The goddess, filled with reverence and curiosity, approached the Lord and asked, “O best of gods, please tell me: what is the destiny of one who has accomplished their purpose? O Madhava, by your grace, what is the true nature of the soul’s coming and going? I beseech you—declare to me the ultimate conclusion of Yoga and Sankhya. When the body is reduced to a heap of ashes, how does the soul enter the fire? Whether one is established in your sacred field or elsewhere, reveal this to me as I ask. After uttering ‘Salutations to Nārāyaṇa,’ what destination do they attain? By the mere recitation of your Name, what kind of end do they reach? O Mādhava, tell me this secret, joined with righteousness. Considering the welfare and purpose of the world, you ought to speak of these truths.” Hearing her earnest questions, the Lord replied with compassion: “Now, O goddess, I shall tell you of the origin of various duties—actions that bring the happiness of heaven. Listen carefully, O Vasundharā, to what you have asked. Know that not by a thousand gifts, nor even by a hundred sacrifices, am I truly attained. Rather, it is one who knows me, O Mādhavi, with a mind fixed in unwavering concentration—such a person reaches me. The actions you ask about, O auspicious one, are indeed those that bring heavenly happiness. Those who always worship me, even if their minds are pulled in many directions, and whose devotion does not waver, truly see me. They are devoted to me above all. Even by desire alone, O beautiful one, residence in heaven can be attained. Whatever actions these devotees perform, O Mādhavi, they see me present in all of them. Consider those who observe a fast on the sacred twelfth day, dvādaśī. After keeping the fast, they take up a handful of water. For as many drops as fall from that handful, so many merits are gained. On this twelfth day, men devoted to righteousness should offer pale-colored, well-washed flowers and fragrant incense. After placing the flowers on their heads, they should recite this mantra: ‘May the blessed Hari, pleased, accept these beautiful flowers and my pure mind.’ They should also recite: ‘Salutations to Viṣṇu! O Lord, accept these fragrant and subtle scents, both manifest and unmanifest. Salutations to the blessed Viṣṇu! Having heard, having returned, O Lord of the Soma-pressing, having entered, may the blessed Acyuta accept this incense-offering of mine.’ Whoever, having heard these sacred teachings, causes them to be enacted for me—know that this, O goddess, is my most excellent and beloved teaching. If a devotee, following my rites, partakes of śyāmāka, svastika, wheat, or mung beans, they are blessed. Now, O Earth, I shall declare to you the duties of a brāhmaṇa: listen. A brāhmaṇa must be engaged in the six prescribed duties, free from pride, united with my sacred actions, and avoiding slander. Such single-mindedness and self-control is indeed the true duty of a brāhmaṇa. Now I shall speak of the duties of kṣatriyas who abide by my commands: they must be charitable, courageous, skilled in action, adept in sacrifices, and pure of heart. They should be sparing in speech, discerning of virtues, and always devoted to the Bhāgavata. Skilled in initiative and related tasks, and avoiding slander, whoever always worships me in this way attains my world.” Thus, the Lord revealed these profound truths, answering the goddess’s questions and illuminating the path of righteousness, devotion, and ultimate destiny.