Listen now, as the wisdom of the ancient scriptures unfolds like a gentle river, each teaching flowing into the next. If one wishes to return again, it is wise not to wander too far. One should turn back before reaching the water’s edge, and not venture too close to trees with glossy leaves. In choosing where to dwell, seek balance: do not remain where there is no leader, nor where many vie for leadership. Avoid places ruled by a woman, but it is considered suitable to reside where a child is the leader. A woman, it is said, is protected by her father in childhood, by her husband in youth, and by her son in old age; at no stage is she to act independently. If a woman is barren after eight years, if she has lost her children after nine, if she bears only daughters after eleven, or if she speaks harshly, she should be abandoned. Yet, three types of women—those who stray from propriety due to wealth—sometimes remain with their husbands, for the sake of the household and for fear of harm, even if they bring little benefit. A wise person keeps far from dangers: a tired horse, a mad elephant, cows in their first calving, and frogs when water is scarce. For those afflicted by poverty, there are no friends or relatives; those consumed by desire know neither fear nor shame; those troubled by anxiety find no happiness or rest; and the hungry lack strength and vigor. How can one sleep peacefully if poor, if serving another, if attached to another’s wife, or if one has stolen another’s wealth? True happiness in sleep comes to the person free from debt and disease; but one separated from his wife finds even eating to be a burden. Just as the lotus rises high when water is abundant, so too does a servant grow proud when his master is powerful. But the lotus, when it remains in its place, is cherished by the sun and Varuna; if uprooted, those same friends bring about its drying and decay. In the same way, friends to one secure in his place become enemies when he is displaced; the sun delights in the lotus within water, but dries it up when it lies on land. Thus, those who remain in their rightful place are honored—whether hair, teeth, nails, or people. Those who have fallen from their position are not respected. One’s conduct reveals the family, speech reveals the homeland, attentiveness reveals affection, and the body reveals the food one consumes. Some things are in vain: rain falling on the ocean, food given to one already satisfied, gifts bestowed upon the wealthy, and good deeds done for the base-minded. True closeness is not measured by distance; one who dwells in the heart is always near, while one who has departed from the heart is far, even if physically close. Signs of death and of a beggar are alike: a fallen face, a weak voice, sweating limbs, and great fear. For the hunchback, the killer of insects, the one driven out by the wind, or the one living atop a peak, it is better to die than to beg. Yet, even Vishnu, Lord of the world, once begged in the form of Vamana; what greater purpose could there be, for which humility is not required? Parents who do not educate their children become their enemies; such children do not shine in an assembly, like a crane among swans. Knowledge is the highest form, the greatest treasure, a wealth that none can steal. It brings virtue, wins the favor of people, teaches the teachers, removes the suffering of kin, is the supreme deity, is honored among kings, and without it, a person is like a beast. Wealth and possessions locked inside the house may be taken, but knowledge cannot be stolen. Vishnu once spoke everywhere of the essence of polity from the Shaunakīya tradition. Shankara listened, Vyasa heard from Shankara, and now we have heard from Vyasa. Now, Brahma addresses Vyasa: “I will declare the vows by which Hari, the Lord, becomes the giver of all. When Hari is worshipped on every month, star, lunar day, and weekday, and when one is devoted, fasting at night, and performing these observances, he grants wealth, grain, sons, kingdom, victory, and more. On the first lunar day, worship Vaiśvānara and Kubera for wealth; after fasting, worship Brahma, Shri, and the Ashvins. On the second day, honor Yama and Lakshmi-Narayana for prosperity; on the third, pay homage to Gauri, Vighnesha, and Shankara. The fourth day is for the four manifestations; the fifth for Hari; the sixth for Kartikeya and the Sun; the seventh for Bhaskara, who grants wealth. On Durga’s eighth and the ninth day, the Mothers and the directions bestow riches; the tenth is for Yama and the Moon; the eleventh for the sages. On the twelfth, worship Hari and Kama; on the thirteenth, Maheshvara; on the fourteenth and fifteenth, Brahma and the ancestors grant wealth. On the new moon and each weekday, beginning with the Sun, perform worship; the stars and yogas, when honored, fulfill all desires. Brahma continues: “In the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, on the thirteenth day of Vyasa and Ananga, one should worship Shiva with jasmine wood for cleaning the teeth and with dhatura flowers. Offer food called ‘Anangāya,’ and in the month of Pausha, taste honey and worship Yogeshvara with bilva leaves and kadamba flowers. Cleanse the teeth with sandalwood and other substances, and offer rice and similar foods. In Magha, worship Nateshvara with jasmine flowers and a pearl garland; clean the teeth with plaksha wood and offer purika cakes. In Phalguna, honor Vireshvara with marubaka flowers, offer sugar, greens, and mandā cakes, and use mango wood for the teeth. In Chaitra, worship Surupa at night with camphor; use ataja wood for the teeth and offer shashkuli cakes. Shiva’s worship is performed with damanaka leaves and ashoka flowers at his abode; for his great form, offer sweetened rice with jaggery and the finest cakes. Always give tooth-cleaning sticks and offer nutmeg. In Jyeshtha, worship Pradyumna with champaka flowers, and Bilvaja with ten kinds of offerings. Cloves, cardamom, and a six-spiced mixture are prescribed for Uma’s beloved; offer aguru and tooth-cleaning sticks, and worship with apamarga leaves. In Shravana, offer oleander to Shiva, the trident-wielder; worship the one who delights in fragrance with ghee and other substances, and purify with oleander flowers. Thus, through observance, devotion, and proper worship, the blessings of the divine are attained, and the wisdom of the ancients is preserved in the hearts of those who listen and remember.