Listen, O noble one, to the wondrous tale of devotion and transformation as revealed by Lord Nṛsiṃha to Prahlada. In a former birth, you were not born to a Brahmin, nor did you study the sacred texts. Your name was Vasudeva, and you were born to a courtesan, consumed by lust and desire. In that life, you performed not even a single virtuous act; instead, you delighted in pleasures, indulging in honey and ghee, and constantly sought the company of courtesans. Yet, by the power of my vow, devotion unexpectedly arose in your heart, O sinless one. Hearing this, Prahlada, full of wonder, asked, “O Lord of the gods, tell me in detail—whose son was I, and what was this vow? While living with a courtesan, I somehow performed it; by your compassion, please reveal everything to me.” Nṛsiṃha replied, “Long ago, for the purpose of creation, Brahma established this supreme vow. By the power of this vow, all living and non-living beings were brought into existence. I myself performed this vow for the destruction of Tripura, and by its strength, Tripura was cast down. This excellent vow has also been observed by many ancient gods, sages, and wise kings. By the power of this vow, all attain success. In heaven, many enjoyments have become dear to you through me. Having enjoyed them, beings ultimately merge in me. Prahlada, you too will enter into me. Your descent is separate from my body, for the sake of duty. There is no return for those who attain this, even after hundreds of great aeons. Even a poor man gains wealth like Kubera by its power. One who desires pleasure gains pleasure; one who seeks sovereignty attains supreme sovereignty; one who desires long life attains a lifespan like Shiva. This vow grants freedom from widowhood to women, sons, good fortune, wealth, grain, and the removal of sorrow. Whether women or men perform this supreme vow, I grant them happiness, the fruits of enjoyment, and liberation. What more can I say, dear one? Even I cannot fully describe the fruits of this vow, nor can Shankara himself.” Prahlada, his heart full of devotion, replied, “O Lord, by your grace I have heard of this supreme vow. My devotion to you fills me with the wish to know the fruits of this vow. Now, I wish to hear the supreme procedure—O Lord, in which month and on what day should it be performed? Please, tell me in detail, by what procedure one may obtain the complete fruit.” Nṛsiṃha answered, “Prahlada, dear one, may all be well with you. Listen attentively to the vow. In the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, it should be performed on the fourteenth day. Hear, my son, of my manifestation, the cause of my satisfaction, and the story of my origin, which brings happiness to devotees. In the western direction, due to another cause, this sacred place of the crown arose, which destroys all sins. In that field, there lived a renowned Brahmin, accomplished in the Vedas, named Harita, devoted to knowledge and meditation. His wife, Lilavati, was supremely virtuous, ever faithful and devoted to her husband’s will. Together, they performed great austerities for a long time—twenty-one ages passed thus. In that sacred field, they finally beheld the divine presence. I appeared before them and said, ‘Whatever boon you desire, O Brahmin, I grant it without doubt.’ Whatever they asked for, I granted as my boon. They asked, ‘Let a son like you be born to us immediately.’ I replied, ‘I am your son, without doubt. I am Visvakarma himself, the supreme soul, transcending all. I will not reside in the womb, for I am eternal.’ Harita accepted, saying, ‘Let it be so, without doubt.’ From that time, I have remained in that field for the sake of devotees. Whoever comes there, the best among devotees, and seeks my vision, I destroy all their obstacles continuously. For this reason, those best among men who perform the vow according to the prescribed rules have no fear. Meditating especially on my child form together with them, whoever performs worship at night becomes Narayana himself. My form is four-armed, with great fangs, embodying time, difficult to approach, shining like ten million suns, hard to approach even for ten million Yamas, with a lion’s face and human limbs joined together. One should always worship Sri Narasimha, the divine lion, the form of time. Whoever, knowing this especially, approaches my place, attains supreme merit. This vow is pure, supreme, grants prosperity, and is great; at the end, it grants liberation to devotees, without doubt. By performing it, one attains the fruit of a thousand Dvadasi observances. When my vow is observed on a Saturday during the conjunction with the Svati star or during the conjunction of Siddhi Yoga, in the merchant’s karana, and with all yogas, its conjunction destroys ten million sins. On any of these auspicious yogas, my day destroys sin. Whoever, knowing my day, neglects it, becomes a sinner. One who does not perform this goes to hell for as long as the moon and sun endure. But when my day arrives, O child, after brushing the teeth, in my presence, with a vow firmly resolved, my devotee who has mastered the senses—today I will establish the vow for you; carry it out without obstacle. One who is observing the vow must not engage in wicked speech or similar acts. Then, at midday, in a river or other pure water—whether at home, in a temple tank, or in a beautiful pond—the wise should bathe with Vedic mantras.” Thus, O Prahlada, did Lord Nṛsiṃha reveal the supreme vow, its power, its fruits, and the sacred procedure, bestowing upon all who listen and follow with devotion the promise of worldly happiness and ultimate liberation.