In that sacred field, souls enjoy celestial pleasures until the very end of the cosmic flood. When the merit that sustained them is spent, they return to this world, reborn as masters of the four Vedas. Those who, in that holy place of the Sun, surrender their lives while established in the yoga of Śaṅkara, attain liberation itself. Such a one, having reached the radiant world of the Sun, delights among the gods in heaven. When he returns to human birth, he is destined to become a righteous king. Indeed, by attaining the yoga of the Sun, liberation is secured. Thus, O best of sages, has the exceedingly rare and sacred field been described—a field on the shore of the ocean at Koṇārka, which bestows both worldly enjoyment and ultimate liberation. Hearing this, the assembled sages addressed the divine narrator: “O best of gods, we have listened to your account of the supreme field of Bhāskara, which grants both enjoyment and liberation. Yet our hearts are unsatisfied, for your holy tale, born from your lips and radiant with bliss, destroys the sins that obscure the Sun. We long to hear more. Tell us, O Lord, what is the fruit of worshipping the gods, and what is the fruit of giving? In acts of prostration, salutation, circumambulation, offering of lamps and incense, and even sweeping the temple floor—what merit lies therein? What of fasting, of eating only at night, and the offering of arghya—how is it prescribed, and where should it be offered? How should devotion be performed? How does the god become pleased? O best of gods, we yearn to hear all this from you.” The divine teacher replied, “Listen, O best of twice-born, as I explain the arghya and all the forms of worship for Bhāskara, as well as the ways of devotion, faith, and meditation. Devotion is the inner contemplation of the heart; faith is highly praised; meditation is known as samādhi. Attend closely. Whoever causes this sacred tale to be heard, who worships the devotees of the Sun, or who serves the sacred fire, is truly an eternal devotee. He whose mind and heart are fixed in worship, who is ever devoted to the gods, and who performs these actions, is an eternal devotee indeed. Among men, he is the most devoted who rejoices in the acts performed for the gods, who excels in singing their praises, and who never envies other devotees nor disparages other deities. Especially devoted is the one who observes the vow of the Sun. Whether walking, standing, sleeping, smelling, or opening and closing his eyes, he who always remembers Bhāskara is the highest among devotees. Such devotion must always be practiced by one who knows, through devotion, concentration, and praise with the mind. He who observes discipline and gives gifts to a Brahmin is accepted by gods, humans, and ancestors alike. A leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, if offered with devotion, is accepted by the gods; but they reject offerings from those lacking faith. Purity of intention, joined with discipline and proper conduct, makes every act fruitful. Through praise, recitation, offering, or worship of Vivasvat, and by fasting with devotion, one is freed from all sins. He who bows his head to the ground in reverence is instantly freed from all sin—there is no doubt. The devotee who circumambulates the Sun, filled with devotion, thereby circumambulates the entire earth with its seven continents. He who, fixing the Sun in his mind, circumambulates the sky, thus circumambulates all the gods. He who, having eaten only once, worships the Sun on the sixth day, observing discipline and vows, is endowed with devotion. Or, on the seventh day, he attains the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice by worshipping Bhāskara through fasting day and night. On the seventh or sixth day, he attains the highest state—especially on the seventh day of the dark fortnight, by fasting and controlling the senses. He who worships Bhāskara with offerings of all jewels, and travels in a vehicle shining like a lotus, reaches the radiant world of the Sun. On the seventh day of the bright fortnight, the man devoted to fasting and pure offerings, freed from all sins, attains the world of the Sun. He should drink water offered in a vessel sacred to the Sun. By increasing the count in due order, one should eliminate each twenty-fourth day; in two years, the observance is complete. This Arkasaptami is praised as fulfilling all desires. On the seventh day of the bright fortnight, especially when it is the Sun’s own day, it is supremely auspicious. This seventh day is called Vijaya. Offerings, bathing, charity, austerity, fire offerings, and fasting performed on Vijaya Saptami yield immense fruit and destroy great sins. Those who perform ancestral rites on the Sun’s day and worship the great white form obtain all they desire; all their righteous acts are ever dedicated to Bhāskara. In the family of such devotees, there is never anyone who is poor or diseased, whether the offering is made with white, red, or yellow clay. The one who applies the sacred unguent receives the result he wishes for, and Citrabhanu—the Sun—should be worshipped with various fragrant flowers. Whoever worships the Sun while fasting attains his cherished desires; and lighting a lamp with ghee or sesame oil brings blessings anew. Thus, the path of devotion to the Sun is revealed—a way of worship, discipline, and faith, leading to both worldly joy and supreme liberation.