With a heart full of devotion, the worshipper approaches the sacred rite, seeking to please Janardana. He offers a lamp, knowing that just as the lamp dispels darkness and bestows radiance, so too may this humble gift bring delight to the Lord. Turning with reverence to the Lord of gods, the Lord of the universe, he prays that the food offering, presented together with Lakshmi, may be accepted as the highest and most excellent nectar. With focused mind, he meditates upon Janardana, and then, with devotion, offers arghya—pure water with a fruit or a conch in hand—honoring the Supreme. He beseeches Keshava: "Whatever sins I have committed over thousands of lifetimes, let them all be destroyed by Your grace." Thus, the arghya mantra is recited. Next, a new, spotless pot is brought forth, filled with pure ghee or oil, and placed before Lakshmi-Narayana. Upon this pot, a vessel of copper or clay is set, and within it, a wick made of ninety threads is arranged. The lamp is kindled, the pot set firmly in place, and the lamp is worshipped with flowers, fragrant offerings, and other auspicious items. With a pure heart, the devotee makes a firm resolve. In the dwellings where the wind does not disturb, the lamp is placed, and with the proper mantra, the one sovereign Lord—He who rules all that has been and all that will be—shines forth. The devotee observes, "This lamp, which I have maintained for a year, is like an unbroken fire-offering; may Keshava be pleased with me." Throughout this observance, self-control and study of the scriptures are practiced diligently. The devotee avoids the company of those who have fallen from the path or who oppose the sacred teachings. At night, he keeps vigil, filling the hours with singing, dancing, and music, as well as recitations of sacred texts, stories of dharma, and observances of holy rites. When dawn arrives, the devotee performs the morning rituals. With devotion and honor, he feeds Brahmins according to his means. Only after this does he break his fast, bowing respectfully and taking leave. In this way, with unwavering resolve, the vow is observed day and night for a full year. The lamp is carefully crafted: it may be made of a pala of gold, or half or a quarter of that, while the wick is fashioned from silver, adjusted according to one's means. The pot is filled with ghee and accompanied by a copper vessel, and the image of Lakshmi-Narayana is made of gold if possible. This entire arrangement is undertaken by one who desires the gateway to liberation. When the time comes, a learned and virtuous Brahmin is invited—twelve in the bright half of the month, six in the middle, or three or even one, according to one's capacity. The Brahmin, peaceful and gentle, accompanied by his wife, skilled in rituals, knowledgeable in history, Purana, and dharma, is chosen with care. This Brahmin, devoted to his ancestors, his teacher, the gods, and Brahmins, is honored with offerings of water for the feet, garments, and ornaments. Together with his wife, he worships Lakshmi-Narayana, accompanied by the lamp and wick, with devotion as before. The lamp is placed upon a copper vessel, together with the pot of ghee, and then, after meditating on the Supreme Narayana, it is given to the Brahmin with the prescribed mantra: "In this world pervaded by the darkness of ignorance, You are the destroyer of sin, the giver of knowledge, and the bestower of liberation; therefore, I offer this, O sinless one." After reciting the lamp-mantra, the devotee gives a gift to the Brahmin according to his means, with devotion. The Brahmins are then fed with offerings of ghee, rice pudding, and drinks. The Brahmin and his wife are given garments, a bed with all its furnishings, and even a cow with its calf, as generosity permits. Friends, relatives, and kinsmen are likewise honored and fed. At the conclusion of the lamp vow, a great festival is held. With humility, the devotee bows, dismisses the assembly, and asks forgiveness for any shortcomings. The merit gained by this observance equals that attained by the great solstitial rites, by monthly vows, and by innumerable acts of charity and yogic discipline. The fruit of giving cows, land, gold, and especially household gifts is all obtained by one who gives a lamp. The giver of a lamp attains radiance, inexhaustible wealth, knowledge, and supreme happiness. From this offering come good fortune, pure and boundless learning, excellent health, and supreme prosperity—there is no doubt of this. Moreover, the giver of a lamp is blessed with a fortunate wife, sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and an unbroken lineage. Brahmins gain supreme knowledge, kshatriyas attain sovereignty, vaishyas acquire wealth and cattle, and shudras find happiness. Maidens are granted worthy husbands, long life, and many descendants. A young woman, by this merit, is never widowed nor separated from her husband. Through the power of offering lamps, diseases and afflictions are kept at bay, the fearful are freed from fear, and the bound are released from bondage. One devoted to this vow is freed from even the gravest sins, such as the slaying of a Brahmin, for this is the word of Brahma. The merit of the most severe penances, like Cāndrāyaṇa and Kṛcchra, is gained by one who maintains a lamp for a year as an eternal offering to Hari. Blessed indeed are those great-souled ones who, worshipping Hari with devotion, have kept the lamp burning for a year; by their actions, the true fruit of birth is attained.