Having listened with deep attention to the words of the Earth, the Primal One—Śrī Varāha, who was born from the Unmanifest—spoke to her with compassion and wisdom. He said, “O Earth, by whatever means you contemplate me, remaining devoted to my actions, know that this itself is called the ‘Secret Assembly’ initiation, which arises from the very seed of the sacred rite. “If a pure and properly initiated devotee, steadfast in my service, receives this Secret Assembly initiation, for him there is no other duty to perform; this initiation alone yields the highest fruit. This is known as the Āsurī initiation, by which righteousness is firmly established. Indeed, one who contemplates me in the secret assembly is counted among the wisest of all. “Now, let me explain to you the method by which this initiation is received, as it is given to a worthy disciple. This sacred rite should be undertaken in the auspicious 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 preparation. In my presence, upon the altar, he should kindle the sacred fire. “Then, both the disciple and the guru, having been initiated and purified to the highest degree, should proceed together. The guru should recite the ancient mantra that was upheld by the forefathers, by the god devoted to Brahman, by Bhavodbhava. With this mantra, the guru should lead the disciple into the assembly of attendants, saying, ‘O disciple, with the proper rite, receive the goddess who was born from the southern branch of Nārāyaṇa.’ “The Earth then asked, ‘By which mantra should the procedure for adornment be established? For one devoted to your actions is freed by your non-action.’ Śrī Varāha replied to Vasundharā with words grounded in righteousness: ‘The procedures for bathing that practitioners perform—especially those concerned with water—should be heard from me, O Vasundharā, regarding how they are to be performed with the proper mantra. “He should quickly prepare the collyrium and the comb. Taking the comb in his hands, he should recite this mantra: ‘Having taken this comb placed in the hands, be gracious, O Nārāyaṇa; adorn the head. O great one, O Lord of the universe, with your own eyes you see the three worlds.’ “Then, with this mantra, he should bathe the virtuous deity, saying: ‘O god of gods, this bathing rite prepared by me, accept the golden vessel; be gracious. This handful of water has been arranged by me; bathe, bathe.’ Having uttered ‘Salutations to Nārāyaṇa,’ he should recite this mantra. “One who is initiated into my rite according to this procedure must be worthy; this initiation is not to be given to an unfit disciple, nor to one who is a slanderer or deceitful. And this, O beautiful one, once received, should be kept near the counting beads. “The best counting beads consist of one hundred and eight, the middle kind of fifty-four, and the lowest of thirty-two. The best are made of rudrākṣa beads, the middle of putrajīva seeds. This knowledge is so rare that it is not known even in hundreds of lifetimes. One who is impure should not touch these beads, nor should they be placed in the hands of women. They should not be shown to anyone; rather, after careful reflection, one should worship them. Thus, according to the prescribed rule, the counting beads must be preserved. “Having heard these sacred instructions from Viṣṇu, the Earth—steadfast in her vow—spoke again, asking, ‘How should the mirror be given? Tell me that, O Mādhava.’ Hearing these words of the Earth, Śrī Varāha, ever compassionate, spoke once more to her.