On the second day of the sacred observance, one should arrange the worship beginning with the invocation, just as it was done before. This day is known as the vow of Aśūnyaśayanā, or the Unsleeping Bed. On this occasion, Viṣṇu is to be worshipped with particular mantras, following the proper method, praising Him as the Bearer of the Śrīvatsa, the Beloved and Lord of Śrī, the Holder of Śrī, and the Imperishable One. Prayers are offered, asking, “May my household not perish; may it bring righteousness, wealth, and desire. May the sacred fires endure, O Supreme Person; may the deities remain unharmed. May my ancestors not suffer due to 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 bond with my wife never be broken. O Bestower of boons, may my bed never lack Lakṣmī, just as yours is always blessed. 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 the worshipper lacks strength, a bell may be used, as it contains the essence of all instruments. After worshipping Govinda in this manner, one should partake of food that is devoid of oil. At night, the food taken should be unsalted and without alkaline substances, up to four times. Then, when morning arrives, accompanied by the Lord of Lakṣmī, one should offer a special bed adorned with vessels for food and lamps, furnished with footwear, sandals, umbrella, fan, and seat. This bed should be equipped with desired articles, covered with white flowers and cloth, and given to a faultless Brahmin, a devotee of Viṣṇu who has a family. It must be presented to a knower of the Vedas, never to a man whose wife is barren. Having seated the couple there, they should be adorned according to the proper rite. To the wife, a vessel filled with food and delicacies is given, and to 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 Unsleeping Bed rite for Hari, free from miserliness and devoted to Nārāyaṇa, will never experience separation from their spouse. Nor does a woman become a widow, O Brahmin, as long as the moon, sun, and stars endure; the couple never become deformed or afflicted by sorrow. Their sons, cattle, and jewels endure, O Ancestor, for seven thousand kalpas and seven hundred kalpas. By performing the Unsleeping Bed rite, one is honored in the world of Viṣṇu. Brahma 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?” Ishvara replied, “Well asked, O Brahma! Now I shall tell you.” Ishvara began recounting the conversation between Virocana and the wise Bhārgava. Having seen Prahlāda’s son for sixteen years, Bhārgava, the illustrious son of Bhrigu, exclaimed, “Well done, well done, mighty-armed Virocana! May you have auspiciousness!” As he laughed, the slayer of the gods asked him, “O Brahman, for what reason did you laugh at me? You said, ‘Well done, well done!’—tell me why.” Bhārgava replied, “Out of wonder at the greatness of the vow, I laughed. Formerly, for the destruction of Daksha, when the Trident-bearer was enraged, a drop of sweat from his terrible face fell, burning through and scorching the seven netherworlds and the seven oceans.” This being, known as Vīrabhadra, was terrifying—blazing with many faces and eyes, adorned with flames, and endowed with ten thousand arms and legs. After destroying the sacrifice, he wrought great calamity, but the burning of the three worlds was restrained by Śiva, who said, “O Vīrabhadra, you have accomplished the destruction of Daksha’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 perform worship for you. You will be renowned as Aṅgāraka, son of the Earth; in the world of the gods, you will have a second form. Those who worship you on the fourth day will obtain endless beauty, health, and prosperity.” Thus addressed, Vīrabhadra attained peace, assuming a form at will, and at that very moment, O King, he was born as a planet once again. Once, you witnessed his excellent worship and offerings being performed by a Śūdra while you were present. Because of that, you were born handsome, a god, a thunderbolt to the enemy clans; and various beautiful qualities arose in you, renowned far and wide. Therefore, the gods and Dānavas call you Virocana, because you witnessed the vow being performed by the Śūdra. I was amazed at such beauty and splendor, and when I said, “Excellent, excellent!” he replied, “Ah, what great glory!” Even by witnessing, one attains beauty and prosperity—how much more by performing! Yet, because the son of the Earth’s gift of cows and other things was disparaged, your birth occurred in the womb of the enemy of the gods; thus you were born as a Daitya. Then, having heard these words of the great-souled Bhārgava, the heroic son of Prahlāda again questioned him. Virocana said, “O venerable one, I wish to hear in detail about that vow—the charity I saw being given in that existence—its greatness and procedure. Please describe it properly.