Karthika Puranam · Day 21 of 30
Karthika Puranam Day 21
Chapter 21 — Puranjaya learns the power of Karthika
Read on (2026)
Monday, November 30, 2026
Krishna Paksha Saptami · బహుళ సప్తమి
Also on this day: Third Karthika Somavaram
Chapter 21 — the story
A fierce battle is fought; Puranjaya is defeated, slips back into his city and loses his kingdom to the invaders.
His preceptor Vasishtha (in some editions, the royal priest Sushila) tells him the defeat is the fruit of his misrule. He tells him to keep the coming Karthika Pournami, when the Moon is in Krittika — bathe, light lamps before the Lord, chant and dance in devotion — and promises that Hari will then bless him with a son and a chakra to win back his kingdom.
What this chapter teaches
Defeat can be the turning point — the way back begins with accepting correction.
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.