Whoever observes the vow of Kārtika with proper devotion becomes freed from all sin and ultimately attains the presence of Lord Viṣṇu. The merit gained from performing all vows, bathing in every sacred river, and giving all manner of gifts is, when compared to the Kārtika vow performed correctly, multiplied ten million times over. Truly blessed and full of great merit are those devotees of Viṣṇu who, by following this vow during Kārtika, see all their wishes fulfilled. When a person undertakes this vow, the sins that reside within his body, struck by fear, begin to wonder where they might flee. Moreover, those who listen to or recite the regulations of the Urja vow before Vaiṣṇavas, and who perform it properly, obtain all its fruits and achieve the destruction of all impurity. Thus concludes the ninety-fifth chapter, titled "Description of the Completion Ceremony," in the section on the greatness of Kārtika, as spoken in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Satyabhāmā in the Uttara-khaṇḍa of the Padma Mahāpurāṇa. At this point, King Pṛthu addressed the sage, saying, "O Brāhmaṇa, you have described in detail the vow of Urja, 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 the Śārṅga bow? How did she arise, and in what place, O Nārada? Please tell me briefly, for I consider you to be all-knowing." Nārada replied, "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, surrounded by all the gods and accompanied by groups of celestial nymphs, journeyed to Mount Kailāsa to see Śiva. Upon reaching Śiva’s abode, he immediately encountered a man of terrifying deeds, frightful with his fangs and eyes. Indra questioned him, 'Who are you, sir? Where has the Lord of the universe gone?' Yet, though Indra 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 own 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—a fire capable of burning the three worlds. 'Choose a boon, O Brāhmaṇa; I am pleased by your praise. By granting life to Indra, you will attain fame while alive.' Bṛhaspati replied, 'If you are pleased, O God, let this fire, born from your forehead, which has sought refuge with Indra, be pacified.' Īśvara said, '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, astonished, wondering what it could be. There, on the lap of the ocean, Brahmā saw the child. As Brahmā approached, the ocean too joined his palms in reverence. Bowing his head, the ocean placed the child on his lap. Brahmā asked, 'Whose wondrous child is this?' Hearing these words, the ocean replied, and Brahmā further inquired, 'O lord of rivers, from where did you obtain this mighty child, by whose cry the gods, demons, and great serpents were terrified?' The ocean answered, 'O Brahmā, he was born in the river Gaṅgā; he is my son.' Brahmā instructed, 'Perform for him the birth and other rites, O teacher of the world.' As the ocean spoke, the child—son of the ocean—seized Brahmā’s water-pot, shaking it again and again. As he shook the water-pot, water came forth from his eyes. Somehow freeing the pot, Brahmā then spoke to the ocean, 'Because this water was held by him with his eyes, therefore he shall be known by the name Jalandhara.' Brahmā continued, 'Now he is a youth, accomplished in all weapons and missiles; he will be invulnerable to all beings except Rudra. He will now go to the place from which he arose.' Having spoken thus, Brahmā summoned Śukra and installed Jalandhara in the kingdom. After bidding farewell to the lord of the rivers, Brahmā departed, concealing himself. At that time, the ocean, his eyes blooming with joy at seeing his son, requested Vṛndā, the daughter of Kālanemi, to be his wife. The Asuras, led by Kālanemi, joyfully gave him their daughter, and having obtained such excellent friends, Jalandhara ruled the earth, powerful and accompanied by Śukra. Thus ends the ninety-sixth chapter, entitled "The Description of the Birth of Jālandhara," in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Satyabhāmā, within the Kartika Māhātmya, in the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Mahāpurāṇa.