In ancient times, the wise were instructed in the sacred practice of worshipping the Supreme Lord in his manifold forms, especially during the auspicious months. To begin, the devotee would honor the divine body of the Lord: offering worship to Vāsudeva at the feet, to Saṃkarṣaṇa at the hips, to Pradyumna at the abdomen, and to Aniruddha at the chest. The arms were offered to the wielder of the discus, the neck to the lord of the earth, and the conch and discus were worshipped by their own names, while the head was offered to the Purusha himself. Once this worship was completed, the devotee would place a pot before him, covering it with a cloth, and set above it a golden image of Vāsudeva, manifest with his eternal fourfold form. Following the prescribed methods, the image was then worshipped with fragrance, flowers, and other offerings, in due order. When the ritual was fulfilled, the image was given to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and of virtuous conduct. The merit of this observance was profound. It is said that Vasudeva, the illustrious king who enhanced the lineage of the Yadus, and his wife Devakī—who was equally steadfast in her vows—were without children for a long time. One day, the sage Nārada arrived at their home. Vasudeva welcomed the sage with devotion, and after being thus honored, Nārada spoke: “O sinless Vasudeva, listen to the divine purpose for which I have come. In the assembly of the gods, I saw the earth herself, weighed down by her burdens. The gods, unable to bear the oppression caused by Saubha, Kaṃsa, Jarāsandha, Naraka, the powerful Kurus, Pāñcālas, Bhojas, and the Dānavas, implored for relief. The earth pleaded for deliverance from these united oppressors. Thus, the gods approached Nārāyaṇa, and the Lord of the gods appeared before them, promising, ‘This task I will accomplish without doubt; I shall take human form among mortals.’ “He declared, ‘In the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha, whichever woman, together with her husband, observes a fast, in her womb I shall be born.’ Having spoken thus, the god departed, and I have come here to relay this to you. By fasting as prescribed, a man and his wife, even if childless, will obtain a son. Vasudeva himself, by performing this Dvādaśī rite, was blessed with sons and grandsons, enjoyed royal prosperity, and ultimately attained the highest state. This is the rite prescribed for you in the month of Āṣāḍha.” The sage Durvāsā then spoke of the next sacred observance: “In the bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa, one should worship the Supreme Lord Janārnana with fragrance and flowers. Worship Dāmodara at the feet, Hṛṣīkeśa at the hips, Sanātana at the abdomen, and the bearer of the Śrīvatsa at the chest. The arms are for the wielder of the discus, the neck for Hari, the head for Muñjakeśa, and the crest for Bhadra. After worshipping in this manner, the devotee should establish the pot as before, placing a pair of cloths upon it, and then set above it a golden image of Damodara, the Lord of gods. This image is to be worshipped with sandal, flowers, and other offerings, and finally given to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. Hear now the power of this observance, which destroys sin. “In ancient times, during the Kṛta Yuga, there was a mighty king named Nṛga, who wandered far into a terrible forest while hunting. There, alone, he released his horse beneath a tree, spread kuśa grass, and fell asleep, weary. That night, fourteen thousand hunters, intent on killing animals, surrounded him. Seeing the king adorned with gold and jewels, the hunters informed their leader, who, desiring the king’s wealth, prepared to slay him. As they approached, swords drawn, a wondrous woman adorned in white ornaments, garlands, and sandal paste emerged from the king’s body. She seized a discus and struck down the barbarians, then swiftly re-entered the king. Upon awakening and seeing the slain attackers, the king wondered at this miracle and went to the hermitage of sage Vāmadeva to seek understanding. “Vāmadeva explained, ‘O king, in a previous birth you were a Śūdra, and while serving a Brahmin, you learned of the Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī. By observing it with devotion, you attained a kingdom in this life. That goddess who protected you is the Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī herself. She grants protection in all dangers and bestows kingdoms. What then can be said of the merit from observing all twelve Dvādaśīs, which even Indra could not achieve?’ Durvāsā continued, “In the month of Bhadrapada, on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, one should resolve to worship the Supreme Lord according to the prescribed rite. Salutations are offered to Kalki at the feet, to Hrishikesha at the waist, to the destroyer of the mlecchas at the abdomen, to Shitikantha at the throat, to the wielder of the sword at the arms, to the four-armed one at the hands, and to the universal form at the head. After worshipping in this way, the wise person should, as before, place a pot and install a golden image of Kalki. Thus, by faithfully observing these sacred rites in their proper months, offering worship to the Lord in his many forms, and giving the consecrated images to worthy Brahmins, one attains great merit, protection, prosperity, and ultimately the highest state.