After performing a purifying bath, one who offers oblations with each sacred hymn is blessed with the fulfillment of all their desires. Reciting the Puruṣa Sūkta has the power to erase both great and small sins. Through the discipline of austerity, regular recitation, offerings, and ritual bathing, a person becomes purified and receives all auspicious blessings. Among the eighteen Śānti rituals for peace, three are held to be most excellent: Amṛtā, Abhyā, and Saumyā. The gentle Amṛtā and Abhyā Śāntis dispel every calamity; Amṛtā is offered to all deities, while Abhyā is dedicated especially to Brahmā. Saumyā Śānti, too, is for all gods and grants every wish. For the deity Varuṇa, the Abhayā gem is to be used, O best of the Bhṛgus. For Amṛtā, the Śatakāṇḍa gem is appropriate, while the conch-born gem belongs to Saumyā. The mantras for each should be invoked for their respective deities, and the chosen gem should be bound to ensure success. These sacred acts are prescribed to ward off calamities arising from the heavens, the atmosphere, and the earth. Listen as I describe these threefold wonders—heavenly, atmospheric, and earthly marvels. Hear from me, then, about celestial disturbances brought on by the planets and stars: the fall of meteors, the burning of the quarters, and the appearance of halos. There are also the sudden manifestation of Gandharva cities, unseasonal rains, and other strange phenomena. Upon the earth, there are moving and unmoving wonders, and earthquakes that arise from the ground itself. If such marvels occur within seven days, they will bear no harmful fruit. But if, after three years, no propitiation is performed, such marvels become a source of fear. Sometimes, images of deities are seen to dance, tremble, blaze with fire, shout, weep, sweat, or laugh. These disturbances in the images can be calmed by worship and offerings made to Prajāpati. There are further signs: places where fire will not burn, or where thunder resounds greatly in the kingdom. Where firewood will not ignite, that land is troubled by its rulers. The remedy for disturbances of fire, O Bhārgava, lies in the recitation of Agni mantras. When trees bear fruit out of season, or when milk flows as blood, the proper response to such tree calamities is to conduct auspicious worship for Śiva. Excessive rain, drought, and famine are all considered calamities. If rain falls for three days out of season, it should be regarded as a cause for fear. Disruptions in rainfall are remedied by worshipping Parjanya, Indra, and the Sun. Through these rites, those who have left the city return, and those nearby draw closer. If rivers, lakes, and springs lose their taste, and water sources are disturbed, then the Varuṇa mantra should be recited. There are also portents among women: births that occur out of season, or children born at the proper time but with abnormalities—distorted forms, twin births, and the like. When such irregularities in childbirth arise, one should honor women, Brahmins, and others with worship. If a mare, elephant, or cow gives birth to twins, or if an offspring is of another species or deformed, it will not survive beyond six months. The birth of such deformed offspring signals danger from foreign armies. To address these birth abnormalities, one should perform fire offerings, recite mantras, and worship Brahmins and others. Those who are not suited for each other do not produce proper offspring. When the sound of musical instruments is heard in the sky, it is an omen of great danger. If wild animals and birds leave the forest and enter the village, or if domestic animals wander into the forest, and aquatic creatures move to land, while land animals seek water, or if auspicious animals gather at the royal gate, these, too, are signs. At dusk, if a rooster remains in the house, or if an auspicious bird appears at sunrise, if a pigeon enters the house, or a carnivorous animal rests on the roof, these are all portents. If bees make honey in strange places, or if crows are seen mating at gates, gardens, entrances, walls, or houses, these are also considered omens. The sudden collapse of strong buildings foretells the death of a king, as does the disturbance of the quarters by dust or smoke. The rising or setting of comets, blemishes in the moon or sun, and disturbances among the planets and stars all indicate impending danger. When fire refuses to burn, or water jars begin to leak, death, fear, emptiness, and other calamities may follow such omens. At this point, Puṣkara spoke: “I will now explain the acts of worship for the gods and the removal of calamities. After bathing with the three 'āpohiṣṭha' mantras, offer water to Viṣṇu. Recite the 'hiraṇyavarṇā' mantra and offer water for washing the feet with the three mantras, O twice-born. Use 'śanna āpo' for sipping, and sprinkle the water as prescribed. For the chariot and its axle, recite the three mantras and offer fragrance. 'Yuveti' is for the cloth, 'puṣpaṃ puṣpavatī' for flowers, and 'dhūpaṃ dhūposi' for incense. 'Tejosi' is for clarified butter, 'śukraṃ' for the lamp, 'madhuparkaṃ' for the honey mixture, and 'dadhīti' for curds. The eight verses of 'hiraṇyagarbha' are prescribed for offerings. All food, O best of men, as well as fragrant drinks, should be offered, along with fan, whisk, footwear, umbrella, vehicle, and seat. Whatever is of this kind, beginning in this way, should be offered with the Sāvitrī mantra; the mantras should be recited, and the item offered accordingly. If there is no image present, then the altar, joined palms, a full water-pot, the riverbank, or a lotus may be used as the focus of worship. Peace is attained by worshipping Viṣṇu in this manner. Then, when the fire is blazing, the fire offering should be performed, after cleansing, sprinkling, and spreading the prescribed materials around. With pure intent, one should take the best portion of all food and offer it to Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord and Imperishable One. Oblations are also to be made to Agni, Soma, Mitra, Varuṇa, Indra the greatly fortunate, as well as to Indra and Agni together, and to all the gods. Homage should be paid to the Lord of creatures, to Anumati, to Rāma, and to Dhanvantari as well. Offerings should then be made to Vāstoṣpati, to the goddess, and to Agni as the maker of the sacrificial rite. Having made these offerings by their respective names, one should present the oblation to each. Finally, to the east of the fire, offerings should be made around the carpenter and his assistant, as well as to the horses and sheep, O knower of dharma. In this way, through proper worship, the gods are honored and calamities are averted.