Listen, O wise one, to the exalted glory of knowledge, for it is the highest of all treasures—a wealth greater than any other, and one that no thief can steal away. Knowledge bestows virtue and draws the affection of people; it is the teacher of all teachers, the remover of the suffering of kin, and the supreme deity itself. Even among kings, knowledge is honored, and without it, a person is no different from a beast. While riches and possessions stored in a house may be seen and taken by others, knowledge remains untouched, safe from theft. Long ago, Lord Vishnu proclaimed everywhere the essence of polity as taught in the Shaunakīya tradition. Shankara listened to these teachings, Vyasa learned them from Shankara, and now we have heard them from Vyasa himself. Brahma then spoke to Vyasa, saying, “I shall declare to you the sacred vows by which Hari, the Lord, becomes the giver of all blessings. When Hari is worshipped with devotion on every month, every star, every lunar day, and every weekday, he grants all prosperity. Through unwavering devotion, fasting at night, and the fruits of such observances, Hari bestows wealth, food, sons, kingdoms, victory, and much more. On the first lunar day, worshipping Vaiśvānara and Kubera brings wealth. After fasting, Brahma is to be worshipped, as well as Shri and the Ashvins. On the second day, Yama and Lakshmi-Narayana grant riches. On the third, the three deities—Gauri, Vighnesha, and Shankara—are to be honored. On the fourth day, the four divine forms are worshipped; on the fifth, Hari himself; on the sixth, Kartikeya and the Sun; and on the seventh, Bhaskara bestows wealth. On the eighth and ninth days dedicated to Durga, the Mothers and the guardians of the directions grant prosperity. On the tenth day, Yama and the Moon are to be worshipped. On the eleventh, honor is given to the sages. On the twelfth, Hari and Kama are worshipped; on the thirteenth, Maheshvara; on the fourteenth and fifteenth, Brahma and the ancestors grant their blessings. On the new moon, the days of the week, starting with the Sun, are to be worshipped, and by honoring the stars and yogas, all desires are fulfilled. Brahma continued, “Now, hear of the sacred monthly observances. In the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, on the thirteenth day sacred to Vyasa and Ananga, Shiva is to be worshipped with jasmine wood for dental cleansing and dhatura flowers. Food known as ‘Anangāya’ is offered, and in the month of Pausha, one tastes honey and worships Yogeshvara with bilva leaves and kadamba flowers, using sandalwood and other fine substances for dental cleansing, and offering rice and similar foods. In Magha, Nateshvara is to be worshipped with jasmine flowers and a pearl garland, cleansing the teeth with plaksha wood, and offering purika cakes. In Phalguna, Vireshvara is worshipped with marubaka flowers, offerings of sugar, greens, and mandā cakes, and mango wood for the teeth. In Chaitra, Surupa is worshipped at night with camphor, ataja wood for the teeth, and shashkuli cakes as offerings. Shiva is to be venerated at his abode with damanaka leaves and ashoka flowers; for his great form, sweetened rice with jaggery and the finest cakes are offered. Tooth-cleaning sticks and nutmeg are to be given. In Jyeshtha, Pradyumna is worshipped with champaka flowers, and Bilvaja with ten kinds of offerings. Cloves, cardamom, and a six-spiced mixture are prescribed for Uma’s beloved. Aguru and apamarga leaves are to be offered, along with tooth-cleaning sticks. In Shravana, oleander is offered to Shiva, the trident-bearer, with ghee and other substances, and oleander flowers for purification. Sadyōjāta is worshipped in Bhadrapada with bakula flowers and cakes; Gandharvasha and Madanaka in Ashvina, along with the lord of gods. In Kartika, Rudra is worshipped with champaka flowers, golden threads, modaka sweets, and khadira sticks for the teeth. With badara tooth-sticks, Madana is honored as the tenth; the giver of milk and greens is worshipped with lotuses at year’s end. Rati, Muktamananga, and the deity established in a golden circle are to receive ten thousand fragrant oblations with sesame and rice. A night vigil of singing and music follows, and after worship, gifts such as a bed, vessel, umbrella, clothing, and sandals are offered to a Brahmin. By feeding a cow and a Brahmin with devotion, one attains accomplishment. This is the full conclusion of the vow, which brings prosperity, sons, health, good fortune, and heaven. Brahma then described the vow called Kaivalya-shamana, the unbroken Dvadashi. In the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, after fasting, one should eat only cow’s products on Dvadashi, worship Vishnu, and offer four months’ worth of food. A vessel with five kinds of rice is to be given to a Brahmin, accompanied by the prayer: “O Vishnu, in seven births, whatever vow I have performed, by your grace may it remain unbroken for me.” And further: “As you, O Supreme Person, are the unbroken whole of all worlds, so may all my vows remain unbroken.” At the beginning of Chaitra, a vessel of saktu is to be given; at the start of Shravana, one with ghee. Completion of this vow grants wife, sons, and the joys of heaven. Next, Brahma explained the Agastya Arghya vow, a path to enjoyment and liberation. Before sunrise, when the maiden is present, and within three days of the proper time, one should offer arghya to Agastya, after worshipping his image with a pot made of kasha flowers, keeping vigil at dusk. The worship is performed with curd, unbroken rice, and similar offerings, having fasted with fruits and flowers. The arghya is adorned with five colors and made of gold and silver. It is offered in a vessel containing seven kinds of grains, smeared with curd and sandalwood, while reciting the mantra that calls Agastya from the earth: “O you who resemble the flower of khāsa grass, born of fire and wind! Son of Mitra and Varuṇa, born from the pot, I bow to you.” A Śūdra woman and others should renounce grain, fruit, and juice in this observance, giving a pot with gold and proper gifts to a Brahmin, and feeding seven Brahmins after performing the rite for a year, offering to all. Finally, Brahma spoke of the third Rambhā festival, which bestows fortune, prosperity, sons, and more. On the third day of the waxing moon in Mārgaśīrṣa, one should fast and worship Gaurī with bilva leaves, water, and kuśa grass. At the beginning of Kadamba month, the daughter of the mountain is worshipped in Pauṣa with marubaka flowers. With camphor, rice gruel, and jasmine wood toothsticks, in Māgha, Subhadrā is worshipped with kalhāra flowers, clarified butter, and maṇḍaka cakes. Thus are the sacred observances and worships described, each one a path to blessings, fulfillment, and the highest good, as declared by Brahma to the sage.