Let us begin with the sacred instructions for regaining lost fortunes and attaining blessings. One who wishes for the favor of the goddess should first adorn the Brahmins with gold, fine garments, and other ornaments, to the best of his ability. With reverence, he then seeks their forgiveness, praying, "May the goddess be pleased with me." Through such acts, the one who has lost his kingdom will surely regain it; the unlearned will gain wisdom, and the fearful will become renowned for their valor. Agastya, the sage, then spoke of another universal vow, promising that when it is properly performed, a king swiftly becomes sovereign over all. On the tenth day of the bright fortnight in Kartika, one must eat only at night and offer pure oblations daily in all directions. With devotion and various flowers, the foremost Brahmins are worshipped. Then, the virtuous pray to the directions with the mantra: "May all the goddesses grant success to me in every birth." After offering oblations with a pure mind, one eats well-prepared rice and curds at night. This practice, performed as desired, first and last, for a year, ensures conquest of all directions. On the eleventh day, beginning from the bright fortnight of Margashirsha and continuing for a year, a careful rite is performed. This vow, dear to the god of wealth, grants riches when observed. Fasting on the eleventh day and eating on the twelfth, whether in the bright or dark fortnight, is the great Vaishnava vow. These fierce vows, when observed, destroy sins. On the thirteenth day, the vow of righteousness is fulfilled by eating only at night. In the bright fortnight of Phalguna, the wise begin the fierce vow, especially on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, starting from Magha, for a full year. On the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight, the moon vow is observed by eating at night. The ancestral vow is performed on the new moon—a practice prescribed for kings. Those who perform these lunar vows for ten or five years reap great rewards: thousands of Ashvamedha sacrifices, hundreds of Rajasuya rituals, and other rites prescribed in the scriptures are accomplished through these vows. Even a single violation destroys the vow and brings constant sin. But whoever completes all these rites becomes pure, free from stain, and attains all the worlds. Bhadraashva, eager for knowledge, then asked Agastya, "If you know of any marvel, or have seen one, O knower of dharma, please tell me, for my curiosity is great." Agastya replied, "The Blessed Lord Janardana himself is the source of wonders; many and various marvels of his have indeed been seen. Once, Narada journeyed to Shvetadvipa and saw men bearing conch, discus, and lotus, shining with intense radiance. Narada thought, 'This is Vishnu, this is Vishnu, this is the eternal Vishnu,' but he wondered, 'Who among these is truly Vishnu, the Lord?'" As Narada pondered, his mind turned to Krishna, asking, "How shall I worship the bearer of conch, discus, and mace? By what means may I know which among them is the supreme Lord Narayana?" With these thoughts, Narada meditated on the supreme God for a thousand divine years. Pleased by his devotion, the Lord appeared before him and said graciously, "O son of Brahma, ask for a boon; what shall I grant you, great sage?" Narada replied, "O Lord of the world, I have meditated on you for a thousand years; if you are pleased with me, Achyuta, tell me how you may be attained." The Lord of gods answered, "Those twice-born who worship me by following the Purusha Sukta or adhering to the original Samhita shall attain me, O Narada. If the Vedic scriptures are not available, people may see me by the path set forth in the Pancharatra; by that path, they shall attain me. The Pancharatra is prescribed for Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas; it is not accessible to Shudras and others. Thus I have declared, O best of Brahmins, in the ancient kalpa: if anyone among thousands should accept the Pancharatra, and at the end of his actions becomes my devotee, then this Pancharatra will always abide in his heart. Others, enveloped by royal and tamasic dispositions, will turn away from my command. In the Krita, Treta, and Dvapara yugas, those established in sattva will reach me; but in Kali, rajas and tamas will predominate. Now I grant you another boon, Narada: by my grace, you shall know all of this Pancharatra, my exceedingly rare scripture; there is no doubt. O twice-born, I am to be attained only through the Veda, the Pancharatra, devotion, and sacrifice—not otherwise, even in ten million years, dear one." Having spoken thus, the Blessed Lord became invisible to Narada, who then went to heaven. Bhadrāśva, still full of questions, asked, "O Lord, who are the two women, one white and one black, said to be separate in the world, O Keśava? Who is the auspicious one called white and black? And who is that man who becomes one and then sevenfold? Who is that twice-bodied, six-headed, twelvefold lord? What is the union of husband and wife, and the eating after sunrise? Why is this world so spread out?" Agastya replied, "The two women, one white and one black, are sisters. Night is declared to be the woman of two colors, representing truth and untruth. The man who, being one, is born sevenfold, O lord of men, is the ocean, existing as one in seven forms. The lord who is twelvefold, with two bodies and six faces, is the year; the two bodies are the two courses, and the six mouths are the six seasons—thus is the year remembered." Thus, the sage Agastya revealed the sacred vows, the marvels of Lord Janardana, and the mysteries of the cosmos to Bhadrāśva, imparting wisdom that brings purity, prosperity, and understanding of the divine.