May Govinda, the Lord of all, forever protect me in the western direction. In the northeast, may He who finds joy in Vrindavan always be my guardian. Let Madhava, the mighty one who vanquished Bali, be my constant protector. May Madhava shield me at all times—whether I am asleep or awake, in every moment. Thus, dear child, I have revealed to you the complete collection of these sacred mantras. I myself have heard them from the very mouth of Krishna, and they are not to be spoken to just anyone. Whether worn around the neck or on the right arm, know without doubt that it is Vishnu himself who is present there. If one perfects this protective mantra, liberation comes even while living in this world. The merit of a thousand Rājasūya sacrifices, of hundreds of Vājapeya rituals, of all the greatest gifts, and of circumambulating the entire earth; the fruits of vows, fasts, self-discipline, self-study, recitation, and austerity—all these are surpassed by the power of the perfected armor. Whoever possesses it truly attains all, and becomes all-knowing. But one who worships Krishna without knowledge of this armor is indeed of dull intellect. Therefore, beloved, take up this armor and make the earth free of kṣatriyas. One may give away a kingdom, one’s head, or even one’s very life, O son, but this knowledge is most precious. At this, Bhrigu spoke: “O Lord, that which brings happiness, grants liberation, is the very essence, and the cause of the destruction of enemies—please teach me the mantra, the hymn, and the method of worship, O Master.” Mahadeva replied: “Among all mantras, this is the king—the great seventeen-syllabled mantra. It is perfected by reciting it five hundred thousand times, O best of sages. Then, one should offer libations, purifying with a tenth part of that number. For the one who has perfected this mantra, O sage, the entire universe is as if held in the palm of his hand. With a body composed of the five elements, the Lord can go to Vaikuṇṭha; all the sacred waters and the earth itself become pure at once. Now listen, O sage, as I describe the meditation upon him as revealed in the Sāma Veda. He is dark like a fresh raincloud, with eyes resembling blue lotuses. His entire body is anointed with fragrant sandalwood; he wears radiant yellow garments and is supremely excellent. He is adorned with garlands of blossoming jasmine and forest flowers, and he radiates a light more brilliant than the moon and the stars in the sky. He is attended by the foremost Siddhas, the greatest sages, and the lord of the gods. Meditating upon him with this vision, one should offer the sixteen traditional forms of worship: water for washing the feet, water for sipping, a seat, clothing, and ornaments; incense, lamps, food offerings, and again water for rinsing the mouth; a delightful divine bed, adorned with musk, agarwood, and sandal paste. After worshipping the six limbs of the Lord, one should then honor his attendants: Haribhānu, Candrabhānu, Sūryabhānu, and Subhānuka; Rādhikā, the queen of the cowherd women, primal nature and supreme goddess; the peaceful assembly of cowherds and cowherd women, myself, Brahmā, and Pārvatī. Having worshipped these six gods, offer five more offerings to Ganesha, the Sun, Fire, Vishnu, Shiva, and the auspicious goddess. Ganesha removes obstacles; Bhāskara, the Sun, destroys disease; Shankara bestows knowledge; Durgā grants supreme sovereignty. Finally, after performing the dismissal, one should worship the chosen deity with heartfelt devotion.