After the passing of a loved one, tradition guides the bereaved to follow the deceased, then purify themselves through bathing and partaking of ghee. When a teacher or a Vedic scholar dies, a period of three nights is observed for purification. For maternal uncles, brothers, those twice-born, kings and their retinues, and those living outside the territory, purification is immediate. O best of the twice-born, for Kshatriyas, the period of impurity lasts only twelve days; for one not anointed, impurity is observed only in cases of error or during battle. A Vaishya is purified in fifteen days, while a Shudra requires a month. Thus, the supreme purification of substances is briefly stated. Ascetics, however, are untouched by impurity in succession. From the Treta age onward, O twice-born, women experience monthly impurity during menstruation. In the Krita age, people were born and departed together according to their yuga, as did the Kurus with their wives. O virtuous ones, the system of varna and ashrama has existed in Bharata, the southern land, from the Treta age onward, but not in other regions. In Mahavita, Suvita, Jambudvipa, and the eight regions such as Shakadvipa, dharma is declared just as it is in Bharata. In the Krita age, sustenance arose from the very essence. In the Treta, it came from trees grown at home. Yet, due to the fault of unseasonal harvest, and because of passion, hatred, and such among people, this changed. From sexual union out of desire, O Brahmanas, and from harshness and similar acts, barley and other grains—both cultivated and wild, fourteen in number—are produced. Plants too are affected by impurity, and through passion and similar faults in women and men, they are prematurely harvested, destroyed, and then produced again in the same way. Therefore, every effort should be made not to speak to a menstruating woman; on the first day, she is to be avoided just as an outcaste woman is. On the second day, O Brahmanas, she is to be avoided as one who has slain a Brahmana; on the third day, by half as much; and on the fourth day, O virtuous ones, after bathing, she is purified in half a month. Then, purity is attained. From the sixteenth day onward, cleanliness for women is as with urine. If her impurity lasts for five nights, she remains untouchable with that impurity; if it continues beyond twenty days, the impurity remains as before. During menstruation, bathing, cleaning, singing, weeping, laughing, traveling, anointing, gambling, and applying ointments should be avoided. Sleeping during the day, brushing the teeth, sexual union—whether mental or verbal—and worship of deities must also be avoided. She should avoid, with all effort, salutation, and touching or conversing with a menstruating woman should also be avoided. Discarding clothes should be avoided, and after bathing, a menstruating woman should not touch another person. She should look at the sun, then drink water consecrated with Brahma grass, or only five products of the cow, or milk, for self-purification. On the fourth day, a woman should not be approached; if approached, she gives birth to a child who is short-lived, devoid of knowledge, fallen from vows, degraded, or adulterous. She gives birth to a child plunged in the ocean of poverty; only on the fifth day, in accordance with the rules, may one seeking a daughter approach her. If there is excess of blood, a daughter is born; if there is excess of semen, a son is born; if equal, a neuter is born; on the fifth day, a girl is born. On the sixth day, O highly fortunate ones, she may be approached and will become the mother of a noble son; the son born will be illustrious and will manifest sonship. The word 'pum' is said to mean 'hell,' and hell is known as suffering; a son endowed with manliness is thus born. On the seventh day, one seeking a daughter may approach, and she will give birth; on the eighth day, she gives birth to a child endowed with all prosperity. On the ninth day, one who seeks a daughter may approach; on the tenth, he becomes learned; likewise, on the eleventh, he begets a woman as before. On the twelfth, he begets one who knows the essence of dharma, a promoter of Vedic and Smriti rites; on the thirteenth, a dull woman, the cause of all confusion. Therefore, a woman should never be approached on the thirteenth day; but if she is approached on the fourteenth, she becomes the mother of a son. On the fifteenth, a virtuous woman is born; on the sixteenth, one accomplished in knowledge. At the time of intercourse with women, the wind prevails on the left side. If one acts then, a woman is born; if on the right side, a man is obtained. At the time of intercourse with women, when evil influences are absent, at the prescribed time, having become pure, one should approach a pure, smiling woman. Thus, in the compendium of dharma for ascetics, this is stated in connection with intercourse. For all beings, good conduct is declared. Whoever, being pure, recites or hears this good conduct, or instructs Brahmins purified from sin according to proper method, having attained the world of Brahma, rejoices there with Brahma. Now, the expiation for ascetics is declared, as spoken by Shiva, which purifies the sins of ascetics. Sin is to be known as threefold, arising from speech, mind, and body; by which, day and night, this world is constantly enveloped. Even without action, it persists—so declares the supreme scripture. Therefore, one should always preserve life accordingly. Yoga arises in one who is vigilant; for yoga is the highest strength. Indeed, nothing more auspicious than yoga is seen among men. Therefore, the wise endowed with dharma praise yoga, having conquered ignorance by knowledge and attained unsurpassed sovereignty. Seeing both the higher and lower, the steadfast reach that supreme state. The vows of mendicants and their subsidiary vows likewise are to be observed.