands and shares in the loot of thieves he protects.
The Kamboja king and his allies (Konkana, Tenkana, Kalinga and others in the common text) lay siege to Ayodhya, and Puranjaya rides out to fight. (Puranjaya's story continues to chapter 23.)
What this chapter teaches
Power used for greed weakens a ruler from within before any enemy arrives.
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.