O Great Hero, you are indeed the prime creator, foremost among the best, whose very remembrance or praise destroys all sins—even those of the lord of the gods. Listen, then, to this wondrous tale of divine acts and sacred vows. In the heavenly realms, there was once a celestial nymph, most desired among her kind, who in previous births had taken the form of a courtesan. Out of curiosity, this same Urvashi, famed for her beauty, was born among cowherd maidens and later entered a merchant family. She was also born as the daughter of Puloma and became the attendant of Puruhuta’s wife. In yet another life, she became my beloved Satyabhama. Such are the mysterious and auspicious acts of fate, just as before, when Vedavati, daughter of a twice-born sage, was born on this earth. On an auspicious day, the radiant Sun, with his thousand rays, once bathed in these sacred waters, and thus the lord of planets became resplendent with light. This very act has been performed by Indra and other great gods, as well as by countless hosts of gods and demons. The results of such acts are so immense that even with millions of tongues, one could not describe them fully. Whoever hears, recites, or speaks these sacred acts with devotion, or reads them here for the benefit of others, becomes a true devotee of the lotus-naveled Lord and attains honors equal to Indra himself. Long ago, there was a sacred day known as Kalyanini, the twelfth day of the bright half of the month Magha, set aside for worship. This day was observed by the son of Pandu and will be honored by others in the future, led by the virtuous Bhima. Now, let me tell you about the conduct and duties of courtesans, as you have asked to hear in truth. For thirteen months, a courtesan should give a prastha of rice. Then, in the thirteenth month, a wise woman should present to a Brahmin a bed furnished with all accessories—a proper pillow, a fine cover, and all auspicious items. She should offer, with her co-wife, a lamp, sandals, umbrella, footstool, and seat, along with golden rings, fine garments, bracelets, incense, garlands, and ointments. Upon a pot of jaggery, she should place images of Kamadeva and his consort, seeing no difference between Kama and Keshava. Seated on a copper vessel covered with a golden cloth, with a bronze vessel and a sugarcane stick, she should give a milch cow as well, reciting the mantra 'Kodātkāmodā,' and always remembering the unity of Kama and Keshava. In this way, may all her desires be fulfilled, and the Brahmin should accept the golden image. After circumambulating, she should respectfully dismiss the foremost of Brahmins and send all the bed, seat, and other items to his house. From then on, any man who comes to her house for pleasure should be honored and worshipped on Sundays in the same way for thirteen months. Having satisfied him as he wishes, she should send him home; with his permission, she may accept another handsome man, provided he has not yet arrived. Should any obstacle arise—such as pregnancy, childbirth, royal command, fate, human cause, or an eclipse—she should offer fifty coins according to her ability, even if with difficulty. This is the prescribed duty for courtesans at all times: the bed must never be abandoned, just as you, O Lord, never abandon your own. May my bed also never be empty—so be it, O Madhusudana! One should arrange for the sound of singing and musical instruments for the Lord of gods. All this, the entire code of conduct for courtesans, has been told to you as formerly spoken by Puruhuta and among the Danava women. This conduct destroys all sins and bestows endless rewards. This difficult vow, described for virtuous women, if performed completely and with zeal, makes one a virtuous woman, established among the followers of Madhava. Such a woman, worshipped by all the hosts of gods, attains a place of joy with Vishnu. The sage, having declared this vow for women and bestowing ornaments, assures that they will reach their own abode and perform this vow. Now, Brahma asked, “O Blessed One, tell me what grants boons to men and women, by which there is no grief, disease, fear, or suffering.” To this, Shankara replied: “On the second day of the dark fortnight of Shravana, Madhusudana, with his consort, always dwells in the ocean of milk, O Keshava. By worshipping Govinda on that day, one attains all desires, along with the merit of giving cows, land, and gold for seven hundred aeons.” The worship should be arranged beginning with invocation, as before. This is called the vow of ‘Ashunyashayana’—the Unsleeping Bed—on the second day. On that day, Vishnu should be worshipped with these mantras, according to the proper method: “Bearer of the Shrivatsa, Beloved of Shri, Lord of Shri, Holder of Shri, the Imperishable. May my household not perish, may it bring righteousness, wealth, and desire; may the sacred fires not perish, O Supreme Person, may the deities not perish. May my ancestors not perish because of discord in my marriage; just as the Lord is never separated from Lakshmi, so may it be for me, O Hari. Likewise, O Lord, may my connection with my wife never be sundered; O Bestower of boons, may my bed never be empty of Lakshmi, just as yours always is. May my bed also never be empty, O Madhusudana; one should arrange for the sounds of singing and musical instruments for the Lord of gods.” If one lacks the means for many instruments, let a bell be rung, for it contains all sounds within itself. Having worshipped Govinda thus, one should eat food devoid of oil, and at night, take food unsalted and without alkaline substances, up to four times. When morning arrives, accompanied by the Lord of Lakshmi, one should give a special bed adorned with vessels for food and lamps, furnished with footwear, sandals, umbrella, fan, and seat. The bed should be equipped with desired articles, covered with white flowers and cloth, and given to a faultless Brahmin, a devotee of Vishnu, who has a family. Thus, by these sacred acts and vows, all sins are destroyed, blessings are bestowed, and one draws near to the eternal joy of Vishnu himself.