Those who faithfully devote themselves to their own prescribed duties, and the four varṇas who uphold their respective dharmas, attain great merit. But those who neglect their own duties, turning away from the path set out for them, surely fall into suffering and hellish states. Especially, Brāhmaṇas who are steadfast in their duties, and those who honor such steadfastness in others, are greatly blessed. O virtuous one, these noble souls dwell in the celestial realms for as long as the reign of fourteen Indras endures—a span of time beyond ordinary reckoning. Yet, those who are motivated by worldly desires may ascend to such worlds, but the desireless Vaiṣṇavas, who are wholly devoted to Viṣṇu, do not seek such rewards. In those heavenly realms, gifts given on earth—such as cows, silver, wives, garments, grain, fruits, and water—become the means for one’s enjoyment, and the giver dwells in those realms for the duration of a manvantara, an age of Manu. Those who give gold, cows, copper, and similar gifts earn a stay in those blessed realms for ten thousand years. If one gives land and abundant grains to Brāhmaṇas, the fruit is even greater—such a person dwells in heaven for as long as the sun and moon endure in the sky. There is further greatness in giving a house to a Brāhmaṇa with devotion. On an auspicious day, if one gives a house in charity, the merit is measured by the countless particles of dust within that house—each year of heavenly enjoyment corresponding to a speck. No matter to which deity or worthy recipient a house is given, the merit is immense. Building a mansion brings four times the reward, and constructing public works—such as roads, rest-houses, or ponds—yields a hundredfold fruit. Whoever, in the sacred land of Bharata, gives a pond for the benefit of all beings, attains a hundredfold reward compared to giving a reservoir. The proper measure for such a charitable pond is said to be four thousand bows in length. Giving a maiden in marriage to a worthy recipient is considered equal in merit to giving ten such reservoirs. The same merit is gained from establishing a pond, and even from the humble act of removing mud from it. Planting and establishing the foundation of a sacred fig tree, or creating a flower garden for the benefit of all beings, brings great merit. Giving a temple to Viṣṇu in the land of Bharata, especially if it is spacious and beautifully adorned, yields four times the reward of other gifts. If, filled with devotion, one gives a swing-temple for Hari, or constructs a royal road lined with mansions, the fruit is equal to giving generously to Brāhmaṇas or to the gods. After enjoying the happiness of heaven and other blessed states, such givers return to the land of Bharata. A virtuous Brāhmaṇa, after experiencing supreme joy in heaven and beyond, is reborn in Bharata. Even Kṣatriyas and Vaiśyas, after a hundred million kalpas, return in this way. However, Brāhmaṇas who abandon their own duty are born into various wombs, losing the fruits of their higher birth. No action, whether experienced or unexperienced, ever perishes—even after hundreds of millions of aeons. Whatever deed is done, whether good or bad, must certainly be experienced in due course. All this has been explained. What more would you wish to know? Hearing this, Sāvitrī spoke: “Please explain to me further about those men who are truly virtuous.” Yama replied: “The measure of food and rain is honored in the world of Indra. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift greater than the gift of food. If one provides a seat to the gods or to Brāhmaṇas, or gives to a Brāhmaṇa a divine cow that yields milk, the merit is multiplied—fourfold if given on an auspicious day, and a hundredfold at a sacred place.