O best of sages, listen as I recount the supreme merits of the sacred Earth-vow, performed according to the ancient procedure. The fruits of this observance are so vast that, even if I possessed a thousand mouths and a lifespan equal to Brahmā himself, I could not fully describe them. Yet, out of compassion, I shall convey to you their essence. First, understand the immense scale of time: ten, seven, ten, two, eight, and four—these numbers, when multiplied, amount to four lakhs and ten thousand, which make up one caturyuga. Seventy-one such yugas form a single Manvantara, and fourteen Manvantaras constitute a day of Brahmā, with his night being of equal length. Thirty days make a month, twelve months a year, and a hundred such years is the full lifespan of Brahmā. Now, know this: whoever observes the Dvādaśī vow, even once and in accordance with the prescribed rule, attains Brahmaloka and dwells there for a period equal to Brahmā’s day. When Brahmā’s dissolution comes, that soul remains merged in the highest state for a long time. Then, at the next creation, he is born as a god among the great ascetics known as the Vairājas. This vow is so powerful that it instantly destroys even the gravest of sins—be it the killing of a Brāhmaṇa or any other, whether done knowingly or in ignorance. If a poor man or a deposed king observes this vow as prescribed, he surely regains kingship. A barren woman, by performing this auspicious vow, will have a supremely righteous son. One who has erred by approaching a forbidden woman is freed from that sin by this observance. Even if a person has neglected Brahmanical rites for many years, a single devoted observance of this vow restores the sanctity of the Vedas to him. Why speak further, O sage? Nothing is unattainable through this vow; no sin remains that does not perish. Even the Earth herself, when submerged, was restored by means of this very rule. Therefore, there is no need for further deliberation. Yet, this sacred rule must not be given to the uninitiated, the faithless, or those who hate the gods or Brahmins. It should be entrusted only to one devoted to his teacher, for it instantly destroys sin. In this very life, the observer of this rule attains good fortune, wealth, abundant grain, and excellent wives of various kinds. Whoever devoutly recites or hears this excellent rule of Dvādaśī is freed from all sins. Now, hear further, O sage. In the month of Pauṣa, the gods churned the nectar, and there Janārdana himself took the form of the Tortoise to support the churning. Therefore, the pure Dvādaśī of the bright fortnight in the month of Puṣya is especially sacred to Hari in his Tortoise form. On that day, having resolved beforehand and performed the acts of bathing and purification as before, one should worship Janārdana throughout the night of Ekādaśī, using distinct mantras for each part of his divine form: at his feet, “Om, to the Tortoise”; at his waist, “Nārāyaṇa”; at his abdomen, “Saṅkarṣaṇa”; at his throat, “Viśoka”; at his arms, “Subāhu”; and at his head, “Salutations to the mighty one, the bearer of the discus.” Worship the Lord with fragrant flowers bearing your own name, various offerings, and different fruits. Before a pot, decorate with garlands and a white-necked necklace. According to your means, make an image of the Lord from precious essence or gold, fashion the turtle form with the ocean, and place it in a copper vessel filled with ghee. Set this above the full pot, and on the next day, present it to a worthy Brahmin. The following day, satisfy Brahmins with food and proper gifts as you are able, and gladden the Lord of gods. After worshipping Nārāyaṇa in the form of the turtle, you and your attendants may partake of the meal. By this observance, all sins are destroyed without doubt; one abandons worldly bondage and attains the pure and eternal realm of Hari. Sins swiftly perish, and one becomes prosperous and firmly established in righteousness. The sins accrued over countless lifetimes are destroyed by devotion, the previously described rewards are gained, and Nārāyaṇa is immediately pleased. Now, O Upholder of the Earth, listen to the vow of Varāha, to be observed on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in Māgha. Following the previously described procedure, after making the resolve and bathing, the wise one should worship the Lord on the eleventh day. Worship Acyuta with incense, offerings, and fragrant substances, then place a water-filled pot before him. At the feet, recite “Om Vārāhāya”; at the waist, “Mādhavāya”; at the belly, “Kṣetrajñāya”; at the chest, “Viśvarūpa”; at the throat, “Sarvajñāya”; at the head, “Lord of beings”; at the arms, “Pradyumnāya”; at the discus, “Divine weapon”; and at the conch, “Amṛtodbhavāya”—thus is the deity worshipped. After this, place in the pot a vessel of gold, silver, or copper, according to your means, and fill it with all kinds of seeds. Then, as you are able, fashion a golden image of Varāha. Remember how Mādhava, the slayer of Madhu, assumed the form of Varāha and, with the tip of his tusk, raised the Earth along with her mountains, forests, and trees. Place the precious image above the seed-filled vessel, establishing the supreme Lord Hari, made of gold, upon the pot. Cover the copper vessel with a pair of white cloths and worship it with fragrant flowers and auspicious offerings. Make a circle of flowers and keep vigil there, reciting and contemplating the various manifestations of Hari throughout the night. When the observance is complete, at sunrise, bathe in purity and worship Hari, then offer him to a Brahmin. This gift should be made to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, of good conduct and intelligence, and devoted to Viṣṇu, O best of sages. Thus, by faithfully observing these sacred vows, one attains the highest merit, all sins are destroyed, and the blessings of the Lord are secured, both in this world and beyond.