Listen, O sage, to the sacred rules of bodily purification as taught in the scriptures. After relieving oneself, one must first cleanse the body with a lump of earth, then purify with water. For the penis, earth should be applied once; for the left hand, four times. After urination, twice as much earth is used, especially following intercourse. The penis is cleansed three times; for the anus, ten times upon the left hand. This is the prescribed method for Brahmins and householders. For ascetics, Vaishnavas, Brahmarshis, and celibates, as well as those not yet initiated among the twice-born, Shudras, and women, the same rules apply. Kshatriyas and Vaishyas follow the same practice as householders among the twice-born. Purity is achieved by neither excess nor deficiency in cleansing—balance is essential. Hear carefully the rules for selecting earth for purification. Earth taken from an anthill or a rat’s hole, or from within water, is suitable. Earth from inside dwellings, from leaves fallen by living beings, and especially earth tilled by a plough, is also acceptable. However, earth from the root of the aśvattha tree, or earth upon which one has lain or risen, should be avoided. Likewise, earth from threshing floors, fields, and gardens is not to be used. One who neglects purity remains impure and is unfit for all actions. To purify the mouth, one must rinse with sixteen mouthfuls of water, repeating this process for complete purification. This practice is prescribed in the Sāmaveda by Hari for the daily duties. For cleansing, twigs from khadira, śirīṣa, jāti, punnāga, and śālaka trees are recommended. Jambū, bakula, tokma, and palāśa are also praised. Avoid trees with thorns, creepers, and similar plants, as well as kharjūra, coconut, and tāla trees. Again, one who neglects purity remains impure and unfit for all actions. After washing the feet and rinsing the mouth, one should perform the morning sandhyā. Even if one bathes in all holy waters and performs the three sandhyās, if purity is neglected, the fruits of daily actions are not obtained. Such a person should be expelled from the duties of the twice-born, as a Śūdra. The twice-born who neglects purity incurs the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa and self-slaughter each day, and is condemned to the Kālasūtra hell for an age, like the husband of a low-caste woman. Brahmā, Īśa, Viṣṇu, Māyā, Padmā, and Sarasvatī are invoked in these rites. Having touched water at the proper time, the excellent practitioner should perform bathing and related rituals. At the beginning, one should take up the five balls of food, proceeding wisely and righteously. After bathing, one must make a resolve, and then bathe again. For householders, this resolve destroys sins that have been committed. With a Vedic mantra, the body is purified: "O earth, take away my sin, whatever wrong I have done. Having come upon my limbs, remove all my sins." Standing in water up to the navel, reciting the mantra as prescribed, one should invoke the sacred waters, placing the hand reverently. Then, O ascetic, call upon the holy rivers: "O Gaṅgā, O Yamunā, O Godāvarī, O Sarasvatī," thus completing the sacred process of purification.