Let us follow the sacred guidance of the scriptures as they unfold the proper conduct and rituals for those who seek purity and merit. It is taught that there is no fault in accepting what is offered without being asked; indeed, the gods regard such offerings as nectar. Therefore, one should not reject them. If a person desires the property of their guru, or honors guests, they may accept gifts from all directions, but should not take pleasure in receiving them for their own benefit. A Brāhmaṇa is advised to accept gifts from the virtuous, and if not from the virtuous, then from those who possess good qualities and few faults, for one bereft of virtue surely sinks. Having maintained oneself through means such as lending at interest, the best of Brāhmaṇas should purify themselves afterwards by expiation. In the fourth part of the day, one should gather clay for bathing; sesame, flowers, darbha grass, and similar items are to be used for bathing in natural water. There are eight types of bathing prescribed: daily, occasional, desire-based rites, cleansing of impurity, washing, sipping, and immersion. Without bathing, a person is not fit for recitation, fire offerings, or similar acts; thus, morning bathing is prescribed as the daily bath for such purposes. After contact with a candala, a corpse, excrement, or a menstruating woman, one must bathe; this is known as an occasional bath. Baths such as the Pushya bath and others, prescribed by astrologers, are desire-based and should only be performed when there is a genuine wish. Whenever one wishes to recite, purify, worship deities, or honor guests, bathing should be performed; this is considered a limb of ritual action. The purpose here is the removal of impurity, and bathing is to be done in lakes, good wells, sacred places, or rivers. Since bathing itself is a ritual, ritual bathing is considered superior. The limbs are purified by water, and one attains the fruit of bathing at a sacred place. Through washing, immersion, and the recitation of mantras, sin is quickly destroyed; daily, occasional, and ritual cleansing are all for the removal of impurity. In the absence of a sacred place, one should use hot water or water from above; water drawn from the earth is meritorious, and water from a spring is even better. Water from a lake is most meritorious and should not be refused; water from a sacred place is highly meritorious, and Ganga water is meritorious everywhere. Ganga water quickly purifies sin, even up to the moment of death, as does water found at Gaya and Kurukshetra. Thus, Ganga water should be known as the highest. Bathing is recommended at the birth of a son, during auspicious conjunctions, and at the crossing of the sun. Bathing is advised at the sight of Rahu, but not at night. The bath at dawn, sunrise, and twilight when the sun rises is especially potent. The result of bathing at these times is equal to the Prajapatya rite, which destroys great sins; the fruit obtained in twelve years by the Prajapatya rite can be gained in a year by bathing in the morning with faith. Whoever desires abundant enjoyments, equal to those of the moon, sun, and planets, should always bathe in the morning during the two months of Magha and Phalguna. Whoever, having reached Magha, bathes in the morning and eats sacrificial food, will find even the most terrible sins removed within a month, whether they concern one’s mother, father, brother, friend, or teacher. Bathing with the intention of honoring Vishnu on the eleventh day (Ekadashi), even by immersing just one-twelfth of the body, brings merit; Vishnu is especially pleased by offerings of amalaki fruits on Ekadashi. One who always bathes with amalaki fruits, desiring prosperity, will be freed from suffering, gain fame, and avoid short life and loss of wealth. By anointing the body during the bath on days sacred to the Sun and other deities, one attains health and fulfillment of all desires, especially when the fasting devotee has had his hair cut by barbers. Goddess Shri remains pleased and present as long as oil has not touched the body. After bathing in this manner, one should offer oblations to ancestors, gods, and humans. Standing in water up to the navel, one should meditate with a focused mind, thinking: “May my ancestors come and accept this handful of water.” Three handfuls of water, or three times three, should be offered into the southern direction or into the sky. After bathing, one should put on dry clothes and sit on grass or leaves placed on the ground. Those who know the proper rites should never perform the offering in a vessel. Whatever is cruel, of flesh, or impure among the waters should not be used. Whatever is restless or impure should be removed entirely. Taking water with the left hand, one should recite the prescribed mantra. One should throw the water toward the southwest direction to ward off evil spirits. Whatever sin has arisen from forbidden food or wrongful acceptance should be removed. Whatever wrong has been done by speech, mind, or bodily actions—may Indra, Varuna, and Brihaspati purify one of that. Reciting: “May Savita, Bhaga, and the sages beginning with Sanaka, and may the entire world up to the Brahma-stambha be satisfied,” one should proceed. Three handfuls of water should be offered, performing the concise offering. One should worship the gods, and Brahma, who is compassionate and free from envy. With mantras of Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Savitri, Mitra, and Varuna, using their respective forms, one should worship and bow to all the gods. With reverence, flowers should be placed separately for each, and then Vishnu, who is the essence of all the gods, and also the Sun, should be worshipped. Whoever offers flowers or even water with the Purusha Sukta has thereby worshipped the entire universe, both moving and unmoving. With other Tantric mantras, Janardana should also be worshipped; first, the arghya should be offered, then the anointing follows. A handful of flowers, incense, lamps, and fruits should be offered. Bathing the deity in water, cleansing, and sipping water for purification are also to be done. The water for the sacred place should be consecrated by reciting the Aghamarshana hymn three times daily, as a regular practice. Thus, following these sacred instructions, one attains purity, merit, and the blessings of the ancestors and gods.