Listen, O seeker, to the ancient wisdom regarding the deeds of men and the fate that follows them. The sin of slaughtering a hundred thousand cows is as grave as the act of seizing land—whether the land was given by oneself or by another. Such a person, along with his ancestors, is condemned to become a worm in excrement, suffering together; yet the giver of land is blessed, dwelling in heaven for sixty thousand years. Those who strike or consent to the taking of land are destined for hell for the same duration. Only the giver and the taker of land bear the merit or sin; none else shares in these consequences. They remain exalted or fallen until the dissolution of creation. Gold is the first offspring of Agni, earth is born of Viṣṇu, and cows are the daughters of the Sun. Whoever gives gold, a cow, or land earns endless reward. Both the giver and receiver of land perform virtuous deeds and are destined for heaven. But if land is unjustly taken or carried off, both the taker and those who aid him destroy the seventh generation of their family. One who, blinded by ignorance and shrouded in darkness, seizes and holds land is bound by Varuṇa’s nooses and is reborn among animals. The gifts of such people are scattered, their tears falling; and when a Brāhmaṇa’s field is taken, three generations of the family are destroyed. No amount of wells or ponds, not even a hundred horse sacrifices or the gift of ten million cows, can purify the taker of land. All acts of charity, penance, and study of dharma are nullified by seizing even half a finger’s breadth of boundary. Whoever oppresses a cow’s ford, a village road, a cremation ground, or a village, is condemned to hell until the end of creation. Falsehood, too, carries grave consequences: lying for the sake of five maidens kills ten; for cows, a hundred; for horses, a thousand; and for a man, a thousand. Lying for gold kills both the born and unborn; but lying regarding land destroys all. Therefore, never speak falsehood regarding land. Desiring brahminical wealth, even when one’s life is at stake, is perilous. Things burned by fire or scorched by the sun grow back, and those killed by royal punishment may revive, but what is destroyed by a brahmin’s curse never recovers. The limbs nourished by brahminical wealth decay repeatedly, just as sand is scattered by heat. A man who takes brahminical wealth goes to Raurava, the terrible hell. Poison is called poison, but brahminical wealth is the true poison. Poison kills only one, but brahminical wealth destroys sons and grandsons. One may neutralize iron or stone, but not this poison. Who in the three worlds can neutralize brahminical wealth? The happiness from brahminical wealth, and the pleasure from divine wealth, lead only to the destruction of the family and the ruin of oneself. Brahminical wealth, the killing of a brahmin, and the wealth of the poor are especially ruinous. Gold belonging to a teacher or friend—even if in heaven—causes harm. O Indra, gifts to a learned, noble, or poor person, to one who is content, humble, and possesses his wealth, devoted to Vedic study, austerity, knowledge, and self-control, are imperishable, just as milk, curds, ghee, or honey placed in a clean vessel. If the vessel is weak, it breaks, but the substance remains unharmed. In the same way, land, gold, cloth, food, earth, and sesame, if received by an unlearned person, become ashes like wood. Yet, one who builds a new pond or restores an old one raises his entire lineage and is honored in heaven. Ponds, wells, tanks, and gardens, when restored and maintained, yield pearl-like fruits. O Indra, water available in the hot season brings great merit. Such a person never faces hardship, danger, or difficulty. Even water that remains for a single day on earth saves seven generations of his family and seven others as well. By giving the gift of a lamp, a man becomes radiant. Through giving, one attains memory and intelligence; even if he has committed sin, if he gives with reflection—especially to a brahmin—he is not tainted by sin. But when land, cows, or wealth are seized by force, and one does not report the crime, he is called a slayer of Brahmins, O Indra, especially at the time of marriage, sacrifice, or charity. One who, out of delusion, causes an obstacle is reborn as a worm after death. Wealth increases through charity, and life through protection of living beings. Beauty, prosperity, and health come as the fruit of nonviolence. By eating fruits and roots, worship is achieved; heaven is attained through truth. Through fasting unto death, one enjoys happiness everywhere as a king; one who eats grass attains ease in the vow of Indra. One who bathes three times daily, drinking air, attains the sacrifice; one who bathes always becomes skilled, endowed with Vedic recitation at twilight. The nonviolent attain the realm of Viraj, the imperishable highest heaven; one who enters fire is honored in the world of Brahma. At the cessation of tastes, he obtains cattle and sons; one who fasts dwells long in heaven. He who always lies on the ground attains the desired state; and for one who practices heroic posture, heroic lying, and heroic standing, there is reward. Thus, O seeker, the scriptures reveal the path of merit and sin, the fruits of charity and violence, and the consequences of truth and falsehood. Let your actions be guided by wisdom, compassion, and reverence for the sacred, for in these are found the keys to heaven and the destruction of suffering.