Hear, O wise one, the sacred account of the monthly vows dedicated to the worship of Śiva, as described in the holy scripture. It is taught that, with reverence, one should begin by giving a black cow and calf, worshipping Śaṅkara, and feeding Brahmins according to one’s means and capacity. When the devotee attains the southern realm, he enjoys the company of Yama; and as the month of Phālguna arrives, he should observe the practice of eating only at night. With self-control and subdued anger, he partakes of wild millet mixed with ghee and milk, observing fasting on the fourteenth and eighth days of the lunar fortnight. On the full moon, after bathing and worshipping Mahādeva Śaṅkara, the devotee offers a tawny or copper-colored cow and calf to the wielder of the trident. After feeding Brahmins, he prays to the supreme lord and attains union with the moon, without doubt. In the month of Chaitra, the devotee worships Rudra and again observes night-eating, choosing rice mixed with milk and ghee, as is pleasing. O best of sages, one who sleeps in a cowshed should remember Bhava at night upon the full moon, bathe Shiva, and offer a white pair of cows. After feeding Brahmins, he attains the realm of Nirṛti, and likewise, in the month of Vaiśākha, observes night-fasting. On the full moon of Vaiśākha, after bathing Bhava with the five products of the cow, ghee, and the like, the devotee gives a white pair of cows and obtains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. In the month of Jyeṣṭha, with faith and devotion, he worships Bhava, Lord of gods, Śarva, consort of Umā, and observes night-fasting. He offers red rice cooked with honey, purified with water and ghee, sitting in the heroic posture for half the night, devoted to the service of cows. On the full moon, having duly worshipped the god of gods, consort of Umā, and bathed him with proper power, he offers a cooked oblation to the wielder of the trident. After feeding Brahmins according to his means, by giving a tawny pair of cows, he is honored in the world of Vāyu. In the month of Āṣāḍha, likewise intent on night-fasting, he offers cow’s milk mixed with abundant pieces of rice-cake and ghee. On the full moon, after bathing and worshipping as prescribed with ghee and the like, and feeding Brahmins and learned Vedic scholars, he gives a fair-colored pair of cows and attains the world of Varuṇa. In the month of Śrāvaṇa, O twice-born, having observed night-fasting and worshipped the bull-bannered one with food of milk and rice, on the full moon he bathes and worships as prescribed with ghee and the like. After feeding Brahmins and learned Vedic scholars, he gives a pair of white-footed Pauṇḍra cows. He attains union with Vāyu and becomes all-pervading like Vāyu. When the month of Bhādrapada arrives, having observed night-fasting, he offers the remnants of the sacrifice to eminent Brahmins who dwell at the foot of trees by day. On the full moon, he bathes and worships Śaṅkara, lord of gods, and gives a blue-necked bull and a cow with devotion as prescribed. After feeding Brahmins learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, a man attains the world of the Yakṣas and becomes king of the Yakṣas. Then, in the month of Āśvayuja, having observed night-fasting, he worships Śaṅkara with ghee on the full moon as before, and after feeding Brahmins who are always pure and devoted to Śiva, by giving a bull of blue hue with an elevated chest and a cow as is proper, he attains the world of Īśāna. In the month of Kārtika, one should take food only at night and, having worshipped the Lord with rice cooked in milk and clarified butter, on the full moon, according to proper procedure, bathe the deity, offer a cooked oblation again, and feed the Brahmins as generously as possible. Having given a pair of Kapila cows as before to the Brahmins, one attains union with the Sun, of this there is no doubt. Likewise, in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, one should take food only at night, using barley as appropriate, together with clarified butter, milk, and the like. On the full moon, performing the previously described rites for Śarva and Śambhu, and after feeding Brahmins and poor Veda-knowers, by giving a pair of white cows according to rule, one attains the world of Soma and rejoices there together with Soma. Throughout these observances, one practices nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, forbearance, compassion, bathing thrice daily, fire offerings, sleeping on the ground, and eating only at night, as well as fasting on the two lunar fortnights and on the fourteenth and eighth days. All this comprises the monthly vow of Śiva. A Brahmin who performs this for a year, either in sequence or alternately, attains union with Śiva and obtains knowledge and yoga. Now, hear of the vow of Umā and Maheśvara, as spoken by the Lord for the welfare of men, women, and all beings. On the full moon, new moon, and on the fourteenth and eighth days, one should observe nightly fasting for a year and worship Bhava with consecrated food. One should make a beautiful image of Umā and Maheśa from gold or silver, and at the end of the year install it according to the prescribed rite. After feeding Brahmins and giving gifts according to one’s ability, one should take the Lord to the temple of Rudra, perhaps with a chariot and other honors. With splendid umbrellas, fans, and ornaments, one presents the vow to Śiva, the Supreme Lord. Such a person attains union with Śiva; if a woman, with Devī. On the eighth and fourteenth days, she should be disciplined and celibate. Thus, O sage, is the sacred path of monthly vows, leading the devotee to blessed realms and union with the divine.