If the prescribed offerings are not available, one may use cotton, for it too brings endless rewards. With his wife beside him, the devotee should offer arghya, the ceremonial water, with a joyful heart, using his hands and filled with devotion. As he offers, he recites: “Receive this arghya, O Lord, be the giver of complete fruit.” Then, he prays: “Salutations to you, O bliss of Śrī, O bliss of Brahman, O compassionate one.” Thus having prayed to Govinda, he proceeds to worship personally, following the Brahmin’s lead. After the worship is complete according to the prescribed rite, he serves the Brahmins cooked rice pudding. Together with his wife, he feeds them in proper manner. He honors them to the best of his ability, presenting garments, ornaments, and saffron. He offers fruits such as jackfruit, coconut, oranges, and pomegranates; sweets like sugar, clarified butter cakes, karṇikā treats, and pieces of maṇḍaka bread; and a variety of vegetables and ripe mangoes, each served separately. Fragrant curries are served, and he speaks gently to his guests. He invites them to request whatever pleases them, offering all that he has cooked. Afterwards, he dismisses the Brahmins, giving them betel and gifts. One who gives generously to the best of Brahmins becomes truly fortunate. Betel, it is said, brings the blessing of fortunate sons. Fire is pleased by fragrant powder, and the god of love by khadira wood. Having satisfied the married couples, he places sweets in their hands. O dearest, a woman who performs this vow without transgression, or any man or woman who observes the rite for the Malimluce, attains great merit. If the Malimluce is attained but not worshipped, then I, Narayana, am not worshipped here with supreme devotion. Yet, the foolish man performs it except in the great forest of Mahakala. In the extra month, O Vyasa, at the holy place called Purushottama, having worshipped Purushottama, whose feet are cherished by Lakshmi, one attains a hundred desired objects and is honored in Vishnu's world. Having fasted properly, one should keep vigil at night, O Vyasa. One should perform the worship of Vishnu, as well as the water procession. By doing so, one obtains sons, wife, wealth, long life, health, and prosperity. In the eastern part of that region is Jaṭeśvara, the great lord, who, through intense austerity, attained supreme merit and became the best among the virtuous. At that sacred place, one should bathe and offer a cow with sesame seeds. On the other side is Rama, the foremost among the descendants of Bhrigu. And Kauśikī, the best of rivers, grants the highest blessings of all sacred waters. By beholding Rāmeśvara, a man becomes freed from sin. Thus, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, within the eighty-one thousand verses, in the fifth Avantya Khanda, in the section describing the greatness of the Avantī region and Puruṣottameśvara, this is the sixty-first chapter, named "Description of the greatness of bathing, giving, and other acts during the extra month." O Brahman, you have previously described to me the eternal Gomati pool. Now listen, O greatly wise one, to the supreme story that destroys sin. At Naimisha, the sages led by Shaunaka were seated. At that auspicious moment, the supreme glory of Kashi was recounted. Blessed is the city of Varanasi, the holy place where sins are destroyed. Between the Asi and Varuna rivers, the five-krosha area yields great fruit.