The wise king, guided by dharma, must never harass those who are innocent, whether out of desire or delusion. When one has completed the prescribed penance, it is proper to arrange a meal for the Brahmins, honoring them as tradition dictates. If, during the course of one’s day, one is touched by worms born from grass, or by the fall of flies and similar creatures, one should not be perturbed but remain steadfast in their rites. Having performed the necessary penance and fed the best among the twice-born, the Brahmins, one should continue to observe purity. If, however, one is touched at night by a Caṇḍāla or an outcaste, then bathing is prescribed to restore purity. Should someone unknowingly spend the night in a place deemed impure, they must purify themselves when the stars rise and the planets become visible in the sky. In the course of life, whether traversing watery paths, passing near ant-hills, or mouse-holes, a Brahmin should diligently perform acts of sacrifice and charity, for these are the pillars of righteousness. The giving of wealth is considered a noble offering, and the construction of a pond is praised as a great charitable act. Reservoirs, wells, ponds, and temples built for the deities are all worthy deeds. When purification is needed, one should bring the urine of a white cow and the dung of a black cow, for these are sanctifying substances. From a tawny cow, ghee should be obtained, as it is said to destroy even the gravest of sins. These items are to be gathered, lifted, and consecrated with the sacred syllable ‘Om’. They are then placed upon the middle leaf of the palāśa tree, in a vessel made of auspicious copper. On occasions when impurity arises, such as at birth or again in a second instance, purification is essential. The one who is born purifies the impurity of birth, and the one who dies purifies the impurity of death. In the case of the discharge of a fetus, three days of impurity are prescribed within the month. When her menses have ceased, the virtuous woman, though previously unclean, is purified by bathing. For women, the ritual offering of rice-balls and water must be performed according to her husband’s lineage. Three rice-balls are to be given for six persons, ensuring that the giver does not become confused in the ritual. The paternal grandmother and great-grandmother are to receive offerings from their own descendants. A śrāddha ceremony may be performed without invoking deities, with a single rice-ball placed as offering. The śrāddha called pārvaṇa is also recognized, and thus the wise know of five kinds of śrāddha rites. A man should offer three rice-balls, but on the day of death, only one. Through the recitation of marriage mantras and the taking of the bride’s hand, a woman is separated from her own lineage. She shares in the same impurity as her husband, and likewise in the offerings of rice-balls and water. She becomes one with her husband in the rice-ball, the lineage, and in matters of ritual impurity. The gathering of bones after death is a solemn duty, to be performed by relatives who possess good judgment. The order of this gathering is prescribed according to the castes. By fulfilling these rites, the departed is released from the world of ancestors and honored in the world of the gods. In the ritual, one prays, “May my ancestors come; may they accept these handfuls of offerings.” Taking water equal in measure to a cow’s horn, it is to be cast into the midst of water, symbolizing the offering to the departed. The abode of the ancestors is said to be in the sky and in the southern direction. Therefore, those who desire the welfare of their ancestors should offer them water, for water is always pure and effective for purification. Whether kept in a vessel or placed upon the earth, water remains pure for the purpose of purification. The wise should offer water on the ground for those who died without receiving proper rites. For both those who received rites and those who did not, offerings should be made during the ritual, as this is the established law. Now, listen with courage, for the fierce hells from which such impurities and consequences arise will be described.