He journeyed to the divine lake of the mind, accompanied by hosts of gods, and there, in the very heart of those sacred waters, he beheld a wondrous sight: a great white lotus, resplendent and luminous, floating serenely in the center of the lake. Within the lotus stood a supreme person, no larger than a thumb, yet radiant with intense brilliance. This being was clothed in red garments, with two arms, and shone with a light that surpassed all others. Upon seeing this marvel, the king addressed his charioteer, instructing him, “Bring me this lotus. If I carry it upon my head before all the worlds, I will become praiseworthy. Therefore, fetch it quickly.” Obeying his master’s command, the charioteer entered the water and reached out to grasp the lotus. But the moment he touched it, a tremendous sound resounded through the air. Startled and terrified by the deafening noise, the charioteer fell lifeless on the spot. At that very instant, the king himself was struck by the same dreadful sound. His body became afflicted with leprosy; his color faded, and all his strength and vigor deserted him. Standing there, overwhelmed by grief and confusion, the king wondered, “What has happened to me? What is the cause of this suffering?” As he pondered thus, the wise and great ascetic Vasiṣṭha, son of Brahmā, arrived and addressed the king with compassion, “O tiger among kings, how has this condition come upon your body? What should now be done? Tell me everything, as I ask you.” The king, trembling and sorrowful, recounted the entire story of the lotus to the great-souled Vasiṣṭha. Upon hearing this, the sage explained, “O king, if you had acted rightly, you would have remained unscathed; but because you did not, this leprosy has come upon you.” The king, his hands joined in supplication, asked, “O virtuous one, how did I act rightly or wrongly, and how has this leprosy arisen in me? Please, explain this to me.” Vasiṣṭha replied, “This lotus is known as Brahmodbhava and is renowned throughout the three worlds. By merely seeing it, one beholds all the gods; this vision appears here only once every six months. Upon seeing it, if a man enters the water, he is freed from all sins and attains supreme liberation. The form of Brahmā in his prior state is established within these waters; seeing this and immersing oneself, one is released from worldly existence. Your charioteer, O best of men, saw this and entered the water, thus following the proper course. But you, O king, entered again, wishing to seize the lotus for yourself. Therefore, O misguided one, you have incurred leprosy. I had called you virtuous, O lord, but you fell into delusion, so I must say you are not virtuous. I am the son of Brahmā and see this supreme Lord daily; you have seen him again. Even the gods declare this lotus to be the highest golden one. Having seen the Brahma-lotus in the Mānasa lake and Hari present there, we attain that supreme Brahman, from which there is no return. Hear also another cause of your affliction, O king: the sun himself is established within this lotus womb. Having seen him in truth, this eternal Supreme Self, I bear him upon my head as an ornament amidst the world. Thus, as you speak, this sin has been revealed by the god; now, O wise one, worship him alone.” Having spoken thus, Vasiṣṭha described to the king the very vow and divine worship of the sun, known as the vow for health. The king performed this vow with devotion, and by its power, was freed from disease in an instant, attaining the highest success. Agastya then continued, “Now, O great king, let me briefly tell you the auspicious vow for obtaining a son. In the month of Bhādrapada, during the dark fortnight, on the eighth day, one should fast; this is indeed the vow for obtaining a son. On the sixth day, make a resolve, and on the seventh, worship Hari—the Lord resting in Devakī’s lap, surrounded by mothers. On the pure morning of the eighth day, worship Hari with devotion, offering worship to Govinda according to the prescribed method. Then, with barley and black sesame mixed with ghee, offer oblations with curd, and feed the brāhmaṇas with devotion, according to your ability, always giving gifts. Afterwards, eat first the finest bilva fruit, and then partake of other foods as desired. By observing this procedure every month, even a sonless man, fasting on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, will surely obtain a son, without doubt. It is told that once, King Śūrasena, mighty but without a child, performed austerities on the excellent Himavat mountain. As he did so, the god revealed this vow to him, and the king performed it and obtained a son—Vasudeva, greatly fortunate and a performer of many sacrifices. That royal sage ultimately attained supreme liberation. Thus, O king, I have described to you the vow of Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī. At the end of the year, a pair of black cows should be given to a twice-born. This vow for a son, as I have described, frees a man from all sins. Now, O king, I shall declare the supreme vow of valor, by which even the fearful instantly attain great courage. In the month of Ashvayuja, one should fast on the pure ninth day; having resolved on the seventh, remain steadfast and restrained on the eighth. On the ninth, the king should offer flour with devotion, feed Brahmins with reverence, and worship the goddess Durga—the blessed, the great illusion, the mighty one. In this manner, one should observe the vow for a full year according to the prescribed method; and at the conclusion of the vow, the wise should feed maidens, according to their ability.