Listen, O seeker, to the ancient account of sacred vows and their fruits, as revealed in the holy scripture. Each vow, performed with devotion and discipline, brings forth blessings both in this world and the next. It is said that one who, after anointing the images of Shiva and Keshava, gives a cow with a water pot every year, will be born as a king for ten thousand lifetimes and, in the end, attain the city of Shiva. This is the vow of longevity, known for granting all desires. Another vow prescribes that, after bowing to the Ashvattha tree, the Sun, and the sacred Ganga, a man should, for a year, eat only one meal a day, restrain his speech, and remain free from envy. At the vow’s conclusion, he must honor two Brahmins with the gift of three cows and a golden tree. Such a person gains the merit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice—this is the vow of fame, bestowing prosperity and renown. There is also the vow where one bathes Shiva or Keshava with ghee, and arranges a circle of cow dung adorned with unbroken rice and fine flowers. At the end, a golden lotus of eight fingers’ breadth and a sesame-cow are offered. The devotee is then honored in Shiva’s world as a singer of the Sama Veda—hence, this is called the Sama vow. On the ninth day, after taking a single meal and feeding maidens according to one’s means, the devotee gifts them seats and golden-brocaded garments. By giving a golden lion to a Brahmin, one achieves Shiva’s state, is handsome for countless births, and is unconquerable—this is the hero’s vow, also bringing happiness to women. The milk vow is observed on the fifteenth day, for as many years as possible. At the end, the devotee performs a śrāddha and gives five milking cows, along with tawny garments and water pots. He reaches Vishnu’s world, liberates a hundred ancestors, and becomes king of kings at the end of the age—this is the ancestor’s vow. For four months beginning with Chaitra, one gives water to those who ask, and at the end offers 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 bliss vow. Bathing the Lord with the five nectars for a year, and then gifting a cow with the same nectars, brings great merit. Offering a conch to a Brahmin grants the state of Shiva and kingship at the end of the age—this is the vow of steadfastness. Abstaining from meat and gifting a cow or a golden deer at the year’s end yields the fruit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice. This is the vow of non-violence, and at the end of the age, the devotee becomes a king. During the month of Magha, one should bathe at dawn, worship with one’s spouse, offer food, and adorn with garlands and ornaments. Such a person dwells in the Sun’s world for a kalpa—this is the Sun vow. For four months starting with Ashadha, daily morning baths and food offerings to Brahmins are prescribed. In Karttika, one gives a cow and attains Vishnu’s abode—this is the auspicious Vishnu vow. From one solstice to the next, abstaining from flowers and ghee, and at the end gifting garlands and a cow that yields ghee, brings great merit. Offering rice pudding with ghee to a Brahmin grants Shiva’s abode—this is the character vow, which bestows virtue and health. Lighting lamps at twilight for a year and avoiding oil, then gifting a lamp set in a golden wheel and a pair of garments to a Brahmin, makes one radiant and leads to Rudra’s realm—this is the radiance vow. Beginning on the third day from Karttika, by consuming barley soaked in cow’s urine and fasting at night for a year, then gifting a cow, one dwells in Gauri’s world for a kalpa and later becomes a king—this is the Rudra vow, always auspicious. In Chaitra, abstaining from fragrant ointments, then giving a shell filled with fragrance and white garments to a Brahmin, leads one to Varuna’s realm—this is the steadfast vow. In Vaishakha, by avoiding flowers and salt and gifting a cow, the devotee dwells in Vishnu’s abode for a kalpa and then becomes a king—this is the beauty vow, granting beauty and fame. One may fashion a golden cosmic egg filled with sesame seeds, give sesame for three days, and satisfy the fire and a worthy Brahmin. Honoring a Brahmin couple with garlands, garments, ornaments, and at least three palas of gold, and praying for the favor of the Soul of the Universe on an auspicious day, leads to the Supreme Brahman and liberation—this is the Brahma vow. Gifting a cow with two calves adorned with gold and observing a milk vow for a day brings the highest state, making rebirth rare—this is the cow vow. Observing the milk vow for three days, then gifting a golden wish-fulfilling tree and rice, leads to the state of Brahman—this is the wish-fulfilling vow. After fasting for a month and giving a beautiful cow to a Brahmin, one attains Vishnu’s abode—this is the Bhima vow. Gifting a golden earth of at least twenty palas after a day’s milk vow brings honor in Rudra’s realm for seven hundred kalpas—this is the earth vow. In Magha or Chaitra, gifting a cow and jaggery and observing the jaggery vow on the third day brings honor in Gauri’s realm and supreme bliss. Fasting for a fortnight and giving two tawny cows to a Brahmin grants the world of Brahma, reverence among gods, demons, and sages, and kingship at the end of the age—this is Prabhavrata. Eating only once a day for a year and gifting a pot of food and water ensures residence in Shiva’s world for a kalpa—this is Praptivrata. Eating only at night on the eighth days and gifting a cow at year’s end leads to Indra’s city—this is Sugativrata. Giving fuel to a Brahmin during the four seasons, and a cow with ghee at the end, leads to Supreme Brahman and destroys all sins—this is Vaishvanaravrata. Eating only at night on the eleventh day and offering a golden disc at year’s end brings the abode of Vishnu and royal status at the end of the age—this is Krishnavrata. Consuming rice pudding and gifting a pair of cows to a Brahmin grants the world of Lakshmi—this is Devivrata. On the seventh day, eating only at night and gifting a milking cow at the end leads to the world of the Sun—this is Bhanuvrata. Thus, O seeker, are the vows and their fruits, as sung by the wise. Each sacred observance, performed with faith and charity, leads the soul toward prosperity, renown, liberation, and the highest realms, according to the promise of the scriptures.