The compassionate Earth, ever concerned for the purity of her children, approached Hrishikesha, the all-knowing Lord, with a pressing question: “By what action are those who commit offenses purified?” Hearing her sincere inquiry, Hrishikesha, the great-minded, listened attentively. Then, assuming the form of Sri Varaha, he replied, “Those who partake of the king’s food—whether out of greed, fear, or distress—O Vasundhara, must be considered.” As Sri Varaha spoke thus, the Earth trembled, shaken by the gravity of his words. Her mind grew dejected, yet she remained steadfast in her vow. With humility, she asked again, “What, then, is the fault of kings? Please reveal this to me.” Hrishikesha, the knower of all dharma, responded: “O Earth, the pious Bhārgavas must never consume food belonging to the king. Even if the king acts with impartiality in the world, food from him is still regarded as blameworthy for such ones. Therefore, listen carefully to what I declare. If the devoted Bhāgavatas, having established me through the prescribed rite, offer food to me, the remnants of that offering are pure.” Hearing these words of Lord Vishnu, the Earth, resolute in her devotion, asked once more, “By what act is such food purified, O Janārdana? Please tell me.” Sri Varaha answered, “If one has partaken of the king’s food, purification is attained by performing a Cāndrāyaṇa vow and the thorough Taptakṛcchra penance. Then, O Earth, there is no fault; this is my word. If one desires supreme attainment through my worship, let this be the way.” Thus concluded the chapter on expiation for eating the king’s food in the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa. The narrative then turned to another concern: the expiation for neglecting to chew a tooth-stick before eating. Sri Varaha declared, “Whoever approaches me without first chewing a tooth-stick—” At these words, the Earth, ever devoted to righteousness, asked, “How can a single transgression cause all merit to perish?” Sri Varaha explained, “A single act can indeed destroy the merit of previous good deeds. If a person, afflicted by sin and bodily imbalance, eats without chewing a tooth-stick, the seed of righteousness is destroyed.” The Earth, anxious for the preservation of dharma, pleaded, “Tell me the expiation so that my righteousness may remain intact.” Sri Varaha replied, “I shall tell you how humans become purified: by lying on the ground for two and then five days. Thus, O gentle one, I have explained the matter of eating and tooth-sticks. There is no fault remaining in this; indeed, there is no doubt.” So ended the chapter on expiation for chewing tooth-sticks. The discourse continued to the expiation for touching the dead. Sri Varaha proclaimed, “If, after sexual union, one touches a corpse without first bathing, O gentle one—” Upon hearing this from Nārāyaṇa, the Earth, for a whole year, observed strict vows, seeking clarity. She asked, “How does a man become intent upon such unclean acts? This is my greatest sorrow; please explain it to me.” Sri Varaha responded, “Listen, O goddess, to this supreme and secret teaching. This is the sign and determination of a supernatural offense. Upon witnessing such an act, a man incurs the result of that offense. Due to the fault of the offense, purification does not occur. O gentle one, householders devoted to my actions—” Thus, the Lord patiently answered the Earth’s earnest questions, revealing the ways of expiation and purification, so that dharma might be preserved upon her sacred form.