Once, the compassionate Lord Nārāyaṇa addressed the Earth, expounding the consequences and remedies for certain transgressions. He began by describing the expiation for neglecting to chew a tooth-stick before eating. “Whoever approaches me without first chewing a tooth-stick,” He declared, “commits a fault that destroys all the merit accumulated from previous good deeds.” Upon hearing these words, the Earth—steadfast in righteousness—humbly questioned the Lord: “How is it that a single transgression can bring about the destruction of all merit?” In response, Śrī Varāha explained, “O blessed one, just as a single offense can undo the fruits of virtue, so too does eating without the cleansing act of chewing a tooth-stick destroy the seeds of merit in a person afflicted by sin and bodily impurities such as phlegm and bile.” Concerned for the preservation of righteousness, the Earth asked, “Tell me, Lord, is there an expiation by which my own dharma is not destroyed?” Śrī Varāha replied, “I shall describe the means by which humans become purified. By lying upon the bare ground for two and then five days, one atones for this fault. Thus, gentle one, I have explained the matter of the tooth-stick and its expiation. There is no fault remaining after this, and this is certain.” Thus concluded the discourse on the expiation for neglecting the tooth-stick. Lord Nārāyaṇa then spoke of the expiation for touching the dead. “If, after sexual union, one touches a corpse without first bathing, O gentle one, a grave sin is incurred.” The Earth, having listened to these teachings, observed strict vows for a year and then asked, “How does a person come to commit such a grievous act, becoming intent on drinking semen and thus incurring this sorrowful fate?” Śrī Varāha addressed her with a supreme and secret teaching: “This is the sign, O beautiful one, of a supernatural offense. Even seeing such an act brings about the consequences of that offense, and true purification does not occur because of its gravity. Yet, O gentle one, householders devoted to my dharma can free themselves from this sin by subsisting on air alone for a single day. Understanding the nature of the offense, they remain untainted by further sin. Expiation, O illustrious one, brings happiness to my world.” He continued, “Whoever, ignoring the guidance of my scriptures, enters the cremation ground, is reborn as a jackal and consumes corpses there. For the welfare of all beings, it is said: ‘O Lord, for those who have taken shelter in you, where can sin remain?’ Tell me, then, the expiation by which one is freed from such sin.” Śrī Varāha replied, “Listen, O beautiful one, as you have asked with sincerity. I shall now reveal the excellent, sin-destroying method: by drinking pañcagavya, one is freed from this sin. Every devotee of Bhagavān should avoid such offenses in every way. Freed from all sins, there remains no fault for him.” However, He cautioned, “Those who are overcome by passion and delusion, and who act out of desire, are born blind, poor, and lacking in wisdom, O Devi. There is no doubt that, having committed this offense, your devotees, O Lord, can attain liberation from the ocean of worldly existence, if they are devoted to your actions, even if stained by offense.” Śrī Varāha further instructed, “Having performed penance for three nights, one should sleep on a bed beneath the open sky. Thus purified and devoted to my dharma, he is freed from sin, O Devi, even if he has strayed from proper conduct. Yet, O Devi, whoever touches a corpse and then remains in my sacred places is reborn as a caṇḍāla for ten thousand years.” Thus, through these teachings, Lord Nārāyaṇa revealed the gravity of such transgressions and the compassionate means for expiation, guiding all beings towards purity and righteousness.