Listen, O noble one, to the sacred account of meritorious vows and their fruits, as revealed in the Purāṇa. When a devotee, with sincerity and faith, undertakes the Saumya vow—beginning from the month of Phālguna, abstaining from salt on the third day—such a person, after fulfilling the vow, attains the supreme abode. At the completion of the year, he should worship a pair of Brahmins, offering them a house furnished with utensils and a bed, invoking the grace of Bhavānī. Thus, he dwells for an age in the world of Gaurī. This is called the Saubhāgya vow. Another, who observes silence at twilight and, at the year’s end, offers a pot of ghee, a pair of garments, sesame seeds, and a bell to a Brahmin, attains the Sarasvata world—a realm from which return is rare. This is known as the Sarasvata rite, which bestows knowledge of forms. Next, by worshipping Lakṣmī on the fifth day and fasting, the devotee, at the conclusion, should give a golden lotus and a cow. He then reaches Viṣṇu’s abode, and Lakṣmī herself will be with him in every birth. This is the Lakṣmī vow, destroyer of sorrow and grief. When one anoints Śambhu and Keśava, and for a year gives a cow and a water pot, he becomes a king for ten thousand births and ultimately attains the city of Śiva. This is the Ayu-vrata, the vow of longevity, which fulfills all desires. With a focused mind, one should bow to the Ashvattha tree, the Sun, and the Ganga. Eating only once a day for a year, free from envy, and worshipping two Brahmins with three cows at the end, the devotee should give a golden tree and thereby obtains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. This is the Kirti-vrata, which bestows prosperity and fame. Following this, bathing Śambhu or Keśava with ghee, making a circle of cow dung adorned with unbroken rice and flowers, the devotee, at the conclusion, should offer a golden lotus with a sesame-cow and a trident eight fingers long. Thus, he is honored in Śiva’s world. The Sāma vow is performed with the singing of Sāma hymns. On the ninth day, one eats only once, and honors girls according to his means. After feeding them equally, he gives them golden garments and presents a golden lion to the Brahmins. By this, he attains the abode of Śiva and, for a hundred million births, remains handsome and undefeated by enemies. This is the Vīra-vrata, bringing happiness to all. With compassion, during the four months beginning with Chaitra, he should give a handful of alms. At the vow’s end, he offers a jewel with food and clothing, and a vessel of sesame and gold, being honored in Brahmā’s world. At the end of the kalpa, this is known as the Bhūtijananamānanda vow. Bathing the Lord for a year with the five nectars, and at the end giving a cow endowed with these nectars, the devotee also gives a conch to a Brahmin and attains Śiva’s abode. At the end of the kalpa, he becomes a king—this is the Dhṛti-vrata. Abstaining from meat, at the vow’s conclusion, he gives a cow and a golden deer, obtaining the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. This is the vow of non-violence, which at the end of the kalpa makes him a king. Rising early, bathing, and worshipping the divine couple, he feeds others according to his means, with garlands, garments, and ornaments, and dwells in the world of the Sun for a kalpa. This is the Sūrya vow. From Āṣāḍha for four months, the devotee bathes each morning and, after feeding a Brahmin, in Kārtikī becomes a giver of cows and attains the state of Viṣṇu. This is the Viṣṇu vow. Until the solstice, he avoids flowers and clarified butter; at the end, he gives flowers, food, a cow with ghee, and rice cooked in milk with ghee to a Brahmin, thereby attaining the state of Śiva. This is the Character vow, which bestows virtue and health. He who observes the milk vow on the fifteenth day for a year, at the end performs a śrāddha, giving five milk-yielding cows, tawny garments, and water jars, attains the world of Viṣṇu and delivers a hundred ancestors. This is known as the Ancestor vow. Whoever offers the evening lamp with ghee, avoiding oil, at the year’s end gives a lamp, a discus, a golden trident, and a pair of garments to a Brahmin, thus becoming radiant and attaining the world of Rudra. This is the Radiance vow. From Kārtika on the third day, one should partake of cow urine and barley, observing night-fasting for a year. At the end, he becomes a giver of cows, dwells in Gaurī’s world for a kalpa, and then becomes a king. This is the Rudra vow, always bestowing auspiciousness. For four months, one avoids fragrant ointments and, at the end, gives a Brahmin unbroken rice, white garments, and conch shells, thereby attaining Varuṇa’s abode. This is the Firm vow. In Vaiśākha, avoiding flowers and salt, and then giving cows, the devotee remains in Viṣṇu’s state for a kalpa and becomes a king. This is the Peace vow, bestowing fame and desire. One should fashion a golden Brahmāṇḍa filled with sesame, offer ghee, and satisfy the sacred fire and a worthy Brahmin, honoring the Brahmin couple with garlands, garments, and ornaments. According to his means, with a gift weighing at least three palas, saying “May the Soul of the Universe be pleased,” he should make this offering on an auspicious day. In the next world, he attains Brahman and is not born again. This is the Brahma vow, which bestows liberation upon men. Finally, whoever gives a vessel with two mouths, filled with abundant things, attains the highest merit. Thus, O king, are the vows described, each leading the devoted soul to auspicious worlds, prosperity, and liberation, according to the ancient tradition.