At the proper time, the devoted practitioner begins by touching water, preparing himself for the sacred acts of bathing and its associated rites. With a pure heart, he gathers the five traditional balls of food and, full of wisdom and righteousness, proceeds with the ritual. After the initial bathing, he makes a firm resolve, and then, O sage, bathes once more, for this resolve, especially for householders, is said to destroy sins that have been committed. With a Vedic mantra, he purifies his body, praying, “O Earth, take away my sin, whatever wrong I have done. Having come upon my limbs, remove all my sins.” Thus invoking purification, he stands in water up to his navel and recites the prescribed mantra. With reverence, he invokes the sacred rivers, placing his hand upon the water, and calls out: “O Gaṅgā, O Yamunā, O Godāvarī, O Sarasvatī, O Nalinī, O Nandinī, O Sītā, O Mālinī, O great river, O Padmāvatī, O Bhogavatī, O Svarṇarekhā, O Kauśikī, O Vidyādharī, O Suprasannā, O Lokaprasādhinī, O Sāvitrī, O Tulasī, O Durgā, O Mahālakṣmī, O Sarasvatī, O Ahalyā, O Aditi, O Saṃjñā, O Svadhā, O Svāhā, and O Arundhatī.” Having bathed repeatedly and become greatly purified, the wise practitioner marks his forehead with the sacred tilaka. Bathing, giving, austerity, oblation, and all rites for the gods and ancestors are to be performed after applying the tilaka. A brāhmaṇa, thus adorned, should carry out the twilight worship and offer water with devotion. Carefully, he washes his feet and dons clean garments, for it is improper to enter the temple after bathing without washing the feet. Once clothed in smooth attire, the householder may enter his home. However, if a brāhmaṇa washes his feet only above the shins, he must be mindful of proper practice. Seated with composure, the pure practitioner sips water for internal purification. Worship may be performed at the Śālagrāma stone, before a gem, with a mantra, before an image, in water, or on land—but worship at the Śālagrāma stone is especially praiseworthy, O Nārada. One who worships thus is as if bathed in all sacred waters and initiated in all sacrifices. Whoever daily drinks water sanctified by the Śālagrāma stone, with devotion, is blessed. Wherever the Śālagrāma stone and its disc are present, O Nārada, whoever dies there—knowingly or unknowingly—attains the divine. Apart from the Śālagrāma, what virtuous soul would worship Hari elsewhere? Thus, the basis of worship has been described. Now, listen to the order of worship. Some offer sixteen items of service to Hari, some twelve, and some five. The essential offerings are: a seat, a garment, water for washing the feet, arghya (offering water), and water for sipping. Fragrant substances, garlands, and a delightful, distinguished bed are also offered. Except for fragrance, food, bedding, and betel, the other twelve items are always required. The excellent practitioner should offer all these in full, with their roots. First, perform purification of the elements, then regulate the breath. After completing the placement of sacred syllables, designate the vessel for the offering. Fill the conch with water and place it there, O twice-born one, thus preparing for the worship of the Lord.