Blinded by pride in his wealth, his mind clouded by the intoxication of prosperity, the man recognized his own folly. With deep humility, he bowed before Hari, the abode of austerity, and pleaded, “Forgive my wickedness, O Lord. I bow to you.” Having thus praised the Lord, he placed a great offering—laksha coins—before his priest as an act of devotion. Pleased by his sincerity, Narayana spoke kindly: “May all your wishes be fulfilled. In the end, you shall attain my presence and rejoice with me.” With these words, Lord Vishnu disappeared from sight, and the virtuous devotee returned to his hermitage. As he neared the city, he quickly sent word to his hermitage. In due course, accompanied by his son-in-law, the virtuous one, having accomplished his purpose, arrived. His wife, entrusting the burden of worship to their daughter, went to the edge of the boat. Kalavati, the daughter, disregarded the Lord’s grace and hastened away. Because of this disregard for divine grace, a misfortune befell them: the captain of the boat saw his son-in-law suddenly submerged in the water and, overcome with grief, fainted. Kalavati, witnessing this calamity, also fell to the ground in a swoon. In her anguish she cried, “Alas, O master, my beloved, knower of dharma, so compassionate—why has half of my husband vanished? How can half a body live?” With lotus eyes streaming tears, her face adorned with strings of pearls and flower buds, she wept bitterly. “O Satyanarayana, ocean of truth, lift me up, for I am drowning in the sorrow of separation.” Then a divine voice resounded: “O virtuous one, let Kalavati quickly offer my grace.” Astonished to hear these words from the sky, Kalavati immediately did as she was instructed. The holy man, filled with supreme devotion and great joy, was blessed by the power of his vow. He was surrounded by sons and grandsons, his family flourishing through the grace of the Lord. Whoever listens to this sacred history with devotion, the text promises, will be blessed. Thus, O Brahmin, I have told you of the supreme vow among vows. Among all vows, the vow of Narayana is the highest. O Suta, as you have heard from my lips, this vow destroys the threefold miseries of life. Now, of all forms of celibacy, what could be higher? Even those who know the essence of the Vedas and their branches sometimes fear Yama’s realm. In this most terrible time—the Kali age, born of unrighteousness—by which āśrama or caste can one attain the highest good? In the Kali age, the stage of vānaprastha is rare, and celibacy is found only here and there. Therefore, it is best to accept a wife in this dreadful age, for then one’s birth will be fruitful and the highest good attained. Having resolved thus, I worship the auspicious, blessing-bestowing Universal Goddess, the embodiment of existence, consciousness, and bliss. Pitṛśarma offered repeated salutations to Her, who is the unity of the three guṇas and the transcendent fourth, the mother of the great principle, the creator of duality. He saluted Her of distinct qualities, the pure one, the Mother of knowledge and of purity, the woman who is the pure embodiment of Rajas and who dwells in the three worlds. Pleased by this hymn, the Goddess bestowed her favor. The Brahmin married that Goddess, known as Brahmacāriṇī. To his beloved, who was in her menstrual period, he gave the customary gift. At their union, the Ṛg, Yajus, Sāma, and Atharvaṇa Vedas were present. From Yajus was born a son, Mīmāṃsa, renowned throughout the world.