Long ago, when Shiva, the mighty trident-bearer, was enraged by the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice, a drop of sweat fell from his terrible brow. This drop, blazing with fire, pierced through the seven netherworlds and burned the seven oceans. From it emerged a being with countless faces and eyes, dreadful and radiant, known as Vīrabhadra. Endowed with ten thousand arms and legs, he destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice, was born again on earth, and as he scorched the three worlds, Shiva himself restrained him. Shiva spoke to Vīrabhadra, saying, “You have accomplished the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice; now, by burning the worlds, enough has been done. Be the foremost among all planets, granting peace. People will see and worship you, receiving boons from me. You will be known as Aṅgāraka, O son of the earth; in the realm 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, assuming any form at will, and at that very moment, he became a planet once more. Once, as you stood by, you witnessed his excellent worship and offerings being performed by a Śūdra. Because of this, you became handsome, O best among the enemies of the gods; 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!” he exclaimed. “Oh, what supreme greatness! Even by seeing it, one gains beauty and prosperity—what then of 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. Then, having heard those words of the great-souled Bhārgava, the heroic son of Prahrāda, 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. You should properly describe its greatness and procedure.” Thus, hearing these words, Bhārgava spoke in detail. He explained: 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 may be used. Four containers should be prepared, filled with food and delicacies, with rice from red śālī grains and adorned with padmarāga gems. Placing them in the four corners, along with various fruits, all perfumes, garlands, and similar items should likewise be offered. After worshipping a tawny cow with golden horns, one should offer a silver vessel, a bronze milking vessel, a cow with a calf, a gentle red draught animal, and grains wrapped in seven cloths. A golden figure of a man, the size of a thumb, with long arms and four arms, is placed in a golden vessel above jaggery mixed with clarified butter. All this should be given to a twice-born householder, self-controlled and of good conduct, for the sake of all sacrifices; it should not be offered to a hypocrite, but to an excellent Brāhmaṇa, with devotion, hands joined, first reciting the mantra: “O noble son of the earth, born of the sweat of Pināka-wielder, I have come to you seeking your form; accept this offering, salutations to you.” Having given the offering with this mantra, using water mixed with red sandalwood, one should then worship the excellent Brāhmaṇa with red garlands, garments, and other items. With the same mantra, one should give the Bhauma offering along with a pair of cows, and, according to ability, a bed with all its furnishings. Whatever is most desired in the world, and whatever is dearest in his house, should be given to one possessing those qualities, by one wishing for inexhaustible merit. After making a circumambulation and dismissing the foremost Brāhmaṇa, one should eat at night food without salt, mixed with clarified butter. But whoever again performs this Angaraka Ashtaka with devotion, whether four times or more, I shall tell you the merit that accrues to him: he becomes endowed with beauty, good fortune, and wealth in birth after birth, and is a devotee of Vishnu or Shiva, and may become lord of the seven islands. For seven thousand aeons he is honored in Rudra’s realm; therefore, O lord of the Daityas, you too should observe this vow. Having thus spoken, the son of Bhrigu departed, and the Daitya performed everything as instructed. You too, O king, should do all this, for the knowers of the Veda declare it to be inexhaustible. Having said, “so be it,” he worshipped Pippalada and carried out his words, performing deeds of wondrous power. And whoever listens to this with undistracted mind, for him too the Blessed Lord grants success. Now, O king, listen concerning the worship of Shukra for pacification, to be performed at the beginning and end of a journey, and also at the rising of Shukra. In a vessel of silver, gold, or bronze, filled with white flowers and cloth, and with white rice, one should prepare it. Having arranged pure silver for Shukra, adorned with pearls, with this mantra all that should be offered to the singer of Sama: “Salutations to you, Lord of all worlds; salutations to you, son of Bhrigu, O sage; for the accomplishment of all aims, accept this arghya; obeisance to you.” By performing thus at his rising, and at the start of journeys, O Bharata, one obtains all desires and is honored in the world of Vishnu.