Dwelling in a chariot radiant like blazing fire, she reached my presence, her merit earned through the Kartika vow. At that moment, just as the gods led by Brahma once descended to earth through their prayers, all their hosts came along with me as well. O beautiful one, these Yadavas you see are all my companions; your father was Devaśarman, and this king was Satrājit. Candrasharman was Akrura; and you, O virtuous and auspicious one, were Gunavati, ever increasing my affection by your Kartika vow. Once, at my door, you created a garden of tulasi plants. Because of that, a wish-fulfilling tree now stands in your courtyard, O auspicious lady. The lamp you lit during the month of Kartika, placed in your home and dedicated with your own body, has caused the goddess Lakshmi to remain steadfast with you. All the vows and observances you performed for Vishnu, in the form of your husband, have brought you to become my wife. Whatever Kartika vow you performed before birth and death, by that alone you will never be separated from me. Thus, those devoted to vows in the month of Kartika, having attained my presence, bring me joy, just as you do. Indeed, men who perform sacrifices, charity, vows, and austerities do not obtain even a fraction of the merit gained by the Kartika vow. Hearing these words from the Lord of the worlds, Satyā was filled with joy, remembering her meritorious former birth and glory. She bowed to Krishna, the source of the three worlds, and spoke. This is the eighty-ninth chapter in the glorious Padma Mahapurana, within the section of fifty-five thousand verses, in the greatness of Kartika, and within the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Satyabhama, named “The Description of Satyā’s Former Birth.” Satyā then said, “O Lord, all divisions of time are your forms; how, then, is Kartika the best among months? Among lunar days, Ekadashi is dearest, and among months, Kartika is beloved. O Lord of gods, tell me the reason for this.” Shri Krishna replied, “Well have you asked, Satyā. Listen attentively to the conversation between Prithu, son of Vena, and the divine sage Narada. In ancient times, Narada was questioned by Prithu, and the sage, knower of all, spoke of the reason for Kartika’s greatness. “Narada said: Long ago, there was an asura named Śaṅkha, the son of the ocean, powerful and mighty enough to churn the three worlds. He conquered the gods, drove them out, and seized the realms of heaven, taking away the authority of Indra and the other guardians of the worlds. Fearing him, the gods, along with their wives and Indra, entered the cave of Mount Suvarṇa and dwelled there for many years. While the gods remained hidden in that inaccessible cave, the Daitya roamed about freely. “Thinking to himself, ‘Though I have deprived the gods of their authority and conquered them, they still possess strength. What should I do now? Today I understand that the gods are empowered by the Vedic mantras. I will take those from them, and then they will be powerless.’ “Thus resolved, the Daitya, seeing Vishnu asleep, swiftly took the collection of Vedas from Satyaloka. The Vedas, taken by him, fled in fear and entered the waters, accompanied by the sacrificial mantras. Śaṅkha searched for them, wandering within the ocean, but could not find them gathered anywhere. “Then Brahma, together with the gods, sought refuge in Vishnu. Bringing offerings, they went to the abode of Vaikuṇṭha. There, to awaken him, the gods sang and played instruments, offered fragrance, flowers, incense, and lamps again and again. Pleased by their devotion, the Blessed Lord awoke, radiant as a thousand suns, and appeared before them. The gods worshipped him with sixteen offerings and, falling prostrate, listened as Keśava spoke. “Vishnu said, ‘I am the granter of boons, O hosts of gods. With auspicious singing and music, I will grant you all the desires of your hearts. From the bright eleventh day of the lunar month until the night of awakening, those who perform auspicious singing and music as you have done—such people, doing as you have done, always become dear to me and attain my presence. By offerings of water for the feet, arghya, and water for sipping, as you have done, wondrous merit arises, bringing happiness. ‘The Vedas, taken by Śaṅkha, now remain in the waters. I will bring them back, O gods, after slaying the son of the ocean. From this day forward, the Vedas, endowed with mantras and sacrificial formulas, shall always rest in water every year in the month of Kartika. From today onward, I too shall dwell in the water; you all, together with the great sages, should also come with me. ‘At this very time, the best of twice-born men perform the morning bath, and they are purified as if by all the concluding ablutions of sacrifices. Those who properly observe the Kartika vow every day, O Śakra, at the end of their lives, surely attain my abode. By my command, you must protect them from obstacles; and you, Varuṇa, must grant them descendants—sons, grandsons, and so on. And you, Lord of Wealth, must ensure their increase in riches; those men, bearing my form, are truly liberated while living.