Just as darkness destroys the light of knowledge, so too does impurity erase purity, lack of faith undermine devotion, and falsehood obliterate truth. In the same way, heat dispels cold, wealth overcomes misfortune, but charity loses its virtue when proclaimed, and the wonder of austerity is lost when it is boasted about. Consider also: a son without education is ruined, cows perish when they wander far from home, tranquility is shattered by anger, and wealth is depleted if it is not replenished. Yet, as wisdom brings forth knowledge and true fruit comes from desirelessness, so too is the sacred day of Dvādaśī proclaimed as a destroyer of sin. Even the gravest sins—slaying a Brahmin, drinking intoxicants, theft, or approaching the wife of a teacher—cannot be washed away merely by observing the triple Puṣkara. Not even the most hallowed pilgrimage sites—Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Prabhasa—or the sacred rivers Kalindi, Yamuna, Ganga, and Sarasvati can cleanse these transgressions. No holy place, no act of giving, recitation, sacrifice, or any other virtuous deed anywhere in the world is equal to the merit of Ekadashi. On one scale, place the gift of the entire earth; on the other, the day of Hari. Even then, this most excellent Ekadashi is greater, surpassing all in sanctity and merit. On this day, one should carefully fashion a golden image of Varaha, the divine boar incarnation, and place it upon a new vessel set atop a pot, or within a copper dish. Surround it with all kinds of seeds, cover it with a clean white cloth, and array golden lamps and other offerings with utmost effort and devotion. The worship is to be performed with reverence: saluting Varaha at the feet, honoring the boar form at the waist, offering deep, resonant salutations at the navel, and venerating the chest marked by the auspicious Śrīvatsa. Worship should be offered to the arms of the thousand-headed Lord, to His neck as the sovereign of all, to His face as the soul of all beings, and to His forehead as the source of all power. The radiant hair, shining with a hundred rays, is to be worshipped as belonging to the divine wielder of the discus. Having performed this worship with devotion and according to the prescribed method, one should remain awake in vigil throughout the night. At dawn, after listening to the Purana that glorifies the greatness of the deity, the scripture should be offered to a worthy Brahmin. Along with this, the golden boar and all necessary items are to be given as gifts. Only then, and not with excessive satisfaction, should one break the fast, having perfectly observed the vow. By following these observances, a person becomes wise, no longer as innocent and dependent as a suckling child. The holy Ekadashi frees one from the three debts—owed to the ancestors, the sages, and the gods—and grants all the desires of the heart, fulfilling every vow and righteous observance. Brahma then spoke to Vyasa, saying, “I shall explain the vows by which Hari, the bestower of all, is pleased. The discipline prescribed by scripture is known as a vow, and such discipline is true austerity. The special disciplines of this vow include self-restraint and similar virtues. One should bathe three times daily, sleep on the ground, and keep the senses under control. During the observance, one should avoid unnecessary conversation with women, Shudras, and the fallen, and should offer the five purifying substances as able. A virtuous person should perform all these austerities, and for the protection of the hair, the vow should be observed with double care. Certain foods—bronze vessels, black gram, lentils, chickpeas, millet, vegetables, honey, and other such items—are to be avoided by one who is fasting. Likewise, flowers, ornaments, garments, incense, fragrant ointments, as well as cleaning the teeth and applying collyrium, are considered unsuitable during the fast. Instead, one should use a toothstick made from the five products of the cow and observe the morning vow. The vow is broken by repeatedly drinking water and eating betel. Fasting is also spoiled by sleeping during the day or engaging in sexual activity. Instead, patience, truthfulness, compassion, charity, purity, and control of the senses are prescribed. Worship of the deities, offering oblations into the fire, contentment, and refraining from theft—these tenfold duties are common to all vows. During the observance, one should see the stars, and may eat at night or during the day as prescribed. Gifts of one pala of cow urine and half a thumb’s length of cow dung are to be made. Seven palas of milk, three palas of curd, one pala of ghee, and one pala of water from kuśa grass should also be given. With the recitation of the Gāyatrī and the Gandheti hymn, taking curd, and the invocation ‘Tejo'si’ to the deity, one should observe the Brahmakūrca vow. Establishing the sacred fire, performing consecration, sacrificial and charitable vows, Vedic vows, releasing the bull, the ceremony of shaving the head, and the donning of the sacred girdle are all prescribed. Auspicious rites and anointing should be avoided during an impure month. The lunar month, counted from new moon to new moon, consists of thirty days. The solar month, counted from the sun’s transit, is twenty-seven days, not based on the stars. The solar month is used for marriages and at the start of sacrifices, while the lunar month is for observances. There are certain paired days associated with fire, the six sages, and the Vasu and Andhra days. The twelfth day joined with Rudra, the fourteenth, and the full moon are also specified. When the first day and the new moon coincide, it yields great results, but this mixed occurrence is extremely inauspicious and destroys previously acquired merit. For women, menstruation interrupts the vow begun with austerity; while other acts like charity may be performed, bodily observances must be done personally. If the vow is broken due to anger, negligence, or greed, one should fast for three days and shave the head. If the body is incapable, the vow may be performed by sons or others on one’s behalf; if a Brahmin observing the vow faints, water and other remedies should be administered. Brahma continued, “Now, Vyasa, I will explain the vows beginning from the first day. The Śikhi vow is said to lead to the Vaiśvānarapada. On the first day, one should eat only once and, at the end, give a brown cow in charity. Beginning in the month of Chaitra, one should worship Brahma with fragrant flowers, offerings, garlands, and delightful gifts. With oblations, one should worship the deity and will attain all desires. In Kartika, on the bright eighth day, one should offer flowers for a year. By giving flowers and other offerings, a person attains beauty. On the third day of the dark fortnight in Shravana, one should worship Śrīdhara with wealth.” Thus, the discipline of vows and the greatness of Ekadashi are revealed, each step and observance leading the faithful closer to purity, merit, and the grace of Hari.