O Rama, listen with attention to these sacred teachings. There is no doubt that the goddess desires union with the devotee who approaches with sincerity. The Rathantara and Vamadeva chants, when performed, increase the brilliance of Brahman within oneself. For a young boy’s intellect and memory, one should daily give him a special speech-powder mixed with ghee, reciting the Indramid Gathin chant. By this, he becomes one who remembers all that he hears. If one offers the Rathantara chant and recites it with devotion, he surely obtains a son. The mantra, “Mayi Shri,” should also be recited, for it brings prosperity. By regularly performing the eightfold rite to remedy deformity, one attains prosperity; and by performing the seven or eightfold rites, all desires are fulfilled. He who, with discipline, recites “Gavyeṣuṇeti” each morning and evening, and tends to the cows, will always have cows in his house. As long as there is a drona of clarified butter, let the wind bring the medicine; by offering it properly, all illusion is dispelled. Pradeva, instructing his servant to offer sesame seeds with the formula “Abhi tvā pūrvapītaye” and the vaṣaṭ sound, cuts off the effects of past actions. In battle, offering a thousand bundles of fuel brings victory. The wise should fashion auspicious figures of elephants, horses, and men out of flour, and for the chief persons, these flour figures should be well-cooked, then cut into portions with a razor. O hero, a knower of mantras should recite the sacred chants over you, anoint these figures with mustard oil, and offer them with intent. Having performed this act, one attains victory in battle, especially by employing the Garuda, Vamadeva, Rathantara, and Brihadratha chants. Pushkara then spoke, explaining further: “I have described the procedure for the Samans; now I will explain the Atharvan rites. By offering the Shantatiya group, a person attains peace. The medicinal group removes all diseases, and the Trisaptiya group frees one from all sins. Sometimes, by offering the Abhayanga group, one becomes fearless and is never defeated. The Ayushya group removes untimely death, and the Svastyana group brings well-being everywhere. Through these rites, one unites with excellence and the protective armor group, and by offering the Vāstoṣpatya group, faults in the dwelling are removed. Likewise, the Raudra group removes all faults. These tenfold rites are performed in the eighteen Shantis, including the Vaishnavi, Aindri, Brahmi, Raudri, Vayavi, Varuni, Kauveri, Bhargavi, prājāpatya, tvāṣṭrī, kaumārī, fire-deity, hosts of the Maruts, gāndhārī, śānti, nairṛtakī, āṅgirasī, yāmyā, pārthivī, and the fulfiller of all desires. Whoever recites, ‘You are death,’ destroys death itself. By offering oblation with the mantra ‘suparṇam,’ one is not troubled by serpents—this gift of Indra fulfills all desires and destroys afflictions. The mantra ‘these are the goddesses’ brings supreme peace, and ‘the gods, the Maruts’ fulfills all desires. The phrase ‘from the world of Yama’ is especially effective for dispelling bad dreams. ‘Indra and the five merchants’ brings success in trade, and ‘May I have desire and strength’ increases the good fortune of women. ‘To you alone, O eater of offerings, may the oblation always be made’ brings increase of intellect, while ‘O Agni, knower of cows’ is supremely effective for the growth of wisdom. ‘Steadfast, with the steadfast’ brings attainment of position; ‘May I live as red as lac,’ offered with a dog, brings agricultural success. ‘I have broken you’ increases good fortune, and ‘These are my bonds’ releases one from bondage. ‘I have struck down the oath-breaker’ destroys enemies when offered in oblation, while ‘You are the highest’ increases fame and intelligence. ‘As the deer goes’ increases the good fortune of women, and ‘By which here and this’ brings about the birth of offspring. ‘May Bṛhaspati protect us’ ensures well-being on journeys, and ‘I release you’ averts untimely death. Whoever recites the Atharvaśiras today is freed from all sins. Among the mantras, some actions are considered primary: the first oblation is made with sacrificial woods, then with ghee, rice, cow’s milk, and mustard seeds. Unbroken grains, sesame seeds, curd and milk, darbha grass, dūrvā grass, bilva fruits, and lotuses are all said to bring peace and nourishment. Oil-cakes, black mustard, blood, and poison are also used as appropriate. Woods with thorns are used in hostile rites, and the seer, deity, and meter of each mantra must be known by the performer. Pushkara continued: “The Śrīsūkta, recited in every Veda, increases prosperity. The fifteen verses beginning with ‘golden-hued, tawny’ are dedicated to Śrī. In the Yajurveda, four hymns to Śrī are recited at the axles of chariots, and in the Sāmaveda, the Śrīsūkta is chanted as the Srāvantīyaṃ. The Atharvaveda also contains the prayer, ‘O Sustainer, place Śrī in me.’ Whoever recites the Śrīsūkta with devotion surely gains the favor of Śrī. By offering lotuses, bilva leaves, or ghee, one attains the blessings of Śrī. And always, in each Veda, the Puruṣa Sūkta should be recited. By offering a handful of water with each hymn, one is freed from sin, and after bathing, by offering a single flower to Viṣṇu with each hymn, one is released from all wrongdoing.” Thus, O Rama, are the sacred rites, mantras, and offerings explained, each bringing their own fruits—peace, prosperity, victory, and liberation—when performed with devotion and knowledge.