A person should be devoted in service to Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, always seeking the welfare and auspiciousness of all, and speaking kindly to others. The sages declare that such virtues—kindness, goodwill, and gentle speech—are to be followed by people of every caste. In times of distress, a Brāhmaṇa may adopt the conduct of a Kṣatriya, but even in the greatest hardship, a twice-born should never take up the occupation of a Śūdra. Among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, there are four stages of life: student, householder, forest-dweller, and mendicant. Viṣṇu is most pleased with those who delight in the path of action, and such a person attains the supreme state from which there is no return. Now, listen with an attentive mind. One who abandons the prescribed duties is to be known as a heretic, excluded from all religious rites. For women, rituals should be performed without mantras, but always at the proper time and according to the prescribed rules. These rites are to be performed in the sixth, seventh, or even the eighth year. The Nandi Shraddha should also be performed, beginning with auspicious words. However, if this rite is done with food alone and without proper procedure, the performer becomes equal to a Chandala, an outcaste. The naming ceremony for a child should be performed at the end of the period of impurity, following the proper rules. One should never give a name that is harsh or inauspicious. The naming should be done in the seventh or eighth month, as prescribed in the Gṛhya texts. The rite of shaving the feet must be performed, and for the tonsure, it is proper to arrange for half the head to be shaved. Regarding the period of studenthood, up to sixteen years is permitted as a secondary period, though the wise allow up to twenty-two years, and the learned extend it even to twenty-four years. If the Savitri (Gayatri) mantra is lost during this time, it should never be recited until the proper penances, the two Santapana, have been performed, after which the rite may be completed. For a Brāhmaṇa, the sacred grass girdle is prescribed; for a Kṣatriya, a bowstring. The Brāhmaṇa should wear the skin of a black antelope, while the Kṣatriya wears the skin of the Ruru deer. Likewise, palāśa wood is prescribed for a Brāhmaṇa, and udumbara wood for a king. The Brāhmaṇa keeps his hair, while the king marks his forehead. Garments are to be worn across the chest by Brāhmaṇas and others, each according to their order. Once initiated, a twice-born should devote himself to serving his teacher. He should bathe in the morning, gather sacred sticks, kuśa grass, fruits, and similar items. He must possess the sacred thread, a deerskin, and a staff. The prescribed livelihood for those of the varṇas is to subsist on food obtained through alms. In the presence of a Brāhmaṇa, or before a king, these duties are to be observed. He should perform the morning and evening rituals with self-control, always maintaining proper conduct. The wise declare that one who abandons the fire rituals is fallen. He must worship the deities and serve his teacher continuously. With self-restraint, he should collect alms from the houses of blameless Brāhmaṇas. There are certain items a student must avoid: honey, wine, meat, salt, betel, and tooth-cleaning sticks, as well as umbrella, water pot, sandals, perfumes, garlands, and unguents. Thus, the path of the twice-born student is marked by discipline, service, and devotion, in accordance with the sacred tradition.