Of all those who are born into this world and firmly established in their stations, there are some who commit wicked deeds. Among their transgressions, consuming the food of those who act with evil intent is considered even more sinful, for it taints the very being of the eater. A seeker then approaches an ascetic with a question: “Tell me, O venerable one, how does a person avoid becoming a *preta*—a wandering, departed spirit? Is it through fasting for one or three nights, or by undertaking arduous rites such as the Chandrayana?” The ascetic replies with gentle wisdom: “One who is devoted to their vows, who is purified and steadfast, does not become a preta. One who always honors ascetics, who is compassionate to all living beings, who delights in worshiping the ancestors, and who is endowed with forgiveness and generosity—such a person does not become a preta. One who is ever devoted to fasting, and one who worships the gods without fail, is also spared from that fate. Thus, as you have heard, these are the ways by which one avoids becoming a preta.” Yet the seeker presses on: “O great sage, by what cause does one become a preta? What if a Brahmin dies after eating food prepared by a Shudra—what then?” The ascetic answers solemnly, “Indeed, if a Brahmin dies with such food still remaining in his belly, he becomes a preta. Not only by eating, but even by mere touch, one can become a preta—and the consequences may be even more severe.” He continues to enumerate the causes: “One who resides in a heretical ashram, a drunkard, or one who violates another’s wife; whoever takes the property belonging to the gods, to Brahmins, or to one’s teacher; one who harms mother, father, brother, sister, wife, or son; one who neglects the prescribed sacrifices or fails to honor those worthy of worship; a Brahmin-killer, an ingrate, a cow-slayer, and those guilty of the five great sins—all these are causes. Even one who always desires the welfare of the teacher who imparts the law, or who accepts gifts from the wicked, especially from atheists—such actions too may bring about the state of a preta.” The pretas themselves then speak, asking, “Tell us, what is the fate of those sinners who act against what is right?” The Brahmin replies, “There is one path for them—at the sacred confluence at Mathura. Especially at the conjunction of the star Shravan and the twelfth lunar day (Dvadashi), and also in the holy month of Bhadrapada, if offerings of gold, food, and cloth, along with an umbrella and shoes, are made, then those pretas will not remain as such. The one who is thus honored along the path is released from that state.” He describes further: “There, at that holy place, if a man bathes with delight and nourishment, as prescribed, and if even a preta hears the greatness of that sacred spot, liberation is possible.” The pretas ask again, “By what act does one become freed from the state of being a preta?” The Brahmin answers, “Long ago, this very Purāṇa was recounted to King Māndhātṛ when he inquired about this. The sage Vasiṣṭha narrated it then, and now, O fortunate ones, listen as I tell it to you. “In the month of Bhādrapada, on the pure twelfth day joined with the star Śravaṇa, after bathing again at the confluence and worshipping Vāmana, if a person gives away a hundred tawny cows adorned with golden vessels, they are freed from the preta state. One who undertakes the vow of Śravaṇa-Dvādaśī does not attain a demonic birth. “Then, even a Brahmin who has fallen from heaven but is learned in the Vedas, by means of a mind absorbed in meditation, is liberated and does not return to rebirth. According to one’s means, a golden image of Vāmana should be made and offered.” In reverent invocation, the devotee calls, “Come, O endless giver of boons, Lord of Śrī, by my favor. You, who in the form of a constellation, remain in the sky on the twelfth day—salutation to you, lotus-naveled, abode of lotuses, O Keśava.” Thus, the path to liberation from the preta state is revealed through devotion, charity, and reverence for the sacred, as taught by the wise.