Having worshipped Govinda with devotion, one should partake of simple food at night, avoiding oil, grains, and salt, maintaining this restraint as long as these four elements are prescribed. When morning arrives, a special bed is prepared—adorned with shining lamps and vessels filled with food, all offered in the presence of the Lord of Lakshmi. The bed is furnished with a footstool, sandals, umbrella, fan, and seat, equipped with all desired items, and covered with white flowers and cloth. A pillow is placed for resting, and the bed is further adorned with a variety of fruits, ornaments, and grains, all according to one’s capacity. This offering is then given to a Brahmin who is free from defects, devoted to Vishnu, a householder, learned in the Vedas, and of virtuous character. The couple is seated and properly adorned, and the wife receives a vessel filled with food and delicacies. To the Brahmin, one offers a golden image of the Lord of gods, complete with necessary items and accompanied by a water pot. Whoever performs the Aśūnyaśayana rite for Hari, free from miserliness and devoted to Nārāyaṇa, will never be separated from their spouse; no woman will become a widow as long as the moon, sun, and stars endure, and the couple will never be afflicted by deformity or sorrow. Their sons, cattle, and jewels will not perish, and for seven thousand kalpas and seven hundred kalpas, the performer of the Aśūnyaśayana rite is honored in the world of Vishnu. Now, listen to another future event that bestows beauty and prosperity. At the end of the Dvāpara age, a conversation will take place between the sage Pippalāda and the leaders headed by Yudhishthira. While residing in the Naimisha forest, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma and endowed with righteousness, approaches the great sage Pippalāda and inquires: How does one attain health, prosperity, a mind fixed in righteousness, progress, freedom from defects, devotion to Shiva, or devotion to Vishnu? Hear now the answer of the wise Pippalāda, spoken to the righteous son of Dharma: “Well asked, O fortunate one! I shall tell you. This is called the Aṅgāra vow.” To explain its greatness, he recounts an ancient tale—the conversation between Virocana and the wise Bhārgava. After sixteen years, Prahlāda’s son Virocana, unmatched in form and radiance, was seen by the descendant of Bhṛgu, who laughed and exclaimed, “Excellent, excellent, mighty-armed Virocana! Blessings to you!” Virocana, surprised, asked, “O Brāhmaṇa, why did you laugh so suddenly, saying ‘excellent, excellent’ to me? Please tell me the reason.” Śukra, foremost among speakers, replied, “Out of wonder at the greatness of the vow, I laughed.” He continued: “Long ago, when the trident-bearer Shiva was enraged at the destruction of Dakṣa, a drop of sweat fell from his terrible brow. It pierced the seven netherworlds and burned the seven oceans, blazing with countless faces and eyes, dreadful with fire. This being, known as Vīrabhadra, endowed with ten thousand arms and legs, destroyed the sacrifice, was born again on earth, and as he burned the three worlds, was restrained by Shiva. Shiva addressed him: ‘You have accomplished the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice; now, enough has been done by burning the worlds. Be the first among all planets to grant peace. People will see and worship you, receiving boons from me. You will become known as Aṅgāraka, O son of the earth; in the world of the gods, your form will be without equal. Those who worship you on the fourth day, your day, will receive endless beauty, health, and prosperity.’ Thus addressed, Vīrabhadra attained peace and could assume any form at will; at that very moment, he became a planet again. Once, you witnessed his excellent worship and offerings performed by a Śūdra, as you stood by. Because of that, you became handsome, O best of the gods’ enemies; many kinds of beauty arose in you, surpassing all others. Therefore, gods and Dānavas call you Virocana. Seeing the vow performed by a Śūdra, I was amazed at your splendid form. ‘Excellent, excellent!’ I exclaimed. Oh, what supreme greatness! Even by seeing it, one gains beauty and prosperity—how much more for those who perform it! Because the gift of cows and other offerings was made with devotion to the son of the earth, though it was disparaged, this is the cause of your birth in the womb of the enemy of the gods, O Daitya.” Having heard these words from the great-souled Bhārgava, the heroic son of Prahlāda, astonished, asked him again, “Revered one, I wish to hear in full the truth of that vow, and the giving that I saw performed in a previous existence. Please describe its greatness and procedure.” Bhārgava then explained in detail: “On the fourth day, when it is Aṅgāraka, O Dānava, one should bathe with clay, adorned with padmarāga gems. Facing north, the fire is placed as the head of the ritual, reciting mantras; the Śūdra sits silently, remembering Bhauma, abstaining from enjoyment. When the sun has set, one should smear the courtyard with cow dung, and decorate it all around with garlands of flowers and unbroken grains. After worship, one should draw a lotus with eight petals using kuṅkuma; if kuṅkuma is unavailable, red sandalwood is acceptable.” Thus, the greatness and the procedure of the Aṅgāra vow were revealed, bestowing beauty, prosperity, and divine blessings upon those who undertake it with faith and devotion.