O child, listen to the wondrous glory of the dhātrī fruit and the sacred observances in the month of Kārtika. Whosoever adorns themselves with the fruit of the dhātrī tree—whether upon the head, in the hand, at the mouth, or worn upon the body—becomes blessed. If one eats food prepared from the dhātrī fruit, it is as if he becomes Nārāyaṇa himself. Any Vaiṣṇava in this world who wears the dhātrī fruit, O Guha, becomes beloved not only to men but even to the gods. Especially dear are those who never abandon a garland of tulasī or, above all, a garland of dhātrī. As long as a person wears a garland of dhātrī around his neck, Keśava dwells within his very body. The home that possesses the triad of dhātrī fruit, sacred tulasī earth, and that which arises in Dvārakā is truly fruitful, for such is the abode of holiness. In this age of Kali, for each day a man wears a garland of dhātrī, he will dwell in Vaikuṇṭha for thousands of yugas. Whoever wears at his neck a pair of garlands—one of dhātrī, one of tulasī—will reside in heaven for ten million kalpas. If, with controlled senses, a devotee worships the sacred śālagrāma stone, offering each flower with the devotion and reverence due to an aśvamedha sacrifice, he gains immeasurable merit. Among all the gods, Viṣṇu is supreme; among all flowers, tulasī is preeminent. He who daily worships the Lord Garuḍa-bannered with tulasī is freed from the sufferings of birth, old age, and disease, and attains liberation—especially when he offers a garland of tulasī to Viṣṇu in the sacred month of Kārtika. There is a garland of syllables, which Śauri himself carefully purifies, along with sandalwood, camphor, aguru, and saffron—these are most pleasing offerings. Ketakī flowers and the lighting of lamps are always dear to Keśava. Whoever offers ketakī flowers during Kārtika, in this age of Kali, or arranges a pavilion of flowers with a ketakī garland, especially on the fifth day of the month, for him Keśava establishes a dwelling in heaven. Worshipping Hṛṣīkeśa with ketakī flowers brings Madhusūdana’s pleasure for a thousand years. Even the simple damanaka flower, offered in the spring, sanctifies the house where Keśava is worshipped. Worshipping Janārdana with agastya flowers grants the fruit of worship, and merely beholding such worship destroys the fires of hell—such is the grace of Hari, which even austerities cannot bestow. If Mahāsena, adorned with muni flowers, offers them to Keśava, forsaking all other flowers, he gains the fruit of a horse sacrifice, especially when done with devotion in Kārtika. Even a single garland made by a sage, offered to Janārdana, brings the merit of giving ten thousand cows. A single sage’s flower, offered in Kārtika, brings fruit as cherished by the Lord as the Kaustubha gem or the garland from the forest. Indeed, in Kārtika, Hari is as pleased with a single tulasī leaf as with all other offerings. At this, Sūta observed the humble, devoted boy, deeply absorbed in devotion, and continued the tale. Then, once more, the blessed Mahādeva, Lord of the Bull-banner, spoke. “Hear, O Peacock-rider, of the greatness of the lamp in Kārtika. The ancestors, always surrounded by their kin, yearn for a son in their lineage who is devoted to the forefathers. Whoever pleases Keśava by offering a lamp in Kārtika, whether fueled by ghee or sesame oil, performs the highest sacrifice. What need is there for a horse sacrifice if such a lamp is given? By this act, all sacrifices and holy baths are accomplished. Whoever offers a lamp before Keśava in Kārtika, especially for five days in the dark fortnight, attains imperishable merit. Even if a lamp is lit by a mouse on Ekadashi, its merit is undiminished. Many are the tales of those who, by lighting lamps, achieved the highest state: a woman, having attained rare human birth, reached the supreme abode; a hunter, worshipping Maheśvara on the fourteenth day, abstained and went to the world of Viṣṇu; a woman, taking refuge even with a dog-eater, made a lamp that was lit by others, and became pure, named Līlāvatī, ascending to eternal heaven. A cowherd, witnessing the worship of the wielder of the Śārṅga bow on Amāvasyā, joyfully cried out ‘Victory!’ and became king of kings. Therefore, lamps should be given at night until sunrise—in homes, cow-pens, temples, shrines of the gods, cremation grounds, and lakes—using ghee and other auspicious substances, for five days. Even sinful ancestors, whose rites of food and water have been neglected, attain supreme liberation by the merit of lamp-giving. Thus, in the glorious Padma Purāṇa, in the Uttarakāṇḍa, in the Kartika Mahatmya, this chapter has revealed the greatness of lamps, fragrance, and the dhātrī fruit. Then, Kartikeya spoke: “O Lord, tell me especially of the fruit of Dīpāvalī. For what purpose is it performed, and who is its presiding deity? What should be given, and what should not? What joy is prescribed, and what play is mentioned in this context?” Sūta said: Hearing these words from Skanda, the venerable Kāmaśoṣaṇa smiled and, addressing the assembled brāhmaṇas, replied, “Well spoken, O brāhmaṇas,” and prepared to reveal the answers sought.