Hear now the profound teachings as they were revealed in the sacred text. It is declared that the great god himself is none other than that supreme knowledge—pure, radiant, and all-encompassing. A Brahmin who is devoted to mighty sacrifices, performing them with true intent, attains that unsurpassed state of realization. Yet, know this: Rudra, the supreme among persons, does not exist apart from embodiment—he is not without form. The wise are instructed never to even entertain in their minds desires or the pursuit of wealth that are not in accord with righteousness. For righteousness itself is the blessed Lord, the divine path for all beings to follow. One must never revile the Vedas or the gods, nor should one associate with those who do so. Rather, those who teach or enable others to hear these sacred truths are honored in the world of Brahma. One should refrain from speaking words that are harmful or unpleasant, and must never engage in theft. Whoever takes what belongs to another will surely attain hell. Even if one is unable, the wise should not avoid censured acts simply because of another’s influence. Beware: a beggar with evil intent, by taking from another, seizes that person’s very life-breath. It is especially forbidden to take the property of Brahmins, even in times of great distress. With steadfast effort, one must also avoid taking what belongs to the gods. Manu, the lord of creatures, has clearly declared that to take what is not given is theft. It is not permitted to take from even a single person without proper authorization. O Brahmins, only for the sake of righteousness may such an act be considered; otherwise, one surely falls from grace. This is the rule for Brahmins who know dharma: when afflicted by hunger, they may act thus, but not otherwise. If one conceals sin under the guise of a vow, one deceives women and Shudras. Any vow performed with deceit goes not to the gods, but to the demons. He who steals from ascetics is reborn in the animal realm, and those who commit such acts immediately fall into sinful states—such is the fruit of their actions. Furthermore, one must not worship the Pañcarātra or Pāśupata doctrines, not even with words. Nor should one harbor thoughts about those who delight in reviling the twice-born. Whoever acts in such ways falls, and must be avoided with utmost effort. Denial of knowledge, or atheism, is a sin a million times greater than any other. Families lose their nobility when they neglect righteousness or transgress against Brahmins. A family is quickly destroyed by the practice of non-scriptural dharma, or by failing to observe proper conduct. One should not dwell in a land ruled by a Śūdra, nor in a place filled with heretics. Except for the region between the two oceans, a twice-born should not reside elsewhere. There, in the land of renowned holy rivers, a twice-born may live with dignity. It is not proper to live elsewhere, even in a sacred place, nor near a village of outcastes. One should avoid the company of the ignorant, the arrogant, outcastes, or those who live among outcastes. Certain acts—officiating at sacrifices, teaching, sexual union, and eating together—are among the eleven faults known as the mixing of castes. Therefore, one should avoid such mixing by every possible effort. Where a boundary is marked with ashes, there is no mixing among the castes. A row is divided in six ways: by a door, by a pillar, or by a pathway. One should not converse during times of impurity, nor touch anyone at a vital spot. Thus, these are the sacred instructions for the wise to follow, preserving the path of righteousness and the order of the world.