O King, listen with a devoted heart as I recount the sacred instructions given by the wise. If anyone claims that Rudra is not the author of the scriptures or poetry for mortals, or that Vishnu is not created by Rudra, or that Shri is not the same as Gauri—know, O King, that such words come from those who do not truly believe, and the wise can easily discern this. Understanding this profound truth, one should worship Hari along with Lakshmi with sincere devotion, using the prescribed mantra. Begin by reciting “To the deep one” at the feet, “to the auspicious one” at the waist, “to the god of gods” at the belly, “to the three-eyed one” at the face, “to the lord of speech” at the head, and “to Rudra” everywhere. In this manner, the wise honor Vishnu with Lakshmi or Hara with Gauri, offering sandalwood, flowers, and other sacred items in proper order. After the worship, in their presence, one should offer a fire oblation with honey and ghee, together with sesame seeds, chanting “for the lord of prosperity.” Then, the devotee should partake of wheat-based food, free from salt, alkaline, or oily ingredients, placing the food on the ground. This practice is especially observed during the dark fortnight, and on the second day from the month of Ashadha onward, the fast may be broken and food consumed. In the months of Karttika and those that follow, for three months, one should eat barley or shyamaka grain, maintaining discipline and purity. Then, on the third day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magha, the wise should fashion a golden image of Gauri and Rudra together. According to one’s means and with a cheerful mind, an image of Hari with Lakshmi should also be made and given to a discerning and worthy Brahmin. If food is scarce, the offering should go to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and of good conduct, or to one who is righteous, especially if the devotee’s own means are limited. Along with the images, six vessels should be presented to the Brahmin: one filled with honey, another with ghee, a third with sesame oil, a fourth with jaggery, a fifth with salt, and a sixth with cow’s milk. By giving these, whether woman or man, one attains good fortune and attractiveness for seven lifetimes. Now, O King, hear from me the means to remove obstacles. By following this, no hindrance will arise even when the rites are performed correctly. This vow is to be undertaken on the fourth day in the month of Phalguna. The devotee should eat only at night, breaking the fast with sesame rice. This same food should be offered into the fire and also given to a Brahmin. After performing this four-month vow five times, a golden image of the elephant-faced one should be made and given to a Brahmin, along with five vessels containing milk-rice and sesame seeds. By this observance, all obstacles are removed. In ancient times, when an obstacle arose during King Sagara’s horse sacrifice, it was this very vow that enabled him to complete the rite. Likewise, when Rudra destroyed Tripura, he performed this vow and triumphed. When I, Agastya, drank the ocean, I too observed this practice. Many kings and seekers of austerity and knowledge have performed this vow to remove obstacles. On the appointed day, one should worship the heroic, steadfast, elephant-faced, large-bellied, and single-tusked deity—Vinayaka—and again make a fire offering for the destruction of obstacles. By this act alone, one is freed from all impediments, and by the grace of Vinayaka, accomplishment is assured. O King, I will now explain to you the Shanti vow, by which householders attain lasting peace. On the fifth day of the bright fortnight in Karttika, begin this vow for one year, consuming only food without sourness. At night, worship Hari, who rests upon Shesha, honoring his feet as Ananta, his waist as Vasuki, his abdomen as Takshaka, his chest as Karkotaka, his neck as Padma, and both arms as Mahapadma. His face should be worshipped as Shankhapala and his head as Kutila. Having thus worshipped Vishnu in these forms, offer them separate reverence as well. Bathe these forms with milk, and again bathe Hari. In their presence, offer milk with sesame seeds into the fire. At the end of the year, arrange a meal for Brahmins, make a golden serpent, and present it to a Brahmin. Whoever performs this vow with devotion will always have peace and need not fear serpents. Now, O great king, hear of the Kama vow, by which all desires—even those held only in thought—are fulfilled. On the sixth day, one should eat only fruits and observe this vow for a year, breaking the fast with a meal on the fourth day of the dark fortnight in Pausha. On the sixth day, offer fruit first, then, with controlled speech, eat pure rice. Whether accompanied by Brahmins or alone with fruits, observe the fast for one day and break it on the seventh. Perform the fire ritual, worshiping Keshava in the form of Guha, and honor him by name, observing the vow for one year. Worship Vishnu as Six-faced, Karttikeya, Guha, commander of the army, son of the Krittikas, Kumara, and Skanda, using each of his names. At the vow’s completion, arrange a meal for Brahmins and present a golden image of Shanmukha to a Brahmin. Pray: “May all desires be fulfilled, O god Kumaraka, by your grace; may this, received with devotion, be quickly accepted by the Brahmin.” By giving this with the proper mantra and a pair of offerings, all desires are fulfilled in this very life. The childless obtain a son, the poor gain wealth, and those deprived of a kingdom regain their realm—of this, there is no doubt. Thus, O King, these sacred observances, when performed with faith and discipline, bestow prosperity, remove obstacles, grant peace, and fulfill all desires, as taught by the wise and practiced by the great.