The mighty Daitya Śaṅkha, having already deprived the gods of their authority and conquered them, found himself troubled. Despite his victory, he sensed that the gods still retained a mysterious strength. He pondered, “What should I do now?” Reflecting deeply, Śaṅkha realized the source of their remaining power: the gods were endowed with the might of the Vedic mantras. Determined to render them completely powerless, he resolved, “I will take those Vedas from them, and then they will truly be left without any strength.” With this resolve, Śaṅkha set his plan into motion. He saw Viṣṇu in deep sleep and, seizing the opportunity, swiftly made his way to Satyaloka and took the entire collection of Vedas. But as soon as Śaṅkha took possession of them, the Vedas, gripped by fear, fled and plunged into the waters, accompanied by the sacrificial mantras. Śaṅkha searched for them everywhere within the ocean, wandering restlessly, but could not find them gathered anywhere. Seeing the loss of the Vedas, Brahmā, together with the gods, became deeply troubled. Seeking deliverance, they gathered offerings and made their way to the divine abode of Vaikuṇṭha, taking refuge in Lord Viṣṇu. There, to awaken the Lord, the gods performed acts of devotion: they sang, played instruments, and offered fragrance, flowers, incense, and lamps again and again. Their devotion and persistence pleased the Blessed Lord. Awakened by their love, Viṣṇu appeared before them, his radiance shining with the brilliance of a thousand suns. The gods, overjoyed, worshipped him with the sixteen offerings, and, falling prostrate before him, awaited his words. Keśava spoke with compassion, “I am the granter of boons, O gods. With your auspicious singing and music, I am pleased to grant you all the desires of your hearts. From the bright eleventh day of the lunar month until the night of my awakening, those who perform such auspicious singing and music as you have done become ever dear to me and attain my presence.” He continued, “Just as you have offered water for the feet, arghya, and water for sipping, so too does wondrous merit arise, bringing happiness. As for the Vedas, which Śaṅkha has taken, they now remain hidden in the waters. I will retrieve them for you, O gods, after slaying the son of the ocean. From this day forward, the Vedas, with all their mantras and sacrificial formulas, shall rest in the waters every year during the month of Kārtika. I too shall dwell in the water; you all, together with the great sages, should accompany me.” He further declared, “At this auspicious time, the best of twice-born men take their morning baths, and by doing so, they are purified as if they had performed all the concluding ablutions of sacrifices. Those who properly observe the vow in Kārtika every day, O Śakra, at the end of their lives, surely attain my abode. By my command, you gods must protect these devotees from obstacles, and you, Varuṇa, must grant them descendants—sons, grandsons, and so on. O Lord of Wealth, by my command, ensure their increase in riches. Those men, bearing my form, are truly liberated while living.” Viṣṇu concluded, “This supreme vow, performed from birth to death according to the prescribed method, is to be honored by you as well. Because you awakened me on the eleventh day, this lunar day is always dear to me and worthy of honor. These two vows, when properly performed by men, bring my presence; there is nothing else. Gifts, pilgrimages, austerities, and sacrifices always grant heaven, O best of gods.” Thus, in the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa, in the section on the greatness of Kārtika, this episode is known as the ninetieth chapter, ‘The Uplifting of the Slaying of Śaṅkhāsura,’ as recounted in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Satyabhāmā. Later, Nārada addressed the king, “Now, O King, listen as I explain the proper method for concluding the Ūrja vow. Hear from me, in summary, the procedure to be followed. On the bright fourteenth day of Ūrja, the observer of the vow should perform the conclusion ceremony, seeking the completion of the vow and the pleasure of Viṣṇu.” He continued, “Above the tulasī plant, one should construct an auspicious pavilion, adorned with festoons, four gates, and decorated with flowers and yak-tail fans. At each gate, worship the doorkeepers, each made separately from clay: Puṇyaśīla, Suśīla, Jaya, and Vijaya. At the base of the tulasī plant, draw a protective diagram on all sides, beautifully adorned with four colors. Above that, place a covered pot, adorned with five jewels and joined with a great fruit.” Nārada instructed further, “There, worship the Lord of gods, who bears the conch, discus, and mace, dressed in yellow silk, together with the daughter of the ocean. The observer of the vow should also worship the guardians of the worlds, beginning with Indra, in a circle. On the twelfth day, awakened by the gods, he is to be seen and worshipped on the fourteenth day, and thus should be honored even more. On that day, one should fast with devotion, remaining peaceful and with a concentrated mind. With the guru’s permission, worship the Lord of gods, made of gold, with sixteen offerings, accompanied by various kinds of food.” “At night, keep vigil with auspicious singing and instrumental music. Those who sing with devotion during the vigil for the wielder of the discus are freed from the heaps of sins accumulated over hundreds of births. For those who sing and dance for Viṣṇu during the night vigil, the reward is said to be equal to the gift of a thousand cows. Performing singing, dancing, and such acts, one should also display festive amusements. Whoever, in front of Vāsudeva, during the night of Hari’s vigil, recites the stories of Viṣṇu and delights the Vaiṣṇavas, who plays instruments and speaks spontaneously—whichever man performs the night vigil for Hari with these feelings—his merit each day is considered equal to that of ten million pilgrimages. Then, on the full moon day, together with his wife, he should invite excellent Brāhmaṇas.” Thus, the glory and procedure of the Kārtika vow and the night vigil for Viṣṇu were revealed, promising blessings, merit, and the presence of the Lord to all who observe with devotion.