As the story unfolds, the mighty slayer of the gods found himself laughing, and in that moment, he was questioned by the Brahman: “O Brahman, why did you laugh at me? And why did you say, ‘Well done, well done!’? Tell me the reason behind your words.” The Brahman, the best among speakers, replied with great composure, “I laughed out of wonder at the greatness of your vow. Long ago, when the Trident-bearer—Śiva—was enraged for the destruction of Daksha, a single drop of sweat fell from his terrible brow. That drop, burning with power, pierced through the worlds and set aflame the seven netherworlds and the seven oceans.” “That being, born of Śiva’s sweat, is known as Vīrabhadra—a terrifying figure, blazing with many faces and eyes, adorned with flames, and endowed with ten thousand arms and legs. After destroying Daksha’s sacrifice, he threatened to unleash even greater calamity, but Śiva restrained the burning of the three worlds.” “Śiva then addressed Vīrabhadra: ‘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 worship you. You shall become renowned as Aṅgāraka, son of the Earth, and in the world of the gods, you will take a second form. Those who worship you on the fourth day will gain endless beauty, health, and prosperity.’” “Hearing these words, Vīrabhadra found peace and, assuming a form at will, was at that very moment born again as a planet. O King, once, you witnessed his excellent worship and offerings being performed by a Śūdra, while you were present there. Because of that, you were born handsome—a god, a thunderbolt to your enemies, adorned with various beautiful qualities that are renowned far and wide.” “Therefore, both gods and Dānavas call you Virocana, for you witnessed the vow performed by the Śūdra. I was amazed at such beauty and splendor, and when I exclaimed, ‘Excellent, excellent!’ he responded, ‘Ah, what great glory!’ Indeed, by merely witnessing such worship, one attains beauty and prosperity—how much more by performing it! Yet, because the son of the Earth’s generous gifts—cows and other offerings—were disparaged by some, you were born in the womb of the enemy of the gods, thus becoming a Daitya.” “Having heard these words from the great-souled Bhārgava, the heroic son of Prahlāda, Virocana, respectfully asked: ‘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 to me properly.’” The Brāhmaṇa, hearing this, spoke with respect: “O Dānava, on the fourth day, the day of Aṅgāraka, one should bathe with clay, adorned with a ruby. Facing north, after bathing, one should recite the mantra to Agni, lord of the gods. The Śūdra, remaining silent, should meditate on Bhauma, abstaining from pleasures; and at sunset, anoint himself with cow dung. The courtyard should be decorated all around with garlands of flowers. After worship, one should draw an eight-petaled lotus with saffron—if saffron is unavailable, red sandalwood may be used. Four hand-shaped offerings should be prepared, accompanied by food and edibles. Red rice grains mixed with rubies are to be placed at the four corners, along with various fruits. Arrange all kinds of fragrant substances and garlands in the same manner.” “Next, worship a tawny cow with golden horns, silver hooves, and a bronze milking vessel, adorned with cloth. Prepare a strong, red-hoofed, gentle ox, along with seven kinds of grains wrapped in cloth, and a golden figure of a man, the size of a thumb, with long arms. A four-armed figure made of gold should be placed in a copper vessel atop jaggery mixed with ghee, to be given to one who knows the Sāma melodies, has conquered the senses, and is endowed with eloquence, beauty, and good conduct. All these should be given to a twice-born householder, but never to one who is deceitful. O noble son of the earth, this is the sweat-born offering of Pinākin, Śiva.” “Desiring beauty, I have taken refuge in you; accept this arghya—homage to you. Having offered arghya with this mantra and water mixed with red sandalwood, worship the excellent Brāhmaṇa with red garlands, garments, and the like. With the same mantra, give land along with a pair of cows, and also a bed furnished with all necessary items. Whatever is most desired in the world, and whatever is dear at home, all these should be given to one who possesses those qualities, by anyone who wishes for inexhaustible merit from the gift. After circumambulating, respectfully dismiss the best of Brāhmaṇas.” “One should observe a night fast, taking only milk as food, and perform the ritual with eight pieces of charcoal. Now, let me tell you the merit gained from this: A person thus endowed with beauty, good fortune, and prosperity is born life after life; he becomes a devotee of Viṣṇu or Śiva and the lord of the seven continents. For seven thousand aeons, he is honored in the world of Rudra. Therefore, O lord of the Daityas, you too should observe this vow.” “Thus addressed by Bhṛgu’s descendant, the Daitya performed the entire vow; and you too, O king, should do all this, for the knowers of the Veda declare its merit to be inexhaustible. Whoever listens to this with undistracted mind, for him also the Lord bestows everything.” At this point, Bhīṣma asked, “For one who is unable to fast but desires the same result, whether due to lack of practice or illness—what vow is prescribed?” Pulastya replied, “For those unable to fast, eating only at night is prescribed. Now listen to the great vow in which this is included.