Listen, O best of mountains, as the sacred teachings unfold. It is declared that Lakshmi herself, the goddess of prosperity, is food, and Janardana, the Lord, too is food. Therefore, in the form of a mountain of grain, protect me and grant sustenance. Whoever gives such a mountain of grain, following the proper procedures, is honored in the world of the gods for a full hundred manvantaras. He ascends to heaven in a radiant chariot, surrounded by hosts of Apsaras and Gandharvas, and when his heavenly merit is exhausted, he returns to earth to obtain royal sovereignty without doubt. Now, hear of the excellent Salt Mountain. By giving this, a person attains worlds associated with Shiva. The best Salt Mountain is made with sixteen dronas, the middling with eight, and the inferior with four. Even those of little means should offer as much as possible, at least more than a drona, and separately make mountains of a quarter part in circumference. The ritual is performed as before, always honoring Brahma and the other deities, and placing golden representations of all the guardians of the worlds. Lakes, Kamadeva, and other divine figures should be fashioned here as well, and one should keep vigil, preparing to recite the mantras for giving. Invoke thus: “O best of mountains, since this salt essence arises from the Lake of Fortune, protect me as the giver of this gift. Because all flavors of food are incomplete without salt, and it is always dear to Shiva and Parvati, grant me peace. Since salt arises from the body of Vishnu and increases health, protect me, in the form of a mountain, 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. Next, the excellent Mountain of Jaggery is explained. By giving it, a person attains heaven, honored by the gods. The best mountain is made with ten bhāras, the middling with five, the lowest with three, and one of lesser means should make it with half that. The procedure is the same: invite and worship, adore the golden tree, honor the mountain guardians, lakes, and forest deities. Conduct fire offerings and night vigils, establish the guardians of the worlds as with the mountain of grain, and recite this mantra: “Just as Janardana, Soul of All, is foremost among the gods; as the Sama Veda is supreme among the Vedas; and Mahadeva is preeminent among yogis; as the syllable Om is supreme among all mantras; and Parvati among women; 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 you dwell with Parvati; thus, bestow peace upon me.” Whoever gives a mountain of jaggery in this way is honored by the Gandharvas and exalted in the realm of Gauri. At the end of a hundred ages, he becomes lord of the seven continents, endowed with long life, health, and unconquered by enemies. Now, the supreme golden mountain is declared, the remover of sins. By offering it, a person attains the abode of Brahma. The best mountain weighs a thousand palas, the middling five hundred, the lowest half that, and 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. Offer salutations thus: “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, since you are meritorious, O Lord of the world, and take the form of a golden mountain, protect me.” Whoever gives a golden mountain in this manner attains the supreme Brahma-world, the bringer of bliss; there he remains for a hundred ages, then attains the highest state. Next comes the prescribed method for the sesame mountain, by whose offering a man attains the eternal world of Vishnu. The best mountain is made with ten dronas, the middling with five, and the lowest with three. As before, all the surrounding supporting mountains should be made. Recite the donation mantras thus: “Since sesame, kusa grass, and beans arose from the sweat of Vishnu’s body at the slaying of Madhu, let them bring peace here. Since sesame alone is used for offerings to gods and ancestors, O lord of mountains, sesame mountain, I bow to you; may you uplift me.” Whoever makes the offering of the finest mountain of sesame attains the Vaishnava realm, where return is exceedingly rare. He obtains long life, enjoys sons and grandsons, and, honored by ancestors, gods, and Gandharvas, ascends to heaven. Now, the supreme mountain of cotton is explained. By giving it, a person always attains the highest state. The cotton mountain is best with twenty measures, middling with ten, and lowest with five; those of little wealth should give according to their means, free from miserliness. Just as with the grain mountain, everything should be prepared, and the offering made at dawn, reciting the prescribed words: “Since you are always the covering of all worlds, I bow to you, O cotton mountain; be the destroyer of the mass of sins.” Whoever gives the lordly cotton mountain in the presence of Shiva dwells in Rudra’s realm for an age, and then becomes a king here. Finally, hear of the supreme mountain of clarified butter, radiant, immortal, divine, and destroyer of great sins. Thus, the sacred tradition of giving these mountains is revealed, each offering leading the giver to exalted realms and blessings beyond measure.