Brahmā, the great creator of the worlds, approached Mahādeva, the Lord of Immortals, with a heartfelt question. “O God,” he asked, “how can health, prosperity, and endless liberation be attained by those who are unable to perform great austerities? Is there, by your grace, a knowledge or practice by which even those of little penance may receive great fruits?” Pleased by Brahmā’s inquiry, the Soul of the Universe—Īśvara, the husband of Umā—began to speak words that delighted the heart. He said, “Listen, O Brahmā. In the course of time, after the Rathantara kalpa, when the twentieth kalpa returns, the Varāha kalpa will arise. In that auspicious era, during the seventh Manvantara called Vaivasvata—which supports the seven worlds—there will come the Dvāpara yuga, the twenty-seventh of its kind. “In that age, the resplendent Vāsudeva Janārdana, for the relief of earth’s burden, will be born in three divine forms. Present at that time will be the sage Dvaipayana, the son of Rohini, and Keshava—the slayer of Kamsa and Keshi, the remover of affliction—dwelling in the radiant city of Dvāravatī, once known as Kushasthali, the abode of the wielder of the Sharnga bow. By his command, O Brahmā, the divine architect Tvashta will construct this city for the Lord of the world; and there, in the assembly hall, that immeasurably radiant one will be seated. “Surrounded by his wives, the learned Vrishnis, generous souls, the Kurus, gods, and Gandharvas, the slayer of Kaitabha will preside. When ancient tales and discussions of dharma are recounted, Bhimasena, mighty and full of prowess, will ask questions. When you, O Brahmā, inquire about dharma, he will speak, discerning its distinctions. At that time, Bhimasena will be both the questioner and the doer. “This mighty son of Pandu, within whose stomach dwells the fierce fire Vriko—the consumer of offerings—will be the initiator of this dharma. He, steadfast in righteousness and possessed of the strength of ten thousand elephants, will converse with Bhimasena, who is exceedingly fond of food and great in might. “For those righteous souls who lack the power to endure intense austerities, this vow surpasses all others in excellence. Vasudeva, the soul of the universe and teacher of the world, will explain this vow—a practice that bestows the fruit of all sacrifices and destroys every sin. It overcomes all evil, is worshipped by all the gods, the purest of the pure, most auspicious among all that is auspicious, and the most ancient of vows. “Vasudeva will say: ‘O Bharata, if you are unable to fast on the eighth, fourteenth, or twelfth lunar days, or on other sacred occasions, then, Bhima, observe this supreme, sin-destroying lunar day with the prescribed method and attain the supreme abode of Vishnu. ‘When the bright tenth day of the month of Māgha arrives, anoint yourself with ghee and bathe with sesame seeds. Worship Vishnu, uttering “Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa,” and, having worshipped Krishna’s feet, bow your head, saying, “You are Krishna, the Self.” Worship Vaikuntha’s chest, the bearer of the Srivatsa mark, and the wielder of the conch, mace, and discus, the bestower of boons. ‘Continue to worship Nārāyaṇa fully, following the order of invocation: to Damodara, the belly; to Panchajanya, the waist; to the Lord of Fortune, the thighs; to the bearer of beings, the knees; to the dark one, the shanks; and again, to the all-supporting one, the feet. ‘Offer obeisance to the goddess, to peace, to Lakshmi, to prosperity, to contentment, to nourishment, to steadfastness, and to fulfillment—again and again. Pay homage to the lord of birds, Garuḍa, swift-winged and subduer of poison. ‘Having worshipped Govinda, Umāpati, and Vināyaka with fragrances, garlands, incense, and various food offerings, eat rice cooked with cow’s milk or sweet rice pudding mixed with ghee. Then, after going to another place, take a twig of fig or khadira wood, face east or north, and clean your teeth after rinsing your mouth. ‘At sunset, perform the evening twilight ritual, saying: “Homage to Nārāyaṇa; I have taken refuge in you.” On the eleventh day, fast and, after worshipping Keśava, remain awake the whole night, lying on the ground or on a simple bed. ‘On the twelfth day, offer ghee into the universal fire with the eminent Brāhmaṇas, and then eat food prepared with milk, together with worship of Puṇḍarīkākṣa. Say, “I will perform this as best I can; may it be without obstacles for me,” and sleep on the ground, listening again to stories of ancient times. ‘At daybreak, go to the river, bathe joyfully as before, and avoid heretics. After properly performing twilight worship and the offering to the ancestors, bow to Hṛṣīkeśa, who reclines upon the serpent-bed. ‘With devotion, construct a pavilion in front of your house, four cubits in size, and make an auspicious altar. Place a gateway there, also four cubits, and in the center, set a pot filled with black gram. Through a hole in the pot, filled with water and set upon a black antelope skin below, let the stream fall upon your head for the entire night. ‘Those learned in the Vedas know: the more streams there are, the greater the fruit. Therefore, a devoted Brāhmaṇa should arrange this. On the south, make a half-moon shape; on the west, a circle; on the north, a shape like a peepal leaf. In the center, let a Vaiṣṇava Brāhmaṇa make a lotus shape; on the east, and on the southern side, do not construct an altar.’ In this way, O Brahmā, the practice was revealed—a vow so powerful that even those who cannot perform great austerities may, by devotion and proper observance, attain health, prosperity, and the highest liberation, drawing near to the supreme abode of Vishnu himself.