O Lord, it is the sacred and constant duty of courtesans never to forsake the bed, just as You, O Madhusudana, never do. May my bed, too, never be empty—so be it, O Lord of gods! The bedchamber should ever be filled with the sounds of singing and musical instruments in Your honor. All these practices, the entire code of conduct for courtesans, have been revealed as they were once declared by Puruhuta and myself among the women of the Dānavas. Now, this teaching applies to you as well; it destroys all sins and bestows endless reward. This vow, though difficult, has been described for virtuous women; she who performs it fully and with devotion becomes truly virtuous, counted among the followers of Mādhava. Such a woman, worshipped by the hosts of gods, attains a place of joy with Viṣṇu. The sage, having proclaimed this vow for women and bestowing ornaments as well, assures that all who undertake it will reach their proper abodes, O divine-born, by performing this vow. Then Brahmā addressed Śaṅkara: “O Blessed One, tell me what bestows boons upon men and women here, so that there is no grief, disease, fear, or suffering.” Śaṅkara replied: “On the second day of the dark fortnight of Śrāvaṇa, Madhusūdana, with His consort, always dwells in the ocean of milk, O Keśava. By worshipping Govinda on that day, one attains all desires, along with the merit of giving cows, land, and gold for seven hundred aeons. Worship should begin with the proper invocation as before; this is called the vow of 'Aśūnyaśayanā,' the Unsleeping Bed, observed on the second day. On that day, Viṣṇu should be worshipped with these mantras and according to the correct method: 'Bearer of the Śrīvatsa, Beloved of Śrī, Lord of Śrī, Holder of Śrī, 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 Lakṣmī, 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 Lakṣmī, just as yours always is. May my bed also never be empty, O Madhusūdana; let there be the sounds of singing and musical instruments for the Lord of gods.' If one lacks the means for such music, a bell may be used, for it contains all instruments in itself. Having worshipped Govinda in this way, one should eat food devoid of oil. At night, the food should be unsalted and free from alkaline substances, taken up to four times. Then, when morning arrives, together with the Lord of Lakṣmī, a special bed should be offered, adorned with vessels for food and lamps, furnished with footwear, sandals, umbrella, fan, and seat. It should be decorated with desired articles, covered with white flowers and cloth, and given to a faultless Brahmin, a devotee of Viṣṇu, who has a family. This bed should be given to a knower of the Vedas, never to a man whose wife is barren. Having seated the couple upon it, they should be adorned according to the proper rite. The wife should be given a vessel filled with food and delicacies, and the Brahmin a golden vessel with necessary items. An image of the Lord of gods, together with a water pot, should also be offered. Whoever performs the 'Unempty Bed' rite for Hari, free from miserliness and devoted to Nārāyaṇa, will never experience separation from his wife. Nor will a woman become a widow, O Brahmin, as long as the moon, sun, and stars endure; the couple will never be deformed or afflicted by sorrow. Their sons, cattle, and jewels will never perish; for seven thousand kalpas and seven hundred kalpas, by performing the 'Unempty Bed' rite, one is honored in the world of Viṣṇu. Brahmā then asked: “How does health, prosperity, steadfastness of mind, and constancy in dharma always arise? How does one attain faultlessness and supreme devotion to Viṣṇu as well?” Iśvara replied: “Well asked, O Brahmā! Now I shall tell you. Hear the conversation between Virocana and the wise Bhārgava. Having seen Prahlāda’s son for sixteen years, the illustrious son of Bhrigu, he exclaimed, 'Well done, well done, mighty-armed Virocana, may you have auspiciousness!' Virocana, curious, asked, 'O Brahman, why did you laugh and praise me so?' The wise Bhārgava answered, 'Out of wonder at the greatness of your vow, I laughed. Long ago, when the Trident-bearer was enraged for the destruction of Dakṣa, a drop of sweat from his terrible brow fell, burning through and consuming the seven netherworlds and the seven oceans. That being, known as Vīrabhadra, was terrifying, blazing with many faces and eyes, adorned with flames, endowed with ten thousand arms and legs. Having destroyed the sacrifice, he brought about a great calamity, but the burning of the three worlds was then restrained by Śiva. Śiva said to him, "O Vīrabhadra, you have accomplished the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice; now, by this act of burning the worlds, your task is complete. Grant peace to all and become the foremost among the planets. People of noble lineage, purified in soul, will joyfully worship you. You will become renowned as Aṅgāraka, son of the Earth; in the world of the gods, you will have a second form. And those who worship you on the fourth day will obtain endless beauty, health, and prosperity."' Thus, these sacred vows and rites, when performed with devotion and in the proper manner, bestow blessings, prosperity, and joy, ensuring the devotee’s union with the divine and the fulfillment of all righteous desires.