At that time, O Devi, the wise son overheard words that shook his heart: “This is indeed my father, who has now been born as an animal within my very own household.” He recognized without doubt, “And this is my mother; through the force of fate, she has been born as a female dog. What can I do? This is certain.” Troubled by these revelations, that Brahmin could not find sleep. Throughout the night, his mind was restless, filled with worry and sorrow, and he kept remembering the Supreme Lord of all. He reflected, “I am devoted to many kinds of dharma, yet how can there be any good for me in this way?” After much anxious thought, he finally drifted into sleep as the night wore on. When the pure light of morning arrived, he went to the assembly of sages. Among them, the venerable Vasiṣṭha received him with warmth and kindness. “Tell us, best of Brahmins, the reason for your coming,” the sages asked. The Brahmin respectfully bowed and replied, “Today my birth is fruitful, today my actions are fruitful; today my ancestors are satisfied, for I have gained your rare audience.” He explained, “As prescribed, the śrāddha has been performed, and the twice-born have been well fed; all the householders have likewise been given food.” After the meal was finished, the female dog spoke there, saying, “In our house, there is one bull.” She addressed her husband, “Hear, husband, what I say to you: while at home, I contaminated the milk vessel with poison. I saw this and great anxiety arose in me—there is no doubt; when food is cooked with this milk, then all the Brahmins here will die from eating that food. Thinking thus, I, the mistress, drank the milk myself. Then, when the wife saw this, she beat me; injured by her, I wander—what can I do, so greatly afflicted?” Remembering her suffering, the bull spoke to the female dog: “Listen, dog, I will tell you the cause of my suffering. In a previous birth, O dog, I was indeed her father. Today the Brahmins have been fed, and abundant food has been given. But neither grass nor water was ever offered to me; because of that sorrow, my suffering became even greater.” The Brahmin, having heard this story, could not sleep at night; his mind was deeply troubled. “I am devoted to Vedic study and skilled in Vedic rituals,” he thought, “yet, thinking of the great suffering of these two, I do not know what I should do.” Distressed, he came before the sages and pleaded, “Please relieve my distress.” The sage spoke: “O Ugrajanman, listen to what happened in a previous birth. This excellent Brahmin lived in the auspicious city of Kundana. When the fifth day arrived in the month of Bhādrapada, he did not observe that vow because he was performing his father’s śrāddha and related rites. His wife, faithful to her duty, undertook the vow and prepared food for all the Brahmins. Unaware, that sinful and misguided man performed the rites. On the first day, she became a cāṇḍālī; on the second, a slayer of a Brahmin. On the third day, she was called a washerwoman; on the fourth day, she was purified again. Because of that sin, she was born as a female dog, wandering her own house. And this one became an ox, O virtuous one, due to that action.” Ugrajanman then asked, “Tell me, O virtuous one, what vow, charity, sacrifice, or pilgrimage especially brings liberation to my parents?” The sage replied, “In the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada, the ṛṣipaṃcamī is observed. By performing it, sin caused by impurity is destroyed. This vow grants sons and grandsons, and brings liberation to ancestors. Whether at a river, well, pond, or in a Brahmin’s house, one should make a circle of cow dung and place a pot there. Upon it, set a vessel filled with grains sacred to the sages. Place the sacred thread, gold, and fruit there. The seven sages, bestowers of happiness and prosperity, should be installed.” “After invoking them, all should be worshipped by those observing the vow. Offer sacred grains as food for the sages. Worship of the sages should be done with a single meal, with utmost devotion, using the prescribed mantra and proper procedure. Offer oblations with ghee, accompanied by gifts. Give them to a Brahmin according to the rules, for the satisfaction of the sages. After hearing the story and circumambulating according to the rite, one should separately offer incense, lamp, food, and water for washing the hands. May the sages always be fulfilled by my observance of the vow. May they accept the worship I offer; salutations to the sages. Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Prācetasa, Vasiṣṭha, Marīci, and Atri—may you accept the offerings; salutations to you.” “Thus, this worship should be performed with delightful incense and lamps; by the power of this act, liberation arises for the ancestors. Due to the result of previous actions and the influence of passion, faults arise; but, O child, when this is done, liberation is certain for him, without doubt.” The Brahmin performed that vow for the sake of liberation and for the benefit of his ancestors; and they departed upon the path of liberation, blessed and freed. Thus, the virtuous ṛṣipaṃcamī vow has been extolled for the Brahmin; those best among men who perform it are truly fortunate. Those best among men who perform the excellent ṛṣivratam, after enjoying abundant pleasures in this world, attain the abode of Viṣṇu. Thus concludes the seventy-seventh chapter named ‘The ṛṣipaṃcamī Vow’ in the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa, Uttarakhaṇḍa, in the sacred dialogue between Umāpati and Nārada.