The assembly of gods was troubled by a daunting task, and among them, the greatest spoke with assurance: “This task, O gods, I shall accomplish without doubt. I will go among mortals, taking on a human form.” He declared further, “In the bright fortnight of Āṣāḍha, whichever woman, together with her husband, observes a fast among humans, in her womb I shall be born.” Having thus spoken, the divine one departed, and the narrator revealed, “I myself have come here as instructed. Especially for those without sons, this teaching is given: by fasting, a man and his wife will surely obtain a son.” It was by observing this very Dvādaśī that Vasudeva gained immense fortune, blessed with sons and grandsons. After enjoying royal prosperity, Vasudeva ultimately attained the highest state. This, the narrator emphasized, is the rite prescribed for you in the month of Āṣāḍha, O sage. Then the sage Durvāsā spoke again, instructing: “In the bright fortnight of the month of Śrāvaṇa, one should worship the supreme god Janārnana with fragrant substances and flowers. Offer worship to Dāmodara at the feet, Hṛṣīkeśa at the hips, Sanātana at the abdomen, and to the bearer of the Śrīvatsa at the chest. To the wielder of the discus, worship the arms; to Hari, the neck; to Muñjakeśa, the head; and to Bhadra, the crest.” After this worship, the devotee should establish a pot as before, placing a pair of cloths upon it. Upon this, a golden image of Lord Dāmodara should be placed and worshipped with sandal, flowers, and other offerings, following the prescribed method. As before, this image should then be given to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. Durvāsā urged, “Now hear from me the power of this observance.” He continued, “O mighty one, this rite is prescribed for you in the month of Śrāvaṇa. Listen to its power, which destroys sin. Long ago, in the Kṛta Yuga, there was a mighty king named Nṛga. Once, while hunting, he wandered deep into a dangerous forest filled with tigers, lions, elephants, bandits, and serpents. Alone, he released his horse beneath a tree, spread kuśa grass, and, weary, fell asleep. That night, fourteen thousand hunters arrived, surrounding him as they sought to kill animals. They saw him sleeping, adorned with gold and jewels—King Nṛga, formidable and radiant. The hunters reported to their leader, who, coveting the king’s wealth, prepared to kill him. The forest-dwellers, armed with swords, approached the sleeping king, intent on capturing him. Then, from the king’s body, a woman adorned with white ornaments, garlands, and sandal paste arose. Seizing a discus, she struck down the barbarians. Having slain them, the goddess swiftly re-entered the king’s body. The king awoke, saw the slain bandits, and the goddess vanished into her own form. Mounting his horse, he rode to the hermitage of Vāmadeva and, with devotion, asked the sage, ‘Who was that woman? Who were those struck down? O sage, please tell me the meaning of this event.’ Vāmadeva explained, ‘O king, in a previous birth, you were of the Śūdra caste. While serving a Brahmin, you heard about the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in Śrāvaṇa. By observing that day with proper rites and devotion, you attained a kingdom upon completion. In all dangers, that goddess protects you; by her hand, the cruel barbarians were slain and you were saved—she is the Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī. She alone protects in calamities, she alone grants a kingdom. What, then, of these twelve Dvādaśīs, by which even Indra did not attain his station?’ Durvāsā continued his instructions: “In the month of Bhadrapada, on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, one should make a resolve and worship the Supreme Lord according to the prescribed rite. Salute Kalki at the feet, Hrishikesha at the waist, the destroyer of the mlecchas at the abdomen—O universal form. Offer to Shitikantha at the throat, the wielder of the sword at the arms, the four-armed one at the hands, and the universal form at the head. Having worshipped thus, the wise should, as before, place a pot and have an image of Kalki made of gold, covered with a pair of white garments and adorned with fragrance and flowers. This should be given in the morning to a learned Brahmin. Hear, O great sage, the results of this act. “Long ago, there was a mighty king named Vishala in the city of Kashi. When his kingdom was seized by his kinsmen, he entered Gandhamadana. There, in a valley, he reached the beautiful Badari and, deprived of his kingdom and fortune, he remained there. Once, the ancient and noble sages Nara and Narayana, revered by all gods, came to that place. Seeing the king, who had arrived before, these two destroyers of enemies beheld him meditating on the Supreme Brahman, the highest state known as Vishnu. Pleased, the two sages said to the king, whose sins were diminished, ‘Choose a boon, O king of kings; we have come to grant you a blessing.’ The king replied, ‘I do not know who you both are, nor from whom I should accept a boon. I desire a worthy boon related to the one I worship.’ The sages asked, ‘Which lord do you worship? What boon do you wish for? Tell us, out of curiosity.’ The king answered simply, ‘I worship Vishnu,’ and remained silent. The two then spoke again, ‘O king, by the grace of that very deity, we have the power to grant boons. Speak the boon you desire, whatever is in your mind.