Hear now a wondrous tale, as recounted in the ancient scripture. It is said that one who is seized by fear is freed from it; one who has lost all wealth regains it; one scorched by a raging forest fire finds relief; and one submerged in the vast ocean is saved. Such is the power of divine grace. Sauti, the sage, continued his narration: She, devoted and wise, assumed many forms for the sake of her beloved lord. With unwavering dedication, she served her husband, worshipping him in all the ways appropriate to the time and circumstance. She undertook the great hymn of praise to the Supreme Person, performed the acts of worship, invoked the protective charm, and recited the sacred mantra. These rites of worship, praise, and the related ceremonies dedicated to Hari had long ago been imparted by the compassionate sage Vasiṣṭha. Yet, in the course of time, both the hymn and the protective charm were forgotten. Still, Vasiṣṭha, ocean of mercy, preserved their essence. Thus, the king ruled his kingdom, which shone with the splendor of Kubera’s own abode, surrounded by women who came and went in various ways, and with others as well. At this point, Śaunaka, eager for knowledge, asked: “The two of them bestowed something special upon Datta. You are worthy, O Sauti, to recount that sacred gift.” Śaunaka continued, “Tell me also about the twelve-syllable mantra and the protective charm of the Trident-wielder. My heart longs to hear of these.” Sauti replied, “Listen now to that very hymn, the mantra, and the protective charm that were given. This is their glory: ‘Om, obeisance to the Lord of the circle of Rāsa, svāhā.’ Long ago, at Puṣkara, Brahmā bestowed this upon Kumāra, concerning Hari. The meditation upon Viṣṇu, as declared in the Vedas, is eternal and exceedingly rare. The exceedingly secret protective charm I myself heard from my father’s lips. This charm was given by Brahmā to the Trident-bearer in Goloka, within the sacred circle of Rāsa. Brahmā said: ‘Out of compassion, O Lord, reveal this to the one called Brahmāṇḍa-pāvana—me, Maheśa, Dharma, and the devotee, O lover of devotees.’ Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied: ‘I shall give you that which is to be kept secret and is extremely rare. This must not be imparted to just anyone; it is as dear to me as my very life. Having upheld this creation, become the creator of the three worlds. O Dharma, holding this, be the witness of all actions. Hari himself is the purifier of this cosmos and of this protective mantra. Its application is declared in matters of dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation. Whoever possesses this perfected protective mantra becomes equal to me. Let the syllable “praṇava” protect my head, and salutations to Rāmeśvara as well. May Kṛṣṇa protect both my ears, and O Hari, my very breath. Let the six-syllabled mantra “śrīkṛṣṇāya svāha” protect my throat. Let the eight-syllabled mantra “namo gopāṅganeśāya” protect my shoulders. Om, salutations to the Lord of the rāsa circle, svāhā. Let the mantra “aiṃ kṛṣṇāya svāha” always protect both my ears. Let “om haraye namaḥ” always protect my back and feet. May Śrī Kṛṣṇa protect me in the east, and Mādhava in the southeast. Let Govinda protect me in the west, and Rādhikeśvara in the northwest. May the supreme Nārāyaṇa himself always protect me everywhere. I have given you something as dear to me as my own life; by wearing this protective mantra, none deserve even a fraction of its glory unless they are truly qualified. After properly worshipping the guru with garments, ornaments, and sandalwood, by the grace of the protective mantra, a person becomes liberated while still living.’ Sauti concluded: Thus, the mantra given by Vasiṣṭha to the Gandharva, and the one given to Manu, shine with such power and sanctity.