O sage, hear now the greatness of the sacred vow as revealed in ancient times. If a barren woman, yearning for a child, observes this auspicious vow with proper devotion and according to the prescribed rules, she will be blessed with a son of supreme righteousness. Likewise, if a person is burdened by the sin of approaching a forbidden woman and, with sincere repentance, follows this rule, he is freed from that sin. Even one who has long neglected the sacred Brahmanical rites—if he observes this vow just once, with true devotion—attains the sanctification and purity bestowed by the Vedas. What more can be said, O great sage? There is truly nothing unattainable through the observance of this vow, nor is there any sin that does not perish. Even the very earth herself, when submerged in the primeval waters, was restored by the power of this vow; such is its efficacy that no further deliberation is needed, dear one. Yet, this rule is not to be shared with the uninitiated, with atheists, or with those who bear hatred for the gods or for Brahmins. Instead, it should be entrusted to those who are devoted to their teachers, for it instantly destroys all sin. In this very life, the observer of this vow 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, Durvāsā continued: In the same way, during the bright fortnight of the month of Pauṣa, the gods once churned the ocean of nectar, and there, the Lord Janārdana himself took the form of the divine Tortoise. This day, the pure Dvādaśī of the bright fortnight in the month of Puṣya, is prescribed as sacred to Hari in his Tortoise form. On that day, having resolved beforehand, one should bathe and perform all the necessary rites as before, then worship Janārdana throughout the night of Ekādaśī, O best of sages, reciting separate mantras for the Lord of gods. First, worship his feet with the mantra, "Om, to the Tortoise," then 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, the bearer of the discus." Offer fragrant flowers, naming yourself, with various offerings and fruits. Adorn the area before the pot with garlands and a white-necked necklace. As before, fashion an image of the Lord from precious materials according to your ability, or of gold, in the form of the turtle amidst the ocean, and place it in a copper vessel filled with ghee. Set it above a full pot, and on the following day, give it in this manner to a Brahmin. The next day, satisfy Brahmins with food and proper gifts according to your means, and gladden the Lord of gods; then, having worshipped Nārāyaṇa in the form of the turtle, you yourself may eat with your attendants. When all this is done, O Brahmin, all sins are destroyed—of this there is no doubt. One abandons the cycle of worldly existence and attains the pure and ancient realm of Hari; sins quickly perish, and prosperity and true righteousness are established. The sins accumulated over countless past lives are destroyed by a man's devotion. The previously described results are obtained, and Nārāyaṇa is immediately pleased. Durvāsā then spoke further: In the bright fortnight of Māgha, on the twelfth day, O Upholder of the Earth, listen now, O most righteous sage, to the original vow of Varāha. Following the procedure already described, with resolve and bathing, the wise should worship the Lord on the eleventh day. Having worshipped Acyuta with incense, offerings, and fragrances, place a water-filled pot before him. Recite "Om Vārāhāya" at the feet, "Mādhavāya" at the waist, "Kṣetrajñāya" at the belly, and "Viśvarūpa" at the chest of Hari. At the throat, recite "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. Having worshipped in this way, place in that pot a vessel of gold, silver, or copper, according to your means. Fill it with all kinds of seeds, and, according to your ability, fashion a golden image of Varāha. Remember, with the tip of his tusk, Mādhava, the slayer of Madhu, once raised the Earth along with her mountains, forests, and trees, assuming the form of Varāha. Place the precious image atop the pot filled with all seeds, establishing the supreme Lord Hari made of gold. Cover the copper vessel with two white cloths, O sage, and worship it with fragrant flowers and various auspicious offerings. Make a circle of flowers and keep vigil there, reciting and contemplating the manifestations of Hari. When this observance is completed, at dawn, after bathing in purity and worshipping Hari, offer him to a Brahmin. To a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, of good conduct and intelligence, devoted to Viṣṇu, especially should this be given, O best of sages. Now, listen as I declare the fruits that arise from giving to a Brahmin the image of Hari, the Lord, in the form of Varāha, together with a water pot. In this very life, one gains good fortune, prosperity, beauty, and satisfaction; the poor become wealthy at once, the childless obtain a son, misfortune is destroyed immediately, and Lakṣmī herself enters at that very moment. Here, in this life, there is good fortune. Now listen to what occurs in the next world, as I recount an ancient story. Once, in this world, there was a king named Vīradhanvan, renowned for his might. At one time, this subduer of enemies went to the forest to hunt deer. While slaying groups of deer, he entered a forest where sages dwelled, and, unknowingly, he killed brāhmaṇas who had taken the forms of deer. There, O brāhmaṇa, were fifty brothers, sons of Saṃvarta, devoted to the study of the Vedas, who had assumed the forms of deer. Satyatapa then asked, "What reason did they have for taking on the forms of deer? O brāhmaṇa, I am eager to know this—be gracious to me, who bows before you." Durvāsā replied: Once, these brothers went to the forest and, seeing young fawns just born and abandoned by their mothers, each of them took one and, holding them on their shoulders, they died. Distressed by this, all of them went to their father and spoke to the sage about the killing of the deer. The sons of the sage said, "O sage, we have killed five deer just born; since this was done unintentionally, let expiation be prescribed for us.