Once, the radiant and immeasurable Lord sat in a grand assembly, surrounded by his wives, the noble Vṛṣṇis, and generous kings. Gathered around him were also the Kurus, the gods, and the celestial Gandharvas. There, the slayer of Kaiṭabha listened attentively as ancient tales and stories of dharma were recited, filling the hall with wisdom and reverence. When the discourse drew to a close, mighty Bhīmasena, strong and steadfast, arose with a question. He inquired about the secret aspect of dharma—just as you now ask—a profound truth that reveals the very nature of righteousness. To Bhīmasena, it was revealed that he himself would bring this hidden dharma into the world. Vṛkodara, the son of Pāṇḍu, would be its initiator and performer, his strength renowned. To him, I granted the fierce wolf named Vṛka, placing the fire-god within his belly; thus, he is called Vṛkodara, the righteous-souled. He would be wise, dignified, and as strong as a multitude of serpents. His greatness would be ageless and glorious, and his beauty would rival Kandarpa, the god of love. This vow, intense in its austerity, surpasses all others—even for the righteous who may lack great power. Vāsudeva, soul of the universe and teacher of the world, would explain this vow in detail. It is a vow that bestows the fruits of all sacrifices and destroys all sins, removing wickedness and revered by all the gods. It is the purest of the pure, the most auspicious of the auspicious, ancient among all ancient things. O Bhārata, if you are unable to fast on the eighth, fourteenth, or twelfth lunar days, or on other auspicious days, then by observing this sacred day according to the prescribed method, you will destroy all sins and attain Viṣṇu’s supreme abode. When the tenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Māgha arrives, one should anoint oneself with ghee and bathe with sesame seeds. In the same way, worship Viṣṇu, uttering “Nārāyaṇa” to the sky; worship Kṛṣṇa’s feet, bowing your head to the soul of all beings. Saying “Vaikuṇṭha,” worship the chest of Vaikuṇṭha, the bearer of the Śrīvatsa mark. Likewise, worship his conch, discus, mace, and the boon-giver, honoring each of Nārāyaṇa’s arms in turn. Saying “Dāmodara,” worship his belly; his loins as belonging to the five-arrowed one; his thighs as the lord of fortune; his knees as the supporter of all beings. Offer homage to the dark one at his shanks, and to his feet, the creator of the universe. Homage also to the goddess, to peace, to Lakṣmī, and to prosperity. Pay homage to nourishment, contentment, boldness, and delight, again and again. Always worship Garuḍa, lord of birds, swift as the wind, king of birds, and destroyer of poison. After worshipping Govinda, Umāpati, and Vināyaka with scents, garlands, incense, and various offerings, the wise one should eat kṛsara prepared with cow’s milk—or, if not possible, with clarified butter—and then walk a hundred steps. Taking a stick of nyagrodha, dantakāṣṭha, or khadira, one should clean the teeth and rinse the mouth, facing east or north. At sunset, perform the evening worship, saying: “Homage to Nārāyaṇa; I have taken refuge in you.” On the eleventh day, fast and duly worship Keśava, remaining awake through the night, and bathe with milk. On the twelfth day, after offering oblations into the fire with ghee in the company of eminent brāhmaṇas, eat food prepared with milk. With self-control, declare, “I will perform this; may it be accomplished without obstacles for me,” and then sleep on the ground, listening once again to stories of ancient times. At dawn, go to the river, bathe with clay as before, and avoid the company of heretics. After worshipping at dawn and making offerings to the ancestors, bow to Hṛṣīkeśa, the sole lord of the seven worlds. With devotion, construct a pavilion in front of your house, ten or eight cubits in length, and make a beautiful altar four cubits in size, with a gateway of the same measurement. Place a water pot there and worship the guardians of the directions. Fill the pot with water through a hole, and, sitting on a black antelope skin, let its stream fall on your head for the whole night. In the same way, pour a stream of milk on the head of Viṣṇu. Create a fire-pit, a span in size with three enclosures, and shape its mouth like a yoni. With brāhmaṇas, barley, ghee, and sesame, chant mantras dedicated to Viṣṇu as for a single fire. Offer the Vaiṣṇava oblation, mixed with cow’s milk, and pour a stream of ghee, half a niṣpāva in measure, into the fire. Place thirteen potent water pots adorned with various foods and white cloths, and use utensils of udumbara wood adorned with the five gems. Perform the fire offering with four Bahvṛca priests, all facing north. Along with them, have four reciters of the Rudra hymns devoted to the Yajurveda, and four singers of the Sāma Veda, reciting Vaiṣṇava Sāman hymns, together with the Ariṣṭa group, chanting all around. Worship these twelve brāhmaṇas with garments, garlands, ointments, and gold-threaded finger-rings and bracelets. With sincerity, provide them with garments and bedding, and spend the night accompanied by songs and auspicious music. For the preceptor, give everything in double measure. Then, at dawn on the thirteenth day, rise up. O best of the Kurus, give cows with golden-faced ornaments, yielding milk, of good conduct, and equipped with bronze milking vessels. Let their hooves be silver, their bodies adorned with cloth, and their hides anointed with sandalwood. After satisfying them with various foods and delicacies, give these cows with devotion, completing this sacred and ancient observance.