Hearing the earnest words of the Earth and the sage, the son of Brahma, a sense of blessedness filled the air. The question posed was indeed fortunate, and the goddess, who knew all aspects of yoga, had spoken with wisdom. As Kumara’s words echoed, the Earth responded thoughtfully, explaining that action, ritual, discipline, and spiritual knowledge are all established within her realm. Then, O Brahman, Vishnu—the maker of illusion—spoke directly to the Earth. “Having performed the sacred vow and remaining devoted to my actions,” he said, “one should offer eight alms, according to rule, with pure devotion to the Bhagavata, within the household. Such a person is freed from sin; thus Janardana has spoken. He quickly worships Vishnu, foremost among the twice-born, without doubt.” Vishnu then replied to Vasundhara, the wide-eyed Earth, who was eager to learn about righteousness. She requested, “Please speak of those dharmas that have issued from your mouth.” Then, the lotus-eyed Lord, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, spoke. In the form of a boar, Janardana, master of the worlds, uttered sweet words that resounded like thunderclouds. “For the happiness of devotees’ actions, endowed with virtue and wealth,” he declared, “those who perform actions for me attain my world. If one desires the highest state, one should worship me according to the prescribed method. Such devotees, free from offenses, do not enter the cycle of rebirth. However, those who worship me on earth with improper flowers—listen, O Vasundhara—I will declare their fall.” He continued, “Foolish devotees who act contrary to my will, because of ignorance, experience suffering. Such a person becomes mute for five years, then an ox for twelve, and for three years, certainly a buffalo. O wide-eyed one, those who offer flowers without proper action, if you are pleased, Lord, with a mind purified within, your devoted followers, intent on action, become purified. Listen truly, O goddess, as you have asked me.” “O greatly fortunate one, I shall tell you the expiation by which humans become purified. One should perform the hero’s posture seven times each. For three days, one should eat only barley food, or subsist on air alone. Freed from all major sins, he attains my world.” Thus concludes the one hundred thirty-fourth chapter, named “Expiation for Offenses in Worship and Related Duties,” in the glorious Varaha Purana. Now begins the expiation for the offense of eating with a net or feet. Vishnu declared, “Whoever approaches me wearing red garments, or during the menstrual flow that occurs in women, must reside in a lower state for ten or five years. I shall declare the expiation for him, the purification of his body. Then, having taken one meal a day for ten or seven days, he is released, O Earth, from what causes me displeasure. Thus this has been told to you, O Earth, adorned with red garments.” “But whoever approaches me in darkness, without a lamp, O beautiful one, I shall declare his fall; listen, O Vasundhara. Such a person becomes blind, O greatly fortunate one, and is born for one life enveloped in darkness. With a mind fixed on nothing else, O Earth, he should atone for this.” Thus, the Lord revealed the ways of purification and the consequences of improper worship, guiding the Earth and her inhabitants towards righteousness and the proper observance of dharma.