To the noble twice-born, it is taught that when making a gift, a fourth part should be offered if the recipient is pure; but if a sudden need arises, then half should be given to the foremost among the twice-born. All gifts that are improper or difficult to give should be discarded, as if cast into the ocean. One should give gifts when invited, for the sake of one’s own enjoyment and prosperity. Whatever is asked of you should always be given according to your ability. If you do not give what is asked, you become indebted in a future birth. A wise person never praises the faults of others, and especially refrains from speaking of anything seen or heard concerning a Brahmin. The learned should avoid words that stir anger in the hearts of any being, and should perform the fire rituals at the twilights, seeking prosperity thereby. If one is unable to perform the full ritual, or at any time, one should offer to the sun and to fire, as prescribed: rice, grain, clarified butter, fruit, roots, or other suitable oblations. Food should be properly prepared in a pot, according to the rules; or, if offerings are not possible, at least the main homa should be performed as appropriate. This is known as the regular sandhya ritual, which the wise recognize as perpetual. Alternatively, one may perform only recitation or worship of the sun. Thus, those who seek their own benefit or wealth should act as prescribed. Those devoted to the Brahma-yajña and the worship of the gods should always do so. Those who are ever devoted to the worship of fire, to the worship of the teacher, and who satisfy the Brahmins, all become partakers of heaven. At this point, the sages respectfully request, “O Lord, please explain to us, in order, the fire-sacrifice, the sacrifice to the gods, the Brahma-yajña, the worship of the teacher, and the satisfaction of the Brahmins.” The Lord replies: “Whatever substance is offered into the fire is called the fire-sacrifice. For those in the stage of studentship, the offering of fuel sticks is prescribed. The placing of fuel sticks, the initial vows, and other special rites are for those in the first stage of life, up to the aupāsana rite. For forest-dwellers and ascetics, the fire is established within themselves; for them, eating pure and moderate food at the proper time is considered the offering. The maintenance of the aupāsana fire, once begun and protected, whether in a pit or a vessel, is said to be perpetual. The fire may be maintained within oneself or in the forest, depending on royal or divine command; and when there is fear of abandoning the fire, it is said to be established within. The evening offering into the fire is known to bestow prosperity, while the morning offering to the sun is understood to bestow long life. This fire-sacrifice is performed during the day, after the sun has risen. Whoever offers into the fire, addressing all the gods beginning with Indra, is so called. The worship of the gods includes offerings such as cooked rice and other rites, as well as ceremonies like the caula, all to be performed in the domestic fire. A twice-born should perform the Brahma-yajña once, for the satisfaction of the gods; this is called the Brahma-yajña, which consists of the study of the Veda. This is a perpetual monthly rite and is not to be performed without fire. But now, listen with faith and respect to the worship of the gods performed without fire. At the beginning of creation, the all-knowing and compassionate Mahadeva, for the benefit of all worlds, established the days of the week as the Lord. The physician of the world, the remedy for all remedies, first established his own day as the giver of health. He then created a day for the prosperity of his own power, Maya, and as a boon; after that, for birth and overcoming misfortune, he made a day for Kumara. For the removal of laziness and misfortune, he established a day; likewise, for Vishnu, the protector, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds. For nourishment and protection, the Lord established a day; then, to grant long life, he made a day for the giver of life. For the world’s longevity, he established a day for Brahma, the supreme creator of the three worlds. In the beginning, for the growth of the three worlds, when merit and demerit were established, he made a day for their agents—Indra and Yama. A day was also established for enjoyment, for the removal of death, and for the worlds; the forms of the Adityas and others, who indicate happiness and sorrow, were likewise established. Having established the lords of the days, fixed in the wheel of light, worship of each on their own day bestows their respective fruits. Health, prosperity, pacification of diseases, nourishment, longevity, enjoyment, and the removal of death are obtained in due order. The fruits of the days are especially gained by pleasing the gods, and Shiva himself grants the fruits of worship even of other gods. For the satisfaction of the gods, worship is prescribed in five ways: recitation of their respective mantras, oblation, giving, and also austerity. Worship is to be performed on a mound of earth, in an image, in fire, or in the form of a Brahmin, with sixteen kinds of offerings. If one way is not possible, the next should be used, each being superior to the one before, especially for diseases of the eyes, head, and for the pacification of leprosy. After worshipping the sun, one should feed Brahmins—for a day, a month, a year, or even three years. Karma that has begun and is strong, such as disease and the like, is destroyed by recitation and other rites for the chosen deity. The wise know that the results of observances on the days of the week arise thus. Especially for the pacification of sin, one should make offerings on the first day of the week to the Sun, to the gods, and to distinguished Brahmins. On Monday, one should worship Lakshmi and other deities for prosperity, and feed Brahmins with their wives with clarified butter and rice. On Tuesday, one should worship deities such as Kali for the pacification of diseases, and feed Brahmins with dishes of black gram, green gram, and rice. Thus, the ways of righteous giving, ritual, and worship are revealed, bringing prosperity, health, and ultimate benefit to all who follow them with devotion and care.