Listen attentively to this sacred account, O noble one, as I recount the power and fruits of a venerable observance prescribed in the scriptures. Just as before, one should fashion an image and present it with devotion to a Brahmin who is learned in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. Now, hear from me the remarkable potency of this rite, especially as it is to be performed in the auspicious month of Śrāvaṇa—a practice known to destroy sin. Long ago, in the Kṛta Yuga, there lived a mighty king named Nṛga. One day, while wholly absorbed in the pursuit of hunting, he found himself deep within a terrible and vast forest. This wild land teemed with tigers, lions, and elephants, and was notorious for its lurking bandits and serpents. Carried far from his retinue on horseback, King Nṛga, weary from hardship, released his horse beneath a tree, spread out some kuśa grass, and laid himself down to sleep. As night fell, a band of fourteen thousand hunters arrived in that very place, surrounding the sleeping king on all sides, their minds set on killing animals. There, they saw King Nṛga, adorned with gold and jewels, radiating supreme splendor even in slumber. Quickly, the hunters reported this sight to their leader, who, desiring the king’s riches, resolved to slay him. Armed with swords, these forest-dwellers approached stealthily, intent on capturing the king as he slept. But then, from the king’s very body, a radiant woman appeared, adorned in white ornaments, garlands, and sandal paste. She seized a discus and, with divine might, struck down the barbaric bandits who threatened the king. Having slain the assailants, this goddess swiftly re-entered the king’s body. When King Nṛga awoke, he beheld the slain barbarians around him, but the divine woman had vanished into her own form. Amazed and perplexed, King Nṛga mounted his horse and made his way to the hermitage of the sage Vāmadeva. Approaching the sage with reverence, he asked, “Who was that woman who protected me? Who were those who fell? O wise one, please reveal the meaning of these events.” Vāmadeva replied, “O king, in a previous birth, you were born a Śūdra. While serving a Brahmin, you once heard of the observance of the twelfth day (Dvādaśī) of the bright fortnight in the month of Śrāvaṇa. By observing that sacred day with proper rites and devotion, you earned the merit that, upon rebirth, granted you a kingdom. Know that in all dangers, that very goddess—Śrāvaṇa Dvādaśī—protects you. It was she who destroyed the sinful barbarians and saved your life. She alone grants protection in calamity and bestows sovereignty. Consider, then, the greatness of the twelve Dvādaśīs, by which even Indra’s station is difficult to attain.” Now, O sage, hear further of another sacred observance. In the month of Bhadrapada, on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, one should make a firm resolve and worship the Supreme Lord according to the prescribed rite. Salutations are offered to Kalki at his feet, to Hrishikesha at his waist, to the destroyer of the mlecchas at his abdomen, and to the universal form thus invoked. To Shitikantha at his throat, to the wielder of the sword at his arms, to the four-armed one at his hands, and to the universal form at his head—thus is the worship performed. Having worshipped in this manner, the wise should, as before, place a pot before themselves and have an image of Kalki made of gold. This image, adorned with a pair of white garments, fragrance, and flowers, should be given in the morning to a learned Brahmin. Listen now to the fruits of this act. Long ago, there was a mighty king named Vishala, who ruled in the city of Kashi. Through the machinations of his kinsmen, he lost his kingdom and journeyed to the slopes of Gandhamadana. In a beautiful valley there, he reached the sacred Badari. Bereft of kingdom and fortune, this noble king stayed there, seeking solace. One day, the two ancient and revered sages, Nara and Narayana, honored by all the gods, arrived in that place. They beheld the king, who was already there, absorbed in meditation on the Supreme Brahman, the highest state known as Vishnu. Pleased with his devotion and seeing that his sins were diminished, the two sages addressed the king: “Choose a boon, O king of kings. We have come to grant you a blessing.” The king replied humbly, “I do not know who you both are, nor from whom I should accept a boon. I desire only a boon worthy of the one I worship.” The sages asked, “Which lord do you worship? What boon do you seek? Tell us out of curiosity.” The king answered simply, “I worship Vishnu,” and then fell silent. The sages smiled and spoke again, “O king, by the grace of that very deity, we have the power to grant boons. Speak your wish, whatever is in your heart.” The king said, “Grant me the ability to worship the Lord of Sacrifice with many sacrifices and offerings, so that I may be capable of such worship.” Nara responded, “May Lord Narayana himself, the guide of the worlds, perform austerities with me here at Badari for the welfare of the world.” He continued, revealing the greatness of the Lord: “This Supreme Lord was once a fish, then took the form of a tortoise, then became the boar, and after that, the man-lion. Then he was born as Vamana, then as the mighty son of Jamadagni, again as the son of Dasharatha, and then appeared as Vasudeva. He became Buddha to delude the wicked, and then, after destroying hostile and foreign enemies, restored the earth to its natural order—he, the blessed Lord Hari. He is worshipped in the form of the Fish by those who desire all-knowing wisdom; as the Tortoise, for uplifting his own lineage; as the Boar, who entered the ocean of existence; and as Narasimha, by those seeking relief from sin. For the removal of delusion and the attainment of wealth, one should worship Vamana, born from the fire of the world; and the wise worship the son of Dasharatha for the destruction of cruel enemies. Those who desire sons worship Balarama and Krishna; those who desire forms, Buddha; and Kalki for the destruction of enemies. Having spoken thus, the sage declared that King Vishala, by performing the Dvādaśī vow with devotion, became a universal monarch. Henceforth, the sacred place of Badari became renowned as Vishala after his name, and his story stands as a testament to the power of these holy observances. Thus, O wise one, is revealed the profound merit and divine protection bestowed by the observance of the Dvādaśī, and the glory of those who perform it with faith and devotion.