When the time for the sacred mountain offering arrives, a golden vessel is set at the side and a cow, facing south, is made present. Every rite, from the first invocation to the final conclusion, is performed just as it is with the mountain of grain, with careful attention and reverence. Once all is prepared, the best portion of the central mountain is respectfully given to the teacher, and four other mountains are distributed among the priests, each gift accompanied by sacred mantras. The devotee recites: “This supreme mountain of sugar is the nectar of good fortune; therefore, O king of mountains, always be the giver of happiness.” Another prayer follows: “The drops that fall to the earth when the nectar is drunk—arising from the gods—O sugar mountain, protect us.” And yet another: “Sugar, which arose from the middle of the bow of Kāma, you are that great mountain; protect us from the ocean of worldly existence.” The scripture assures that whoever gives a mountain of sugar in this prescribed way is freed from all sins and attains the abode of Brahman. Riding a vehicle that shines like the moon and sun, together with his dependents, the giver proceeds to the heaven of Lord Viṣṇu. After a hundred kalpas, he becomes lord of the seven islands, blessed with long life, health, and prosperity for three thousand births. It is also taught that one should provide food to the best of one’s ability for all the mountains, free from envy, and may partake of uncooked salt with the permission of the priests. All the implements used in the mountain ceremony are to be given to a brāhmaṇa’s house. Thus, the supreme gift of the mountains is completed. If there is anything else that the king wishes to know—anything that delivers from the ocean of worldly existence—he is invited to ask. The king then requests to hear of a vow that grants the fruits of heaven and good health, and so the solar dharma called the Auspicious Seventh is explained. There are several Saptamī vows to be observed: the Viśoka Saptamī, the Phala Saptamī on the third day, the Sugar Saptamī, the Lotus Saptamī, the Mandāra Saptamī, the Sixth Saptamī, and the Auspicious Saptamī. All these bring holy fruits and are worshipped by gods and sages. The procedure is set forth: When the seventh lunar day of the bright fortnight falls on the day of the sun, that day is called Auspicious and Victorious. In the morning, one bathes in a river with cow’s milk, and, dressed in white garments, arranges a lotus with unbroken rice grains, placing the petal in the center facing east, and a round pericarp as well. With flowers and unbroken rice grains, the Lord of the gods is worshipped all around: to the east as Tapanā, then as Mārtaṇḍa; in the southeast, as Divākara; in the southwest, as Vidhātri; in the west, as Varuṇa; to Bhāskara and also to Anila. In the northeast, to Vikartana; to Deva in the eighth petal; and at the beginning, end, and center, to the Supreme Self. The worship is completed with mantras and salutations, offering white garments, fruits, edibles, incense, garlands, and ointments. On the altar, with devotion, one offers jaggery and salt, and, reciting the Vyāhṛti mantra, releases the foremost twice-born. According to one’s means, oblations are made with jaggery, milk, ghee, and other offerings, and gifts of sesame, gold, and other items are presented to the brāhmaṇa. After observing the discipline and sleeping, one rises in the morning, bathes, and recites the sacred prayers. Together with the brāhmaṇas, ghee-rice pudding is prepared and eaten. To a Vedic scholar who is free from the Vaiḍāla vow, a vessel of ghee with gold and a water pot is given. May the blessed Supreme Self, the Sun, be pleased by this procedure, which should be performed month by month. Then, in the thirteenth month, thirteen cows, adorned with garments and ornaments, with golden horns and yielding milk, are to be given. Even one cow should be given by those lacking wealth, without envy or deceit, for delusion leads to downfall. Whoever performs the auspicious Saptamī in this way is freed from all sins and honored in the world of the Sun. There, endless life, health, and prosperity are attained; all sins are removed, and the rite is worshipped by all the gods. The auspicious Saptamī always pacifies all evils and grants endless fruits to those who observe it. Even hearing or reciting this account brings freedom from sin. The Viśoka Saptamī is then described, which ensures that a man never experiences sorrow. In the month of Māgha, after bathing with black sesame on the fifth day of the bright fortnight, and having eaten rice gruel after brushing the teeth, one observes a fast and sleeps in celibacy that night. Rising at dawn, pure after bathing and reciting, one makes a golden lotus and worships the Sun with a red oleander and a pair of red garments, praying, “Just as you, O Sun, always make the world free from sorrow, may I too be free from sorrow and have devotion to you in every birth.” On the sixth day, the twice-born are worshipped with devotion. Having sipped cow urine, risen, and performed daily rites, one worships the Brahmins carefully, providing a vessel of jaggery. A pair of good garments and a lotus are offered to the Brahmin, and after eating food without oil and salt, on the seventh day, one observes silence. Afterwards, one who desires prosperity listens to the Purāṇas. This procedure is to be followed in both fortnights, ensuring the fulfillment of the vow and the blessings that come with it.