O sage, hear now of a sacred observance whose roots reach deep into the ancient deeds of Lord Viṣṇu himself. Just as, in ages past, the Lord assumed the form of a mighty fish and descended into the netherworld to retrieve the lost Vedas, so too can He uplift the earnest devotee who recites this prayer with faith. On the appointed night, one should keep vigil, offering this invocation before the deity. When dawn’s light dispels the darkness, the devotee should, according to means and resources, prepare four pots and bestow them upon four brāhmaṇas. The first pot, placed in the east, is given to one learned in the Bahvṛca or Ṛgveda; the southern pot to a master of the Chāndogya or Sāmaveda; the western, most excellent pot, to one versed in the Yajurveda; and the northern pot may be offered as one wishes, for so the tradition prescribes. In this way, the Ṛgveda is honored in the east, the Sāmaveda in the south, the Yajurveda in the west, and the Atharvaveda in the north. With reverence, the devotee declares, “May they be pleased in this order,” and presents to the teacher a golden image shaped as a fish. This image is to be worshipped with fragrant substances, incense, and fine cloths, each offering made in the proper sequence. Whoever presents this secret mantra and follows the procedure as prescribed is blessed with merit multiplied a crore-fold. But let none act wrongly after accepting the teacher, for such a misguided soul, deluded by ignorance, is condemned to suffer grievously in hell for ten million births. The wise know that the one who imparts this sacred procedure is to be called ‘teacher.’ Having performed the ritual as prescribed, and having worshipped Viṣṇu on the twelfth day, the devotee should feed the brāhmaṇas generously, offering gifts suited to one’s capacity. Copper pots filled with sesame seeds are to be prepared; among them, a pot filled with water is to be given to a brāhmaṇa who is a householder. The deity is then given to him, O fortunate one, and all the brāhmaṇas are fed with abundant and excellent food. Only after this, maintaining silence and self-restraint, should the devotee eat alongside his children. Whoever observes this Earth-vow in this manner, listen, O wise one, to the supreme merit that accrues. Even if I, your narrator, possessed a thousand mouths and a lifespan equal to that of Brahmā himself, I could not exhaustively describe the fruits of this observance. Yet, I shall give you its outline: Ten, seven, ten, two, eight, and four—these numbers, together, make four lakhs and ten thousand, which is the length of a caturyuga. Seventy-one such yugas form a Manvantara, and fourteen Manvantaras make a day of Brahmā, whose night is of equal span. Thirty days make a month, twelve months a year, and a hundred such years is Brahmā’s lifespan. Whoever observes this Dvādaśī vow even once, as prescribed, attains Brahmaloka and abides there for that entire duration. At the dissolution of Brahmā, the devotee remains merged in the Absolute for a long time, and at the next creation, is born as a god among the Vairājas, the great ascetics. Sins as grave as killing a brāhmaṇa, whether done knowingly or by accident, are instantly destroyed by this observance. Whether a poor man or a king who has lost his kingdom, by observing this vow according to the rule, both are sure to regain kingship. A barren woman who observes this auspicious vow will be blessed with a supremely righteous son. Even the sin of approaching a forbidden woman is eradicated by sincere observance. And one who has neglected Brahmanical rites for many years, by performing this vow with devotion, is sanctified as if by the Vedas themselves. What more need be said, O great sage? There is nothing unattainable through this vow, nor any sin that does not perish. Even the earth herself, when submerged, was restored by the power of this observance. Thus, there is no need for further deliberation. This sacred procedure must not be given to the uninitiated, to atheists, or to those who hate the gods or brāhmaṇas. It is to be entrusted only to one devoted to his teacher, for it instantly destroys sin. In this very life, the observer of this vow gains good fortune, wealth, grain, and excellent wives of many kinds. Whoever devoutly recites or hears this excellent rule of Dvādaśī is freed from all sins. Now, hear of another holy observance. In the month of Pauṣa, the gods, desiring nectar, churned the cosmic ocean. On that occasion, Lord Janārdana himself took the form of a tortoise to support the churning. Therefore, the Dvādaśī of the bright fortnight in the month of Puṣya is especially sacred to Hari in his Tortoise form. On this day, after making a firm resolve and performing the acts of bathing and purification as before, one should worship Janārdana throughout the night of Ekādaśī, using distinct mantras for the Lord of gods. First, worship the Lord’s feet with the mantra “Om, to the Tortoise”; his waist with “Nārāyaṇa”; his abdomen with “Saṅkarṣaṇa”; his throat with “Viśoka”; his arms with “Subāhu”; and his head with “Salutations to the mighty one, bearer of the discus.” Offer fragrant flowers bearing your own name, along with various offerings and fruits. Adorn the pot with garlands and a white-necked necklace. As before, fashion the Lord’s image from the finest essence you can afford, or of gold, shaping him as the turtle amidst the cosmic ocean. Place this image in a copper vessel filled with ghee, set atop the full pot, and on the next day, present it to a worthy brāhmaṇa. Afterwards, satisfy brāhmaṇas with food and gifts as you are able, and gladden the Lord of gods. Having worshipped Nārāyaṇa in the form of the turtle, you may then eat, together with your attendants. When this is done, O brāhmaṇa, all sins are destroyed without doubt. The devotee abandons the cycle of worldly existence and attains the pure and ancient realm of Hari. Sins perish swiftly, and prosperity, along with true righteousness, is established. Sins accumulated over countless lives are destroyed by such devotion, and the previously described results are obtained; Nārāyaṇa is immediately pleased. Now, O Upholder of the Earth, listen to the vow of Varāha, the Boar incarnation, observed on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in Māgha. Following the previously described procedure, after making a resolve and bathing, the wise one should worship the Lord on the eleventh day. Having worshipped Acyuta with incense, offerings, and fragrances, a water-filled pot is placed before him, thus continuing the sacred sequence of worship and merit. Such are the holy observances, their rewards beyond measure, their power to uplift, purify, and grant the highest blessings to those devoted souls who follow them with faith and reverence.