Listen, O noble one, to the supreme observances dedicated to Lord Shiva, which transcend all times and bring the highest merit. Among all practices, eating only at night is considered best, especially when one partakes of food offered in sacrifice, bathes regularly, speaks the truth, and exercises moderation in eating. If one chooses the path of night-eating, it is prescribed that he should perform fire rituals and sleep upon the earth itself. Now, let me describe, month by month, the most exalted vow of Shiva, which, when observed, grants righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation, and purifies the soul of all sins. In the sacred month of Puṣya, whoever worships Shiva and observes the discipline of eating at night, maintaining truthfulness, restraining anger, and subsisting on simple foods like rice, wheat, and cow’s milk, should carefully fast on the eighth day of each lunar fortnight. At the close of the month, on the full moon, after bathing Rudra, the great god, with ghee and other sanctified substances, and worshipping him as prescribed, one should again sleep on the ground. On this auspicious day, one should give barley and cooked rice with milk and ghee to worthy Brahmins and recite the Śānti hymn with devotion. It is also proper to offer a tawny cow and calf to Shiva, the supreme lord, for one’s well-being. By such acts, O best of sages, the devotee attains the excellent world of Vāhneyas, and, having delighted in vast heavenly realms, is ultimately liberated there itself. In the month of Māgha, one who worships Shiva and observes night-eating, consuming rice porridge mixed with ghee and maintaining self-control, should fast on the fourteenth day of each lunar fortnight. On the full moon, he should offer a ghee-soaked blanket to Rudra, give a black cow and calf, worship Śaṅkara, and feed Brahmins according to his ability. Such a devotee attains the southern realm and enjoys the company of Yama. When the month of Phālguna arrives, the observance continues: with self-restraint and subdued anger, eating wild millet with ghee and milk, and fasting on both the fourteenth and eighth days. On the full moon, after bathing and worshipping Mahādeva Śaṅkara, one should offer a tawny or copper-colored cow and calf to the wielder of the trident. After feeding the Brahmins, the devotee prays to the supreme lord and, by this merit, attains union with the moon. In the month of Chaitra, the observance remains: worship Rudra, eat rice mixed with milk and ghee at night, and, on the full moon, sleep in a cowshed, remembering Bhava. Bathe Shiva and offer a white pair of cows, feed the Brahmins, and you shall attain the realm of Nirṛti. Similarly, in the month of Vaiśākha, after fasting at night, on the full moon, bathe Bhava with five products of the cow and ghee, and by giving a white pair of cows, one attains the merit of performing an Aśvamedha sacrifice. In Jyeṣṭha, worship Bhava, Lord of gods and consort of Umā, with faith and devotion, observing night-fasting. Offer red rice cooked with honey, purified with water and ghee, and sit in the heroic posture for half the night, devoted to the service of cows. On the full moon, worship the god of gods, bathe him with power, and offer a cooked oblation to the wielder of the trident. Feed Brahmins according to your means and, by giving a tawny pair of cows, you are honored in the world of Vāyu. In Āṣāḍha, maintain night-fasting and offer cow’s milk mixed with abundant pieces of rice-cake and ghee. On the full moon, after bathing and worshipping as prescribed, and feeding Brahmins and learned Vedic scholars, give a fair-colored pair of cows and attain the world of Varuṇa. In Śrāvaṇa, after night-fasting, worship the bull-bannered Shiva with food of milk and rice. On the full moon, bathe and worship him with ghee and the like, feed Brahmins and Vedic scholars, and give a pair of white-footed Pauṇḍra cows. Thus, you attain union with Vāyu and become all-pervading like him. When Bhādrapada arrives, continue the observance: offer the remnants of the sacrifice to eminent Brahmins who dwell at the foot of trees by day; on the full moon, bathe and worship Śaṅkara, and offer a blue-necked bull and a cow with devotion. Feed Brahmins learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, and you will attain the world of the Yakṣas and become their king. In Āśvayuja, after observing night-fasting, worship Śaṅkara with ghee on the full moon, feed pure and devoted Brahmins, and give a blue-hued bull with an elevated chest and a cow as is proper. Thus, you attain the world of Īśāna. In Kārtika, take food only at night, worship the Lord with rice cooked in milk and clarified butter, and on the full moon, bathe the deity, offer a cooked oblation, and feed Brahmins as generously as you are able. By giving a pair of Kapila cows to the Brahmins, you attain union with the Sun. In Mārgaśīrṣa, again take food only at night, using barley with clarified butter and milk. On the full moon, perform the prescribed rites for Śarva and Śambhu, feeding Brahmins and poor Veda-knowers, and give a pair of white cows according to rule. Thus, you attain the world of Soma and rejoice there with him. Such is the sacred cycle of vows, month by month, each with its own offerings and disciplines, all dedicated to the worship of Shiva. By observing these with devotion, truthfulness, self-restraint, and charity, one attains worlds of great merit and, ultimately, liberation itself.