A learned Brahmin, accomplished in the Vedas, journeyed with his daughter and son to a new place. There, he lived a life devoted to virtue, keeping his senses firmly under control. In this sacred land, the Brahmin dwelled together with an accomplished sage, both committed to righteousness. It is said that one should always go and reside in Śāligrāma, O Earth, for there the accomplished sage constantly spoke of the glory of the holy place called Kalpagrāma. In time, the thought of departing arose in the Brahmin’s mind, and he approached the accomplished sage to express his wish. Hearing the Brahmin’s words, the sage replied, “O best of Brahmins, listen to this request, which brings sorrow.” Then, taking the Brahmin, master of the Vedas, by the right hand, the sage—through his spiritual power—soared up, carrying with him the two foremost Brahmins. Thus, the two excellent Brahmins dwelled always in the sacred Kalpagrāma. As years passed, the Brahmin became afflicted by illness and reached the tenth stage of life. When death approached, the righteous one spoke to his son, asking to be taken to the bank of the holy Gaṅgā. Guided by filial piety and devotion to Vedic study, the son led his father there. Meanwhile, in Kalpagrāma, the accomplished sage had a daughter of slender waist. By divine arrangement, a Brahmin from Kānyakubja arrived there. He asked the sage’s daughter, “O good lady, where have you come from here?” Through his divine knowledge, the Brahmin recognized and honored the newcomer. The Brahmin from Kānyakubja began to take his meals regularly at his father-in-law’s house. At that time, his own father—the devotee of the Lord—had become extremely weak. The son asked the sage, “O master, tell me when my father will die.” The sage replied, “He has continually eaten food prepared by Shudras, O best of twice-born. That food prepared by Shudras is present at your father’s feet. Death will come to him who is deprived of such food.” Hearing these words, the son reproached himself, feeling guilt for the situation. He left his father’s side and went to his father-in-law’s house. There, afflicted by sorrow and weakened, the best of the twice-born wished for death. Seeing a stone nearby, he took it with his foot and, abandoning his life, departed to the realm of Time. When the son saw his father lying unconscious, he wept greatly and declared, “He is not fit for funeral rites.” Apastamba, the sage, had said this regarding one who gives up his own self: “A penance should be prescribed; one should not perform the water-offering rite.” The son, deeply troubled, went to his father-in-law’s house. There he was told, “You have incurred the sin of Brahmin-slaying; go wherever you wish.” The son protested, “I have never caused the death of a Brahmin at any time.” But hearing these words, the father-in-law replied, “Because of that fault, O sage, you have incurred the result of killing a Brahmin. Within a year, the consequence will follow the one who has fallen.” Thus unfolded the tale of virtue, error, and consequence among these devoted Brahmins, as spoken in the sacred verses.