During the sacred months of Magha and Phalguna, it is prescribed that one should always bathe in the morning. If a person, having entered the month of Magha, bathes early and partakes of food offered in sacrifice, even the gravest of sins—whether connected to one’s mother, father, brother, friend, or teacher—can be washed away within a single month. Especially meritorious is the act of bathing on the eleventh day with devotion to Vishnu. Even if one immerses only a twelfth of the body, merit is gained. Vishnu is particularly pleased when amalaki fruits are offered to Him on Ekadashi. Those who bathe regularly with amalaki fruits, seeking prosperity, are freed from suffering, gain lasting fame, and are protected from a short life or loss of wealth. On days sacred to the Sun and other deities, anointing the body during the bath ensures health and the fulfillment of all desires, especially if the devotee, while fasting, has also had his hair trimmed by barbers. The goddess Shri remains ever-pleased and present as long as oil has not touched the body. After bathing in this manner, one should offer oblations to the ancestors, the gods, and fellow humans. Standing in water up to the navel, with a concentrated mind, one should meditate, inviting the ancestors to come and accept the handfuls of water being offered. Three handfuls of water—or three times three—should be offered toward the southern direction or to the sky. After bathing, it is proper to don dry garments and sit upon grass or leaves spread on the ground. Those versed in the rites know never to make these offerings in a vessel, and to avoid using any water that is cruel, of flesh, or impure. Anything restless or unclean should be removed entirely. Taking water with the left hand, one should recite the appropriate mantra, casting the water toward the southwest to ward off evil spirits, thus removing any sin that may have arisen from forbidden foods or wrongful acceptance. Any wrongs committed through speech, thought, or bodily action are to be relinquished by invoking Indra, Varuna, and Brihaspati for purification. One should continue, reciting, “May Savita, Bhaga, and the sages beginning with Sanaka, and the entire world up to the Brahma-stambha, be satisfied.” Three handfuls of water are offered in the concise rite, followed by worship of the gods and Brahma, the compassionate and envy-free. With mantras dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Savitri, Mitra, and Varuna, each deity is to be worshipped and bowed to in their respective forms. Flowers should be reverently placed for each, and then Vishnu—the very essence of all the gods—and the Sun are worshipped. Whoever offers flowers or even water while reciting the Purusha Sukta has, by that act, worshipped the entire universe, both moving and unmoving. Using other Tantric mantras, Janardana should also be worshipped; first, the arghya (water offering) is presented, followed by anointing. Then, a handful of flowers, incense, lamps, and fruits are offered, as well as bathing and purifying the deity, and sipping water for one’s own purification. The water for the sacred place should be consecrated by reciting the Aghamarshana hymn three times daily, making this a regular practice. Such conduct regarding bathing has been prescribed by the great souls. For Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, bathing with the recitation of mantras is approved. For a Shudra, silent bathing with reverence is prescribed. Teaching, the Brahma-yajña, and the ancestral offering are performed by pouring water. The homa is for the gods, the bali for spirits, and the offering to guests is not a yajña. Giving cows in a cowshed yields tenfold merit, and in a fire chamber, a hundred times more. In sacred fields, at holy waters, and in temples, the merit is countless—hundreds of thousands of millions—especially in the presence of Vishnu. Likewise, the fifth part—sharing appropriately—should be done for ancestors and humans, and the merit is said to be in the millions. One who first gives to Brahmins and then eats with friends, offering food as a gift, attains heaven after death. Food should be eaten in a particular order: sweet foods first, then salty and sour in the middle, and finally pungent, bitter, astringent tastes, and milk at the end. Vegetables that grow on the ground should never be eaten at night, nor should one become attached to food of a single taste. For a Brahmin, prescribed food is to be taken; for a Kshatriya, milk is recommended; for a Vaishya, food itself is prescribed; and for a Shudra, blood is said to be their food. On the new moon, one should stay at this sacred place, or for a single year only. Here, Sri and Lakshmi both reside, without doubt. The household fire is in the belly, and the southern fire is on the back. The oblation fire is in the mouth, truth and the sacred festival rest on the head. He who knows these five fires is called a person who has established the sacred fires. The body itself is composed of water, soma, and various foods; the life-breath is fire and the sun, but the true enjoyer of all three is one alone. Food gives strength to me, to earth, water, fire, and wind; may this, when digested, bring me uninterrupted happiness. After wiping the hand, one should chew betel, and then, with attentive mind, listen to sacred history. In the sixth or seventh part of the day, one should study the histories and Puranas, and then, after bathing, perform the evening worship. Thus, O twice-born, the daily observances for the day have been described. Whoever, learned, recites or hears this, attains heaven. Indeed, O twice-born, Kesava is remembered as the originator of conduct and dharma. Then Brahma said: “Now I shall explain the procedure for bathing, since all rites are rooted in bathing. Clay, cow dung, sesame seeds, darbha grass, and fragrant flowers are to be used. At the time of bathing, one should carefully and with purity bring all necessary items—such as fragrant water—and place them in a clean and secluded spot, or on the ground. The wise person should divide the clay and cow dung into three portions, and then wash the feet and hands with water and clay.