Having attained the revered role of teaching dharma, the sage reached the highest abode, his life fulfilled through the sacred task entrusted to him. It is said that whoever recites the meditation on Viṣṇu, as taught in the scriptures, also attains the supreme state. Thus concludes the ninety-second chapter, named 'Meditation on Viṣṇu,' in the Ācārakāṇḍa of the first section of the glorious Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa. Thereafter, a question arose: “O Hari, how was the dharma previously taught by Yājñavalkya?” In response, Hari spoke: The sages, eager for knowledge, approached and inquired about all the duties prescribed for the different castes. To this, Yājñavalkya replied that the teachings of dharma are interwoven with the Purāṇas, logic, Mīmāṃsā, and the various limbs of the dharma-śāstras. He explained that the Vedas are the fourteen sources of knowledge and dharma, forming the foundation for righteous conduct. Among the great teachers who have expounded these truths are Vasiṣṭha, Dakṣa, Saṃvarta, Śātātapa, Parāśara, Gautama, Shankhalikhita, Harita, Atri, and Yājñavalkya himself. In the practice of dharma, one must consider the proper place and time, use appropriate means, and act with unwavering faith when making offerings or giving gifts. Yājñavalkya further taught that sacrificial rites, self-control, non-violence, charity, and the practice of self-study are essential. These four—sacrifice, self-control, non-violence, and charity—are recognized as the duties of those learned in Vedic law, known also as the knowledge of Parāśara. He then described the four classes: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra, noting that the first three are considered twice-born. The rite of conception is performed for a man at the time of quickening, even before birth, and on the eleventh day after birth, as well as in the fourth month, the child emerges into the world. Through these sacred rites, the sin arising from the seed and the womb is pacified. Thus ends the ninety-third chapter, entitled 'The Explanation of the Duties of the Castes as Taught by Yājñavalkya,' in the first section called Ācāra-kāṇḍa of the Purva-khaṇḍa of the glorious Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa. Following this, the text describes the sacred initiation, or upanayana, of a Brahmin, which is to be performed in the eighth year from conception or the eighth year from birth. Once the student has been initiated, the teacher should begin his instruction with the great Vyāhṛti mantras. The student, during the day and at the times of twilight, should wear the sacred thread over his left shoulder and face east. After rising and relieving himself, he should cleanse himself with water and earth. Seated with knees together in a clean place, facing east, he should touch the bases and tips of the little finger, ring finger, and thumb of his hand. He sips water three times, wipes his mouth twice, and touches his bodily orifices with water. Then, he touches the heart, throat, palate, and navel in the prescribed order, according to his caste. Bathing and reciting mantras addressed to the deities of water, he purifies himself and controls his breath. He recites the Gāyatrī mantra together with the Vyāhṛtis, bowing his head in reverence. Having restrained his breath and sprinkled himself with water, he recites the three Ṛks addressed to the deity. Thus prepared, he stands for the sandhyā at dawn, before beholding the sun. He then respectfully greets the elders, announcing his name, and when called upon, recites and reports all that is required of him. He is to wear the staff, the deer skin, the sacred thread, and the girdle. Throughout, at the beginning, middle, and end, there should be observance of the correct meter in recitation. Having performed the fire ritual, he eats, remaining humble and only with the teacher’s permission. While observing celibacy, he should not eat more than a single meal a day, except in times of distress. He must avoid honey, meat, and also cooked food and other prohibited items. After the initiation, the teacher gives him the sacred thread, and from that moment, he is thus designated. He is to honor his elders as before, and among them, the mother is the most venerable. Some authorities say the time of designation is at the taking of the sacred thread, while others mark it at the cutting of the hair in the sixteenth year. The prescribed time for the initiation varies for Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, according to their tradition. In this way, the sacred duties and stages of life are taught, guiding the twice-born on the path of righteousness, as set forth in the glorious Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa.