Hear now the sacred account of auspicious vows and their fruits, as revealed in the ancient scripture. There was one who, for a single day, observed the milk vow—a fast sustained only by milk. Such a person attained the supreme state, and this vow was called the ‘Auspicious Vow,’ making rebirth difficult for the observer. If one extended the milk vow for three days and afterwards gave a golden wish-fulfilling tree along with as much rice as one could afford, weighing above a pala, the reward was even greater. Upon making this offering, the devotee attained the state of Brahma. This was known as the ‘Terrible Vow.’ And whoever, after a month-long fast, gave a beautiful cow to a brahmin, would reach the abode of Vishnu—this too was a ‘Terrible Vow.’ Furthermore, after weighing out twenty palas, if one gave the earth made of gold, the merit was immense. A person who observed the milk vow for just one day was honored in the world of Rudra, gaining wealth that would last for seven hundred aeons. In the months of Māgha or Caitra, one who gave a jaggery-cow and performed the jaggery vow on the third day was honored in the realm of Gauri. This was called the ‘Great Vow,’ bestower of supreme bliss. If a devotee fasted for a fortnight and gave two tawny cows to a brahmin, he would attain the world of Brahma, worshipped by gods and demons, and at the end of the aeon, become king of all. This was the ‘Radiant Vow.’ Whoever gave firewood to a brahmin for all four seasons, and at the end gave a cow yielding ghee, would attain the supreme Brahman. This was known as the ‘Vaiśvānara Vow,’ destroyer of all sins. On the eleventh day, if one ate at night and offered a wheel, and finally made a golden wheel, he would reach the abode of Vishnu. This was the ‘Kṛṣṇa Vow,’ granting sovereignty at the end of the aeon. At the close of a vow, if one ate rice pudding and gave a pair of cows to a brahmin, he would dwell in the realm of Lakṣmī for an aeon—the ‘Goddess Vow.’ On the seventh day, one who ate at night and gave a milking cow at the end would attain the world of the Sun, known as the ‘Bhānu Vow.’ On the fourth day, one who ate at night and gave gold and a pair of cows at the end would receive the fruit of Śiva’s realm, through the ‘Vaināyaka Vow.’ Whoever, forsaking great rewards, gave golden items to a twice-born on Kārtika day at the end of a homa, along with a pair of cows, would receive the fruit of the Sun’s realm—the ‘Saurav Vow.’ Completing twelve fasts on the twelfth day, a man should worship brahmins with cows, garments, and gold as he is able, thus attaining the supreme state. This was the ‘Viṣṇu Vow.’ On the fourteenth day, if one ate at night and gave a pair of cows at the end, he would reach the abode of Śiva, known as the ‘Tryambaka Vow.’ After fasting for seven nights, giving a pot of ghee to a twice-born was called the supreme vow, granting the fruit of Brahma’s world. Upon reaching Kashi, giving a milch cow would allow one to dwell in Indra’s world for an aeon—the ‘Mantra Vow.’ By abandoning residence at the mouth and giving a cow at the end, one would attain Varuna’s world—the ‘Varuna Vow.’ Performing the Chandrayana and offering a golden moon was called the ‘Chandra Vow,’ granting the fruit of the moon’s world. In the month of Jyeshtha, undertaking the fivefold austerity and giving a golden cow would allow one to ascend to heaven on the eighth or fourteenth day—the ‘Rudra Vow.’ Performing the prescribed rite once, on the third day, in Shiva’s temple, and upon completion giving a cow, one attained the ‘Bhavani Vow.’ In Magha, wearing wet garments at night and giving a cow on the seventh day, after dwelling for a day here, one became a king—this was the ‘Pavan Vow.’ After fasting for three nights, giving a beautiful house in Phalguna would grant the world of the sun—the ‘Dhama Vow.’ Worshipping at the three sandhyas, fasting with one’s spouse adorned, and giving, one attained liberation—the ‘Moksha Vow.’ Giving a salt vessel on the second day of the dark fortnight, and upon completion offering a cow to a Brahmin at Shiva’s temple, brought merit. Giving bronze with cloth, together with a gift, and then a cow, led one to Shiva’s temple. At the end of the aeon, the king of kings is said to be; this was the ‘Soma Vow.’ Eating once on the first day and completing the vow granted its fruit. One attained the Vaiśvānarapada—the ‘Shikhi Vow.’ Above two golden palas, a chariot yoked with horses should be given; after fasting, the devotee dwelled in heaven for a hundred aeons, and at the end became king of kings—this was the ‘Ashva Vow.’ Likewise, one should give a golden chariot yoked with elephants, and would dwell in the world of truth for a thousand aeons. This was called the ‘Kari Vow,’ after which one was born again on earth. Eating once on the tenth day, upon completion, one gave ten cows and a golden lamp, becoming lord of the universe—this was the ‘Vishva Vow,’ destroyer of great sins. Whoever gave a maiden in marriage at Pushkara in Kartika, endowed with twenty-one qualities, would go to Brahma’s world. There was no greater gift anywhere than the gift of a maiden, especially at Pushkara and particularly during Kartik. It should be given to a Brahmana according to proper rites, lest their worlds be destroyed. One should make an elephant of sesame flour, adorned with jewels, and offer it to a Brahmana while standing in water. Those who did so would never lose their worlds, even at the dissolution of beings. Finally, whoever recited or heard this excellent Ṣaṣṭhī vow, even for a hundred Manvantaras, would become the lord of the Gandharvas. Such are the sacred vows and their rewards, as taught by the ancients, bestowing realms, kingship, liberation, and lasting honor upon the faithful.