Hear now, O Sukeśin, the wisdom of good conduct and its fruits. Earnest effort should be made to cultivate noble behavior, for it is good conduct that dispels all that is inauspicious. If you truly seek what is best, listen with close attention. Just as a tree of virtue flourishes when tended, so too does good conduct reward those who serve it, granting them the enjoyment of merit. In the early hours of the day, one should speak only words that are auspicious, as declared by the three-eyed Lord of the gods. By reciting sacred words in the morning, a mortal becomes freed from the bonds of sin. Through hearing, remembering, and reciting these teachings, all sins are washed away. Invoke blessings at dawn: let the teacher Śukra and the radiant son of the sun make your morning auspicious; let Raibhya, Marīci, Cyavana, and Ṛbhu also bring goodness to your day. May the seven musical notes and the seven nether worlds, the sky with all its sounds and greatness, and the earth with her seven realms—all grant you an auspicious beginning. Let the destruction of evil dreams come to pass, O sinless one, and may your morning be truly blessed by the grace of the Blessed Lord. Upon rising, utter the name 'Hari' and proceed to perform the necessary acts of cleansing. It is proper to seek the shelter of a cow and use the cowshed for evacuation, both before and after. For both acts, one should take five, four, and one portions, and for cleansing the organ and for clay, one portion each. For purity, use earth from an ant-hill and clean clay, as taught by those of noble conduct. Begin by rinsing the mouth twice with pure, foamless water, cleansing it thoroughly. After tidying the hair and brushing the teeth, gaze into a mirror. Once the homa is performed and one is adorned with auspicious items, it is praiseworthy to step outside. Use clay, cow dung, the swastika, whole grains, roasted rice, honey, and even the blessings of a Brahmin maiden. Offer worship to the sacred Ashvattha tree, and then turn to your duties according to your caste. By following this path, one attains the desired fruits. Avoid falsehood and all that is untrue; do not become blameworthy, nor abandon dharma. Shun the company of the unrighteous. A householder should not engage in sexual union on empty ground, in deserted houses, with menstruating women, or in water. One who kills animals without just cause accrues sin and falls into hell. Likewise, fear the consequences of taking another’s wife; such acts lead to ruin and death, and another’s property brings only suffering. One should not even see, touch, or converse with another’s wife, and the same restraint applies with one’s mother and daughter. Broken seats, vessels, and similar items should be avoided from afar. When women are present in full number, maintain a respectful distance; yet in auspicious gatherings, it is proper to participate in all activities. With wise women, do not engage in inappropriate acts; with others, conduct yourself according to propriety. At the root of a tree, in the forest, or on the Bhāgra path, abstain from meat; likewise, avoid union with women during the lunar mansions of Maghā, Kṛttikā, and Uttarā. Do not eat facing south or west. Wear no garlands, food, drink, or garments that have been handled by others. During eclipses, after the departure of relatives, or when the moon is in the birth asterism, one should abstain from such things. After bathing, dry your limbs and garments with your hand. Wherever people are free from anger, devoted to justice, without envy, where there are farmers and healing plants, know that even there, people are ever engaged in festivals, sometimes bound by enmity, and always eager to prevail. Thus is the path of good conduct, O Sukeśin, bringing auspiciousness, merit, and freedom from sin to those who follow it with devotion.