Listen now to this sacred account, O gentle one. When a person consumes the flesh of a boar, he undergoes a series of difficult births as a result of that act. First, he takes birth as a boar himself, wandering in the forests for ten long years. After this, he is reborn as a mouse, living for fourteen years in that humble form. His journey does not end there; he is next born as a lizard, dwelling in many houses over a span of eight years, his soul passing from place to place. Thus, the eater of boar’s flesh is subject to these wandering transmigrations. Yet, when one hears the words of Hṛṣīkeśa—He who is complete in every auspicious mark—a supreme secret is revealed. This secret, cherished by devotees and bringing them happiness, has now been declared. By following it, humans may cross the vast ocean of transmigration among animals. What is this practice? After eating, one should live only on water for seven days. Or, one may subsist on sesame seeds for seven days, or even on stones, undertaking these difficult acts with patience, self-control, and freedom from pride. In this way, a person becomes released from all sins, attains clarity of consciousness, and is freed from feverish suffering. If one approaches me after eating jālapāda, he must endure more: he becomes a crocodile for ten years, and then a boar for five more years. However, by performing these difficult acts of penance, one is eventually born in a noble family. Transcending all actions, such a soul reaches my world, the supreme abode, and crosses the dreadful ocean of repeated births. Other forms of atonement are also spoken: eating only fruit for three days, or sesame for three days. For fifteen days, with a disciplined and purified mind, one should perform these acts of penance—whoever desires an auspicious path for themselves. Thus concludes the one hundred thirty-fifth chapter of the glorious Varaha Purana, which teaches atonement for the offense of eating jālapāda. Now, O Devi, hear of the sutra of atonement actions. Whoever, after touching a lamp, performs my rites—listen as I explain this to you, O sinless and fortunate one. In the house of a cāṇḍāla, this is so; there is no doubt. Yet, my devotee is born in a pure, bhāgavata household. By these practices, humans cross the hardship of being born in the wombs of cāṇḍālas. For such atonement, one should eat only once every four days, and sleep on a bed beneath the open sky. Remaining pure, acting according to the proper rule, and following the path of my prescribed actions, one attains auspiciousness by whatever purifies worldly existence. Now, hear truly the result of my fault and offense. One who transgresses in this way becomes a vulture, lord among the sky-dwellers, for seven years. Thereafter, he is born as a piśāca, a flesh-eating spirit, for fifteen years. At this point, having heard these teachings from Nārāyaṇa, the Earth herself spoke: “O God, I am full of curiosity—please tell me everything. What is the threefold nature here, O Lord, in your pure and auspicious speech?” The God then took up a radiant skull, glowing with great energy. “O lotus-eyed one,” he said, “listen truly, O goddess, to this excellent account of mine, which I shall relate to you. Even today, those of firm vows do not know this.” He continued: “Once, having slain children, elders, and women in the form of the triple city, the yogin lost the sovereignty of his mind and his magical powers were destroyed. There, on that very spot, Shiva himself stood, surrounded by all the hosts. Then, meditated upon by me, O goddess, Shankara will return again.” Thus is the sacred story, a guide for those who seek to purify themselves and cross beyond the bonds of sin and suffering, as told in the Varaha Purana.