Listen, O best of kings, to the sacred account of the merit gained by the giving of mountains, as once revealed to the wise. Food itself is declared to be Brahman, the very essence of life; from food all beings arise, and by food the world is sustained. In food resides all fortune, and Janardana Himself is called food. Therefore, O lord of mountains, it is enjoined to offer protection in the form of a mountain of grain. Whoever, following this rule, gives a mountain of grain is honored in the world of the gods for a full hundred Manvantaras. Adorned by hosts of Apsaras and Gandharvas, he ascends to the heights of heaven in a celestial chariot. And when the merit of his deeds is exhausted, he returns to earth and enjoys royal sovereignty—of this, there is no doubt. Now, let me describe the excellent Salt Mountain, the gift of which brings a man to the world united with Shiva. The best Salt Mountain is made with sixteen droṇas; the middle with half that amount, and the inferior with four droṇas. One who lacks wealth should offer as much above a single droṇa as he can. The Viṣkambha mountains are to be made separately with a fourth part, and the procedure should be performed as before, for Brahma and the others. In the same way, one should arrange a golden abode for the guardians of the worlds, as well as lakes, forest trees, and other such things. A vigil should be kept, and the donor should recite this mantra: “As taste is joined with water and salt, so by your very nature, protect me who am afflicted, O best of mountains; for all other flavors are not excellent without salt. And as you are always dear to Shiva and Parvati, therefore be a giver of peace; since you arose from Vishnu’s body, you increase health. Therefore, in the form of a mountain, save me from the ocean of worldly existence. Whoever gives a mountain of salt according to this rite dwells in Uma’s realm for an age and then attains the highest state.” Next, hear about the excellent mountain of jaggery. By giving this, a man attains heaven, honored by the gods. The best offering is ten loads, the middle five, and the least three; one of little wealth may give half of that. The same invocations, worship, golden trees, and honoring of the gods apply, as well as the supporting mountains, lakes, forest deities, fire offering, vigil, and the installation of the guardians of the worlds. All should be performed as with the mountain of grain, and this mantra should be recited: “As among the gods Janardana is the supreme soul, as the Sama Veda is foremost among the Vedas, Mahadeva among yogis, the syllable Om among all mantras, and Parvati among women, so among all flavors, sugarcane juice is always considered the best; therefore, may the mountain of jaggery grant me supreme fortune. Because you are the abode of the giver of good fortune, O mountain of jaggery, and you were created by Parvati, therefore always protect me.” Whoever gives a mountain of jaggery according to this rite is honored by the Gandharvas and exalted in Gauri’s realm. At the end of a hundred ages, he becomes lord of the seven islands, endowed with long life, health, and unconquered by enemies. Now, let me declare the excellent golden mountain, destroyer of sins. By giving this, men attain the abode of Brahma. The best golden mountain is made with a thousand palas, the middle with five hundred, and the lowest with half of that. Even a man of little wealth should give as he is able, without envy—at least one pala or more, according to his ability, free from jealousy. All arrangements should be made as with the mountain of grain, and the Viṣkambha mountains should be given to the officiating priests. Let salutations be offered to the one who is the seed of all, and to the one who holds the womb of Brahma. Because the golden mountain bears endless fruits, it is invoked for protection; as the offspring of Agni and the son of the Lord of the world, it is addressed: “As you are in the form of a golden mountain, therefore protect, O best of mountains.” Whoever gives a golden mountain according to this procedure attains the supreme Brahma-world, which brings joy. There he remains for a hundred aeons, and then attains the highest state. Now, I shall explain the procedure for the sesame mountain. By giving it, a man attains the unsurpassed world of Vishnu. The highest sesame mountain is made with ten droṇas, the middle with five, and the lowest with three. All other arrangements are as before, including the Viṣkambha mountain and others. The donation mantra is as follows: “Because sesame, kuśa grass, and black gram arose from the sweat of Vishnu’s body at the slaying of Madhu, therefore be the giver of peace. Because sesame is the protection in oblations and offerings, establish prosperity, O lord of mountains; salutations to you, sesame mountain.” Whoever thus invokes and gives the unsurpassed sesame mountain attains the Vaishnava abode, from which return is difficult. As for the cotton mountain, the best is made with twenty weights, the middle with ten, and the lowest with five. One with little wealth should give according to his means, free from deceit regarding wealth. All should be accomplished as with the grain mountain. At dawn, the donor should present this offering, reciting: “Because you are always the covering for all worlds here. Salutations to the cotton mountain; therefore, be the destroyer of the mass of sins.” Whoever gives the cotton mountain in the presence of all attains great merit. Thus, O king, these are the sacred gifts of mountains, each leading the giver to blessed realms and supreme states, as revealed in the ancient wisdom.