When the gods approached Viṣṇu, he graciously bestowed upon them a banner and a neck-ornament. At Viṣṇu’s command, the serpent—the younger brother of Vāsuki—spoke to the assembled gods, declaring, “This neck-ornament, given by Hari, will become renowned by my name. Let it be known that mortals who fail to worship with pavitras, the sacred threads, during the rainy season shall not receive proper merit. Therefore, the ritual of placing the pavitra should be performed for all the gods.” The serpent continued with instructions: “On the twelfth day, whether it falls in the bright or the dark fortnight, this rite should be performed for Viṣṇu, O Hara. It is to be done at the time of the waxing moon and also whenever the teacher arrives. For the pavitra, silk, cloth-thread, cotton, or linen may be used. Vaiśyas should use linen, while Śūdras should use cloth made from hemp bark. For Brāhmaṇa women, the thread should be cut, made threefold, and then again made threefold. “Within these sacred threads, Ganesha and Viṣṇu themselves are established. The thread should be placed in a vessel of gold, silver, copper, one marked with the Vaiṣṇava symbol, or even an earthen vessel. If a lesser vessel is used, its capacity should be half that of the best. The thread itself should number one hundred and eight. The best measure is by the thumb, the middle grade by the middle finger. “The general rule is that the thread should be placed upon the altar and the platform. It should hang from the heart, navel, and thighs, and rest upon the knees. There may be thirty-six, twenty-four, or twelve knots, as required. The thread should be anointed with saffron, turmeric, or sandalwood. Placed within a packet of peepal leaves, it is set in the eight directions, adorned with yellow pigment and saffron, and on the right side, with Pradyumna. The thread may also be anointed with sandalwood mixed with blue pigment, as well as sesame, ashes, and unbroken rice. It should be consecrated by Vasudeva again and again. “The sacred thread is to be placed before the deity or at the circle of the image. After establishing Brahma and the other deities, one should worship the pot as well. The sacred thread may be consecrated with three or nine threads. The fire-pit, the altar, the pavilion, and the house should also be sanctified in this way. “Once the offerings are made, recite this mantra after worshipping Maheshvara: ‘In the morning I will worship; be present with all the necessary materials.’ Having kept vigil through the night, one should worship Keśava in the morning. After offering incense, consecrate the sacred thread with a mantra, and having worshipped the deity with the Gāyatrī, offer the thread to him. The thread should be pure, well-made, beautiful, and a destroyer of great sins. “Thus, worshipping with incense and other offerings, one should present the middle and other threads. For the attainment of righteousness, desire, and wealth, I wear this sacred thread upon my own neck. After presenting various offerings of food, one should offer a bali of flowers and the like. With one hundred and eight threads, one should give a single sacred thread. “Then, worship Viṣvaksena, offering him water for washing and other honors. Whatever worship I have performed, knowingly or unknowingly, let it be accepted—whether with garlands of gems and coral, or with mandāra flowers and the like. O Lord, may the forest garland ever remain in my heart, just like the Kaustubha gem.” Thus, the sacred rite of the pavitra was established, filled with reverence, precise ritual, and the blessings of Viṣṇu and the gods.