By so doing he becomes purged off of all his sins like the Moon freed from Rahu. He should thus bathe for three days successively and then fast for every day.
त्र्यहं स्नातंः स भवति निराहारश्च वर्तते। स्पृशते यो गवां पृष्ठं बालधिं च नमस्यति॥