Hear now the sacred account of the sevenfold vows, whose observance brings the highest blessings. It is said that any sin committed—whether here or elsewhere—such as the grave fault of drinking liquor and others like it, is destroyed for one who faithfully performs the sevenfold vow. Whoever observes this sacred rite on the seventh day remains free from disease, and by their merit, they deliver twenty-one beings—both from the past and the future—from suffering. Even those who merely hear or recite these holy instructions attain blessedness. Let me now describe the Sugar Seventh-day vow, a practice that likewise destroys all sin and bestows endless life, health, and prosperity. On the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Mādhava, with firm resolve, the devotee should rise early and bathe, then use white sesame seeds and adorn themselves with white garlands. In a clean and pure place, a lotus with a center should be drawn using saffron, and there, with deep reverence, fragrance and incense should be offered to Savitṛ, the Sun. A water pot is to be placed there, together with a vessel filled with sugar, both adorned with white cloths and white garlands. Worship is then performed, using gold and reciting this mantra: “Since you are composed of all the Vedas, you are called Vedavādi; you are the nectar of all—therefore, grant me peace.” After this, having partaken of pañcagavya, the devotee should sleep on the ground beside the altar, remembering the hymns to the Sun and listening to the Purāṇas. When a day and night have passed, on the eighth day, after completing the daily rites, all the offerings are to be given to a learned Brāhmaṇa in the same manner. Brāhmaṇas should be fed with sugar, ghee, and rice pudding, according to one’s ability, while the practitioner eats food without oil or salt, remaining self-controlled. This entire rite should be performed every month, and at the end of the year, a bed with a sugar pot should be offered. Along with all necessary items, and if able, a single milking cow and a fully furnished house should be given. Depending on one’s means, a thousand, a hundred, ten, one, or even half a gold coin may be offered. A golden horse should also be given, as before, with the recitation of mantras, and one must act honestly, for deceit in matters of wealth brings fault. It is remembered that from the mouth of the one who drinks nectar, drops of the sun’s nectar fell upon the earth; these became rice and barley. Among all, sugar is supreme; the very essence of sugarcane is like nectar. Sugar, born from the sun, is most auspicious and worthy as an offering to ancestors and gods. This, then, is the Sugar Seventh, a vow that yields the fruits of the horse sacrifice, dispels all evils, and increases the lineage with sons and grandsons. Whoever performs it with supreme devotion attains a blessed destiny, dwelling in heaven for an age, and ultimately reaches the highest state. Even one who hears, remembers, or recites this flawless account gains wisdom in the realm of the sun and is honored by the gods and celestial maidens. Next, let me explain the Lotus Seventh, a vow so pleasing to the Sun that its mere mention brings delight. On the pure Seventh of Spring, after bathing, the devotee should prepare a beautiful lotus in a golden vessel, using white mustard seeds and sesame. Covering it with a pair of cloths, it is to be worshipped with fragrance and flowers, while reciting: “Salutations to the lotus-handed, salutations to the sustainer of the universe. O Sun, salutations to you; O radiant one, salutations to you.” At both sunrise and sunset, offer the lotus along with a water-pot. After honoring a Brāhmaṇa with cloth, garlands, and ornaments, a decorated brown cow should be given, according to one’s means. When the day and night have passed, on the eighth day, Brāhmaṇas should be fed, and only then may the devotee take food, avoiding meat and oil. This ritual of the bright Seventh should be performed every month, with devotion and honesty regarding wealth. At the end of the vow, a bed adorned with a golden lotus should be offered, along with a cow rich in gold and yielding milk, according to one’s ability. Desired utensils—such as vessels, seats, lamps, and other implements—should also be given. Whoever performs the Lotus Seventh in this way attains unending prosperity and is honored in the realm of the sun. After passing through seven worlds, each in its turn, and surrounded by celestial maidens, the devotee finally attains the highest state. Whoever sees, hears, or recites this with devotion and attention gains unwavering prosperity in this world and enjoys the realms of the Gandharvas and Vidyadharas. Now, let me explain the Mandāra Saptamī, a vow that destroys all sins, fulfills every desire, and brings delight. On the fifth day of the bright half of Māgha, the devotee should eat lightly, then prepare a tooth-stick, and fast on the sixth day. After duly honoring Brāhmaṇas, one should partake of mandāra at night. Rising at dawn and bathing, the twice-born should again be honored. After feeding them to the best of one’s ability, eight mandāra flowers and a golden figure, holding a lotus and beautifully fashioned, should be made. A lotus with eight petals is to be fashioned from black sesame seeds in a copper vessel, and, with golden mandāra flowers, the Sun is to be worshipped in the east. With reverence, Sūrya is worshipped on the southern petal as “to Sūrya,” on the southwestern as “to Arka,” on the western as “to Aryaman,” on the western petal as “to Vedadhāmā,” on the northwestern as “to Caṇḍabhānu,” on the northern as “to Pūṣan,” and next, “to Ānanda.” In the center, the golden figure is placed as the universal self, wrapped in white cloths and adorned with offerings such as food, garlands, and fruits. Having worshipped in this way, everything is to be given to a knower of the Veda. Then, facing east and observing silence, the householder may partake of food with oil and salt. This rite should be performed on every Saptamī each month for a year, with generosity and without miserliness regarding wealth. Thus, these sacred vows, faithfully observed, bring about the destruction of sin, fulfillment of desires, and the highest spiritual rewards, leading the devoted soul to blessedness, prosperity, and ultimately to the supreme state.