Listen, O noble one, to the sacred account of a venerable vow and its wondrous fruits, as revealed in ancient times. It is said that one who undertakes this vow should give bracelets and golden earrings, bestowing upon each recipient, especially the king, a village as a gift. The central figure, along with a pair, should receive all the finest offerings; ornaments should be given to the poor according to one's means, so that each receives what is fitting. According to one's ability, one should make the earth golden, and likewise offer a pair of cows and a pair of garments, all in accordance with one's wealth and capacity. One should give a cow, a pair of ornaments, and everything adorned with gold; having performed these acts, one should observe both the dark and bright twelfth days. Further, one should offer the earth in silver, as one is able, and give it to Brahmins along with food. Sandals, shoes, and umbrellas should also be given, according to one's capacity. Having made these offerings, the devotee should pray: “May Krishna, Damodara, always be pleased with me; may Hari, the Lord of all forms, be ever favorable to me.” The merit gained from such giving and feeding is so immense that it cannot be described even in a thousand years. Yet, O sinless one, I will briefly recount some of the results. Listen to the auspicious deeds performed in ancient times through this vow. In the first age, there was a king, steadfast in his vows and well-versed in Brahman. Desiring a son, he approached Brahma, the supreme lord, who revealed this vow to him and performed it accordingly. When the king completed his vow, the Soul of the Universe appeared before him in person and, pleased, said, “O king, choose a boon from me.” The king replied, “O Lord of gods, grant me a son skilled in Vedic mantras, devoted to sacrifice, endowed with fame, long-lived, possessing countless virtues, pure, and Brahman-like.” He further requested, “O Supreme Lord, grant me at the end a blessed place, that which is called the sage’s abode, where, having reached, one does not grieve.” The god answered, “So be it,” and became invisible. In time, the king’s son was born, named Vatsapri, who was accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, a performer of sacrifices, learned in many scriptures; his fame spread across the earth. Having obtained such a son, Viṣṇudatta, radiant in glory, the king renounced all dualities and devoted himself to austerity. He worshipped Hari, fasting and mastering his senses, on the beautiful mountain Himavat, composing hymns at that time. Bhadrāśva then asked: “O Brahman, what kind of hymn did that king compose? And what happened to him as he praised the Supreme Lord?” Durvāsā replied: “Relying on Himavat, the king, his mind absorbed there, composed a hymn to the powerful god Vishnu.” The king praised Janārdana, the Lord, who is both perishable and imperishable, who reclines upon the ocean of milk, who supports the earth, who is the supreme goal among embodied beings, who is beyond the senses, whose arms encompass the universe, who is manifest and unmanifest. He extolled Vishnu as the primeval god, the embodiment of ultimate reality, the all-pervading, ancient, supreme person; beyond the senses, foremost among those who know the Vedas, the wielder of conch, mace, and weapon. He recalled the deeds Vishnu performed among gods and demons, which are recounted, and declared that all creation is for Vishnu’s purpose, for nothing is done by one who is hidden. The king praised the many forms Vishnu assumed—tortoise, boar, Narasimha, Vamana, Jamadagni, destroyer of Ravana, Vasudeva, Buddha, Kalkin, lord of birds, Shambhu, destroyer of the arrogant. He saluted Narayana, Padmanabha, and the Supreme Person, honored by all assemblies of immortals and chief among all who possess knowledge. He offered salutations to the fierce-faced Narasimha, to Kurma whose body is like a vast mountain, to Matsya whose form resembles the ocean, and to Ananta who assumed the form of a boar. The king acknowledged that Vishnu’s actions are for the purpose of creation, that his embodiment is not primary, and that meditation upon him is revealed to the ignorant, for without them, he is not perceived. He declared Vishnu as the origin of sacrifice, its limbs, the oblation, the sacrificial animal, the priest, and the object of worship; the hosts of gods and sages worship him. The king affirmed that whatever in this world is stable or moving, established by gods, time, and fire, is supreme, and that Vishnu is undivided. He prayed, “Grant me the accomplishment my heart desires.” He concluded, “Salutations to you, lotus-eyed one, both embodied and unembodied, O Hari; I have taken refuge in you—lift me up from worldly existence.” Thus praised by that great-souled king, standing beneath the vast mango tree, the Supreme Lord was pleased. Hari then assumed a hunchback form and arrived himself; as soon as he arrived, the mango tree became hunchbacked. Seeing this wonder, the king, steadfast in his vow, became absorbed in thought: how did the mango tree become hunchbacked? As he pondered, insight arose regarding that Brahmin—this was accomplished by his arrival, there was no doubt. Therefore, the king realized, “This very one is the blessed Supreme Person,” and bowed to that Brahmin, saying, “O Blessed One, truly you are the Supreme Person, come for grace; show me your true form now, O Hari.” Thus addressed, the god, bearing conch, discus, and mace, appeared gentle before him and spoke: “Choose a boon, O king of kings, whatever is in your mind. With me pleased, even a sesame seed’s worth in the three worlds is yours, O king.” The king, his eyes blooming with joy, said, “Grant me liberation, O Lord of gods,” and spoke nothing else. The Blessed One replied, “When I arrived, this mango tree became hunchbacked; therefore, this place will be known as Kubjakamra Tirtha. Even those of animal birth, or Brahmins, if they relinquish their bodies here, five hundred celestial vehicles will be theirs, and yogis will attain liberation.” Such is the glory of this vow, and the sacred place Kubjakamra Tirtha, where the Supreme Lord’s grace brings liberation to all who seek him.