Hear now the sacred account as revealed in the Purāṇa, where the divine presence and blessings of trees are first described. Among the trees, the holy fig tree is the abode of the great god Shankara, while his consort Parvati resides within the pātāla tree. The celestial apsaras are found in the shimshapa, and the foremost of the gandharvas dwell in the kunda tree. The timtidi tree is associated with the classes of servants, and the vanjula tree harbors robbers. Yet, sandalwood and jackfruit trees are renowned for bestowing merit and prosperity upon those who cherish them. The champaka tree is known to grant good fortune, while the karira tree is linked to the protection of another’s wife. The tala tree, it is said, destroys offspring, but the bakula tree brings about the increase of family. The coconut tree is believed to grant many wives, and the grapevine makes the whole body beautiful. The kola tree bestows pleasure, and the ketaki tree has the power to destroy one’s enemies. In addition to these, many other trees, though not mentioned here, grant various benefits to those who honor them. Indeed, those who plant trees earn lasting fame upon the earth. Pulastya, the wise sage, then speaks of another sacred practice, the “bed of fortune,” known to the learned as a means to fulfill all desires. Long ago, when the worlds—earth, atmosphere, heaven, and the great cosmic realms—were consumed by fire, all the fortune belonging to beings became concentrated in one place. This fortune journeyed to Vaikuntha and settled upon the chest of Lord Vishnu. There it remained for some time, until the moment of creation. When creation began, the world was filled with the force of ego, Pradhāna and Purusha, and rivalry grew between the lotus-seated Brahma and Krishna. At that time, a radiant, tawny form, terrifying as blazing fire, arose from the chest of Hari. Scorched by her presence, that concentrated fortune emerged forth. This fortune, which had taken refuge on Vishnu’s chest, did not assume a liquid form until it descended to earth. The wise Daksha, son of Brahma, lifted this fortune from the sky and drank it, and it became the source of his beauty and charm. The great strength and radiance that arose from Daksha, the supreme lord, fell to the earth as Śeṣa, and from it, eightfold manifestations sprang forth. Among these, seven auspicious plants were produced: the sweet sugarcane, king of trees; the niṣpava; the śāli rice; and the dhānya grain. Also arising as transformations were cow’s milk, kusumbha, flowers, and salt as the eighth—these are called the Eight Auspicious Substances. That which Daksha, skilled in yoga and knowledge, once drank, became his daughter, Satī. Because she surpassed all the worlds in beauty and grace, she was called Lalitā. The wielder of the bow, Lord Śiva, took this goddess, the most beautiful in all the three worlds, as his wife. She embodies the fortune of the three worlds and bestows both enjoyment and liberation. Truly, by worshipping her with devotion, there is no man or woman who cannot attain their desires. Bhīṣma then asks, “O sage, tell me how one should worship that goddess Lalitā, and by what method peace is brought to the world.” Pulastya replies: “When the spring month arrives, on the third day of the bright fortnight, beloved by the people, one should bathe with sesame in the forenoon. On that auspicious day, Satī, of radiant complexion, was wedded to the soul of the universe with marriage mantras. On this third day, one should worship the Lord of the Universe together with Satī, offering fruits, lamps, incense, and food. After bathing their images with the five products of the cow and with fragrant water, one should worship Gaurī, adorned with the crescent moon. One should bow to Pāṭalā and to the feet of the goddess and Śiva, reciting ‘To Śivā,’ and to Jayā at both ankles. Further, one should recite ‘To Tryambaka’ for Rudra and ‘To Bhavānī’ for both shanks, ‘To Rudreśvara’ for the head, and ‘To Vijayā’ for the knees. Recite ‘To Harikeśa’ for the thighs, ‘Obeisance to the bestower of boons,’ ‘To Īśā’ for the waist, ‘To Rati,’ and ‘To Śaṃkara’ for Śaṃkara himself. For both sides of the abdomen, offer worship to Koṭavī, to the wielder of the trident, and to Maṅgalā, honoring the belly with ‘Obeisance to you.’ To Sarvātmā offer obeisance, and to Rudra and Īśānī for both breasts; to Śiva, soul of the Vedas, and to Rudrāṇī, worship the throat. To the slayer of Tripura, to the Lord of the Universe, to Anantā for both hands; recite ‘To the three-eyed one’ for Hara, and to the beloved of the fire of time for the arms. For the ornaments, always worship the abode of fortune; for the mouth, offer to Svāhā and Svadhā, and to Īśvara, the wielder of the trident. To her who dwells in the Ashoka grove, worship her lips, which bestow prosperity; likewise, to Sthanu and Hara, worship the face, beloved of the moon-faced one. Bow to the lord of women and Hara for the nose, dark-limbed one; bow to Ugra, lord of the world, and again to Lalita for the brows. Bow to Sharva, the destroyer of cities, and to Vasudevi for the hair; bow to Shri Kanthanatha and then worship Shiva’s locks. To the terribly fierce one, of terrible form, bow to the head; to the all-pervading one, bow; and having worshipped Hara according to the rite, recite the Eight Auspicious Verses in front. One should then offer the Eight Auspicious Substances: tender niṣpāva beans, kusumbha, kṣīra (milk), jīraka (cumin), taru, rājakṣava, lavaṇa (salt), kustumburu (coriander), and matha (buttermilk). Present these before Shiva and his consort, for they bring good fortune. In the month of Chaitra, after eating śṛṅgāṭaka, one should sleep on the ground. In the morning, having bathed and recited, being pure, one should worship a pair of brahmin spouses with garlands, garments, and ornaments. Along with the Eight Auspicious Substances, offer them two golden images, praying, ‘May Lalitā be pleased with me.’ In this way, every year on the third day, O king, this sacred rite is observed. There is also a special rule regarding eating and giving: in Chaitra, water from a cow’s horn is prescribed, and in Vaishakha, cow dung. Thus, by following this sacred worship and honoring the goddess Lalitā and her consort, one brings peace and fulfillment to the world, and all desires are attained.