In the sacred month of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the seventh day, one who seeks auspiciousness should undertake a special vow. With discipline, after fasting, a golden lotus is to be fashioned. At both dawn and dusk, a devout person offers a golden image of the Sun—accompanied by a measure of sugar, weighing one pala—to a householder Brahmin, sincerely uttering, “May the Sun be pleased with me.” Brahmins are then worshipped with heartfelt devotion, and on the eighth day, they are served a meal rich with milk. The observer of the vow continues with fruits alone as sustenance, maintaining this practice up to the Kṛṣṇa Saptamī. On that day as well, the prescribed rituals are performed in proper sequence. A golden fruit, adorned with a golden lotus, is given, just as before, along with a vessel of sugar, cloth, and garlands. This observance is repeated on each seventh day for an entire year, always with the same devotion and gifts. Each time, after fasting and giving as prescribed, the devotee recites the Sun’s sacred names: “Bhānu, Arka, Ravi, Brahmā, Sūrya, Śakra, Hari, Śiva, Śrīmān, Vibhāvasu, Tvaṣṭṛ, Varuṇa—may they be pleased.” On every seventh day, each name is recited; fortnightly, fruit is offered, maintaining this rhythm throughout the year. When the vow is concluded, a pair of Brahmins is honored with cloth and ornaments, and a pot of sugar adorned with golden lotus petals is given in offering. With devotion, the worshipper prays: “O Sun, just as your devotees’ desires are never in vain, so may I obtain endless rewards for seven births.” Whoever performs this sevenfold vow, which bestows inexhaustible blessings, is cleansed of all sins and honored in the radiant realm of the Sun. Even the gravest transgressions—such as drinking liquor and the like—are washed away by this sacred observance. One who faithfully keeps the seventh-day vow remains free from illness and uplifts twenty-one souls, both ancestors and descendants. Even those who simply hear or recite this account attain blessedness. Now, let the Sugar Seventh-day vow be described—a rite that likewise destroys sin, bringing endless life, health, and prosperity. On the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Mādhava, with steadfast resolve and after a morning bath, the devotee uses white sesame and adorns themselves with white garlands. On a clean spot, a lotus is drawn, its center marked with saffron, and there, with reverence, fragrance and incense are offered to Savitṛ. A water pot is placed beside a vessel of sugar, both adorned with white cloth and garlands, and worshipped with gold, as this mantra is recited: “Since you are composed of all the Vedas, you are called Vedavādi; you are the nectar of all—therefore, grant me peace.” Afterward, the devotee drinks pañcagavya and sleeps on the ground near the offering, meditating on the Sun’s hymn and listening to the Purāṇas. When a day and night have passed, on the eighth day, after performing the daily rites, all offerings are given to a learned Brahmin. Brahmins are fed with sugar, ghee, and rice pudding, while the devotee partakes of simple, unsalted, unoiled food, remaining self-controlled. This entire rite is performed each month, and at the year’s end, a bed with a sugar pot is offered. Those who are able also give a milking cow, a house fully equipped, and, according to their means, gold coins—be it a thousand, a hundred, ten, one, or even half. A horse of gold is also given, accompanied by mantras, with honesty and without deceit, for acting otherwise brings fault. It is remembered that drops of nectar from the Sun’s mouth became rice and barley upon the earth; sugar, the supreme essence of sugarcane, is itself the nature of nectar, born of the Sun and fit for offerings to gods and ancestors. This is the Sugar Seventh, a vow that grants the fruit of the horse sacrifice, removes all evils, and increases progeny. Whoever performs it with utmost devotion attains a noble destiny, dwells in heaven for an age, and then reaches the highest state. Even those who merely hear, remember, or recite this flawless account gain wisdom in the Sun’s realm and are honored by gods and celestial maidens. Next comes the sacred Lotus Seventh, which pleases the Sun by its very mention. On the pure Seventh of Spring, after bathing, with white mustard seeds and sesame, a beautiful lotus is prepared in a golden vessel. Covered with a pair of cloths, it is worshipped with fragrance and flowers, as one offers salutations to the lotus-handed and the sustainer of the universe: “O Sun, salutations to you; O radiant one, salutations to you.” At both morning and evening, this offering is presented together with a water-pot. A Brahmin is then honored with cloth, garlands, and ornaments, and, according to means, a decorated brown cow is given as prescribed. After a day and night, on the eighth day, Brahmins are again fed, and the devotee eats, avoiding meat and oil. In this way, the ritual of the bright Seventh is performed each month, with sincerity and without deceit in matters of wealth. At the end of the vow, a bed adorned with a golden lotus is given, along with a cow rich in gold and yielding milk, as ability allows. Desired utensils—vessels, seats, lamps, and other implements—are also presented. Whoever observes the Lotus Seventh in this manner attains endless prosperity and is honored in the Sun’s realm. In every cycle, after traversing seven worlds with celestial companions, one finally attains the highest state. Those who see, hear, or recite this sacred account with devotion, and give it due attention, enjoy unwavering prosperity in this world and delight in the realms of the Gandharvas and Vidyadharas.