In days of old, the wise were guided by principles of conduct that fostered harmony, reverence, and virtue. They knew that quarrels should not be initiated, nor should enmity be harbored without cause. Even when faced with slight loss, they endured patiently, choosing to abandon any gain obtained through conflict, for peace was valued above all. After bathing, they observed careful etiquette: never would they wipe their limbs with the bathing cloth or their hands, nor shake out their hair, nor eat immediately upon rising. Respect for others was paramount; one would not step on another’s foot or direct one’s feet toward anything worthy of reverence, nor presumptuously sit on a higher seat in the presence of a teacher, always maintaining humility. When approaching temples, crossroads, or auspicious places, one would never walk to their left or circle them in an inauspicious direction. Instead, the right path was always taken, honoring the sacred. The wise would never spit, urinate, or defecate facing the moon, sun, fire, water, wind, or anything revered. Urination was not done while standing, nor on roads, and one would avoid stepping over phlegm, feces, urine, or blood. During meals, offerings, auspicious rites, recitation, sacrifices, or among many people, expelling phlegm or nasal mucus was considered improper. The wise maintained respect toward women, never looking down upon them, nor placing undue trust, nor being jealous or speaking ill of them. Before leaving the house, a person devoted to good conduct would honor those worthy of reverence with auspicious items, flowers, gems, or clarified butter, offering salutations. At crossroads, salutations were offered, sacrifices performed at the proper time, the distressed uplifted, the virtuous served, and association sought with the learned. He who worshipped gods and sages, offered water and food to ancestors, and honored guests would attain the highest worlds. Speaking words that were beneficial, measured, and pleasant at the right time, and practicing self-control, would lead to realms of undiminishing delight. Wisdom, modesty, patience, faith, and humility guided one to the highest worlds, among those of knowledge, noble lineage, and age. Study was suspended during untimely thunder, festival days, periods of impurity, eclipses, and similar occasions, acknowledging the sanctity of time. The virtuous calmed the angry, harbored no enmity toward relatives, consoled the fearful, and upheld righteousness, for whom even heaven seemed a small reward. Practical wisdom guided daily life: in rain or sun, one carried an umbrella; at night or in the forest, a staff; and always, footwear was worn to protect the body. Walking was done with attention, never looking upward, sideways, or far off, but observing only the space a yoke’s length ahead. Self-control and avoidance of all causes of fault ensured that virtue, wealth, and desire were never diminished. Even among the wicked, the wise remained unstained, speaking kindly even to the harsh, and with a heart full of friendship, liberation rested in their hands. Those free from passion, anger, and greed, established in good conduct, sustained the earth by their influence. Truth was spoken when it brought joy, but silence was observed if truth caused pain. Pleasant words that lacked benefit were avoided; instead, beneficial words were spoken, even if unpleasant. For the welfare of all beings, here and hereafter, the discerning acted, thought, and spoke with care. When a son was born, Aurva taught, the father, still clothed, should bathe, performing the rite of birth and the auspicious śrāddha. With focused mind, he honored and fed pairs of gods, ancestors, and twice-born men. Facing east or north, he offered balls of food with curds, unbroken rice, and barley, along with water for the deities or with his own body. By this śrāddha, the Nāndīmukha ancestors were pleased, and such rites were performed at times of increase: weddings of daughters and sons, entering a new house, naming children, first cutting of hair, parting of the hair, and first sight of sons and others. The householder worshipped the Nāndīmukha ancestors with devotion. Having described the order of ancestor worship, Aurva then spoke of funeral rites. After bathing the corpse with pure waters, adorning it with garlands and ornaments, and burning it outside the village, the mourners would bathe, still clothed, in a pool. Facing south, relatives would offer handfuls of water, saying, “For this one.” Upon sighting the stars, they re-entered the village with the cows, and lying on a bed of grass, performed the rite of the funeral fire. Each day, a ball of food was offered on the earth to the departed, and food without meat was eaten during the day. If hunger persisted, Brahmins were fed, and as relatives ate, the departed were satisfied. On the first, third, seventh, and ninth days, after discarding garments and bathing outside, water mixed with sesame seeds was offered. On the fourth day, the gathering of bones was performed, after which touching the limbs of relatives was permitted. Those eligible for all rites used the same water, except for ointments, flowers, and similar enjoyments. Sharing a bed, sitting together, and eating together were permitted among those of the same lineage, but after the collection of ashes and bones, there was no further union with women. For a child, one abroad, one fallen, or a sage who died, purity was immediate or as desired, in cases such as death by water, fire, or hanging. Thus, the wise lived their lives with reverence, care, and compassion, upholding ancient customs and guiding their actions for the welfare of all beings, honoring both the living and the departed, and ensuring that virtue flourished in the world.