Throughout his life, a devoted seeker should recite the sacred mantra one thousand and eight times each day, focusing on nothing else. By such unwavering dedication, he attains the highest spiritual state. He should also recite one hundred thousand syllables, quadrupling that amount with heartfelt devotion. If he practices restraint—such as eating only at night—he is recognized as a true performer of the prescribed rite. After completing the necessary preliminary rituals, one who becomes a constant reciter stands unmatched in the world; such a person is accomplished and becomes a bestower of accomplishment to others. The proper practice begins with bathing, choosing a pure place, and calming the mind. The seeker should then contemplate the divine form within his heart, and likewise honor his own teacher. Facing north or east, maintaining silence, and concentrating the mind, he should purify the five elements—using fire, water, and other means. After performing the placement of the mantra and related rites, making the body fruitful, he meditates on the forms of the divine and teacher, restraining the in-breath and out-breath. He recalls the seat of the mantra, its own form, the seer, the meter, the presiding deity, the seed, the power, and the statement, and then recites the five-syllabled mantra. Among the methods of recitation, mental recitation is considered the highest, muttered recitation is intermediate, and spoken recitation is the lowest—so say those skilled in the scriptures. The highest form is dedicated to Rudra, the intermediate to Vishnu, and the lowest to Brahma, each in their order. If the mantra is pronounced aloud, with varying tones and clarity, this is spoken recitation. If it is uttered softly, with only slight movement of the tongue so others barely hear, this is muttered recitation. When the mind alone contemplates the syllables, letter by letter and word by word, reflecting on their meaning, this is mental recitation. Spoken recitation counts as one, muttered recitation as a hundred, mental recitation as a thousand, and recitation with breath retention as a hundred times more. Recitation accompanied by breath control is called ‘with retention’; even without retention at the beginning and end, breath control is praised. By restraining the breath for forty cycles, the seeker should remember the mantra, reciting according to his understanding and ability. Breath control may be performed five, three, or one time, whether with or without retention; among these, retention is praised. Recitation with retention—even if a thousand times—is considered accomplished. Among these five types, one should perform recitation according to one’s capacity. Counting recitations on the fingers is one method; using the lines on the hand multiplies it eightfold; with putrajīva seeds, ten times more. Using conch or gems counts as a hundred, coral as a thousand, crystal as ten thousand, and pearls as a hundred thousand. With lotus seeds, it is a million; with gold, ten million; with knots of kusa grass or rudraksha beads, it becomes countless times more. A rosary of thirty beads grants wealth; one with twenty-seven bestows nourishment. Twenty-five beads grant liberation, and fifteen beads yield the results of magical rites. The thumb confers liberation, the index finger destroys enemies, the middle finger grants wealth, and the ring finger brings peace. A rosary of one hundred and eight beads is considered the highest; one of a hundred beads is excellent, and one of fifty beads is middling. A rosary of fifty-four beads is best for the heart. Thus, recitation should be performed with a rosary, but it should not be shown to anyone. The little finger, called ‘kṣariṇī,’ is auspicious for recitation. The mantra should be recited with the thumb together with the other fingers. Recitation without the thumb is fruitless. At home, recitation is equal, but in a cow-pen, it is a hundred times greater; in a sacred forest or garden, a thousand times greater; on a holy mountain, ten thousand times; at a river, a hundred thousand times. In a temple, recitation is ten million times greater, and in the presence of the Divine, infinite. Likewise, recitation is praised in the presence of the sun, fire, teacher, moon, lamp, and water. It is also praised in the presence of Brahmins and cows. Facing east brings mastery; facing south is for magical rites. Facing west grants wealth; facing north brings peace; and recitation is auspicious in the presence of the sun, fire, Brahmins, deities, and teachers. One should not recite mantras with aversion, in the presence of others, while wearing a turban or upper garment, with bowed head, loose hair, or with the neck covered. Recitation should never be done with impure hands, in an unclean state, or while lamenting; nor during anger, intoxication, sneezing, spitting, or yawning. During recitation, one should avoid seeing dogs and outcastes; if contact occurs, purification should be performed, or one should remember the Divine along with the teacher. One may gaze at lights or practice breath control, whether sitting, lying down, walking, or just risen. Recitation should not be done in a street, impure place, or darkness, nor with feet outstretched or in the posture of a rooster. Whether riding, lying on a bed, or troubled by worry—if able, one should do all this; if unable, one should recite as best as possible. Why speak at length? In brief: one who recites with good conduct, in purity, and with meditation attains auspiciousness. Conduct is the highest dharma; conduct is the supreme wealth; conduct is the greatest knowledge; conduct is the ultimate path. A person lacking proper conduct becomes condemned in the world and finds no happiness in the next. Therefore, one should always be endowed with good conduct.