On the sacred day of Ekādaśī, it is prescribed that householders and brāhmaṇas in Bhārata abstain from food, honoring the tradition. This instruction, O Nārada, especially applies to householders who are devoted to Śiva or Śakti. Yet, it is the one who continually partakes of offerings made to Śrī Viṣṇu who is recognized as a true Vaiṣṇava. All holy places and deities themselves long for the touch of such a devotee. Certain foods—such as twice-washed rice, flattened rice, or special pure foods from particular regions—are forbidden for ascetics, widows, and those observing celibacy. Betel leaf, too, is not to be consumed by widows, ascetics, or celibates. Listen further, O Nārada, to what is prohibited for all brāhmaṇas: drinking milk from a copper vessel, eating clarified butter from another’s leavings, and coconut water kept in bronze or copper vessels are considered light and not nourishing. If a twice-born individual drinks water with his left hand after rising, it is not proper. Food that has not been offered to Hari, or the habit of always eating leftovers, is forbidden. During the month of Kārtika, speech, betel nut, fruit, and especially beef are all prohibited. White-colored palm fruit, tāla fruit, lentils, and fish are also forbidden at this time. If one eats fish out of desire, one should observe a fast and reside quietly for three days. On the lunar day of Pratipat, pumpkin should not be eaten, as it brings loss of wealth. Patola gourd is also prohibited, for it greatly increases the presence of enemies. Eating bilva fruit on the fifth lunar day brings blemish, and for men, consuming tāla fruit leads to an increase in disease. Eating coconut fruit on the eighth lunar day destroys intelligence. On the eleventh day, beans are prohibited; on the twelfth, putikā beans likewise. On the fourteenth day, eating black gram is considered a great sin. For householders, meat sprinkled with water is permitted on other days. Mustard oil and well-cooked oil are praised, O Nārada, but on days of śrāddha, during vows, and on Sundays, oil pressed by women is considered impure. Sleeping is forbidden, as is turtle meat that has been consecrated with mantras. At night, curd should not be eaten, nor should one sleep during twilight. Food from a woman who draws water, or from a promiscuous woman, is unfit to eat. O best of sages, food belonging to a low-caste woman is also prohibited. Food given first to a non-brāhmaṇa, or from one who practices medicine, is likewise forbidden. At the root of the deer in the month of Bhādrapada, meat is considered equal to cow's flesh. Whoever, after engaging in sexual union or shaving, offers satisfaction to the gods and ancestors, must be mindful. Thus, whatever ought to be done or not done, whatever is fit to be eaten or not eaten, is carefully prescribed. At this point, Nārada, full of curiosity, spoke: “Please, describe the true nature of Brahman and the definition of Brahman. O Lord, is Brahman with form or formless, O Master? Is it visible or invisible, attached to embodied beings or not? Is Prakṛti distinct from Brahman, or is she of the same nature as Brahman? Which of the two holds supremacy in creation, and which is the highest choice between them?” Hearing these profound questions, the five-faced Mahādeva smiled gently. He said, “O Nārada, this is extremely rare to be found in the Vedas and Purāṇas.