Listen to the sacred account as revealed in the Varāha Purāṇa, a tale of profound observance and the destruction of sin. It is said that when curd mixed with milk is placed in a vessel made of udumbara wood, and when the great Arundhatī, Budha, and all the revered sages are invoked, one who worships with a focused mind and joined palms attains great merit. Serving a twice-born with devotion after satisfying him, or offering pure milk at the turning points of the year—during the solstices and lunar conjunctions—are acts of immense virtue. The rituals are precise: darbha grass should be laid pointing east, and a bull should be set up as part of the rite. With the river flowing eastward on the left, the devotee turns to the right, holding water in the hand with a right-turning conch. At that very moment, the sin incurred at birth is destroyed. After bathing, one should offer seven handfuls of the sacred mixture, combined with black sesame seeds. In doing so, all the sins accumulated throughout life are washed away at once. Bathing thrice in this manner ensures complete freedom from all sins. Particularly auspicious is the eleventh lunar day in the bright fortnight of Kārtika, which is declared to be the supreme, unmanifest, and multiform embodiment of Viṣṇu Himself. Those devoted to Nārāyaṇa, who observe this day according to the rules, receive great blessings. Long ago, Mahādeva was approached for guidance regarding this observance. The Earth herself spoke, asking, “O Lord, what of those who have committed the gravest sins—those who steal Brahman’s wealth, who kill Brāhmaṇas, who betray their teacher or friend, who take the property of others, who are hypocrites, who transgress boundaries, who deny justice, and all those who engage in such sinful acts?” Śrī Varāha, desiring the welfare of all the worlds, revealed a secret: “Those who are burdened with great sins and devoid of merit, listen well—this is the supreme, unmanifest, and multiform power of Viṣṇu. O blessed one, even those who are greatly devoted to sin should observe this vow, for there is truly no other means of redemption besides this. “Both the bright and dark fortnights must be observed with effort, and the Dvādaśī should always be performed with diligence. Whether sin is acquired by mind, speech, or deed, this observance burns away ancient sins again and again in this world. If you wish to reach the supreme abode of Viṣṇu, hear my words with attention. “With arms raised, I declare: Do not drink water with a conch, nor kill fish or boars. He who does so is as sinful as a murderer of a brāhmaṇa, a drinker of liquor, a thief, or one who approaches his teacher’s wife. What sin has not been committed by such a self-destroyer? “If one is unable to observe the bright Ekādaśī, then the vow of Dvādaśī should be performed with a single meal and with charity. To neglect this is to partake of great sins and never attain a good destination anywhere. “That one Dvādaśī, observed as Prabodhinī, is supremely meritorious. He who observes it obtains the fruit of all twelve Dvādaśīs.” Thus, the path of redemption and the destruction of sin is clearly laid out for those who seek refuge in Viṣṇu and follow His sacred observances with faith and devotion.