Listen, O seeker, to the sacred account of meritorious observances as revealed in the ancient scripture. It begins with the Angaraka Ashtaka, a venerable rite: whoever performs this with sincere devotion, repeating it four times or more, shall enjoy remarkable blessings. Such a devotee is endowed with beauty, good fortune, and wealth, not just in this life but in birth after birth. He becomes a worshipper of Vishnu or Shiva and may even attain lordship over the seven islands. For seven thousand aeons, he is honored in Rudra’s realm. Therefore, O lord of the Daityas, you too are urged to observe this vow. Having spoken thus, the wise son of Bhrigu departed, and the Daitya faithfully performed all that had been prescribed. In the same way, O king, you are encouraged to undertake these observances, for the knowers of the Veda declare their merit to be inexhaustible. The king, accepting these words with reverence, worshipped Pippalada and carried out his instructions, performing deeds of wondrous power. Even those who listen to this account with an undistracted mind are granted success by the Blessed Lord. Now, O king, hear about the worship of Shukra for pacification, to be performed at the beginning and end of journeys, and at the rising of Shukra. In a vessel of silver, gold, or bronze, filled with white flowers, white cloth, and white rice, the offering is prepared. Pure silver, adorned with pearls, is arranged for Shukra, and all is offered to the singer of Sama with the appropriate mantra: “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 this worship at Shukra’s rising and at the start of journeys, all desires are fulfilled, and one is honored in Vishnu’s world. Until the worship of Shukra is completed with auspicious garlands, cakes, wheat, and chickpeas, one should refrain from eating, for this fulfills three desires. In the same manner, the worship of Vachaspati is explained: in a golden vessel, place gold representing the preceptor of the gods, adorned with yellow flowers and cloth. After bathing with mustard, using palasha and asvattha, and the five products of the cow, one should be clad in yellow ointment and garment, perform a ghee offering, and present it together with a cow to a Brahmin. The mantra offered is: “Salutations to you, Lord of the Angirases, master of speech, O Brihaspati; repeated salutations to you, who are nectar for those afflicted by cruel planets.” By worshipping Brihaspati at his transit, at the start of journeys, and on auspicious occasions, all desires are attained. Seeking a vow that bestows heaven, health, and happiness, the king is instructed in the solar observance called the Auspicious Seventh, the Saptami that removes sorrow, bestows abundant fruit, and destroys sin. There are several meritorious Saptamis: Śarkarā Saptamī, Kamala Saptamī, Mandāra Saptamī, and Śubha Saptamī, each bestowing good fortune. All yield endless results and are worshipped by gods and sages alike. When the bright seventh lunar day falls on a Sunday, it is called Kalyāṇinī, also known as Vijayā. On this day, one should bathe in the morning with cow’s milk, don white garments, and prepare a lotus with unbroken rice grains. Facing east, place an eight-petaled lotus with a circular center, and arrange the Lord of the gods with flowers and rice on each petal, invoking them in sequence: Tapanāya on the east, Mārtaṇḍa on the southeast, Divākara on the south, Vidhātri on the southwest, Varuṇa on the west, Bhāskara on the northwest, Vikartana on the north, and Ravi on the eighth petal. Salutations are offered to the Supreme Self at the beginning, end, and center, worshipping with these mantras, concluding with prostrations and offerings of light. The worship is performed with white garments, fruits, edibles, incense, garlands, ointments, and also with jaggery and salt. With the Vyāhṛti mantra, the foremost Brāhmaṇas are respectfully dismissed, and according to one’s ability, worship is offered with devotion using jaggery, milk, ghee, and similar items; a vessel of sesame and gold is given to a Brāhmaṇa. After observing the discipline and sleeping, one rises in the morning, bathes, recites prayers, and with the Brāhmaṇas partakes of rice cooked with milk and ghee. After eating, a vessel of ghee with a golden ornament and a water pot is offered to a knower of the Veda who does not observe the Biḍāla vow. By this procedure, the blessed Lord, the Supreme Self, the Sun, is pleased, and the vow should be observed every month. In the thirteenth month, thirteen cows adorned with garments and ornaments, with golden faces and yielding milk, are given. If lacking wealth but free from envy, even a single cow may be offered; one should never act deceitfully with wealth, for such delusion leads to downfall. Whoever performs the Kalyāṇa Saptamī in this manner becomes free from all sins, is honored in the world of the Sun, and attains endless life, health, and prosperity. The Kalyāṇa Saptamī always removes all sins, is worshipped by all deities, dispels all evils, and is ever auspicious. Whoever hears or recites its account is freed from all sins. Next, the Viśoka Saptamī is described, by which a person never experiences sorrow in this world. In the month of Māgha, on the sixth day of the bright fortnight, after bathing with black sesame seeds, fasting, brushing the teeth, and eating rice with pulses, one undertakes the vow of fasting and remains celibate at night. Rising at dawn, bathed and purified, one worships the Sun with a golden lotus, red oleander flowers, and a pair of red garments, saying, “To the Sun!” One prays: “Just as, O Sun, you always render the world free from sorrow, so may I too be free from sorrow; may I have devotion to you in every birth.” Thus, the sacred rites and observances are revealed, promising freedom from sin, sorrow, and granting health, prosperity, and endless rewards to all who perform them with devotion.