After reciting sacred prayers seven times with hands joined in reverence, one pours water upon the head, repeating this act three, four, five, or seven times, seeking purification. Then, as prescribed, the devotee bathes using earth, invoking the mantra: “O Earth, traversed by horse and chariot, traversed by Viṣṇu, O Vasundharā.” With heartfelt supplication, he prays: “O Earth, remove my sin, whatever evil I have committed; you, who were lifted by the boar, Kṛṣṇa, with a hundred arms.” He offers salutations to the Earth, origin of all worlds and embodiment of virtue, and after bathing, performs ācamana, the ritual sipping of water, as the tradition dictates. Rising from the bath, he dons clean, pure garments, preparing himself for the sacred offering meant to nourish the three worlds. First, he satisfies Brahmā, then Viṣṇu, Rudra, the progenitors, the gods, the yakṣas, the nāgas, and the hosts of gandharvas and apsarases. He extends his offering to the fierce serpents, the suparṇas, the trees, the jambhaka spirits, the vidyādharas, the cloud-dwellers, and all those who move in the sky. Even beings without support and those who delight in sinful conduct are remembered, for he declares, “This water is given by me for their satisfaction as well.” Following the proper sequence, he performs the upavīta for the gods, then the nivīta, and devoutly satisfies humans, the sons of sages, and others. He invokes the names of Sanaka, Sananda, Sanātana, Kapila, Asuri, Voḍhu, and Pañcaśikha, praying that all these be satisfied by the water he offers. He remembers Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracetas, Vasiṣṭha, Bhṛgu, and Nārada, wishing that all divine sages and brahmarṣis find satisfaction in the pure water. Next, he makes the sacred thread apasavya, places his right knee on the ground, and honors the Agniṣvāttas, the Saumyas, the Haviṣmats, and the Uṣmapās. He remembers those who receive offerings at the proper time, the Barhiṣads, and those who drink clarified butter, offering water mixed with sesame and sandalwood to the ancestors with devotion. With darbha grass in hand, he satisfies his own ancestors by name and lineage, as well as maternal grandfathers. Having properly and devoutly satisfied them, he recites: “Those who are relatives, and those who were relatives in previous births—may all those who desire water from me attain complete satisfaction.” After proper purification, he draws a lotus in front, offering arghya with real flowers, sesame, and red sandalwood, while reciting the names of the Sun. He salutes the One of universal form, the One who is Viṣṇu in form, and all the gods, praying for their grace, especially from the Sun. He offers salutations to Divākara and Prabhākara, and after paying homage to the Sun, circumambulates three times. Upon seeing and touching a brāhmaṇa, a cow, or gold, he returns home, where he worships a meritorious image kept in his house. Afterwards, he arranges food, first for the brāhmaṇa. By following this procedure, all the sages of old attained success. Pulastya then spoke of a mighty being, whose power slew thousands of Daityas, enemies of the gods. By his radiance, the moon, sun, and others lose their brilliance; by his might, hundreds of Dānavas are defeated. He assumes any form at will, remains undefeated even as a man, and his wife is Bhānumatī, a chaste woman famed for her beauty throughout the three worlds. Bhānumatī’s form is like Lakṣmī, surpassing even the celestial maidens; she is the chief queen, dearer to her husband than life itself. Among ten thousand women, she shines like Śrī herself; among a hundred thousand kings, none equals her. 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, along with golden trees and gods, properly and according to rule. At that time, a Śūdra goldsmith performed the work. A servant in Līlāvatī’s house, he skillfully made golden trees with golden flowers, filled with devotion. Exceedingly beautiful and well-crafted, those trees were made; knowing it was a righteous act, he did not accept any wage. Those golden trees were offered by your wife, and in Līlāvatī’s house, service was also performed. By both of them, without deceit, service to the twice-born and other acts were done. And Līlāvatī, though a courtesan, in time, was freed from all sin and attained the abode of Śiva. That goldsmith, though poor, was exceedingly virtuous, refusing payment from the courtesan. Now, O lord, he has become the ruler of the seven islands, shining like ten thousand suns. By whom the golden trees were properly offered—she, your wife Bhānumatī, was that very woman. Therefore, among men you are undefeated, endowed with health, good fortune, and Lakṣmī. So you too, O king, should offer mountains of grain and the like, according to rule.” Pulastya concluded: “By properly offering mountains of grain and the like, he went to the world of the enemy of Smara, honored by the gods.