He who possesses this sacred knowledge becomes a master among all beings; all creatures gather around him as attendants, drawn by his wisdom. As he moves toward the fixed direction, the earth, fire, herbs, trees, forest-trees, and grasses follow in his wake. For each of these—the earth, the fire, the herbs, the trees, the forest-trees, and the grasses—he becomes a beloved abode, cherished and honored by them. Then he turns toward the upward direction, and truth, reality, the sun, the moon, and the stars follow him. For truth and reality, for the sun, moon, and stars, he is a beloved abode, revered by them. When he moves toward the highest direction, the sacred Ṛg verses, Sāma chants, Yajus formulas, and Brahman itself follow him. He becomes their beloved abode, honored by the Ṛg, Sāma, Yajus, and Brahman. This greatness, having become a mighty tree, stretches to the very end of the earth and, at last, transforms into the vast ocean. Around him circle Prajāpati, Parameṣṭhin, the father, the grandfather, the waters, and faith, all having become rain, encircling him in reverence. The waters flow to him, faith comes to him, rain gathers around him—such is the power of one who knows thus. Faith, sacrifice, the world itself, food, and the eater of food, all take form and circle around him, drawn by his knowledge. He rules, and from him the Kshatriya, the royal warrior, is born. He rises above the people, their kin, their food, and all that is to be eaten, transcending worldly ties. Yet he becomes the beloved abode of the people, their kin, their food, and all that is to be eaten—such is the one who knows thus. He moves among the people, and the assembly, the council, the army, and the intoxicating drink follow him. For each—the assembly, the council, the army, and the intoxicating drink—he becomes their beloved abode, honored by them. If a Vrātya, possessing this knowledge, comes as a guest to the house of a king, the king should honor him above himself. By this act, the power of the Kshatriya is not diminished, nor is the kingdom lessened. Thus, Brahman and Kshatra both rose up and wondered, “Who shall enter the people?” They decided, “Let Brahman enter as Bṛhaspati, and Kshatra as Indra.” So it was: Brahman entered as Bṛhaspati, and Kshatra as Indra. Indeed, this earth is Bṛhaspati, and the sky is Indra. This fire is Brahman, and that sun is Kshatra. Brahman comes to him, and he becomes radiant with Brahman. Whoever knows the earth as Bṛhaspati and fire as Brahman, Indra comes to him, and he becomes endowed with power. Whoever knows the sun as Kshatra and the sky as Indra, receives their gifts. If a Vrātya, knowing thus, comes as a guest to the house, the host should approach him personally and say: “Vrātya, where have you come from? Let the Vrātya have water; let the Vrātya be satisfied. Vrātya, as you desire, so let it be; Vrātya, as you wish, so let it be; Vrātya, as you intend, so let it be.” If one asks, “Vrātya, where have you been?” he obstructs the path of the gods for him. If he says, “Vrātya, water!” he obstructs the waters for him. If he says, “Vrātya, let them satisfy you!” he increases his breath. If he says, “Vrātya, as you desire, so may it be!” he grants him what is dear. Thus, he attains what is dear and becomes dear to the dear, who knows thus. If he says, “Vrātya, as you wish, so may it be!” he grants him mastery, and he attains mastery, becoming a master among masters. If he says, “Vrātya, as your desire, so may it be!” he grants him desire, and he attains desire, becoming desired among the desired. Therefore, when the learned one kindles the fires and establishes the Agnihotra, and receives the Vrātya as a guest in his house, he should approach him personally and say, “Vrātya, permit me; I will offer.” If the Vrātya grants permission, he should offer; if not, he should refrain. He who, having been permitted by a learned Vrātya, offers, knows the path of the ancestors and the path of the gods. Among the gods, his offering is never cut off. In this world, a secure foundation remains for him who, having been permitted by a learned Vrātya, offers. Such is the reverent story of the one who knows, who becomes the beloved abode of all, and who is honored by gods and men alike.