Whether it is the bright fortnight or the dark, whenever the sacred day of Hari arrives, one should make every effort to worship Him according to the prescribed methods. For whoever worships Hrishikesha—the Lord of the senses—will not be born again. Consider, O best of kings, the deeds of those seeking liberation: One person undertakes all the sacred pilgrimages; another gives every kind of gift to Brahmins; another gives away a thousand maidens in marriage, as prescribed. Another gives the highest gift at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse; another performs great sacrifices like the Agnistoma, complete with proper offerings. One might journey to the Himalayas and abandon his body there, or at the holy Sutirtha, where Bhrigu descended. Another gives up his life through fasting unto death. One speaks eloquently of Brahman, having heard and understood its wisdom. Another performs the ancestral rites at Gaya during the fortnight dedicated to ancestors. Someone else, with concentrated mind, completes a thousand Cāndrāyaṇa vows. Another perfectly observes austerities and vows for a thousand years. A Brahmin thoroughly recites all four Vedas. Why speak at length, O king? Hear it in brief: Above all, one should strive to remain in the presence of Hari. On one side stands Hrishikesha, on the other Karṇikeśvara. Even those who have committed great sins attain Hari’s presence. Whoever offers even a single flower to Hrishikesha, O king, or anoints Him with devotion, or sweeps before Him with focused mind—such a one rejoices in the world of Vishnu, there is no doubt. Especially, in the bright fortnight of Kartika, on the eleventh day, O best of kings, however much one reveals the sins accumulated over many births, whoever worships Hrishikesha with the five nectars, their effort is rewarded. Therefore, one should always worship Hrishikesha, and especially, such worship should never be neglected. This practice, established long ago by the accomplished, perfectly grants success to living beings. There, a Siddha named Vishvavasu performed great austerities. He had conquered anger, pride, and all actions of the senses; the king was pleased with him and personally appeared before him. The great god spoke, saying, “I am the giver of boons, O king. I am pleased with you and will grant you even that which is very difficult to obtain.” Vishvavasu replied, “O best of gods, by meditating with determination in the mind upon this liṅga—” And so, by approaching Siddheśvara, one attains success thousands of times. By the power of that liṅga, one obtains both desired and undesired results. In that place, no one performs sacrifices, nor do they give gifts. When sacrifices and gifts are interrupted, O best of kings, Indra, knowing the obstruction of sacrifices, acted to obstruct it.