Rupasundari, a woman radiant with every auspicious mark, was the beloved wife of the king. She was deeply devoted to her husband, virtuous in conduct, and counted among the most fortunate of women. Together, they were blessed with many sons and noble daughters, and their days unfolded in joy and harmony. As time passed, the sacred month of Karttika arrived—a time said to awaken the very eyes of Lord Hari. In this holy season, the devotees of Narayana would light rows of lamps, observe vows such as Krcchra and Candrayana, and undertake various disciplines with devotion. These practices were cherished by those devoted to Vishnu and by all who sought to escape the perils of worldly existence. When the auspicious day of Prabodhini dawned—a day sacred as the awakening of Vishnu himself—the king turned to his queen and spoke with reverence: “O most fortunate one, today is holy Prabodhini, born from the lotus-navel of Vishnu. I shall worship the Lord today, fasting and with my senses restrained. After bathing at the sacred lake of Pushkara, I will offer worship to the lotus-eyed, imperishable Lord Janardana, along with Lakshmi.” Hearing her husband’s heartfelt intention, Rupasundari, who delighted in his happiness, smiled gently and spoke to him in secret: “A desire has also arisen in my heart, O king—a longing for beauty and charm. I wish to go with you to the foremost holy place, Pushkara.” The king gladly agreed, and together, accompanied by their retinue of elephants, horses, chariots, and priests, they journeyed to Pushkara. Upon arrival, they bathed in the holy waters, meditated, and offered oblations to their ancestors and to the gods. In that sacred place, adorned everywhere with beautiful rows of lamps, they worshipped the imperishable Lord of gods, the lotus-eyed Vishnu. While in the temple, the king noticed a depiction of a cat. The sight stirred memories of his former, humble birth. He gazed upon his beloved’s lotus-like face and laughed. Rupasundari, seeing his smile, asked, “Husband, why do you smile upon seeing my face?” With a heart overflowing with joy, the king shared the story of his previous life: “Once, O goddess, I was a cat in the house of a brahmana. There, I consumed countless mice. Yet, because I happened to protect a lamp before Narayana—even if only by chance—I received the fruit of that act. I attained Vishnu’s world, and now I am a king.” Rupasundari then revealed her own memory: “I too recall my former, humble birth. I was a small mouse in a brahmana’s house. During Karttika, on Prabodhini, when the lamp grew dim, I crept out to nibble at the tip of the wick. I saw Narayana being worshipped with flowers, while the brahmana, overcome by sleep, lay nearby. As I pulled at the wick, you appeared, poised to catch me. Seeing you, I darted back into my hole, but as I entered, my foot brushed the lamp’s wick, causing it to flare up and topple the oil vessel. Thus, by fate, the lamp was rekindled, and I became fortunate.” She continued, “By rekindling the lamp, O king of kings, I have now attained supreme beauty and charm. You are my husband, and I have gained this kingdom, children, happiness, and even rare knowledge—all through the observance of the lamp vow. Therefore, let us, with utmost devotion, always perform the unsurpassed lamp vow. From this act, we have gained kingdom, prosperity, remembrance of past lives, and the destruction of all sins. Let all people, with proper rites and mantras, perform the lamp vow, for its merit endures like the moon, sun, and stars.” Hearing these words, the king and his beloved, with full faith and devotion, performed the lamp vow there at Pushkara. Through this sacred act, they attained the supreme liberation, a state difficult for even gods and demons to obtain. It is said that all who hear the greatness of the lamp are freed from all sins and reach the abode of Hari. Those who, with devoted intent, perform this vow—men or women—are freed from sin and attain the eternal Brahman. Diseases of the eyes, born of sin, are destroyed; all afflictions and illnesses vanish. There is no poverty, no sorrow, no delusion, nor confusion; Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, abides in their homes, birth after birth. In another time, Mahadeva spoke of how Shatakratu, the king of the gods, having completed his gifts and rituals, approached Brihaspati with a question: “O venerable one, what gift brings inexhaustible and supremely precious happiness? Tell me, O great ascetic.” Brihaspati, the wise priest, smiled and replied, “The gift of gold, cows, and land, O Vasava—he who gives these is freed from all sins. Gold, silver, cloth, jewels, and gems—all are given when one gives the earth itself. By giving land that has been plowed, sown, and covered with crops, one is honored in heaven for as long as the sun gives light. Whatever sin a person accumulates in the struggle for livelihood is purified, even by giving as much land as a cow’s hide.” Thus, the sacred stories teach that acts of devotion, charity, and the lighting of lamps bring blessings in this world and beyond, leading souls to liberation and the abode of the divine.