Siprā and Avantī, famed rivers with their origins in the Pāriyātra mountains, flow forth with purity and grace. Alongside them, the Mandākinī and Daśārṇā rivers course their way, as does the sacred river descending from the slopes of Citrakūṭa. Many other holy streams join these—Pippalaśroṇī, Vipāśā, and Vañjulāvatī—each carrying the blessings of their own birthplaces. There are also rivers that spring from the foot of Ṛkṣa, among them the powerful Balavāhinī. The Veṇa, Vaitaraṇī, Sinīvāhu, and Kumudvatī flow onward, each a source of sanctity. Especially revered are the rivers arising at the foot of the Vindhya mountains—holy, pure, and auspicious in every sense. From the Sahya mountains, the Tuṅgabhadrā, Suprayogā, Vāhyā, and Kāverī emerge, their waters sustaining life and nourishing the land. Alongside these, Sinī and Sudāmā flow, and there are those rivers born from the luminous oyster shell, each with its own sacred story. All these rivers are seen as mothers of the world, revered as the very women of the oceans, nurturing and sustaining all beings. The auspicious regions that arise from the north and the middle of the land drink freely from these rivers, partaking of their blessings as they wish. Within these regions, fishes, kusaṭṭa, kuṇikuṇḍala, and pāñjālaka, together with the women of Kosala, dwell and thrive. The Śaka and Samaśaka peoples, as well as those from the central lands, make their homes here. The Aparānta, the Śūdras, the Pahlavas, and the Kheṭakas are also found in these vast domains. Further, there are the Śātadrava and Lalittha, and those like the Pārāvata and Samūṣaka. The Śratriyas, Prativaiśyas, and the families of Vaiśyas and Śūdras live among them. From distant lands come the Chinese and the Tuṣāra, many outsiders marked by hollow bellies, seeking sustenance and belonging. The Lampaka, Tāvakārāma, Śūlika, and Taṅgaṇa peoples, the Tāmasa, Kramamāsa, Supārśva, and Puṇḍraka, each with their own ways, reside here. So too do the Māṇḍavya, Mālavīya, and those who dwell along the northern path. The Pravaṅga, Vāṅgeya, meat-eaters, and Baladantika are counted among these diverse peoples. From Pragjyotiṣa, Śūdra, Videha, and Tāmraliṭṭa, to Puṇḍra, Kerala, Cauḍa, Kulya, and even the Rākṣasas, all have their place. The Mahārāṣṭra, Māhiṣika, and Kāliṅga peoples, as well as the Valindhya, Vindhyamauleyā, Vaidarbha, and Daṇḍaka, dwell in the southern regions, among them the Śālakaṭaṅkaṭa. The Puliyas, those marked with blue stains, ascetics, and those of tamasic nature, are also found here, along with the Bharakacchas, Samaheyas, and the Sarasvatas. The Uttamarṇas and Daśārṇas, the Bhojas, and the Kiṅkavaras inhabit these lands, as do the Turusas, Tumbaras, Vahanas, and Naiṣadhas, especially at Sukeśa and Vandhyamūla. The Nirāhāras, Haṃsamārgas, Kupathas, Taṅgaṇas, and Khaśas find their abodes here, as do the Trigartas, Kirātas, Tomaras, and those dwelling on Mount Śiśira. Truly, the customs and ways of these many peoples are vast and varied; now, listen as their traditions are recounted faithfully. O night-roamer, hear of the virtues honored among them: non-miserliness, purity, and austerity are highly valued. For a Brāhmaṇa, the observance of the fourfold order of life is prescribed as the proper path. Let this be declared, for simply listening does not bring full satisfaction to the heart. So, listen attentively as the dharma pertaining to the Brāhmaṇa is described. When beginning the sacred study, one must first inform the teacher and always act with his permission. Summoned by the teacher, the student should recite with focused intent, setting his mind on nothing else but the sacred words, honoring the path of knowledge and tradition.