The sages, gathered together in sacred assembly, suddenly heard a mysterious voice. Filled with wonder and curiosity, they addressed it, saying, “Who are you? We do not know your form or purpose. For what reason have you come? Are you a god, or someone else altogether? Please tell us truly, just as it is.” In response, the voice spoke with clarity and compassion: “I am Viṣṇu, the eternal one, the creator of all beings and all worlds. Seeing your amazement and your earnest inquiry, I have revealed myself to you.” Hearing these words from the God of gods, the sons of Brahmā were filled with awe and devotion. They began to offer their praises to Viṣṇu, the one who is without beginning or end. With reverent voices they exclaimed, “Salutations to the soul of all beings, to the supreme soul! Salutations to Acyuta, the eternal and infinite—again and again, salutations! Salutations to Dāmodara, the wise, the lord of sacrifice—again and again, salutations!” Thus, as the sages continued their heartfelt praise, the blessed Hari was pleased. He addressed those great sages with kindness: “What boon shall I grant you?” The sages replied, “If you are pleased with us, O Lord, and wish for our welfare, please declare to us a vow that bestows the fruit of heaven and liberation, that grants wealth and grain, that is meritorious and brings satisfaction to the soul. Let it be a vow that is easy to perform, yields great results, and is the best of all vows; by performing which, O Lord of gods, one is honored in Viṣṇu’s world.” Viṣṇu responded: “Listen well. If, in the bright fortnight of the month of Phālguna, the twelfth day coincides with the star Puṣya, that day is supremely auspicious and destroys even the greatest sins. On that day, a special observance is to be performed. Hear, O foremost of the twice-born! One should go to the Āmalakī tree and keep vigil there. Freed from all sins, one attains the merit of giving a thousand cows. This, O Brāhmaṇas, is the supreme vow among vows. Worshipping Acyuta there, one is never deprived of Viṣṇu’s realm.” Eager to know more, the sages asked, “Tell us the complete procedure for this vow—what mantras should be used, what salutations, and which deity is invoked? How is charity given? How is bathing done, and what is the prescribed method of worship? Please explain the mantras for offering and worship, exactly as they are.” Viṣṇu replied: “Hear the proper procedure for this vow, O best of the twice-born! On Ekādaśī, one should observe a fast, and on the following day, one should resolve: ‘Tomorrow I will eat, O lotus-eyed one; be my refuge, O Acyuta.’ Having made this vow, and after brushing the teeth, one should avoid conversation with fallen people, thieves, heretics, those of evil conduct, violators of boundaries, or those who have violated their teacher’s wife. “In the afternoon, the wise should bathe according to the prescribed method—whether in a river, pond, well, or at home—with self-control. First, take up clay, then perform the bath, reciting: ‘O earth, trodden by horses, chariots, and Viṣṇu—O clay, remove my sin, whatever misdeed I have committed.’ This is the clay mantra: ‘You are water, the life of all beings, the protector of bodies. Salutations to you, lord of the juices of those born from sweat and from eggs.’ And for the bath itself: ‘I am bathed in all sacred waters, in lakes and springs, in rivers and divine ponds; let this bath be mine.’ “Following the bath, one should make a golden image of the sage Jāmadagnya, using a measure of gold or even half that amount. Returning home, worship and homa should be performed as part of the pūjā. Then, gathering all necessary items, proceed to the Āmalakī tree. “At the tree, cleanse the surroundings thoroughly, and place a flawless pot, all while reciting the appropriate mantras. Adorn the pot with five gems, infuse it with divine fragrance, provide it with an umbrella and a pair of sandals, and smear it with white sandal paste. Hang a garland from its neck, fill the air with all kinds of incense, and arrange rows of lamps around it, making the scene exceedingly beautiful. “Upon this pot, place a vessel filled with divine roasted grains; upon the vessel, place the illustrious image of Jāmadagnya. Then, offer obeisance to Viṣṇu in his many forms: to Viśoka at the feet, Viśvarūpin at the knees, Ugra at the thighs, Dāmodara at the hips, Padmanābha at the belly, the bearer of Śrīvatsa at the chest, the wielder of the discus at the left arm, and the wielder of the mace at the right arm. To Vaikuṇṭha, offer obeisance at the neck; to Yajñamukha at the mouth; to the treasure of freedom from sorrow at the nose; and to Vāsudeva at the eyes. To Vāmana at the forehead, to Rāma at the brows, and to the all-pervading soul at the head, worship with the word ‘obeisance.’ “Thus is the worship mantra. Afterward, offer arghya to the god of gods, with a pure fruit and a mind full of devotion. Then, keep vigil through the night with devotion, engaging in dances, songs, music, recitations of dharma, and hymns. Spend the night with the telling of Vaiṣṇava stories. At dawn, circumambulate the vessel while reciting the names of Viṣṇu, either one hundred and eight times or twenty-eight times, and then perform the waving of lights for Hari. “After worshipping a brāhmaṇa, offer everything to him: in the Jāmadagnya vessel, give a pair of garments and sandals. Pray, ‘May Keśava be pleased with me in the form of Jāmadagnya.’ Then, touching the āmalakī fruit, perform circumambulation. After bathing according to the rule, feed the brāhmaṇas; only afterwards should you and your family partake of food. “Now, listen to the merit gained by performing this observance: it is equal to the merit gained at all sacred waters and the fruit of all gifts. One certainly attains that which surpasses all sacrifices. All this, the supreme vow among vows, has been declared to you.” Thus, the Lord Viṣṇu instructed the sages, revealing to them the sacred Āmalakī vow, which grants the highest blessings to those who perform it with faith and devotion.