O noble king, listen as the auspicious Saptamī is revealed—a sacred observance that pacifies all evils and bestows endless rewards upon those who practice it. Whoever observes this Saptamī, or even hears or recites its account, is freed from sins. Now, let me describe the Viśoka Saptamī, the vow that brings freedom from sorrow. In the month of Māgha, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight, one should bathe with black sesame. After brushing the teeth and eating rice gruel, the vow of fasting is observed, and the celibate devotee spends the night in purity. At dawn, having bathed and recited sacred prayers, the devotee fashions a golden lotus and worships the Sun, offering a red oleander and a pair of red garments. Just as the Sun dispels sorrow from the world, the devotee prays, “May I be free from sorrow, may I have devotion to you in every birth.” On the sixth day, the twice-born Brahmins are worshipped with devotion. The devotee rises, sips cow urine for purification, performs the daily rites, and offers the Brahmins a vessel filled with jaggery. A pair of good garments and a lotus are also given. On the seventh day, having eaten food without oil or salt, the devotee observes silence. Seeking prosperity, one listens to the Purāṇas, and this procedure is followed in both fortnights. This observance continues until the seventh day of the bright half of Māgha returns. At the conclusion of the vow, a pot adorned with a golden lotus is given, along with a bed and its furnishings, and a tawny, milk-giving cow. Whoever performs this rite generously, without miserliness, and observes the Viśoka Saptamī, attains the highest state. For as many as a hundred crore thousand lifetimes, such a person remains free from sorrow, disease, and misfortune, and all desires are abundantly fulfilled. Those who perform the vow without desire attain the Supreme Brahman. Even those who recite or hear the account of the Viśoka Saptamī reach the world of Indra and are never born into suffering. Now hear of another sacred observance, the Phala Saptamī. By observing this, a person is freed from sins and attains heaven. In the auspicious month of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the fifth day, one takes a firm vow. Fasting on the sixth day, a golden lotus is made and given, along with sugar, to a Brahmin with family. A golden image of a fruit is crafted and offered at both times of day, accompanied by the prayer, “May the Sun be pleased with me.” Having worshipped Brahmins according to one’s ability, on the seventh day, a meal of milk is taken. The fruit is offered until the Kṛṣṇa Saptamī arrives. On that day, fasting as prescribed, a golden fruit adorned with a golden lotus is given, along with a vessel of sugar and a garlanded cloth. For a year, both Saptamīs are observed in this manner. Fasting, offerings, and recitation of the Sūrya mantra—“Bhānu, Arka, Ravi, Brahmā, Sūrya, Śukra, Hari, Śiva, Śrīmān, Vibhāvasu, Tvaṣṭā, Varuṇa”—are performed so that each name is recited in turn on every Saptamī of the month. At the conclusion of the vow, the offering is given to the opposing side, and a pair of Brahmins are honored with garments and ornaments. A pot filled with sugar and golden lotuses is given as fruit, ensuring the devotees’ desires are never unfulfilled. The devotee prays, “May I obtain endless fruit, birth after birth.” Whoever performs this seventh fruit-giving delivers twenty-one persons, past and future, and whoever hears or recites this also attains auspiciousness. Cleansed of all sins, such a person is honored in the world of the Sun. Even sins as grave as drinking liquor are destroyed for the one who performs the seventh fruit-giving. Now I explain the Sugar Seventh, which likewise destroys sin and grants endless life, health, and prosperity. In the bright fortnight of Mādhava, on the seventh day, the vow is observed with discipline. After morning bathing, the devotee is anointed with pure white sesame and clean garlands. A lotus with a pericarp is drawn on the ground using saffron. Upon this lotus, fragrance and flowers are offered with the mantra “Salutation to Savitṛ,” and a water-pot with a vessel of sugar is placed. Adorned in white garments, with white garlands and ointments, joined with golden flowers, the devotee worships with the mantra, “Because you are composed of all the Vedas and are recited in the Vedas, you alone are the essence of immortality; therefore, grant me peace.” Then, after drinking pañcagavya, the devotee sleeps on the ground beside the offering, reciting the Sūrya hymn and listening to the Purāṇas. When day and night have passed, on the eighth day, after performing the daily rites, all offerings are given to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas. Brahmins are fed as able with sugar, ghee, and rice pudding, while the devotee eats food without oil or salt, remaining self-controlled. This entire observance is performed every month. At the end of the year, a bed and a pot of sugar are given, along with all necessary articles and a single-limbed milch cow. If able, a house furnished with all equipment is also given. Thus, O king, these sacred Saptamī observances, performed with devotion and generosity, cleanse all sins, fulfill all desires, and grant the highest states of auspiciousness, prosperity, and liberation.