Now, let me tell you of the excellent Ṣaṣṭhī vow, as revealed by Rudra himself—a vow so divine that it destroys even the greatest of sins. The devotee who, with his family and a cow, observes a night-long fast for a full year, and then gives a golden discus, a trident, and garments to a worthy Brāhmaṇa, attains great merit. Upon completing this sacred act, he assumes the very form of Śiva and rejoices in Śiva’s celestial realm; thus is this divine vow known as the destroyer of great sins. Furthermore, if one, with unwavering devotion, bestows upon a Brāhmaṇa a golden cow accompanied by a golden bull and a sesame-cow, he surely attains the abode of Śiva. This is called the Rudra vow, which banishes all sin and sorrow. There is also the playful vow: whoever gives a blue lotus fashioned from gold, a vessel of sugar, and, after fasting on alternate nights for a year, presents a bull at the end, will reach the world of Viṣṇu. This vow is cherished for its joyous blessings. During the four months beginning with Āṣāḍha, a man should refrain from anointing his body and give away food utensils. By doing so, he secures a place in Hari’s abode; this is the vow of pleasing, bringing happiness to all. If, during spring, one avoids curds, milk, ghee, and sugarcane, and instead offers fine garments and vessels for liquids, and after duly worshipping a pair of Brāhmaṇas with the prayer, “May Gaurī be pleased with me,” he partakes in the Gaurī vow, which grants the world of Bhavānī. On the thirteenth day at the beginning of Puṣya, and again in spring, if a devotee fasts at night and then gives a golden aśoka tree, ten fingers in length, together with sugarcane and garments to a Brāhmaṇa, saying, “May Pradyumna be pleased,” he is freed from sorrow and stands at Viṣṇu’s feet. This is the Kāma vow, ever the destroyer of grief. During the vow that starts with Āṣāḍha, if a man abstains from cutting his nails, from brinjal, honey, and clarified butter for four months, and then, in Kārttikī, offers gold to a Brāhmaṇa, he attains Rudra’s world. This is known as the Śiva vow. If, during the Hemanta and Śiśira seasons, one avoids all flowers, and then in Phālguni offers three kinds of flowers and gold according to his means at both sunrise and sunset, praying for the pleasure of Śiva and Keśava, he attains the supreme abode; this is the gentle vow. From the third day of Phālguni onward, if one abstains from salt and, at the vow’s end, gives a bed and a house complete with utensils, after duly worshipping a pair of Brāhmaṇas and praying for Bhavānī’s favor, he dwells in Gaurī’s world for an age. This is the vow of good fortune. At twilight, one may observe the vow of silence, and at its close, offer to a Brāhmaṇa a pot of ghee, a pair of garments, sesame seeds, and a bell. Such a person attains the Sarasvata state—a rare and exalted rebirth—gaining knowledge and learning. This is the Sarasvata vow. On the fifth day, after worshipping Lakṣmī and fasting, if one gives a golden lotus along with a cow, he attains prosperity in every birth and the Vaishnava state. This is the vow of prosperity, which always removes sins. Each year, after anointing Śiva and Keśava, if one gives a cow with a water pot, he becomes a king for ten thousand births and then reaches Śiva’s city. This is the vow of longevity, fulfilling every desire. Bowing to the Ashvattha tree, the Sun, and the Ganga together, and with controlled speech, if a man eats only one meal a day for a year without envy, and at the end worships a pair of Brāhmaṇas with three cows and gives a golden tree, he receives the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. This is the vow of fame, bestowing prosperity and renown. By bathing Śiva or Keśava with ghee, making a circle of cow dung adorned with unbroken rice and fine flowers, and at the close giving a pure golden lotus eight fingers long along with a sesame-cow, one is honored in Śiva’s world as a singer of the Sāma. This is called the Sāma vow. On the ninth day, after taking one meal and feeding maidens as able, if one gives them seats and golden brocade garments, and presents a golden lion to a Brāhmaṇa, he attains Śiva’s state, becomes handsome for countless births, and is unconquered by enemies. This is the hero’s vow, also bestowing happiness upon women. Observing the milk vow on the fifteenth day for as many years as possible, then performing a śrāddha and giving five milking cows and tawny garments with water pots, one attains the Vaishnava world and delivers a hundred ancestors, eventually becoming a king of kings. This is the ancestor’s vow. For four months from Chaitra, one should give water to those who ask, and at the end, offer a jewel, food, and garments. A vessel of sesame and gold is honored in Brahma’s world, and at the end of the age, the devotee becomes a king. This is the vow of bliss. Bathing the Lord with the five nectars for a year, and then giving a cow with the five nectars and a conch to a Brāhmaṇa, one attains Śiva’s state and, at the end of the age, kingship. This is the vow of steadfastness. If a man abstains from meat and, at year’s end, gives a cow or a golden deer, he gains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. This is the vow of non-violence, and he will become a king at the end of the age. By bathing at dawn in Māgha with one’s spouse, offering food, adorning with garlands, garments, and ornaments, one dwells in the Sun’s world for a kalpa. This is the Sun vow. For four months from Āṣāḍha, bathing in the morning and feeding Brāhmaṇas, then giving a cow in Kārttika, brings the devotee to Viṣṇu’s abode. This is the auspicious Viṣṇu vow. From one solstice to the next, abstaining from flowers and ghee, and at the end giving garlands and a cow that yields ghee, as well as rice pudding with ghee to a Brāhmaṇa, one attains Śiva’s abode. This is the character vow, granting virtue and health. Finally, whoever gives lamps at twilight and avoids oil for a year, and at the year’s end offers a lamp set in a golden wheel, completes a most auspicious act. These sacred vows, when performed with faith and devotion, bestow the greatest rewards—prosperity, knowledge, freedom from sorrow, and ultimately, union with the Divine.