Hear now the sacred narrative of the lamp vow, as revealed in the Padma Purana. It begins with the seeker, intent upon their own welfare, who must act with honesty and integrity, refraining from deceit in matters of wealth. With a pure heart, the devotee prepares a pair of garments, choosing yellow or white, and sets about appeasing the nine planets through the prescribed ritual. Once the sacrificial offering is cooked, a Vaishnava fire ritual is performed. On the twelfth day, the devotee carefully worships the Lord of gods. According to tradition, a flawless and pure vessel is placed, adorned with five precious gems and filled with leaves and medicinal herbs. Into this vessel, the devotee installs Janardana together with Lakshmi, at the root of the Tulasi plant, invoking the power of Vedic and Purāṇic mantras. The Tulasi grove is sprinkled only with milk, and the Lord of gods, the teacher of the world, is bathed with the five nectars—milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar. The devotee prays to the infinite Lord, whose form encompasses the entire universe, who sustains cosmic order within the waters, and who, by His power, creates the worlds. May this eternal God be gracious. The devotee recites: “Come, O Achyuta, Lord of gods, radiant source, Lord of the world; destroyer of darkness, protect me from the ocean of existence.” The invocation continues: “Bathed with the five nectars and fragrant waters, and with water from the Ganga and other rivers, may Ananta, thus bathed, be pleased.” The bathing mantra follows: “Sandalwood, aloe, camphor, saffron, and other ointments, offered by me with devotion, O Lord, together with Lakshmi, please accept.” With reverence, the devotee anoints the deity, praying: “O Narayana, salutations to you, rescuer from the ocean of hell; Lord of the three worlds, to you I offer these auspicious garments.” The garment mantra is offered: “O Damodara, salutations to you, save me from the ocean of existence; the sacred thread given by me, O Supreme Person, please accept.” With the sacred thread mantra, flowers—fragrant jasmine and others—are presented to the Lord: “O Lord of gods, please accept them with delight.” Then comes the flower mantra: “O Lord, accept the offering, accompanied by foods to be eaten and enjoyed, complete with all tastes, O Supreme Lord, please accept.” Areca nuts, betel leaves, and camphor are offered together: “O Lord of gods, please accept this betel offering.” Incense is offered to the teacher with devotion, using guggul mixed with ghee, and a lamp is lit with ghee. With focused mind, the devotee prepares various kinds of lamps before Lakshmi-Narayana, in the presence of the Tulasi grove. Arghya is offered to the Lord of gods, the wielder of the discus. On the ninth day, the best arghya is given for the sake of a son, accompanied by a coconut. On the tenth day, a citron is offered for the attainment of righteousness, desire, and wealth. On the eleventh, a pomegranate is given to remove poverty. O Narada, listen further. With seven kinds of grains in a bamboo vessel, along with seven kinds of fruits and a leaf with areca nut, the offering is prepared. Covered with cloth, it is presented before the deity. The devotee prays: “O God, together with Tulasi and always accompanied by a conch, accept the arghya offered by me; obeisance to you, O Lord of gods.” Having worshipped Janardana, the Lord of gods, together with Lakshmi, the devotee prays for the fulfillment and completion of the vow: “O Lord of gods, I have fasted, free from desire and anger; by this vow, O Lord, you alone are my refuge. O God, in this vow, whatever has been left incomplete by me, may all that be fulfilled by your grace, O Janardana. Obeisance to you, lotus-eyed one; obeisance to you who lie upon the waters; this vow has been performed by me through your favor, O Keshava. O Keshava, destroyer of the darkness of ignorance, by this vow, may you become gracious and bestow the vision of knowledge.” Then, during the night, the devotee remains awake, singing and reading scriptures, with music and dance performed by those skilled in the arts, and with auspicious stories of merit. When the night passes and the pure sun rises, Brahmins are invited with devotion, and a Vaishnava śrāddha is performed. The Brahmins are fed as desired with rice pudding and ghee, along with betel, flowers, fragrance, and other gifts. Sacred threads, garments, garlands, and sandalwood are given, and three married couples are fed, along with clothes, ornaments, and saffron. To the best of one’s ability, bamboo vessels are filled with sprouted grains, coconuts, cooked food, garments, and various fruits. The teacher and his wife are clothed and worshipped with divine ornaments, fragrance, and garlands. A cow, adorned with all necessary ornaments and yielding milk, is given with proper gifts and clothing. All the merit gained by bathing at every sacred ford is obtained through the grace of the Lord of gods. After enjoying abundant pleasures and fulfilling delightful desires, by the grace of Vishnu, the devotee attains the Vaiṣṇava abode at the end. Narada then asks, “O Brahmā, tell me the supreme method of the lamp vow called Saṃvatsara, which is foremost among all vows, and its greatness. By which, surely, all vows are as if accomplished, all desires are fulfilled, and all sins are destroyed.” Mahādeva answers: “O divine sage, I will tell you the secret that destroys sin; by hearing which, even a slayer of a Brahmin, a killer of cows, a betrayer of friends, or one who violates the teacher’s bed—a betrayer of trust, one of cruel mind—attains eternal liberation, uplifting a hundred generations, and goes to Viṣṇu’s world. Therefore, I shall explain to you the unsurpassed lamp vow, its procedure for a year, and its greatness.” Thus is revealed the sacred lamp vow, its rituals, prayers, and profound rewards, as taught by the sages and honored by the devotees of Vishnu.