With the pure waters sanctified by Rudra, the seeker undertakes sacred acts for the sake of true knowledge and the attainment of the exalted status of the guardians of the worlds. By such devotion, wisdom flows unobstructed in the heart of the prosperous and wise Brahmin. Instantly, such a one becomes radiant like Vishnu himself, or may rise to the stature of a king. The knower of sacred rites must worship according to the methods prescribed in his own scriptures. With a tranquil mind, he worships the gods and the guardians of the directions, making offerings to Agni, Varuna, and those who have been purified by the touch of Vayu, all according to the proper rites. Then, nourished with the essence of Soma, the wise practitioner recites the prescribed vows. Thereafter, Rudra, Aditya, Agni, and the planetary guardians of the worlds are invoked with reverence. Having thus proclaimed his vow, the devotee performs the homa, the sacred fire offering. Into the blazing fire, he offers oblations with the powerful sixteen-syllable mantra, making three offerings in the presence of the God of gods. The king, as part of his sacred duty, gives away elephants, horses, chariots, and even golden villages as gifts. From such acts, great merit arises, and its glory is manifest upon the earth. When one, with a mind purified by initiation, listens again to the story of Varaha, the Boar incarnation, at holy sites such as Pushkara, Prayaga, or at the confluence of the Sindhu, and especially during eclipses and solstices, the fruits of recitation are multiplied. Even the gods, after performing austerities, meditate and speak among themselves: “When shall we, abandoning the body, attain the sixteenfold Varaha? When shall we reach that supreme abode from which there is no return?” In this context, an ancient legend is recounted. Once, there was a king of great fame named Shveta, who resided in heaven. Filled with generosity, he wished to give away the entire earth, with all its blossoming trees and forests. He declared, “O Lord, I desire to give the earth to the Brahmins.” It is said to him, “O king, always give food, for the gift of food brings happiness at all times. Among all gifts, the gift of food is the highest. Therefore, by every effort, give food, O noble one.” He also gave jewels, garments, ornaments, splendid cities, elephants, and deerskins to the Brahmins. Addressing his priest, Vasiṣṭha—the foremost among those who recite mantras—he performed sacrifices for the twice-born with gold, silver, and copper. Yet, knowing his material gifts were small, the king did not offer food. Then, O Devi, by the force of time and fate, death came upon the king. He was tormented by hunger and, above all, by thirst. There, the form from his previous birth, long since burned, appeared before him. Yet again, the king ascended a celestial chariot and reached heaven. The great-souled Vasiṣṭha saw those bones being licked, and at that time, he addressed the king. The king said, “O venerable one, I am hungry, and in the past, I have not received food or drink.” Thus addressed by the king, the eminent sage Vasiṣṭha replied, “What shall I do for you, O king, especially as you are hungry? By giving jewels and gold, a man becomes prosperous. But you, O king, did not give even a little, thinking it insignificant. Now that you have come without giving, tell me as I ask you.” Thus, the story reveals the supreme merit of giving food and the true path to lasting prosperity and liberation.