Karthika Puranam · Day 3 of 30
Karthika Puranam Day 3
Chapter 3 — The glory of the Karthika bath
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Thursday, November 12, 2026
Shukla Paksha Tritiya · శుద్ధ తదియ
Chapter 3 — the story
A devout man named Tatvanishtha, on his way to the Godavari, comes upon three Brahmarakshasas living in a banyan tree. They first try to seize him, but his prayer to Narayana calms them, and each tells the sin behind his fate: one beat and robbed a guest, one starved and tormented his parents, and one — a priest at a Vishnu temple — gave devotees' offerings to his mistress.
Moved by their plight, Tatvanishtha bathes in the Godavari with the resolve to free them and gives them the merit of that bath. They take divine forms and go to Vaikuntha.
What this chapter teaches
The merit of even one Karthika river bath is great enough to share — and sharing it is itself an act of compassion.
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.