On that auspicious day, the radiant goddess Satī, she of flawless beauty, was wedded to the very soul of the universe, accompanied by sacred marriage mantras. With this divine union, a great spiritual observance was established. On the third day, it is prescribed that one should worship the Lord of the Universe together with Satī, offering a variety of fruits, radiant lamps, incense, and nourishing food as acts of devotion. The ritual continues with the bathing of the divine images using the five sacred products of the cow and fragrant water, after which Gaurī, adorned with the crescent moon, is worshipped. With reverence, one bows to Pāṭalā, to the feet of the goddess and of Śiva, reciting “To Śivā,” and at both ankles, homage is paid to Jayā. The worshipper then invokes the divine names at each part of the body: “To Tryambaka” for Rudra, “To Bhavānī” for both shanks, “To Rudreśvara” for the head, and “To Vijayā” for the knees. Continuing, one offers “To Harikeśa” at the thighs, “Obeisance to the bestower of boons,” “To Īśā” at the waist, “To Rati,” and “To Śaṃkara” for Śaṃkara himself. For the sides of the abdomen, one honors Koṭavī, the wielder of the trident, and Maṅgalā, offering obeisance to the belly. “To Sarvātmā, obeisance,” is recited, as well as to Rudra and to Īśānī for both breasts; the throat is worshipped as Śiva, the soul of the Vedas, and as Rudrāṇī. The ritual continues: to the slayer of Tripura and the Lord of the Universe, to Anantā for both hands, “To the three-eyed one” for Hara, and to the beloved of the fire of time for the arms. The ornaments are always worshipped as the abode of fortune, the mouth as Svāhā and Svadhā, and the wielder of the trident as Īśvara. To the goddess dwelling in the Ashoka grove, worship is offered at her lips, which bestow prosperity. The face, beloved of the moon-faced one, is honored as Sthanu and Hara. The nose is worshipped as the lord of women and Hara, the dark-limbed one; the brows are honored as Ugra, lord of the world, and Lalita. The hair is worshipped as Sharva, the destroyer of cities, and as Vasudevi; Shiva’s locks are honored as Shri Kanthanatha. The head is bowed to as the terribly fierce one, and to the all-pervading one. Having thus worshipped Hara according to the rite, the Eight Auspicious Verses are recited in front of the divine couple. At this point, eight auspicious substances are offered: tender niṣpāva beans, kusumbha, kṣīra, jīraka, taru, rājakṣava, lavaṇa, kustumburu, and matha. These are known as the Eight Auspicious Substances, believed to bring good fortune. After presenting them before Shiva and his consort, in the month of Chaitra, the devotee partakes of śṛṅgāṭaka and sleeps on the ground, maintaining purity by bathing and reciting prayers in the morning. The next day, a pair of brahmin spouses is worshipped with garlands, garments, and ornaments, and two golden images are offered to them along with the Eight Auspicious Substances. With the prayer, “May Lalita be pleased with me,” the devotee makes the offering to the brahmin. This sacred observance is to be performed every year on the third day. Each month brings its own special rules for eating and giving: in Chaitra, water from a cow’s horn; in Vaishakha, cow dung; in Jyeshtha, mandara flowers and bilva leaves; in Shravana, curd; in Bhadrapada, water with kusa grass; in Ashvina, milk; in Kartika, clarified butter from curds; in Margashirsha, cow’s urine; in Pausha, ghee; in Magha, black sesame seeds; and in Phalguna, the five products of the cow. At the time of giving, the devotee invokes the names of the divine: Lalita, Vijaya, Bhadra, Bhavani, Kumuda, Shiva, Vasudevi, Gauri, Mangala, Kamala, Sati, and Uma, reciting, “May she be pleased.” In the twelfth month, on the twelfth day, Krishna is to be worshipped, along with Lakshmi and her husband. On the full moon, those seeking freedom from fear should worship the Grandsire Brahma with his consort. The Eight Auspicious Substances are again offered for prosperity, accompanied by suitable flowers such as jasmine, ashoka, lotus, kadamba, utpala, champaka, kubjaka, karavira, baṇa, fresh lotus, and sinduvāra, which are appropriate in all months. Hibiscus, safflower, jasmine, lotus, and oleander are always commendable as available. In this way, for a full year, whether man, woman, or maiden, the vow is observed according to the prescribed method, with nightly worship of Shiva in heartfelt devotion. At the conclusion of the vow, a bed furnished with all accessories, together with golden images of Uma and Maheshvara, a bull, and cows, is given in charity. The bed is set up and presented to a brahmin on the twelfth day, along with Mahalakshmi and Keshava for one year. After worshipping Brahma with Savitri, the devotee attains all the desires cherished in the heart. According to one’s means, other pairs with garments, gifts of grain, ornaments, cows, and accumulated wealth are also given. With a generous heart and without hesitation, the devotee performs this vow of the Auspicious Bed properly. Such a one attains all desires or enjoys an eternal state, and is encouraged to renounce the fruit of a single act. Each month, the devotee gains fame, good fortune, health, beauty, garments, ornaments, and jewels. Never is the giver of the Auspicious Bed deprived, and those who observe this vow for twelve years, or even for seven or eight years, are honored in the world of Brahma, dwelling there for ten thousand aeons. Having attained the worlds of Vishnu and Shiva as well, whether man, woman, or maiden, the performer of this sacred observance is supremely blessed, O king.