A householder, mindful of his duties and seeking to walk the path of righteousness, should honor worthy guests according to his means—with offerings of food, vegetables, and water, or even with the gift of a bed, a mat, or land as he is able. After caring for his guest’s needs, such as washing their feet, and having taken his own evening meal, he should prepare for rest. Even if his bed is but a simple wooden one, he should retire for the night, O King. Yet, care must be taken in choosing one’s resting place. The bed should not be too large, broken, uneven, or dirty; nor should it be made from living beings, or lack proper bedding. It is best to sleep with one’s head facing east or south, for sleeping in other directions is said to bring disease. When the time is right, a man may approach his wife, but only at the proper season, O lord of the earth—on auspicious nights when the moon is in a male constellation, or when the paired stars such as Jyeshtha are present. He must not approach a woman who is too young, unwell, menstruating, inauspicious, angry, frightened, or pregnant. Nor should he seek union with a woman who is not his wife, who is desired by another, who is unwilling, who is weakened by hunger or has just eaten excessively, or if he himself is afflicted by these faults. When the time is right, a man should first bathe, adorn himself with garlands and fragrance, and approach with a pleased mind, neither bloated nor hungry, but filled with desire and affection. Yet, there are days that are especially sacred—the fourteenth and eighth days of the lunar fortnight, the new moon, the full moon, and the time when the sun enters a new sign. On these occasions, if a man indulges in oil, meat, or intercourse, he is destined, upon death, for the hell called Viṇmūtra-bhojana. Therefore, on such sacred days, the wise and self-controlled devote themselves to study of true scriptures, worship of the gods, meditation, and the recitation of sacred texts. Intercourse must be avoided with women of another species, in improper places, after taking medicine, or with the wives of twice-born men, gods, or teachers, and never in places of ascetic practice. Shrines, crossroads, cattle pens, cremation grounds, groves, and bodies of water are all forbidden locations for such acts. One should also refrain from intercourse on other sacred days, at twilight, or when pressed by the urge to relieve oneself, even in thought. Intercourse on sacred days brings misfortune; by day, it leads to sin; on the ground, it causes disease; and in water, it is blameworthy. To even think of another man’s wife is to stray from righteousness—what need to speak of word or deed? Such actions lead to hell after death and shorten one’s life even here; union with another’s wife brings fear in this world and the next. Knowing this, the wise man approaches his own wife at the proper season, free from the faults described, with desire, even if it is not her fertile period. Aurva then spoke of further duties: one should honor the gods, cows, brahmins, perfected beings, elders, and teachers. At twilight, one should bow and serve the sacred fires as prescribed. Cleanliness and propriety are important—a man should wear unsoiled garments, use fine herbs, and, with devotion, adorn himself with gems of the Garuḍa class. He should keep his hair smooth and clean, be fragrant, wear pleasing attire, and always bear white, delightful flowers. A wise person does not take even a little of another’s property, nor speak unpleasantly, nor utter falsehoods to please, nor point out the faults of others. He should not covet another’s wealth or seek enmity, nor ride in a faulty vehicle or rest in the shade of a riverbank. He must avoid the company of those who are hated, fallen, mad, hostile, or infested with insects, as well as prostitutes, their clients, and those who tell base lies. The wise do not befriend the excessively wasteful, slanderous, or deceitful, nor should they travel alone. One must never enter the swift current of a river, a burning house, or climb to the top of a tree. Proper manners are essential: do not grind your teeth, pick your nose, or yawn with your mouth uncovered; always turn away when expelling breath or coughing. A wise person does not laugh loudly or make noise, nor pass wind audibly. He does not eat with his nails, cut grass, or scratch the ground. He refrains from eating beard or clay, or kneading them, and avoids looking at fire, impure things, or forbidden acts. Do not gaze upon a naked woman who is not your wife, nor at the sun during sunrise or sunset. Do not sniff a corpse, for its scent is connected with Soma. Crossroads, sacred trees, cremation grounds, groves, and the company of wicked women at night must always be avoided. One should not step over the shadow of a revered deity, a Brahmin, or a lamp, nor venture alone into a deserted forest or dwell in an empty house. From a distance, avoid hair, bones, thorns, impure things, sacrificial remains, ashes, husks, and wet ground after bathing. The wise do not associate with non-Aryans, nor desire crookedness; they avoid approaching snakes, and do not stand or sit for too long. Moderation is key: do not stay awake or sleep excessively, nor bathe, sit, lie down, or exercise too much. Dangerous creatures with fangs or horns, as well as mist, headwinds, and harsh sunlight, should be avoided. One should not bathe, sleep, or perform purification rituals while naked, nor eat with loose hair or worship the gods in such a state. When performing sacrifice, worship, or purification, one should not wear only a single garment, nor recite sacred texts so attired. One should never associate with those of bad conduct, for even a moment with the virtuous is praised. Lastly, a wise person does not quarrel with those superior or inferior; marriage and disputes should be with those of equal character, O King. In all these ways, the householder preserves righteousness, health, and happiness, both in this world and the next.