The Supreme Lord turned to Vasundharā, the Earth goddess, and addressed her with gentle gravity, “Listen, O goddess, to the answer you have sought from me. Know this, O Vasundharā: I am not attained by a thousand gifts, nor even by a hundred sacrifices. Rather, it is the one who knows me with unwavering, single-pointed devotion, O Mādhavi, who truly reaches me. “What you have inquired about, O auspicious one, concerns actions that bring the happiness of heaven. There are many who worship me in various ways, though their minds may be scattered. But those whose minds do not waver, who are firmly established in their devotion to me—these alone truly see me, honoring me above all else. Even by sheer desire, O beautiful one, a soul may attain residence in heaven. “Whatever actions such devotees perform, O Mādhavi, they see me present within them all. Consider those who observe a fast on the sacred twelfth day, dvādaśī. After observing the fast, they take up a handful of water, and as many drops as fall from that water, so great is the merit gained. On this twelfth day, those devoted to righteousness should offer pale-colored, well-washed flowers and fragrant incense. Placing the flowers on their heads, they should recite this prayer: ‘May the blessed Hari, pleased, accept these beautiful flowers and my pure mind.’ And with incense, they should say: ‘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, they are most dear to me. This, O goddess, is my most excellent and beloved teaching, which I have now revealed to you. “Let those devoted to my rites partake of śyāmāka, svastika, wheat, and mung beans. Now, O Earth, listen as I declare the duties of a brāhmaṇa. A brāhmaṇa should be engaged in the six duties, free from pride, united with my prescribed actions, and should avoid slander. This is indeed the brāhmaṇa’s duty: to be single-minded and self-controlled. “Next, hear of the duties of kṣatriyas who abide in my commands. They should be charitable, courageous, skilled in action, adept in sacrifices, and pure. They must be of few words, discerning of virtues, and always devoted to the Bhāgavata. Skilled in initiative and related tasks, and avoiding slander, the kṣatriya who always worships me in this way attains my world. “Whatever actions are performed by one who stands firm in devotion to me, who approaches his wife at the proper time, whose mind is peaceful and free from delusion, who always honors his teacher, is steadfast, and affectionate toward devotees—such a one is never lost to me, nor am I lost to him. “Now, O Mādhavī, listen as I speak of the duties of a Śūdra. The actions that a Śūdra performs, if done with devotion to me, make him my devotee. Both brāhmaṇa and Śūdra, steadfast in their duties and devoted to me, are my true devotees. With a pure mind, free from pride, hospitable, humble, always fond of offering salutations, and with his mind fixed on contemplation of me, the Śūdra is especially dear. In fact, abandoning thousands of sages, I worship only the Śūdra who possesses such qualities. “Thus, O goddess, whoever is established in devotion with these qualities of action is truly united with me.