O Bhārata, let me recount to you the sacred Ṣaṣṭhī vow, universal and fruitful, as it was revealed to the king of kings. If you desire to know what is to be done by the twice-born, listen well. Purity of body and mind cannot be achieved without bathing; thus, bathing is prescribed at the beginning for the purification of the mind. Whether the water is drawn or undrawn, one should bathe, and the learned must establish the sacred place with the root mantra, understanding its significance. The root mantra is: "Salutations to Nārāyaṇa." Holding darbha grass in hand, one performs ācamana with proper procedure, attentive and pure in mind. A square area, measuring four hands on each side, is prepared; the wise invoke Gaṅgā with sacred mantras. "O Gaṅgā, born from the feet of Viṣṇu, O Vaiṣṇavī, O deity of Viṣṇu, protect us from sin, from birth until the end of death." There are thirty million and more sacred places, as Vāyu declared; in heaven, on earth, and in the atmosphere, all are yours, O Jāhnavī. Among the gods, your names are Nandinī, Nalini, Dakṣā, Pṛthvī, Subhagā, Viśvakāyā, and Śivāsitā. You are also known as Vidyādharī, ever gracious, Lokaprasādinī, Kṣemā, Jāhnavī, Śāntā, and Śāntipradāyinī. These auspicious names should be recited at the time of bathing; then Gaṅgā, the traverser of three paths, becomes present there. With joined palms, recite these names seven times, and pour water on the head repeatedly—three, four, five, or seven times. One should also bathe with earth, as prescribed, reciting the mantra: "O earth, traversed by horse, traversed by chariot, traversed by Viṣṇu, O Vasundharā." "O earth, remove my sin, whatever evil I have committed; you were lifted by the boar, Kṛṣṇa, with a hundred arms. Salutations to you, O origin of all worlds, O virtuous one." After bathing, perform ācamana according to the procedure. Rising, put on clean, pure garments. Then, perform the offering for the nourishment of the three worlds. First, satisfy Brahmā, then Viṣṇu, Rudra, the progenitors, gods, yakṣas, nāgas, and the hosts of gandharvas and apsarases. Also, the fierce serpents, suparṇas, trees, jambhaka spirits, vidyādharas, cloud-dwellers, and those who move in the sky. Even those beings without support, and those who delight in sinful conduct—offer water for their satisfaction as well. Having performed the upavīta for the gods, and then nivīta, devoutly satisfy humans, the sons of sages, and also the non-sages: Sanaka, Sananda, Sanātana, Kapila, Asuri, Voḍhu, and Pañcaśikha. May all these always be satisfied by the water offered: Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracetas, Vasiṣṭha, Bhṛgu, and Nārada; all divine sages and brahmarṣis should be satisfied with pure water. Then, having made the sacred thread apasavya and placing the right knee on the ground, satisfy the Agniṣvāttas, Saumyas, Haviṣmats, and Uṣmapās. Those who receive at the proper time, the Barhiṣads, and those who drink clarified butter—satisfy the ancestors with devotion, using water mixed with sesame and sandalwood. With darbha grass in hand, according to the rite, satisfy one's own ancestors, naming them by their lineage, as well as the maternal grandfathers. Having properly and devoutly satisfied them, recite: "Those who are relatives, and those who were relatives in previous births—may all those who desire water from me attain complete satisfaction." Then, having performed proper purification, draw a lotus in front. With real flowers, sesame, and red sandalwood, carefully offer arghya, reciting the names of the Sun: "Salutation to the One of universal form, salutation to the One who is Viṣṇu in form; salutation to all the gods—be gracious to me, O Sun. Salutation to you, O Divākara; salutation to you, O Prabhākara." Thus, having saluted the Sun and circumambulated three times, see and touch a brāhmaṇa, a cow, or gold, and return home. Then, worship a meritorious image kept at home. Afterwards, arrange for food, first for the brāhmaṇa; by this procedure, all the sages attained success. Pulastya then spoke: He who slew thousands of Daityas, the enemies of the gods, whose radiance dims the moon, sun, and others, who defeats hundreds of Dānavas, who can assume any form at will and remains undefeated even as a man—his wife is Bhānumatī, chaste and the most beautiful in the three worlds. With a form like Lakṣmī, surpassing the beauty of celestial maidens, she is the chief queen of that king, dearer to him than life itself. Amidst ten thousand women she shines like Śrī herself; among a hundred thousand kings she is never equaled. Once, seated in his court, the king asked his family priest, bowing with wonder before the eminent sage Vasiṣṭha: "Revered one, by what virtue do I possess such an incomparable wife? And why does this supreme radiance always abide in my body?" Vasiṣṭha replied: On the fourteenth day, at Puṣkara, she gave Mount Lavana...