For the sake of liberation from birth, death, and old age, there exists a river that is exceedingly difficult for sinners to cross—a river that removes fear from all living beings. Yet, because of the dread she inspires, countless creatures are plunged into her waters, suffering terrible torments. To cross this fearsome river, known as Vaitaraṇī, those who seek deliverance bow in reverence to the goddess who presides over her. Within Vaitaraṇī dwell the gods themselves, and she is worshipped with devotion not only for the benefit of mortals but also for the pleasure of Keśava. Along her banks, sages and ancestors take their place, and she—manifest as a river—is honored as the great remover of sin. To aid souls in crossing her and to grant liberation from all wrongdoing, the river Vaitaraṇī is explained for the sake of accruing merit. With heartfelt devotion, I have worshipped you, O goddess, for the delight of Keśava. O Krishna, Lord of the Universe, lift me from the endless cycle of worldly existence. By the mere utterance of your name, may all my sins be washed away. Here is the sacred thread, woven from ninety strands, offered in your honor. O Lord of the gods, accept with pleasure what I present, and kindly grant my heartfelt wishes. Here is your betel, offered as beautifully as I am able. Accept this, O Lord, and raise me from the ocean of worldly suffering; this five-wicked lamp is my act of worship to you. O radiant one, you who dispel the darkness of delusion, filled with devotion and the power to remove worldly sorrow, I offer you supreme food—well-cooked, with all flavors harmoniously blended. With devotion, I present this offering, reciting the twelve-syllable mantra as prescribed, so that Śriyaḥkānta may be pleased and kindly grant my desires. When the great ocean was churned, five cows arose from its depths. Among them, I offer repeated salutations to Nandā, the sacred cow. After worshipping her properly, one should offer arghya with a focused and sincere mind. O goddess Nandinī, wish-fulfilling and remover of death, always grant me health and a long line of descendants. O Kapilā, worshipped by the sages Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra, cleanse me of the sins I have accumulated in the past. May cows be before me, may cows be behind me; may the golden-horned, milk-giving cows attend me even in heaven. O Surabhi and her descendants, who flow forth like rivers and oceans, you are the embodiment of all the gods—auspicious and beloved of devotees. Having performed the proper worship, one should daily offer gifts to the cows, for the descendants of Surabhi are pure, beneficial to all, and destroyers of sin. May the cows, mothers of the three worlds, accept my offerings. Salutations to Gaṅgā, to prosperity, and to the destruction of all sins. With this very mantra, the wise may ward off disease: "Paṃ, salutations to Padmanābha." The wise should bear the lotus. "Caṃ"—to Viṣṇu in the form of the discus, bearing the discus is remembered. "Śaṃ"—to you in the form of the conch, salutations to the bringer of happiness. With this mantra, O messenger, bearing the conch is remembered; and the sages recall the bearing of all four weapons. Just as the agnihotra is a daily duty and so too the study of the Veda, for a brāhmaṇa, bearing the sacred heated marks and similar observances are also essential. With fragrant sandalwood, especially gopikā-sandal, the bearing of such marks is particularly for brāhmaṇas learned in the Veda. Even a caṇḍāla becomes pure by bearing them—there is no doubt—if he bears the upright, gentle ūrdhva-puṇḍra mark. Such a pure-souled caṇḍāla is always to be honored by the twice-born. In the homes of caṇḍālas, wherever tulasī is found, the messengers of the gods reside. The tulasī from such places should be accepted with a heart full of devotion. Mahādeva once spoke: I asked the Lord of the universe about the highest of all vows—one that increases the line of sons and grandsons, and bestows happiness and good fortune. Now, O beautiful one, I shall recount to you this divine story, the supreme vow cherished by the sages. A woman, when menstruating, is considered suddenly sinful, but by performing this vow, she is freed from even great sins. This vow should always be offered to the ancestors, for it fulfills righteousness, desire, and wealth. Śrī Viṣṇu told this tale: In ancient days, there lived a mighty-armed Brāhmaṇa named Devaśarman, well-versed in the Vedas and ever devoted to study. He was diligent in performing agnihotra rituals, steadfast in the six duties of a brāhmaṇa, honored by all castes, and surrounded by sons, cattle, and kin. Yet, when the month of Bhādrapada arrived, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight, his household stores were exhausted. Though his father had passed, Devaśarman remained self-controlled and master of his senses. At night, he invited Brāhmaṇas—those who bring happiness and good fortune—to his home. When the pure dawn broke, he arranged many vessels and, together with his wife, prepared food in every pot. He had dishes with eighteen flavors made, pleasing to the ancestors, and after making the proper offerings, he presented them separately to the Brāhmaṇas. At midday, all the Brāhmaṇas, learned in the Vedas, arrived. The excellent twice-born performed the rites of arghya, pādya, and others according to tradition. After being dusted during the śrāddha, they washed themselves thoroughly, entered the house, and sat in their assigned places. Devaśarman served them food, especially sweet rice, and performed the śrāddha in the proper way, beginning with the offering of rice-balls. He gave betel, gifts, and various garments to the Brāhmaṇas, all the while meditating with devotion upon his ancestors.