Listen, O noble one, to the sacred observances as revealed in the holy scripture. According to one’s means, a devotee should commission the crafting of symbolic fruits: from silver are to be made a fig (audumbara), a coconut, two grapes, and two eggplants—thus forming sixteen fruits in all. In addition, from copper, one should have fashioned a palmyra fruit, an agasti fruit, a pinda fruit, a kashmari fruit, and a surana tuber. To this collection are added a red yam, a fruit called kanakāhva, a cirbhiṭa, a fruit of citravalli, and a fruit of the silk-cotton tree, all made of copper. Further, the devotee should prepare a mango, a niṣpāva, licorice, a banyan, a mudga, and a patola—completing a set of sixteen copper fruits, as ability allows. Two water pots are to be prepared, each filled with grain and covered with a cloth. Upon these, fine bedding should be spread, adorned with the best garments. Three vessels for food are to be arranged, and, in the company of a symbolic bull of Yama and Rudra, as well as a cow, all these offerings should be presented with due reverence to a peaceful Brahmin who is a householder, along with his wife, on an auspicious day. It is believed that in all these fruits dwell countless immortals. Thus, may the act of giving all fruits awaken in the devotee unshakable devotion to Shiva. As Shiva and Dharma are ever-gracious, bestowing endless blessings, so too, by offering these fruits, may the devotee receive abundant boons. Just as the rewards for Shiva’s devotees are limitless at all times, may the devotee, through this vow, gain unending merit, life after life. With a heart free of distinction between Shiva, Vishnu, the Sun, and the Lotus-born Brahma, may Shankara, the Soul of the Universe, always abide within. After giving all these offerings, adorned with ornaments if possible, one should also present a well-appointed bed. If unable to provide all these, it is sufficient to give the prescribed fruits, two water pots, and two golden images of Shiva and Dharma. Having honored a Brahmin with these gifts, the devotee may partake of food, maintaining purity of speech and abstaining from oil, and, as able, should feed other Brahmins as well. The knowers of the Veda proclaim this vow of giving all fruits to be supremely auspicious—not only for devotees of Bhagavan Shiva, but also for those devoted to the Sun, to Vishnu, and to the practice of Yoga. O best of sages, this vow, which yields endless merit, should be undertaken by women according to their ability, for there is no other vow—either in this world or the next—that surpasses it. O wise one, for as many atoms as are found in the gold, silver, and copper when the fruits are ground, for that many thousands of ages is the giver honored in the world of Rudra. This vow removes all sins, grants long life, and protects from the sorrow of losing a child, bestowing the blissful abode enjoyed by Indra. Even one who is poor, yet hears or recites this in temples or in the homes of the virtuous, is freed from sins and attains the blessed realm of Vishnu. Then, the sage inquires of Lord Nandīśa about another vow—one that brings health, bestows endless rewards, and grants peace to mortals. Nandīśa replies: That supreme, eternal Brahman, the very foundation of the universal soul, is manifest in three forms in this world—as the sun, fire, and moon. By worshipping this triad, a person attains well-being. Therefore, on Sundays, one should observe a fast at night. When the sun’s day coincides with the hand (a specific conjunction), then on the preceding Saturday, one should eat only once, free from envy. On Sunday night, after feeding the best of Brahmins, one should prepare a lotus with twelve leaves out of red sandalwood. With reverence, the sun is inscribed and placed facing east, Divākara in the southeast, and Vivasvat thereafter. Bhaga is placed in the southwest; Varuṇa on the western petal; Mahendra and Anila likewise, and Āditya on the north. Śānta is reverently set in the northeast, and the horses of the sun in the center. Aryaman is placed in the south; Mārtaṇḍa in the west; Ravi in the north; and Bhāskara in the center. To this lotus, arghya—water scented with red flowers, sesame, and red sandalwood—is offered, accompanied by the recitation: “Soul of time, soul of all beings, essence of the Vedas, whose face is everywhere—you who are in the forms of Agni and Indra, protect me, O Divākara.” Then, “I praise Agni; homage to you. In food and strength, O Bhāskara. O Agni, come, bestower of boons; salutations to you, lord of lights.” After the arghya is offered, it is released at night, with the devotee abstaining from oil. At the end of the year, one should prepare a golden, excellent lotus and a golden man with two arms, according to one’s ability. A tawny cow with golden horns, silver hooves, and a bronze milking vessel, together with her calf, and a pot of jaggery in copper, are to be given along with the lotus and the man. These gifts are presented after duly honoring a Brahmin with red garments, garlands, and incense. The devotee resolves to give the man and lotus with golden horns to a Brahmin who has performed many vows and gifts, is free from defects, self-controlled, a householder, and humble. With deep reverence, the devotee offers salutations again and again to the destroyer of sin, the soul of the universe, the one with seven horses, the treasure of the Sāma, Ṛk, and Yajur Vedas, the creator, the boat across the ocean of existence, and the nourisher of the world. Whoever performs this year-long vow in this way, their sins are destroyed and they ascend to the abode of the sun, fanned by rows of white chowries. Having attained the fullness of righteousness, a king becomes free from sorrow, suffering, fear, and disease; he becomes lord of the seven islands, endowed with invincible form and immeasurable energy. Likewise, a woman who is devoted to her husband, elders, and deities, and who practices righteousness day and night, attains the world honored by the immortals, as surely as the sun rises—there is no doubt. Whoever recites, hears, or even approves the recitation of this sacred account is worshipped by the immortals in Indra’s realm and dwells eternally in heaven. Now, hear also of the inexhaustible reward for observing the Saṅkrānti and Udyāpana rites, which bestow all desired results in the next world. The Saṅkrānti vow is to be observed during the solstice or equinox. On the day before, one should brush the teeth and take only one meal. On the day of Saṅkrānti itself, one must bathe in the morning with sesame seeds, as prescribed. Thus, these sacred observances, when undertaken with faith and devotion, purify the soul, destroy sins, and bestow endless blessings in this world and the next.