At the time when the number of maternal grandfathers increases—such as when new ancestors are added through births or deaths—three śrāddha rites are prescribed to honor them. The ritual performer, filled with reverence, should face east, wear the sacred thread over his left shoulder, and focus his mind with full concentration as he offers rice-balls in the ritual. These offerings may be made on various altars, upon sacred images, or among the twice-born, according to tradition. After worshipping the group of mothers, the wise should carry out the three śrāddha ceremonies. However, if the performer is gripped by anger during these rites, the mothers become displeased and may even wish him harm, so a calm and respectful demeanor is essential. Turning to the periods of impurity associated with death and birth, it is said: whether among the departed or the newly born, O best of the twice-born, and even among Brāhmaṇas, one should refrain from performing any prescribed ritual acts, and should not even recite the Veda in thought during such times. Instead, the Vaitāna sacrifice may be offered with dry foods or fruits, following the same principles as usual. On the fourth or fifth day after a birth or death, contact with fire is permitted, as declared by the wise. Except for impurity arising from birth and childbirth, all other forms of ritual impurity are set aside for people. After bathing, all may be touched again, except for the mother, who remains impure for ten days. Purification from impurity is attained in one, two, three, or even four days, depending on the circumstances, and sometimes in three or just one day. On the fourth day, Manu, the lord of creatures, has prescribed that contact with those previously impure is allowed. For those who disregard these rules and act as they wish, impurity due to death is said to last until their own end. Before the initiation rites, impurity lasts for three nights, but after initiation, it extends to ten days. For another person—if he is completely without the sacred marks—purity is attained in three nights. If both the deceased and the mourner are without sacred marks, and if the deceased had teeth, impurity lasts for three nights. For those of the same family who have undergone the upanayana (initiation), impurity is declared to last three nights. The impurity of the mother remains as stated, but the father may be touched. After ten days, if a brother is without sacred marks, his impurity lasts for one day. For those without sacred marks, after changing clothes, impurity lasts for three nights. Within the same family, if all are without sacred marks, impurity lasts for one night. For all those with sacred marks, the period after impurity is irregular. For women, impurity is counted in days equal to the number of months of pregnancy. Immediate purification is prescribed for relatives who share the same oblations, and also in the case of miscarriage. For a kinsman who acts as he wishes, the period of impurity is three nights. For others, purification is achieved in a single day, and for the rest, it is three nights. If the impurity is due to the death of one who had accumulated sin, it is removed by performing the subsequent rite; likewise, such impurity can also be purified by the prior rite. A person remains impure until the final rites for the deceased are completed. After a death, bathing is prescribed after a year, if one so desires, though immediate purification may also be applied at all times and in all circumstances. For relatives who share the same oblations, impurity lasts for three nights, but this applies only for the husband’s rites. In the case of the death of a child before the age of two, immediate purification is declared. From the time of making a ritual gift, the period of impurity is three nights; beyond that, it becomes ten nights. The same rule applies for impurity due to death or birth among those who share the same water. For a teacher and a fellow student, impurity lasts for one night. When a daughter is given in marriage or dies in the house, the father’s impurity lasts for three nights. For a teacher, for one’s own wives, and for other women, the period is three nights. For a sub-teacher and for a learned Brahmin in one’s own village, the period of impurity is one day. Thus, with care and observance of these sacred guidelines, the wise maintain purity and fulfill their duties to ancestors, kin, and the community.