[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.3704 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3704 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.3704 - **Language:** English ### [c9.3704](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3704) Vaikuṇṭha once lighted a ghee-lamp in the presence of Viṣṇu in Kārttika and returned home. At that time a rat came there and began to drink the ghee. Then the lamp blazed into a flame. The rat was terrified at this, and ran away. But by the grace of Viṣṇu the rat got deliverance from all its sins. That rat was killed by snake-bite. The men of Yama came with ropes. Instantly the messengers of Viṣṇu also came on Garuḍa. Yama’s men got afraid of Viṣṇu’s messengers and humbly aksed them: “For what goodness of him are you taking this great sinner to Vaikuṇṭha?” They replied: “He had blazed a lamp before the presence of Viṣṇu. That act has earned for him a place in Vaikuṇṭha. The goodness earned by lighting a lamp with devotion and love in Kārttika, could be described only by Mukunda.” After that the rat was taken to Vaikuṇṭha. - [Previous: c9.3703](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3703) - [Next: c9.3705](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3705) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3704](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3704) · Pramāṇa