One should always begin the day with that sacred bath which cleanses not only the body, but purifies the mind as well. After partaking of food, attention turns to the simple tooth-stick: it should be washed properly, and tradition prescribes that it be as thick as the middle finger and measure twelve finger-breadths in length. The woods of apāmārga, bilva, and especially karavīra are recommended for this purpose. Having taken up the stick for that day, the knower of the proper rules should chew it, then wash and break it, discarding it in a clean place with focused attention. Thereafter, one should perform ācāmanam—the ritual sipping of water—reciting mantras and maintaining control over speech. Water, sanctified by the sacred vyāhṛtis, the Sāvitrī, and auspicious Vāruṇa mantras, is inherently pure. With a concentrated mind, one should then offer water to the Sun, reciting the appropriate prayers. After this, threefold prāṇāyāma is to be performed, and one should meditate upon the Sandhyā, as prescribed in the scriptures. This Sandhyā, the divine twilight worship, is the supreme energy, arising from the three fundamental principles. A brāhmaṇa should always face east when performing Sandhyā worship. No matter what other actions he undertakes, if he neglects this, their fruits will not be obtained. In ancient times, those who faithfully worshipped the Sandhyā attained the highest state, while those who abandoned reverence to Sandhyā fell into a multitude of hells. By worshipping in this way, one attains the supreme deity of yogic form. A learned person should stand facing east, recite the Sāvitrī hymn with unwavering attention, and use various mantras from the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas that pertain to the Sun. With these very mantras, he should bow to the ground, touching his head in reverence. 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 again and again to Rudra; I have taken refuge in you. Salutations to you, Lord of Ambikā, and to the Lord of Umā. Salutations to the red-hued one, to Bharga, to the thousand-eyed one. Salutations to you, wielder of the thunderbolt, O Tryambaka. Salutations to the golden one, hidden in the house, the self of all embodied beings. Salutations to the Lord of all, the terrible one, who possesses the bodies of both man and woman. To the fierce one, the devotee of all, I always take refuge.” In the morning and at midday, one should bow to the Sun. It is said that the Sūrya-hṛdaya, revealed by Brahmā, should be imparted, for it is highly beneficial and holy for Brāhmaṇas, and is practiced by groups of sages. Next, having kindled the sacred fire according to the proper method, one should offer oblations to Jātavedas. This should be done only after obtaining the necessary permissions and following the prescribed procedures. The mind must be undistracted, and the senses restrained; only then should offerings be made into the fire. Otherwise, such acts become fruitless and demonic, yielding no results in this world or the next. One should offer flowers and similar items to the fire, and show respect to the elders present. Then, as a twice-born, one should diligently study the Vedas to the best of his ability, especially the Vedic texts and their auxiliary limbs. Thereafter, the twice-born should accomplish various aims for the sake of his family, thus upholding the sacred traditions.