Hear, then, the teachings as they were spoken, woven together for the guidance of all who seek to walk the path of dharma. It was prescribed that when an infant passes from this world, a period of impurity lasting thirty days is observed. For girls who are given in marriage without the proper ceremony, as well as for children, special rites of purification are enjoined. When the loss concerns teachers, disciples, maternal uncles, learned Brahmins, sons not born of the wife, or wives who have departed elsewhere, purification is attained on the very day of residence or when kingship is assumed. Likewise, for those who meet their end by the decree of kings, by cows, or by Brahmins, and immediately for those who take their own life, the process of purification is swift. For those who are killed by poison or similar causes, O lord of the earth, there is no impurity to be observed. Nor does impurity arise for sacrificers, those who keep vows, celibates, generous donors, or those who possess the knowledge of Brahman. In times of gifts, marriages, sacrifices, battles, or when the land is in turmoil—even in the greatest distress—immediate purification is prescribed. The causes of purification for everyone are many: the passage of time, the purifying power of fire and ritual, the earth itself, the wind, the mind, knowledge, austerity, recitation, repentance, and fasting. Even a gift from one who acts improperly, or the flowing current of a river, brings purification. In times of distress, a twice-born may earn a living by the work of a Kshatriya or Vaishya. Various items—fruits, soma, cloth, vegetables, curd, milk, ghee, water, sesame rice, juice, salt, honey, lac, cooked food, and oblations—along with cloth, stones, wine, flowers, earth, leather sandals, antelope skin, silk, salt, and beans, are all mentioned in the context of purity and trade. A Vaishya is advised not to sell oil-cake, roots, or fragrant substances, and sesame and grains of similar value should only be sold for righteousness or livelihood. Salt and similar items, too, should not be sold. Yet, a twice-born in distress who accepts from those of lower status is not tainted, just as the sun remains untainted by what it shines upon. Agriculture and similar work are permitted, but the sale of horses is forbidden. If a Brahmana, Kshatriya, or Vaishya finds himself destitute and without means, it is the king’s duty to provide him with a righteous livelihood. At this point, Sūta spoke, recalling how Parāśara once instructed Vyāsa about dharma concerning varṇa and āśrama, pondering whether, in each cosmic cycle of destruction and creation, beings diminish or arise anew. The Veda, Smṛti, and good conduct—whatever is established by the Veda—are always to be remembered as dharma for Brahmanas and others, as taught by Manu and the sages. In the Kali age, giving is regarded as dharma, but the doer is often abandoned; sinful acts in this age bear fruit for years as a curse. By proper conduct, one fulfills all six daily duties: twilight worship, bathing, recitation, fire offering, and the worship of gods, guests, and others. A Brahmana who remains steadfast in his vows is rare and praiseworthy, as are ascetics in these times. A Kshatriya, after conquering enemy armies, should rule the earth. A Vaishya is to engage in trade and agriculture, while a Shudra is to serve the twice-born. One falls from grace by eating the forbidden, stealing, or approaching what is forbidden. A twice-born engaged in farming should not overwork a tired ox. For half of each day, he should perform bathing and related duties, and feed Brahmanas. He must carry out the five sacrifices, avoid harsh criticism, and refrain from selling sesame oil. A sacrifice performed in a slaughterhouse is considered sinful. When dividing the fruits of cultivation, one-sixth is given to the king, one-twentieth to the gods, and thirty-three parts to the Brahmanas; in this, the cultivator remains untainted. Yet, if Kshatriya, Brahmana, or Shudra farmers fail to give the proper share, they are deemed thieves. For a Brahmana, impurity from death or birth is removed in three days; for a Kshatriya, in ten days; for a Vaishya, in twelve; and for a Shudra, in a month. Elsewhere, it is said a Brahmana is purified after ten days, a Kshatriya after twelve, a Vaishya after fifteen, and a Shudra in a month. Heirs who live separately, with their own homes and doors, each offer a single ball of rice. At the time of birth or misfortune, impurity arises for four days and ten nights; for a male, six nights, and five on the fifth. On the sixth day, purity returns after four nights; on the seventh, after three days. If a child dies in a distant land, purity is immediate, for the deceased is a child. Children who have not grown teeth, and those born prematurely, require no fire ritual, no offering of rice balls, nor water rites. If a fetus is lost or expelled from a woman, impurity lasts as many days as the months the fetus remained in the womb. From the naming ceremony, purity is immediate; from the first haircut, it lasts a day and night; from the vow, three nights; and thereafter, ten days. From the fourth day, there is discharge; on the fifth and sixth, there is loss. For students and those who maintain the sacred fire, purity is achieved by abstaining from contact. Artisans, craftsmen, physicians, female and male servants, retainers, those possessing fire, those learned in the Vedas, and kings are all declared immediately pure. The mother becomes pure after ten days; the father, by bathing at birth. Impurity arises from contact, but after sprinkling water, the father is pure. If death or impurity occurs during weddings, festivals, or sacrifices, one should avoid anything other than what was already resolved. Impurity is purified by the deceased, and birth is treated like death for the people. For those who die in cattle raids or similar events, impurity lasts only one night. Impurity from carrying the body of an orphan is removed by breath control; from carrying the body of a deceased Shudra, impurity lasts three nights. No ritual is prescribed for those who die by suicide, poison, darkness, or snakebite. After touching a cow killed by a snake or one bitten by worms, purification is achieved only with difficulty. A wife who abandons her husband in youth without fault or disgrace will be born as a woman for seven lifetimes and will experience widowhood again and again. A woman who commits infanticide, approaches forbidden men, or acts improperly is called 'sūkari.' Those who associate with forbidden men, perform vows, or commit grave sins lose the right to water rites. A son born from the womb or the field, and those born from the father, offer rice balls to the father; for adopted sons and daughters, purification is difficult. The giver and the officiant must perform the most severe penance, and also the lunar penance, for those who are hunchbacked, dwarfs, eunuchs, stammerers, or dull-witted. Thus are the laws of purity, duty, and righteous conduct, as spoken by the wise, to be remembered and followed by all who seek the good path.