At that very moment, for reasons I could not grasp, a surge of anger arose within me. Suddenly, there appeared before me a being radiant like the sun itself, as if her brilliance could withdraw the three worlds into her light. She was a woman of exquisite form and gentle face, enchanting all beings with her presence. Endowed with divine splendor and adorned with celestial garlands, she filled the entire space with her own luminous glow and gracefully seated herself at my side. O Mādhava, it is by her that this vast creation of mine multiplies and flourishes. By my command, after deluding beings, she casts them down into the endless cycle of existence. Yet, I instructed her: "Keep far away from those who are free from anger and devoted to truth. Do not approach the reciters, ascetics, and Brāhmaṇas, nor those Brāhmaṇas who are deeply engaged in great sacrifices. By their self-study and worship, they must be diligently avoided from afar. Likewise, keep your distance from those pure souls who delight in practices such as breath-control, from those who study the Atharvaśiras and know dharma. Never delude those who are devoted to the worship of the Lord and who are engaged in my service." He performed the prescribed rites as instructed, and thus, Lakshmi should be worshipped. Since the consort of the Lord has been worshipped, one must always honor Lakshmi accordingly. Then, by my command, all moving and unmoving beings came into existence once more, just as before. By the power of yoga, he created Daksha, Atri, and Vasishta. Indeed, those like Marichi and others, devoted to Brahman, are the true practitioners of dharma. The Lord then created the Vaishyas from his thighs and the Shudras from his feet, O revered Ancestor. For the protection of all the Vedas, the sacrifice itself arose from them. This eternal and imperishable power is the very natural form of Brahma. In the beginning, she became composed of the Vedas, from whom all activities arise. Yet, the wise do not delight in those who stray from this path; such a one becomes a heretic. Know that this alone is the supreme dharma, not established in other scriptures. All other paths are declared fruitless after death, leading only to darkness and misfortune. Those whose inner faculties are pure, who are always devoted to their own dharma, are blessed. O best of sages, adharma is that which obstructs one's own dharma. The attainments of others were of the nature of rajas alone; from that, other accomplishments arose. Then, the all-pervading Brahma established action and livelihood for all beings. Hearing the dharmas from his mouth, Bhrigu and the others then expounded them further. Teaching, study, and the six duties, O best of the twice-born, were prescribed. For the Kshatriya, punishment and warfare were ordained; for the Vaishya, agriculture was established. Craftsmanship, other livelihoods, and the preparation of sacrificial food were also declared righteous duties. The four stages of life were set forth: the householder, the forest-dweller, the mendicant, and the student of celibacy. In brief, the duty of the householder was explained; proper sharing according to justice was the duty of the forest-dweller. Right knowledge and detachment were the duties of the mendicant, while the performance of twilight rituals and tending the sacred fire was the duty of the student of celibacy. Above all, Brahmacharya—celibacy—was declared by the lotus-born one as a virtue common to all.