The sage continued his sacred instruction, describing the wondrous mountains and the rituals associated with them. “You,” he said, addressing the mountain, “possess the beauty of the Gandharva forest, and you are joined with Ketumāla and the radiant forest. Because of this, may my fame be steadfast. At your summit stands a golden aśvattha tree, and you are associated with the northern Kurus and the Sāvitra forest; therefore, may my prosperity remain constant. O Supārśva, ever resplendent, may my fortune never decline.” Having spoken thus to all, the sage explained that, at dawn, after purifying oneself with a bath, one should offer the best of the middle mountains to the teacher, while the supporting mountains should be presented to the priests in proper order. The gifts, he said, could be twenty-four cows, or ten, or nine, seven, eight, or five, depending on one’s means. Even a single tawny, milk-giving cow, given to the teacher, fulfills the rule for all these mountains. The same mantras and implements used in these rites are proper also for the worship of the planets, the guardians of the worlds, and for Brahma and the other deities. In all mountain sacrifices, one should recite one's own mantra and observe fasting; if fasting is not possible, then one may eat only at night. “Now, O Nārada,” he continued, “hear the procedure for all the mountains, the mantras to be used at the time of giving, and the fruits obtained therefrom. Food is declared to be Brahman; in food the vital breaths are established. From food, beings are born, and the world exists through food. Thus, Lakshmi herself is food, and Janardana, too, is food. O best of mountains, protect me in the form of a mountain of grain.” Whoever gives a mountain made of grain in this manner is honored in the world of the gods for a full hundred manvantaras. That person ascends to heaven in a radiant chariot crowded with Apsaras and Gandharvas, and when his merit is exhausted, he returns to earth and attains royal sovereignty without doubt. The sage then turned to the Salt Mountain. “Now I shall explain the excellent Salt Mountain, by giving which a man attains worlds associated with Shiva. The best Salt Mountain is made with sixteen dronas of salt, the middling with half that amount, and the inferior with four. One who is poor should create it as best as possible, at least more than a drona, and separately make smaller mountains of a quarter part in circumference. The procedure is as before, always for Brahma and the others, and all the guardians of the worlds should be fashioned from gold. Lakes, Kamadeva, and other forms should also be made. One should keep night vigil, and listen to the mantras for giving.” The giver prays, “O best of mountains, since this salt essence arises from the Lake of Fortune, protect me as the giver of this gift. Since all flavors of food are not excellent without salt, and since it is always dear to Shiva and Parvati, grant me peace. Because salt arises from the body of Vishnu and increases health, in the form of a mountain, protect me from the ocean of worldly existence.” Whoever gives a Salt Mountain according to this procedure dwells in Uma’s world for a kalpa, and then attains the highest state. The sage continued, “Now I shall explain the excellent Mountain of Jaggery, by giving which a man attains heaven and is honored by the gods. The best is made with ten bhāras of jaggery, the middling with five, the lowest with three, and one with little wealth should use half that amount. As before, one should perform invitation, worship, adoration of the golden tree, and honor the guardians of the mountain, lakes, and forest deities. Fire offerings and night vigils should be performed, and the guardians of the worlds established, just as with the mountain of grain. The following mantra should be recited: ‘Just as among the gods, Janardana, the Soul of All, is foremost; among the Vedas, the Sama Veda is supreme; among yogis, Mahadeva is preeminent; among all mantras, the syllable Om is supreme; among women, Parvati; so too, among all juices, sugarcane juice is always considered the best. Therefore, O mountain of jaggery, grant me the highest fortune, for you are the brother of the giver of prosperity and dwell with Parvati; thus, bestow peace upon me.’” Whoever gives a mountain made of jaggery in this way is honored by Gandharvas and exalted in the realm of Gauri. At the end of a hundred ages, such a person becomes lord of the seven continents, endowed with long life, health, and unconquered by enemies. The sage then spoke of the supreme golden mountain, the remover of sins, by whose offering one attains the abode of Brahma. The best golden mountain is a thousand palas in weight, the middling is five hundred, the lowest is half that; even one of little means should give at least one pala, according to his ability, without envy. All should be done as with the mountain of grain, and the supporting mountains given to the officiating priests. The giver prays, “Salutations to you, O seed of Brahma, O womb of Brahma; since you grant endless fruits, O heap of stone, protect me. Since you are born of Agni and are meritorious, O Lord of the world, and take the form of a golden mountain, O best of mountains, protect me.” Whoever, following this method, gives a golden mountain attains the supreme Brahma-world, the bringer of bliss. There he remains for a hundred ages, then attains the highest state. Finally, the sage described the sesame mountain, by whose offering a man attains the eternal world of Vishnu. The best sesame mountain is made with ten droṇas, the middling with five, and the lowest with three. As before, the surrounding supporting mountains should be made, and the sage prepared to declare the mantras for their donation, so that the ritual might be complete and its fruits assured.