One who seeks initiation into the Vaiṣṇava path is first given a Vaiṣṇava staff and a blue garment, marking his entry into the sacred tradition. Taking refuge in Lord Viṣṇu alone, he is taught to recite a special mantra. At this point, he sets aside all distinctions of what is edible and inedible, relinquishing the duties associated with the Śūdra caste. Freed from all sins, restored to awareness, and devoid of worldly desires, he recites the mantra once more, this time with the intention of pleasing his guru. The mantra he utters is: “By the grace of Viṣṇu, I perform this act for liberation from worldly existence, as before, having obtained the secret from the gracious one; be pleased.” After chanting this mantra clearly, he circumambulates the sacred space, and then offers worship with fragrance and garlands. This, it is said, is the initiation prescribed for Śūdras—such is the procedure. Continuing, Varāha addresses Vasundharā, saying, “I shall tell you something further. For a Brāhmaṇa, a white umbrella is given; for a Kṣatriya, a red one.” Sūta recounts that Varāha, having bowed to the earth, spoke these words, and the Earth, in turn, asked, “What should your devoted followers do after they have been initiated?” As the Earth finished speaking, a sound like thunder and drums filled the air. Śrī Varāha replied, “I am to be contemplated everywhere, but secretly, in the presence of the assembly.” The Earth, steadfast in her vows and pure, listened closely to Nārāyaṇa’s words, ever engaged in his actions and foremost among devotees. With hands folded in reverence, she asked, “Absorbed in thought of you, O Mādhava, what should be done here? By whom should you be contemplated, you who are beyond thought, transcending mortals?” Hearing her words, the Primal One, born of the Unmanifest, replied, “By whatever means you contemplate me, devoted to my actions, this is called the ‘Secret Assembly’ initiation, arising from the seed of the rite. One who is pure and initiated, firmly resolved in my actions, and who, having become a devotee, receives this Secret Assembly initiation—such a person has no other duty. This initiation yields great fruit. It is called Āsurī, by which righteousness is established. He who contemplates me in the secret assembly is the best among the wise.” Varāha continued, “I will explain the method of receiving this initiation as it is given to a disciple. In the months of Kaumuda, Mārgaśīrṣa, or even Vaiśākha, on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, the aspirant should observe a strict vegetarian diet for three days. In my presence, on the altar, he should kindle the sacred fire. Then, both disciple and guru, initiated and supremely pure, should proceed.” The guru then recites the mantra: “That which was upheld by the ancient forefathers, by the god devoted to Brahman, by Bhavodbhava.” With this mantra, the guru leads the disciple to the assembly of attendants, and recites: “O disciple, with the proper rite, receive the goddess born from the southern branch of Nārāyaṇa.” The Earth then asks, “By which mantra should the procedure for adornment be established?” She observes that one devoted to action is freed by the non-action of Lord Viṣṇu. In response, Varāha answers her with words joined to righteousness, and begins to describe the procedures for bathing that practitioners should perform. Thus, the sacred process of Vaiṣṇava initiation is revealed, step by step, as taught by Lord Varāha to the devoted Earth.