O revered one, listen as the sacred narrative unfolds, drawn faithfully from the ancient verses. Once, a devotee beseeched Vishnu: “O Lord, should I depart this life between the bright twelfth days of Kartika and Ashvina, let not my vow be broken.” Thus, the one who undertakes this holy observance must worship Hari after bathing thrice daily, using fragrant scents and offerings. Yet, in the temple itself, anointing the body with perfumed ointments is to be avoided, preserving the sanctity of the ritual. On the twelfth day, after worship, the devotee offers food to Brahmins and then, having fulfilled the monthly fast for Hari, breaks the fast. If, during the vow, weakness or faintness arises, milk and similar nourishing foods may be taken, for these do not break the vow. By such means, both worldly enjoyment and liberation are attained. Brahma then declared the vows for Kartika: After bathing, one should worship Vishnu, choosing either a single meal a day, eating only at night for a month, or subsisting by begging. Alternatively, one may sustain themselves with milk, vegetables, fruits, or fast entirely. Freed from all sins, the devotee’s desires are fulfilled, and ultimately, Hari is attained. Of all vows, the vow of Hari is the highest; next comes the observance during the southern solstice, then the four-month vow, and afterward, in Kartika, the Bhishma Panchaka. The best vow is performed on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight: after bathing, Hari is worshipped three times daily, with offerings to ancestors and others. The silent devotee worships with ghee and the five sacred products of the cow, along with water. After bathing, the body is anointed with camphor and other fragrant substances. The twice-born should burn incense of guggul smeared with ghee for five days, offer the finest food, and recite the sacred mantra one hundred and eight times: “Om, obeisance to Vāsudeva!” Oblations of ghee, rice, sesame, and similar offerings are made, using the eight-syllabled mantra ending with ‘svāhā’. Each day has its special worship: on the first, Hari’s feet are honored with lotuses; on the second, his knees with bilva leaves; on the third, his navel with fragrant substances; on the fifth, his shoulders with bilva and java flowers, and his head with mālatī flowers. The deity is laid on the ground, and cow dung is consumed in order. On the fifth day, the five products of the cow—urine, curd, and milk—are taken. On the fifteenth night, a night fast is observed, and by these practices, the devotee attains both enjoyment and liberation. Always, the Ekādaśī vow is observed on both fortnights; it destroys countless sins and the torments of hell, granting entry to the abode of Vishnu. Wherever Ekādaśī, Dvādaśī, and Trayodaśī coincide at night’s end, there Hari is always present. Where Daśamī and Ekādaśī occur together, demons and such are also found; thus, one should break the fast on Dvādaśī, adhering to the rules even in cases of impurity or death. Fasting is also prescribed on the fourteenth and first days when they are mixed with the previous day, as well as on full and new moon days when the first day is mixed. One should fast on the second and third days when they are mixed, and on the third joined with the fourth; always on the fourth joined with it, and on the fifth joined with the sixth, and the seventh joined with the sixth. Brahma then spoke of the Śivarātri vow and its story, which fulfills all desires. Gaurī once asked Bhūteśa about the supreme vow. Īśvara replied: In the dark half of the month between Māgha and Phālguna, on the fourteenth day, keeping vigil and worshipping Rudra through the night brings both enjoyment and liberation. Hara, when worshipped with devotion, is honored on Dvādaśī, as is Keśava; those who fast and worship are delivered from hell. There was a sinful king named Sundarasena, a Niṣāda of Arbuda, who, with wicked companions, went hunting in the forest. After capturing animals, he was afflicted by hunger and thirst on the mountain and stayed awake at night in a grove by a pond. There stood a liṅga. Unknowingly, as he guarded himself, he dropped leaves that fell upon the liṅga’s head. To clear away dust, he poured water on the liṅga, and by chance, an arrow slipped from his hand. Kneeling, he touched and grasped the liṅga, thereby accomplishing bathing, touching, worshipping, and keeping vigil. In the morning, he returned home and ate food provided by his wife. In due course, he died and was seized by Yama’s attendants, bound and led away. Yet, after being defeated in battle by Shiva’s attendants, Sundarasena was released, and, together with his dog, became a pure attendant by Shiva’s side. Thus, merit arises even from ignorance, and from knowledge, inexhaustible merit is gained. On the thirteenth day, those who observe vows should worship Shiva and undertake this discipline. In the morning, on the fourteenth day, one keeps vigil at night, performing worship, charity, austerity, and oblation according to one’s ability. On the fourteenth day, remaining without food, the devotee eats the next day, seeking both enjoyment and liberation, and takes refuge in the Lord of beings. Bathing the guru with the five nectars of the cow, the righteous one is worshipped with sandal and other offerings, reciting “Om, obeisance, obeisance to Shiva.” Sesame, rice, and barley with ghee are offered as oblations, and, having completed the offerings, the devotee listens to sacred songs and stories. At midnight, at the third watch, and again at the fourth, the root mantra is recited, and in the morning, forgiveness is sought: “O Lord, by your grace I have observed this vow without obstacle; forgive me, O Lord of the worlds, O Hara, ruler of the three worlds! Whatever merit I have gained today, whatever has been offered to Rudra, by your grace, O Lord, I have completed the vow today. Be gracious to me, O glorious one, and return to your abode; by merely seeing you, I am purified, without doubt.” One should feed those devoted to meditation and give them garments, umbrellas, and similar gifts, pleasing the Lord of beings, the God of gods, benefactor of the worlds. Whatever is given with faith, may the Lord be pleased by that. Thus, having sought forgiveness, the observer of the vow should perform it for twelve years. Such is the sacred narrative, revealing the path of devotion, discipline, and the blessings bestowed by Hari and Hara upon those who undertake these holy vows.