The sage, seeing the king’s earnest desire for liberation, spoke with compassion: “If there is anything more you wish for, O king, ask me now—especially that which can deliver one from the vast ocean of worldly existence.” The king humbly requested, “Tell me of a sacred vow that grants both heavenly rewards and good health.” The sage replied, “I shall explain to you the solar dharma known as the Auspicious Seventh, a practice revered for its power and merit. Listen as I describe the Saptamī vows: Viśoka Saptamī, Phala Saptamī observed on the third day, Sugar Saptamī, and Lotus Saptamī. There is also Mandāra Saptamī, the Sixth Saptamī, and the Auspicious Saptamī itself. All these bestow holy fruits and are worshipped by gods and sages alike. “Now, I will tell you the proper procedure for these vows, in the right order. When the seventh lunar day of the bright fortnight coincides with the day of the Sun, that day is called ‘Auspicious’ and also ‘Victorious.’ On this day, one should rise early and bathe in a river, using cow’s milk for purity. “Clad in white garments, arrange a lotus using unbroken rice grains, placing a petal in the center facing east, and a round pericarp as well. With flowers and unbroken rice, place the Lord of the gods upon each petal in order: to the east as Tapanā, then as Mārtaṇḍa; to the southeast, offer to Divākara; in the southwest, to Vidhātri; in the west, to Varuṇa; also to Bhāskara and Anila. In the northeast, worship Vikartana, and to Deva on the eighth petal. At the beginning, end, and center, dedicate everything to the Supreme Self. “Worship them with mantras ending in salutations, offering white garments, fruits, edibles, incense, garlands, and ointments. On the altar, with devotion, present jaggery and salt. Then, reciting the Vyāhṛti mantra, release the foremost twice-born—meaning, honor and feed the Brāhmaṇas. “According to your means, offer oblations with devotion—using jaggery, milk, ghee, and more—and give sesame, gold, and other gifts to the Brāhmaṇas. After observing the discipline and sleeping, rise in the morning, bathe, and recite the sacred texts. Together with the Brāhmaṇas, prepare a pudding of ghee and rice. “Having eaten, give a vessel of ghee, with gold and a water pot, to a learned knower of the Vedas who is free from the Vaiḍāla vow. In this way, may the blessed Supreme Self—the Sun—be pleased. Month after month, repeat this procedure faithfully. “In the thirteenth month, offer thirteen cows, adorned with garments and ornaments, with golden horns and yielding milk. Even one cow should be given by those of limited means, without envy or deceit regarding wealth, for delusion leads one astray. “Whoever performs the Auspicious Saptamī in this way is freed from all sins and honored in the world of the Sun. Here, endless life, health, and prosperity arise; all sins are removed, and the gods themselves worship this vow. The Auspicious Saptamī always pacifies all evils; whoever observes it enjoys endless fruits. “Even those who simply hear or recite this account are freed from sins. Now, O best of kings, I will describe the Viśoka Saptamī, by which a person never experiences sorrow in this world. “In the month of Māgha, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight, bathe with black sesame. After brushing your teeth, eat rice gruel, then observe a fast and sleep as a celibate that night. At dawn, rise, bathe, recite prayers, and make a golden lotus to worship the Sun, offering a red oleander and a pair of red garments. Pray, ‘Just as you, O Sun, always free the world from sorrow, may I too be free from sorrow and have devotion to you in every birth.’ “On the sixth day, worship the twice-born Brāhmaṇas with devotion. Personally sip cow urine, rise, perform daily rites, and carefully honor the Brāhmaṇas with a vessel of jaggery. Offer them a pair of good garments and a lotus. Eat food without oil and salt, and on the seventh day observe silence. “Thereafter, if you desire prosperity, listen to the Purāṇas. This procedure should be followed in both fortnights, continuing until the seventh day of the bright half of Māgha returns. At the conclusion of the vow, give a pot adorned with a golden lotus, a bed with its furnishings, and a tawny, milk-giving cow. Whoever performs this rite without miserliness attains the highest state. “For as many as a hundred crore thousand lifetimes, such a devotee will not experience sorrow, and will remain free from disease and misfortune. Whatever desire he holds in his heart will be fulfilled in abundance. But if he performs it without personal desire, he attains the Supreme Brahman. Even one who merely recites or hears the Viśoka Saptamī reaches the world of Indra and is never born into suffering. “Now I shall declare another vow, the Phala Saptamī. By observing it, a person is freed from sins and attains heaven. In the auspicious month of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the fifth day, undertake a firm vow. Fast on the sixth day and have a golden lotus made, to be given with sugar to a Brāhmaṇa who has a family. “Fashion a golden image of a fruit and give it at both times of day, praying, ‘May the Sun be pleased with me.’ Worship the Brāhmaṇas as you are able, and on the seventh day take a meal of milk. Continue to offer the fruit until the arrival of the Kṛṣṇa Saptamī. “In this way, O king, by faithfully observing these sacred Saptamī vows, one is blessed with health, prosperity, freedom from sin, and ultimately, liberation or heavenly reward, as the heart desires.