With a mind steady and devoted to righteousness, a wise householder passes the day immersed in wholesome scriptures and uplifting recreation, never straying from the path of virtue. As evening approaches, he prepares himself for the twilight hour, focusing his thoughts with care. At the close of day, when the sun moves among the eastern stars, he rinses his mouth thoroughly and, in proper fashion, attends to the evening twilight rites, as is prescribed. Attendance at both the morning and evening twilights is a constant duty for a king, except in times of impurity caused by birth or death, confusion, illness, or fear. If, though in good health, one neglects these sacred observances at sunrise or sunset, expiation must be performed. Therefore, it is taught, one should rise before the sun and honor the morning twilight, and if one happens to be asleep at sunset, the evening twilight should be observed upon waking. Those who neglect either the morning or evening twilight, O king, are condemned as wicked and destined for the dark hell. In the evening, after preparing the offering, the householder presents the bali offering, using the wife’s mantra, to honor the deities known as the Vaiśvadevas. At this time, he also gives food in the same spirit to outcastes and others in need. Should a guest arrive during this sacred hour, the wise householder welcomes him with the utmost respect, offering water for his feet, a seat, a warm greeting, food, and even a bed according to his means. If a guest departs during the day without being received, the householder incurs sin; but if a guest leaves at sunset without being honored, the sin is eightfold. Therefore, it is said, one should always honor a guest at sunset to the best of one’s ability, for in honoring the guest, all the deities are honored as well. A guest should be received with food, vegetables, water, or, if possible, the gift of a bed, a mat, or even land. After cleansing his feet and having eaten in the evening, the householder retires to rest, even if his bed is a simple wooden one. He avoids beds that are too large, broken, uneven, dirty, made from living creatures, or lacking proper bedding. The wise sleep with their heads to the east or south, for sleeping otherwise brings disease. At the proper season and auspicious time, under the influence of a male constellation and on nights when Jyeshtha and other paired stars are present, a man may approach his wife. He does not approach a woman who is too young, ill, menstruating, inauspicious, angry, frightened, or pregnant. Nor does he approach a woman who is not his wife, who is desired by another, who is unwilling, or who is weakened by hunger, has overeaten, or if he himself is afflicted by these faults. When the time is right, he bathes, adorns himself with garlands and fragrance, is pleased in mind, neither bloated nor hungry, and approaches his wife with desire and affection. Yet, on the fourteenth and eighth days of the lunar fortnight, on new and full moon days, and when the sun enters a new sign, these are sacred occasions. On these days, indulgence in oil, meat, or intercourse leads to the hell called Viṇmūtra-bhojana. Thus, on all sacred days, the wise and self-controlled devote themselves to the study of true scripture, worship of the gods, meditation, and recitation. A man does not approach a woman of another species, nor in an improper place, nor after taking medicine. He avoids intercourse with the wives of twice-born men, gods, or teachers, and never in places of ascetic practice, shrines, crossroads, cattle pens, cremation grounds, groves, or in water. On sacred days and at twilight, he refrains from intercourse, as well as when pressed by bodily urges, even in thought. Intercourse on sacred days brings misfortune; by day, it brings sin; on the ground, it causes disease; in water, it is condemned. He never, even in thought, approaches another man’s wife, for such action severs all bonds of righteousness. One who acts otherwise falls to hell upon death and his lifespan is diminished even in this world; union with another’s wife brings fear in both worlds. Knowing this, the wise man approaches his own wife at the proper season, free from all faults, with desire, even if not in her fertile period. Aurva then declared: One should honor the gods, cows, brahmins, perfected beings, elders, and teachers, bowing to the twilight twice daily and serving the sacred fires accordingly. A man should always wear clean garments, use excellent herbs, and, with devotion, wear gems of the Garuḍa class. He keeps his hair smooth and clean, is fragrant, wears pleasing attire, and carries white, delightful, and charming flowers. He takes nothing that belongs to another, nor does he speak harsh words or falsehoods to please, nor point out the faults of others. He does not covet another’s wealth or enmity, nor does he ride in faulty vehicles or rest beneath the shade of a riverbank. He avoids the company of those who are hated, fallen, mad, hostile, infested with insects, prostitutes, their clients, and those who tell base lies. He does not befriend those who are excessively wasteful, fond of slander, or deceitful, nor does he travel alone. He never enters the swift current of a river, a burning house, or climbs to the top of a tree. He does not grind his teeth, pick his nose, or yawn without covering his mouth, and always expels breath or coughs away from others. He refrains from loud laughter or making noise, avoids passing wind audibly, does not eat with his nails, cut grass, or scratch the ground. He does not eat beard or clay, nor knead them; he does not gaze at fire, impure things, or forbidden acts. He does not look at a naked woman who is not his wife, nor at the sun during sunrise or sunset; nor does he sniff a corpse, for the scent of a corpse is that of Soma. Thus does the wise householder live, upholding virtue and purity in thought, word, and deed, ever honoring the sacred order of life.