Listen, as the ancient wisdom unfolds, offering guidance for a life of purity and right conduct. It is said that one should keep away from broken seats, vessels, and similar damaged items, maintaining distance from that which is unfit for use. In gatherings where women are present in full number, restraint is advised; yet, at auspicious assemblies, one may join freely in all the customary activities. With wise women, however, certain acts are to be avoided, while with others, all actions may generally be performed. When at the root of a tree, in the forest, or along the Bhāgra path, one should refrain from consuming meat. Likewise, meat should be avoided in the company of women during the lunar mansions of Maghā, Kṛttikā, and Uttarā. At mealtime, one must not face south, nor should one eat facing west in this world. The wise are cautioned against wearing garlands, eating food, drinking, or donning garments that have been previously handled by others. During an eclipse, when relatives have departed, or when the moon is in the birth asterism, one should abstain from eating. O lord of night-wanderers, after bathing, it is proper to dry one’s limbs and garments with the hand. In places where people are free from anger, devoted to justice, untainted by envy, where farmers and medicinal plants abound, even there, people are always engaged in festivals, yet bound by enmity and ever eager to conquer. Now, let us declare what food is prescribed. Smooth, oil-free rice and milk products are recommended for consumption. Likewise, split pulses and similar foods are sanctioned by Manu. Roots and grains from grasses, as well as those from mountain trees, are also considered suitable. For garments made of bark, purification is achieved with water, while cotton garments require both water and ash for cleansing. Earthen vessels regain purity by being reheated. Objects found on the road, of unknown origin, or those handled by groups of servants are to be treated with caution. Yet, the actions of children and the elderly, and the mouth of a child, are considered pure. The words uttered by the best among the twice-born and water drops warmed by the sun are likewise pure. Purity is attained through smearing, scraping, sprinkling, sweeping, and cleaning the house. Clay, water, ash, and alkali are the agents of purification. Copper vessels and those used for washing are purified with ash and water, while other substances are cleansed by removing their odor. A donkey is pure when bearing a load, and a dog is pure when seizing an animal. Objects fired in a kiln are purified simply by the wind. When something is contaminated, the upper portion should be removed and discarded; the rest is purified by sprinkling. If impurity is unknown or only known in the past, purification is not required. After touching something impure, or bearing a corpse, one should bathe for cleanliness. Merely sipping water, touching a cow, or gazing at the sun also brings purification. Water used for washing feet, leftover food, feces, and urine should all be thrown outside the house. Bathing should be done in sacred ponds, lotus-filled lakes, or flowing rivers. One should not converse with a person hated by the people, a coward, or a woman of ill repute. If such contact or conversation does occur, purification is attained by looking at the sun. Those who are fallen, expelled, naked, or among the lowest outcastes are described further. Both women after childbirth and during menstruation are called ‘sūtikā’, and their food is considered impure. One who neglects the worship of ancestors and gods is called a eunuch. He who does not strive for the welfare of the next world is likened to a cat. One who is called a rat—after eating his food, purification is difficult to achieve. Thus is the path of purity and conduct, as laid down by the wise, for the welfare of all.