Karthika Puranam · Day 24 of 30
Karthika Puranam Day 24
Chapter 24 — Ambarisha's Dwadashi vow
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Thursday, December 3, 2026
Krishna Paksha Dashami · బహుళ దశమి
Chapter 24 — the story
Atri gives the Karthika rule — eat only by day on Dashami, fast completely on Ekadashi, and break the fast within the Dwadashi window — and illustrates it with the story of King Ambarisha, who cherished the Dwadashi vow.
One Dwadashi, Sage Durvasa arrives as a guest and goes to bathe before the meal — and is late. With the Dwadashi time running out, Ambarisha asks the learned men what to do; they warn that eating before an invited guest is a grave sin. (Ambarisha's story continues to chapter 29.)
What this chapter teaches
A vow kept faithfully will be tested — the question is how to honour both the vow and the guest.
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.