The completion ceremony for the Kārtika vow begins with the devotee inviting at least thirty Brāhmaṇas, or as many as he is able, remembering that it was at such a time, after granting boons, that Lord Viṣṇu assumed the form of the Fish-incarnation. On this sacred day, whatever is given, offered into the fire, or recited is said to yield imperishable results. Thus, the observer of the vow should feed the Brāhmaṇas with milk-rice and other wholesome foods. Next, using two ladles, he offers sesame-milk-rice: one for the pleasure of the Lord of gods, Viṣṇu, and another for the other deities. Gifts are given according to one's ability, and the devotee bows respectfully to the assembled Brāhmaṇas. Then, having worshipped Viṣṇu again, along with all the gods and the sacred tulasī plant, the vow-observer proceeds to honor a tawny cow and the guru who has instructed him in the vow, offering garments, ornaments, and other suitable gifts. The devotee worships the guru together with his wife and gifts them the cow, praying, “By your favor, O Lord of gods, may Viṣṇu be pleased with me.” He further entreats, “Whatever sin I have committed in seven births, may all that be destroyed by this vow, and may my lineage be stable.” He asks for his wishes to be fulfilled through worship, and at the end of his life, to attain the exceedingly rare abode of Viṣṇu. Having honored and satisfied the Brāhmaṇas, he dismisses them respectfully. The devotee then offers the worship, adorned with jewels, to the guru. Afterwards, in the company of friends and the guru, he himself partakes of the food. This is the prescribed procedure during Kārtika or while observing austerities. Whoever properly observes the Kārtika vow becomes freed from all sin and attains the presence of Viṣṇu. The fruits gained from all vows, all sacred bathing places, and all gifts—when performed properly—are multiplied ten million times by this vow. Blessed and greatly meritorious are those whose every desire is fulfilled, the devotees of Viṣṇu who observe the Kārtika vow. The sins residing in the body, fearing the power of the vow, begin to wonder, “Where shall we go?” when a man undertakes it. Those who listen to or recite these regulations of the Urja vow before Vaiṣṇavas, and who properly perform the vow, obtain all its fruits and the destruction of all impurity. Thus concludes the ninety-fifth chapter, “Description of the Completion Ceremony,” in the section on the greatness of Kārtika, as spoken in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Satyabhāmā, found in the Uttara-khaṇḍa of the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa. After this, King Pṛthu addresses the sage: “O Brāhmaṇa, you have described the vow of Urja in detail, especially the worship of Viṣṇu at the base of the Tulasī plant as you instructed. Therefore, I wish to ask you about the greatness and origin of Tulasī. How is she so dear to Viṣṇu, the god of gods, the wielder of Śārṅga? How did she arise, and in what place, O Nārada? Please tell me briefly, for I consider you to be all-knowing.” Nārada replies: “Long ago, when Rudra slew the lord of the demons, the son of the ocean, the gods led by Brahmā bowed their heads to Rudra and spoke. Listen, O King, as I recount the greatness and origin of Tulasī. I will tell you the entire ancient story as it happened. Once, Indra went to Mount Kailāsa to see Śiva, accompanied by all the gods and attended by groups of celestial nymphs. When he arrived at Śiva’s abode, he saw a man of terrifying deeds, frightening with his fangs and eyes. Indra questioned him, ‘Who are you, sir? Where has the Lord of the universe gone?’ Though asked again and again, the man did not reply. Angered, Indra rebuked him, saying, ‘Even though I am asking you, you have not given any answer. Therefore, I will strike you with my thunderbolt. Who will save you, wicked one?’ With these words, Indra struck him forcefully with his weapon. Because of this, the man’s neck turned blue and the thunderbolt was reduced to ashes. Then Rudra blazed forth, burning with his radiance. Seeing this, Bṛhaspati quickly folded his hands in reverence, and Indra, bowing to the ground, began to offer praise. Bṛhaspati said, ‘Salutations to the god of gods, to Tryambaka, the matted-haired one, the slayer of Tripura, to Śarva, and to the destroyer of Andhaka. Salutation to Śambhu, who is formless and of infinite forms, who is the destroyer of sacrifices and the giver of the fruits of sacrifices. Homage to him who is Death to Death, who is Time, who bears the enjoyment of Time; obeisance again and again to the slayer of Brahmā’s head, to the Brāhmaṇa.’ Thus praised, Śambhu spoke to the best of Brāhmaṇas, withdrawing the fire from his eye, which was capable of burning the three worlds. He offered, ‘Choose a boon, O Brāhmaṇa; I am pleased by your praise. By granting life to Indra, you will attain fame while alive.’ Bṛhaspati responded, ‘If you are pleased, O God, let this fire, born from your forehead, which has sought refuge with Indra, be pacified.’ Īśvara replied, ‘How can this fire, which has entered my forehead-eye, return again? I will cast it far away so that it does not trouble Indra.’ Having spoken thus, Śiva took the fire in his hand and cast it into the salt ocean, at the confluence of the river Gaṅgā and the sea. There, the fire assumed the form of a child and began to cry; at the sound of his weeping, the earth trembled again and again. Heaven and the world of truth were deafened by that sound. Hearing it, Brahmā came there, astonished, wondering what it was. There, on the lap of the ocean, Brahmā saw the child. Seeing Brahmā approaching, the ocean joined his palms in reverence, bowed his head, and placed the child on his lap. Brahmā then asked, ‘Whose wondrous child is this?’ Hearing these words of the Creator, the ocean replied. Brahmā inquired further, ‘O lord of rivers, from where did you obtain this mighty child?