Narada, ever devoted and eager to learn the ways of righteousness, listened as the sacred teachings unfolded. He heard that by giving gifts, a person gains both memory and intelligence. Even if one has committed a sinful act, if he gives with reflection—especially to a worthy brahmin—he is not stained by those sins. Yet, when land, cows, or wealth are seized by force, and someone fails to report such a crime, he is counted among the slayers of Brahmins, most grievously so at sacred times like marriage, sacrifice, or charity. If, out of delusion, a person creates obstacles for others, after death he is reborn as a worm. On the other hand, charity brings increase in wealth, and protecting living beings lengthens one’s life. Beauty, prosperity, and health are the fruits of nonviolence; worship is achieved by eating only fruits and roots; and truth leads one to heaven. Those who fast unto death enjoy happiness everywhere, like kings; those who eat only grass find ease in the vow of Indra. Bathing three times a day and drinking only air, one attains the merit of sacrifice; bathing constantly makes a person skilled and grants the ability to recite the Vedas at twilight. The nonviolent reach the imperishable realm of Viraj, the highest heaven, while those who enter fire are honored in the world of Brahma. When one relinquishes the enjoyment of tastes, he gains cattle and sons; fasting leads to a long stay in heaven. Lying always on the ground grants the desired state, especially for those practicing heroic postures, lying, and standing. For such dedicated souls, their worlds become inexhaustible, and all desires are fulfilled—so it is, too, for those who undertake fasting, initiation, and consecration. After performing these disciplines for twelve years, one surpasses even the heroic state, practicing purifying dharma and becoming honored in the heavenly world. Those best among the twice-born who recite the meritorious teachings of Brihaspati find their lifespan, knowledge, fame, and strength all increasing. Narada then recounted, “Thus, O king, this treatise on dharma composed by Brihaspati was spoken in full to me, a devotee, by Mahesha himself.” With deep reverence, Narada then approached Mahadeva and asked, “O Lord of all, tell me in detail about the vow called Trisprisha, by hearing which the world is instantly freed from the bondage of karma.” Mahadeva replied, “Listen well to the great vow called Trisprisha. It removes all heaps of sin, destroys great suffering, and is the very incarnation of Krishna. For those who desire, it grants their wishes; for the dispassionate, it bestows liberation. Hear now, O Brahmin, as I speak about this vow. In the age of Kali, anyone who daily performs the recitation of Trisprisha directly worships Kesava. Even if no other rituals are performed, all sins are destroyed by the mere utterance of Trisprisha—there is no doubt about this. Not by Agamic rites, nor by Puranic recitations, nor by sacrifices, nor by ten million pilgrimages, nor by even the most honored vows among the gods, does liberation arise if the Trisprisha is not observed. The Lord of gods has declared that the Vaishnavi tithi is indeed for the sake of liberation. The knowledge of Sankhya is difficult to attain for twice-born men, especially in the age of Kali, when there is little restraint of the senses and no steadiness of mind. For those separated from sense objects, lacking meditation and concentration, and yet attached to enjoyment of desires, the Trisprisha bestows liberation. Long ago, this vow was revealed to me by the Four-faced Brahma in the ocean of milk, when Lord Vishnu, bearing the discus and taking the form of a fish, addressed those who had taken refuge. Even those who perform the Trisprisha while engaged with sense objects, I grant them liberation, even if they lack the knowledge of Sankhya. For those attached to enjoyment, Trisprisha still bestows liberation. Many assemblies of sages have practiced this, O great sage. If the Trisprisha occurs in the bright fortnight of Karttika, then, with Soma or even with the offspring of Soma, it destroys millions of sins. For one who observes its fast, even if involved in killing, the skull of Brahma instantly falls from the hand of Maheshvara to the earth. Freed from countless heaps of Kali’s sins, the goddess traverses the three paths by the instruction of Madhava, through the complete observance of Trisprisha. The eight killings of Bahuvirya from previous births were destroyed by the instruction of Bhrigu, through the complete observance of Trisprisha. A Brahmin killed in the forest by Shatayudha was freed from the sin of Brahminicide by the complete observance of Trisprisha. By the instruction of Shakra, the killing arising from Namuci was destroyed through the complete observance of Trisprisha. Sins as grave as Brahminicide are dissolved by the complete observance of Trisprisha, O foremost of Brahmins; what need is there to speak of lesser sins? Not at Prayaga, nor at Kashi, nor at the Gomati in the presence of Krishna, does liberation arise if the Trisprisha is not observed. Yet, by dying at Prayaga or at the Gomati in the presence of Krishna, or even by merely bathing in the Gomati, eternal liberation is attained. Even in one’s own house, liberation comes by the complete observance of Trisprisha, even for one living amidst sense objects and enjoying desires. For one who has turned away from sense objects, liberation is difficult to obtain through Sankhya alone; therefore, O foremost of Brahmins, perform the Trisprisha, which bestows liberation.” Narada, ever earnest, asked again, “O best of gods, what is that great vow called Trisprisha, which you have now described to me as granting liberation to the twice-born?” Mahadeva replied, “O Brahmin, long ago, out of compassion for you, Madhava spoke to Jahnavi on the eastern bank of the Sarasvati about the sacred bath known as Trisprisha.” And Jahnavi herself declared, “In the age of Kali, countless multitudes of sins—including the killing of Brahmins and other such acts—cling to those who bathe in my waters, O Hrishikesha.” Thus, the sacred teachings on charity, discipline, and especially the supreme vow of Trisprisha, were revealed—showing the way to liberation, even in the darkest of times.