One who is devoted to vows and the path of discipline should be careful in their company, avoiding conversation with those who neglect sacrifices or perform them incorrectly. Such a person should also refrain from associating with physicians, poets, or those who oppose the gods and the twice-born. Even verbal praise or honor should not be extended to such individuals by those who are steadfast in vows and fasting. Through devotion to fasting, one attains the highest accomplishment and is purified. There is no deity equal to Viṣṇu, no austerity greater than fasting, no gain greater than knowledge or righteousness, and no father greater than righteousness itself. In support of these truths, an ancient legend is recited. Long ago, there lived a sage named Gālava, steadfast in truth. His home was a forest dense with many trees, a place roamed by elephants and deer, rich with roots, tubers, and fruits, and inhabited by groups of sages. Gālava had a son, renowned for his self-control, named Bhadraśīla. Even as a child, Bhadraśīla displayed remarkable intelligence. In his play, he would instruct his companions, teaching them that Viṣṇu should always be worshipped by all people. Thus, under his guidance, even the children were inspired to devotion. These noble souls, filled with faith, worshipped Viṣṇu with great reverence. Bhadraśīla would pray, “May there be well-being for all the worlds.” He undertook the vow of Ekādaśī and offered his observance to Keśava. Astonished by this, Gālava—the storehouse of austerity—embraced his son and questioned him: “Your conduct is most auspicious and rare, even among yogis. You are free from dualities, without possessiveness, peaceful, and devoted to meditation upon Hari. Even without serving great souls, devotion to Hari is difficult to obtain. O child, how did such extraordinary resolve arise in you? Devotion to the Blessed Lord has awakened in you, and I am filled with wonder.” Thus questioned, Bhadraśīla, best among sages, reported everything he had undertaken to his father, exactly as he had performed it. Gālava, remembering his past births, explained to his son what had been spoken by Yama, the lord of dharma. Pleased, Gālava spoke to Bhadraśīla, who was wise beyond his years: “You should know of whom, or for what reason, all this has come to pass. In a previous life, I was known as Dharmakīrti, instructed by the command of Dattātreya. I performed both righteous and unrighteous deeds in great number. By associating with wicked heretics, I became one who followed their ways. Harassed by these heretics, I completely abandoned the Vedic path. Seeing my unrighteous conduct, even the sons of Mahesha took notice. Always engaged in sinful acts and addicted to vice, I once entered the forest with my army and killed many kinds of animals. Exhausted by the fierce heat of the sun, I bathed in the Reva river. Alone and separated from my army, I was tormented by hunger. As night fell, I saw a woman devoted to the vow of Ekadashi. Even without my army, I kept vigil through the night. And there, at the end of the vigil, my dear one, I met my death.” Thus, through the story of Gālava and Bhadraśīla, the ancient wisdom is revealed: steadfastness in vows, devotion to Viṣṇu, and the transformative power of fasting and righteousness.