In the sacred tradition, it is taught that the sages are always pleased by the morning bath. This practice is held in high esteem, for there is no doubt that it brings purity and delight to the wise. Therefore, before undertaking any act, one should first bathe, for the morning bath washes away sins without question. It is especially important to perform this cleansing before engaging in sacrifice or recitation, as purity of body and mind is essential for such sacred duties. There are several ways to purify oneself, each suited to different circumstances and abilities. Cleansing oneself with a wet garment is known as the Kāpilika purification. The wise declare that one should perform the Brāhma and other types of bathing according to one’s capacity. Similarly, the Vāruṇa and Yogic baths are described as sixfold forms of bathing. The Āgneya bath involves cleansing the body from feet to head with ashes. Bathing by exposure to sunlight and rain is called the divine bath. The Yogic bath is said to be the meditation upon Viṣṇu. Above all, one should always perform that bath which purifies the mind, for true purity is both physical and mental. After properly eating, it is prescribed to wash the tooth-stick. The stick should be as thick as the middle finger and twelve finger-breadths long. Among the recommended woods are apāmārga, bilva, and especially karavīra. Having chosen and discarded the stick for the day, the knower of rules should chew it, then wash and break it, discarding it in a clean place with concentration. Next, one should always perform ācāmanam, the ritual sipping of water, accompanied by mantras and with control of speech. Water is indeed pure, especially when sanctified with the vyāhṛtis, Sāvitrī, and auspicious Vāruṇa mantras. Having recited these, one should offer water with a focused mind to the Sun. Afterwards, the threefold prāṇāyāma should be performed, and then one should meditate upon the Sandhyā, as the scriptures instruct. The divine power invoked at this time is the supreme energy, arising from the three principles. The brāhmaṇa should always perform Sandhyā worship facing east, for only then is the fruit of the ritual obtained. Whatever else one may do, without proper reverence to Sandhyā, the desired results are not attained. Those who have duly worshipped the twilight, or Sandhyā, in former times, attained the highest state. Abandoning reverence to Sandhyā leads one to a multitude of hells. But by worshipping in this way, the supreme deity of yogic form is attained. A learned one should recite the Sāvitrī hymn facing east, standing with concentration. Using various mantras from the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas relating to the Sun, he should offer obeisance on the ground, touching his head and reciting those very mantras. He offers salutations: “Salutations to you, O radiant one, O Sun, O embodiment of Brahman. As a person of true greatness, I bow to you, O Kapardin. Salutations to Rudra, to the Sun; I have taken refuge in you. Salutations, salutations to Rudra; I have taken refuge in you. Salutations to you, Lord of Ambikā, salutations to the Lord of Umā. Salutations to the red-hued, to Bharga, to the thousand-eyed one. Salutations to you, wielder of the thunderbolt, O Tryambaka; salutations to you.” He acknowledges the golden one, hidden in the house, the self of all embodied beings; the Lord of all, the terrible one, who has the bodies of both man and woman; and to the fierce one, the devotee of all, he always takes refuge. In the morning and at midday, one should bow to the Sun, completing the ritual with reverence and devotion.