Having gathered the sacred water, cleanse once more the items intended for worship. With a mind unwavering and guided by the meditation imparted by the guru, contemplate Krishna, focusing deeply upon Him. Then, worship Hari in accordance with the prescriptions of the tantra, honoring each limb and the deities associated with every sub-limb. After presenting various gifts and offering praises, recite the protective hymn to sanctify the proceedings. When the worship of the deity has been completed, the wise are to perform the sacrificial rites. Daily, ancestral offerings and acts of charity should be performed, each according to one’s means and wealth. Thus, all has been explained—the supreme thread of practice as declared in the Vedas. At this point, Narada inquires: “For ascetics, Vaishnavas, widows, and those who observe celibacy, what is to be done, what is not to be done, what may be enjoyed, and what must be avoided?” Maheshvara responds: “Some subsist solely on air, while others live on fruits. Some eat at the proper times, and some are householders living with their wives. For Brahmins and their wives, cooked sacrificial food is always commendable. Food, excrement, water, and urine that have not been offered to Vishnu are no better than filth. If a Brahmin eats food out of desire on Hari’s sacred day, it is forbidden—it must not be eaten, it must not be eaten, it must not be eaten, O Narada. Similarly, for householders, devotees of Shiva or Shakti, or Brahmins lacking in knowledge, food that has been eaten by worms or infested with insects remains impure. On the eighth day of the lunar month, on Rama’s birthday, or on Hari’s birth day, if one cannot fast, one may consume fruits, roots, or drink water. If one eats sacrificial food or only offerings made to Vishnu even once, then, on Ekadashi, householders and Brahmins in Bharata must abstain from food. This has been declared, O Narada, regarding householders who are devotees of Shiva or Shakti. He who always partakes of offerings made to Shri Vishnu—he alone is truly a Vaishnava. All holy places and all deities desire his touch. Twice-washed rice, flattened rice, or pure food from a special region are forbidden for ascetics, widows, and those observing celibacy. Betel leaf is also prohibited for widows, ascetics, and celibates. Listen, O Narada, to what is forbidden for all Brahmins: drinking milk from a copper vessel, eating clarified butter from another’s leavings, coconut water in a bronze vessel or kept in a copper vessel is considered light and not nourishing. If a twice-born drinks water with his left hand after rising, it is improper. Food not offered to Hari, or the habit of always eating leftovers, is forbidden. During the month of Kartika, speech, betel nut, fruit, and beef are prohibited. White-colored palm fruit, tala fruit, lentils, and fish are also forbidden. If one eats fish out of desire, one should fast and reside for three days. On the lunar day of Pratipat, pumpkin is unfit to eat, for it brings loss of wealth. Patola gourd is prohibited, as it greatly increases enemies. Eating bilva fruit on the fifth lunar day causes blemish. For men, consuming tala fruit increases disease. Eating coconut fruit on the eighth lunar day destroys intelligence. Thus, these sacred instructions are given, guiding the devotee in purity, conduct, and devotion.