Once upon a time during the culmination of Satyayuga, there lived a Brahmana belonging to the lineage of Muni Atri in Haridwara whose name was Devasharma. He was very Expert in the knowledge of the Vedas and its sub parts and was very regular in performing various religious practices.He had one daughter who name was Gunavati, who was married to his disciple named as Chandra. Chandra was properly trained in the matter of sense control and was very dear to his father in law-Devasharma.
Once upon a time when both Devasharma and his disciple Chandra went to collect some wood and fuel for performing daily ablutions in a hill of Himalayas, a Ferocious Man eater Demon attacked ,and Killed Them.Because Both of them were highly qualified in performing religious practices, ultimately leading to the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord,Vishnu; they were escorted to Vaikuntha planets by the Vishnudutas. When Gunavati came to know about the death of her Father and Husband, she became highly aggrieved and lamentfull. Nevertheless the pious lady controlled herself and performed all Religious rites for the well being of the departed souls.
From that day onwards she started living an austere life by always performing the devotional service of the supreme Lord, Vishnu and by executing two important Vows - Observing fast on Ekadashi and properly following the Vow in the month of Kartika, which are very dear to Lord Krishna.Those who follow the austerity of taking early morning bath in the Month Of Kartika; they get Liberated, even if highly sinful.Those people 1.) who regularly take early morning bath in the Month of Kartika; 2.) wake up before the Deity of the Supreme Lord in the Mid night for glorification; 3.) offer Lamp to the Deity (Deep Dan); 4.) Serve and maintain Tulasi Plant directly resemble as having the form of Vishnu even within this Mortal World. Those people who are engaged in cleaning Vishnu Temple, Offering Various paraphernalia and worshiping the Deity of the Supreme Lord are already liberated even within this mortal world.If by following the vows in the month of Kartika for only three days, one becomes worshipable for demigods, what can be said of those who have regularly observed it during there Lifetime.So the pious lady Gunavati observed the vow of Kartika regularly, every year and engaged her mind in the Devotional service of The Supreme Lord consistently.
Once , when all her limbs had become very weak due to the old age and high temperature, she nevertheless went to take bath in the banks of the Ganges.The Moment she kept her foot in the chilled water of the river, she fall down in the river shivering due to the intense Cold.In that anxious state she saw an airplane plane coming down to the earth which was looking all auspicious by the presence of the Vishnudutas carrying Lotus flower, Conchshell , club and disc; and decorated with a Flag marked with the sign of Garuda. When that airplane from Vaikuntha came near by her, She immediately assumed a Divine Self Effulgent Form and Boarded on it. On being consistently served by fanning Chaamar she was ultimately escorted to the Transcendental Vaikuntha Planet , to the Lotus feet Of Krishna ,the Supreme Personality Of Godhead.
When the Original Supreme Lord Krishna came to this mortal World, His associates who are equal to Him in qualities and are very Dear to Him also incarnated in this material World in order to participate in His Pastimes in different ways. The very same Devasharma , father of Gunavati came as Satraajit(Father of Satyabhama).Chandra, husband of Gunavati became Akrura ;and the Gunavati was none other than Satyabhama herself(one of the most prominent Wives Of Krishna in Dwarika).
Krishna himself Concludes this incident to Satyabhama by saying that because in her last life she has observed the vows of Kartika month, She Satisfied Him and got the privilege of becoming His wife in this life.Because in her last life, she properly served Tulasi Devi in the corridor of the Vishnu temple, she got the Good fortune of regularly seeing the desire tree in her Courtyard.She was enjoying such a Great opulence with Him only because of her great vow in regularly offering Lamp to the Deity(Deep Dan) in her Birth as Gunavati. As a result of consistently performing the Vow of Kartika every year during her entire lifetime in her last birth, she would never be bereft from the association of Krishna.Even Activities like great sacrifices, charity, austerities and vows can never be equal to the part of the result one achieves by observing Vow On Kartika Month.
(Taken From Padma Purana uttar khanda)
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Hare Krishna...Please Accept My Humble Obeisances unto Your Holy Feet....With this your most wonderful and very, very important information message to one and all, you have reserved your berth in Golaka Vrindavana...May the Blessings of our Dear Sri Krishna & Smt.Radharani be bestowed upon you and your family for ever and ever....Your Servant - k.v.subrahmanyam