On the auspicious seventh day of the bright fortnight, when the day belongs to the Sun, a sacred time known as Kalyāṇinī or Vijayā unfolds. On this day, the devotee rises early and bathes in cow’s milk, then dons pure white garments. With reverence, a lotus is fashioned from unbroken rice grains, and, facing east, an eight-petaled lotus with a circular center is placed as the altar. Upon each petal, the Lord of the gods is honored with flowers and unbroken rice, each petal dedicated in turn: the eastern petal to Tapanāya, the southeast to Mārtaṇḍa, the south to Divākara, the southwest to Vidhātri, the west to Varuṇa, the northwest to Bhāskara, the north to Vikartana, and the eighth to Ravi. At the beginning, end, and center of this sacred arrangement, salutations are offered to the Supreme Self, accompanied by worship with mantras, prostrations, and offerings of light. The altar is adorned with white garments, fruits, edibles, incense, garlands, and ointments, and jaggery and salt are offered in devotion. With the Vyāhṛti mantra, the foremost Brāhmaṇas are respectfully dismissed, and, according to one’s ability, worship continues with offerings of jaggery, milk, ghee, and similar gifts. A vessel of sesame and gold is presented to a Brāhmaṇa. After observing the discipline and resting, the devotee rises at dawn, bathes, recites prayers, and, together with the Brāhmaṇas, partakes of rice cooked with milk and ghee. Following the meal, a vessel of ghee with a golden ornament and a water pot is given to a knower of the Veda who does not observe the Biḍāla vow. May the blessed Lord, the Supreme Self, the Sun, be pleased by this observance, which should be undertaken every month. In the thirteenth month, thirteen cows adorned with garments and ornaments, their faces gilded and yielding milk, are given away. If wealth is lacking but the heart is free from envy, even a single cow may be given, for deceit with wealth leads only to downfall. Whoever performs the Kalyāṇa Saptamī in this manner is freed from all sins, honored in the world of the Sun, and attains endless life, health, and prosperity. Kalyāṇa Saptamī forever removes all sins, is worshipped by all deities, dispels all evils, and brings auspiciousness. Even hearing or reciting its procedure bestows freedom from sin and endless rewards. Turning to another sacred observance, the Viśoka Saptamī, its merits are now revealed. In the month of Māgha, on the sixth day of the bright fortnight, the devotee bathes with black sesame seeds, fasts, brushes the teeth, and eats rice with pulses. The vow of fasting is undertaken, and celibacy is observed through the night. At dawn, after bathing and reciting prayers, purified, the Sun is worshipped with a golden lotus, red oleander flowers, and a pair of red garments, invoking, “To the Sun!” A prayer follows: “O Sun, just as 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.” After worshipping with devotion on the sixth day, the twice-born are honored. The devotee then rests, sips cow’s urine, rises, and performs daily rites. Brahmins are honored with food accompanied by a vessel of jaggery, and they are offered a pair of garments and the lotus. On the seventh day, food without oil and salt is consumed, silence is observed, and one who desires prosperity listens to the Purāṇas. This entire procedure is performed in both fortnights, until the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Māgha returns again. At the conclusion of the vow, a pot adorned with a golden lotus, a bed with its furnishings, and a tawny, milk-giving cow are given away. Whoever observes the Viśoka Saptamī in this manner, free from miserliness, attains the highest state. For as many as a hundred million and one thousand births, sorrow is never encountered, and freedom from disease and misfortune is assured. Whatever desire is prayed for is obtained in abundance; but performing the vow without desire leads to attainment of the Supreme Brahman. Even reciting or hearing about Viśoka Saptamī grants the world of Indra and freedom from suffering. Next, the Phala Saptamī is described, promising freedom from sin and attainment of heaven. In the auspicious month of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the seventh day, with a regulated vow and after fasting, a golden lotus is made. The devotee gives a golden image of the Sun to a householder Brahmin, along with sugar weighing one pala, at both morning and evening times, praying, “May the Sun be pleased with me.” After worshipping the Brahmins with devotion, a meal with milk is given to them on the eighth day, and the vow continues with fruit until the Kṛṣṇa Saptamī. That day is observed in the proper manner and order, and a golden fruit adorned with a golden lotus is given, just as before. With a vessel of sugar, cloth, and garlands, this practice is observed for a year, honoring both seventh days. Fasting and giving in order, the devotee recites the Sun-mantra: “Bhānu, Arka, Ravi, Brahmā, Sūrya, Śakra, Hari, Śiva, Śrīmān, Vibhāvasu, Tvaṣṭṛ, Varuṇa—may they be pleased.” Each name is recited on each seventh day of the month, and fruit is offered on each fortnight, regularly. At the end of the vow, a pair of Brāhmaṇas is honored with cloth and ornaments, and a sugar pot adorned with golden lotus petals is given. A prayer is offered: “O Sun, just as the desires of your devotees are never fruitless, so may I obtain endless rewards for seven births.” Whoever performs this sevenfold vow, which grants endless rewards, becomes purified from all sins and is honored in the world of the Sun. Thus, through these sacred observances—the Kalyāṇa Saptamī, the Viśoka Saptamī, and the Phala Saptamī—the devotee is blessed with auspiciousness, freedom from sorrow, prosperity, and the highest spiritual rewards, their devotion shining in the world of the Sun.