There is a path, subtle and exalted, meant for those who seek liberation from the endless cycles of birth, old age, death, and the torments of lower realms. Among all ascetics, the one who, month after month, subsists solely on a single drop of water taken with the tip of a blade of grass and who gathers alms as prescribed, surpasses all others in merit and discipline. For those who fear the suffering of repeated births and the pains of hell, such a life of alms-gathering is regarded as the very means to freedom. Those who indulge in foods like curds and milk, or in other fare that shortens life, cannot hope to gain even a fraction of the merit earned by one who lives solely on alms. The seeker of the highest state should always sleep upon ashes, practice the discipline of begging, and maintain unwavering self-control, embracing the sacred Pāśupata vow. Of all the disciplines available to yogins, the Cāndrāyaṇa vow shines brightest; one should undertake one, two, three, or even four cycles, according to one’s capacity. The mendicant’s life is founded upon five vows: non-stealing, celibacy, non-greed, renunciation, and above all, nonviolence, which is supreme. Alongside these vows, the aspirant must cultivate absence of anger, service to the teacher, purity, moderation in eating, and constant study—these are the observances to be followed. Just as an elephant’s actions in the forest shape its fate, so too do the actions of beings, shaped by their origins and attachments, determine their path in the world. The gods themselves, through their sacrificial acts, gain no more than what is attained through the knowledge born from sacred recitation. From recitation arises knowledge, and from knowledge comes a meditation that is free from attachment and aversion. When this is attained, one realizes the eternal. Auspicious indeed are the qualities praised by the wise: self-control, tranquility, truthfulness, freedom from impurity, silence, straightforwardness towards all beings, and knowledge that transcends the senses. It is through these virtues that great souls and blameless sages achieve union with the divine. Those who are restrained, whose inner seeds of passion are burned away and whose hearts are pure, journey along this sacred path and reach the realms their hearts desire. Those who delight in righteous conduct, remain peaceful, and uphold their own duties, having conquered all worlds, ascend to the world of Brahma. Now, listen to the eternal dharma, taught directly by the Grandfather for the welfare of all worlds. One should always rise and offer salutations to elders who follow the proper order and are endowed with the teacher’s instruction. The teacher of Brahman should be worshipped by the virtuous with eightfold prostration, with the body placed in three ways, and by circumambulating three times. All elders are to be saluted by the wise, and one should never disregard their commands if one desires the highest attainment. One must carefully avoid using mantras in places devoid of the five elements, in empty hollows, in small fields, or in association with poison, spirits, or deceit. Deceit, fraud for wealth, slander, excessive laughter, arrogance, and acting on one’s own whims for amusement must all be shunned. In the presence of teachers, one must avoid, with all effort, any words or actions contrary to their instructions or anything improper regarding the teacher’s words. Never should one speak or even think anything inauspicious, especially regarding the seat, garment, staff, and sandals of ascetics. One must also avoid, with great care, touching with the foot garlands, sleeping places, vessels, shade, and sacrificial implements. Offenses against the gods or the teacher must never be committed; if done by mistake, one should recite the sacred syllable ten thousand times for purification. Such recitation purifies one a crore times over, and so too does it purify from the gravest sins, if performed according to the proper rule. A sinner of good conduct is purified by performing half that number of recitations, and minor offenders who are observant are purified by half as much again. If a Brahmin neglects the twilight worship, three recitations suffice for purification; if he omits the daily rites, a hundred recitations are prescribed. For breaking vows, eating forbidden food, or speaking what should not be spoken, a thousand recitations are required. For killing birds such as crows, owls, or pigeons, reciting one hundred and eight times brings release—there is no doubt about this. But for one who truly knows the Self, a knower of Brahman, purity is attained by remembrance alone; there is no need for elaborate expiations. For such knowers, there are no injunctions for atonement—they are ever pure. Those devoted solely to yoga and meditation remain untouched by impurity, like gold; for them, knowledge of Brahman itself is purification. All acts should be performed with water that is drawn, not hot, foaming, or impure, and always with clean cloth and clear sight, avoiding polluted water. Water that is spoiled by smell, color, or taste, that stands in unclean places, is muddied by clay or stones, or comes from the sea or stagnant pools, or is tainted with moss or other impurities, should be avoided. Every act should be done with clean cloth. Salutations and service to the teacher, if performed without clean cloth, render one impure—there is no doubt. For garments used in divine service, daily purification is prescribed; for other clothes, purification is needed whenever they become soiled. One should never wear garments previously worn by others, and silk or woolen clothes should be cleaned with rough kusa grass or mustard. The same rule of cleanliness applies to garments made from coconut, sun-fiber, kutapa, arishtaka, leather, bark, or cane. For all bark garments, as well as umbrellas and fly-whisks, the sages declare the same standard of cleanliness as for cloth. For vessels, bronze is purified with ash, iron with alkali, copper with acid, and so too tin and lead. Thus, by following these disciplines with devotion and care, the seeker walks the sacred path, drawing ever closer to the highest realization.