In times of both peace and hardship, there are those among people who are held in special regard: the generous donors, those who faithfully observe discipline, the knowers of Brahman, and the celibates. Alongside them stand the king, the consecrated one, and the performer of the prāṇasattra sacrifice. For such individuals, and also in times of famine or calamity, immediate purity is declared; the usual periods of ritual impurity do not apply. When death occurs due to a snakebite or similar sudden causes, immediate purity is likewise prescribed. Similarly, when someone renounces the world for the sake of a Brahmin, the customary impurity does not attach. The virtuous recognize no impurity when someone has fallen or died in these exceptional circumstances. Nor should the śrāddha or similar rites be performed for one who has died by tears or for a piṇḍa; for such a person, impurity is not prescribed, nor are the usual rites involving fire, water, or other elements required. However, in the case of a woman, impurity rites must still be observed, and the prescribed offerings of water and similar acts should be performed. In these times, certain offerings—such as gold, grain, cows, garments, sesame, cooked rice, jaggery, and clarified butter—are considered appropriate. Dry food may always be taken from the house of those who are in impurity. For those who have not kindled the sacred fire, the household or secular fire may be used, as is the custom for others. When cremation is required, it should be performed by relatives according to proper procedure, with faith as their guide. For ten days, all the relatives should wear moist garments, marking the period of mourning. On the fourth day, at the doorway of the house, Brahmins should be fed in honor of the deceased. First, pure Brahmin couples should be invited and fed with faith. After them, Brahmins who are not couples may be fed; this is known as the 'nine shraddha' rite. The offerings should be made with a single purifying object, one vessel for water, and another for the rice-ball offering. At the completion of one year, the rite of joining the deceased with the ancestors is prescribed once more. For the sake of the departed, offerings should be poured into vessels for the ancestors, and the shraddha for joining with the ancestors should be performed, preceded by offerings to the gods. It is strictly forbidden to offer a separate rice-ball, for one who does so incurs the grave fault of being a slayer of ancestors. Daily, food and a water-pot should be offered according to the rites for the departed, and this eternal rule is to be performed every year. If there is no son to perform these rites, the wife should do so; if there is no wife, then the responsibility falls to the brother. All acts of giving and the like should be performed with faith and concentration. For women, service to the husband is the only duty recognized here, and by faithfully performing this, she attains the supreme state spoken of by the teachers of the Veda. At the end of each fortnight, and on the full moon day, as well as at the end of the year with the offering of a beast, and at the end of each season with gentle sacrifices, these rites should be observed. One who desires long life should not eat new grain, wine, or meat, for those who greedily seek these things wish only to sustain their own lives, neglecting the higher duties. The ancestors should always be honored at the Aṣṭakā rites and at the recurring Anvaṣṭakā rites. Among the three classes of society, those who dwell in the householder stage must perform sacrifice; if they neglect this duty, they are said to fall into many hells—Kumbhīpāka, Vaitaraṇī, and the forest of sword-leaves. Such a person may be reborn in the family of outcastes, or in the womb of a Śūdra. Therefore, having established the sacred fire and purified the mind, one should worship the Supreme Lord. One should always worship the eternal with the Agnihotra sacrifice. Those who deny these truths, the atheists, are not to be spoken with, and even fools who disregard these rites should be avoided. Thus, the eternal order is preserved through faith, discipline, and the honoring of both gods and ancestors.