The Lord spoke with gravity, listing those whose actions incur His constant anger. He is ever displeased with those who delight in hearing about sinful deeds, with fools who turn against their protectors, and with those who seize the property of the helpless. Betrayers of trust, killers of cows prized for their strength, and men who take outcast women as wives also draw His wrath. He is angered by those who cut down sacred fig trees, and by those who sow discord among the divine trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Those who become excessively attached to another’s wife, and those sinful men who, out of greed, eat food on the sacred eleventh day (Ekadashi), incur His anger as well. The Lord’s displeasure also falls upon those who revile the Vedas, who dwell on wicked thoughts, and who are inclined to betray their friends. Those who cut down the dhatri tree, and those who, overcome by desire, engage in intercourse during the day, are not spared. He is also angered by those who approach a menstruating woman, or, out of delusion, go to a woman whose period has not yet begun. Wicked people who disturb others engaged in vows bring enmity with the Lord, as do those who eat at night on the new moon or on days when guests are honored. Those who eat two meals on a Sunday, and those who do not abstain from meat, intercourse, or oil on the new moon day, are also subject to His anger. He declared that He is always angry with those who fail to give up these forbidden acts, and emphasized this with finality. Above all, He is unceasingly angry with those who revile the Vaishnavas, the devotees of Vishnu. Having spoken thus, Lord Vishnu suddenly vanished from sight. The Brahmin who had heard these words awoke from his bed, abandoning all sleep. Inspired by the words of Keshava, he became deeply devoted to Hari. Setting aside all other duties, he immersed himself in ritual worship, and even by partaking of the offerings made to Narayana, he received great spiritual fruit. Vyasa then reflected, “I do not know the full extent of the results that come to one who worships Hari. But I will tell you briefly, O noble Jaimini: By worshipping Hari even once, a person attains the supreme state. Human birth itself is rare in this world, rarer still is the worship of the wielder of the discus. And among those who do worship, true devotion is exceedingly rare. For one who seeks to cross the vast ocean of worldly existence, filled with sorrow, there is but one path: to worship Vasudeva with unwavering devotion, for He is the doer of all actions.” Later, Suta recounted that, upon hearing of the fruits of observing Ekadashi, Jaimini was filled with joy. With hands joined in reverence, he addressed Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa: “By your grace, I have heard of Vishnu’s greatness. Now, please tell me of the greatness of Tulasi, which destroys the sins of those who listen.” Vyasa replied, “O Brahmin, Tulasi, the blessed one, is always served by all the gods, including Indra and the others. She bestows the fruits of the four aims of life—dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. In heaven, on earth, and in the underworld, Tulasi is rare among the virtuous, and devotion to her brings all the aims of life. Where even a single Tulasi tree grows, all the gods—Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and others—reside. Keśava dwells in the center of each leaf, Prajāpati at its tip, and Shiva at its base. Goddesses such as Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Gayatri, Chandika, and all the wives of the gods also reside upon those leaves. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairṛta, Varuna, Vayu, and Kubera dwell upon the branches of Tulasi. All the planets, starting with the sun, the Viśvedevas, the Vasus, sages, and all divine rishis are always present there. Every sacred place that exists in countless universes takes refuge in the Tulasi leaf. Whoever serves Tulasi with devotion is himself served by the sacred places and the gods, beginning with Brahma. If someone cuts the grass at Tulasi’s root, Hari instantly destroys the sin of brahma-hatya (killing a Brahmin) that resides in their body. Whoever waters Tulasi in the summer with fragrant, cool water attains liberation; giving Tulasi the gift of moonlight or shade in the hot season frees one from all sins. If a person waters Tulasi in the month of Vaishakha with a continuous stream, he receives the perpetual fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. Even watering Tulasi with a small amount of water grants heaven, free from all sins. If, at any time, a noble person waters Tulasi with milk, Lakshmi herself becomes steadfast in his home. Whoever smears the root of Tulasi with cow dung and sweeps around it attains great merit: for as many dust particles as are removed, for that many thousands of aeons does he enjoy with Vishnu. Whoever places a lamp at the base of Tulasi during twilight is escorted to Vishnu’s abode, accompanied by countless generations. Whoever protects Tulasi from harm by cows, dogs, donkeys, humans, or children is always protected by Keśava. Whoever plants Tulasi with devotion, upon death, certainly attains supreme liberation—of this there is no doubt. And whoever, with devotion, beholds Tulasi in the morning attains the inexhaustible fruit of beholding Vishnu Himself.