O noble king, consider the greatness of virtuous deeds and the fruits they bestow. On one side, imagine all the grandest sacrifices, complete with the finest gifts—yet there are acts whose merit shines even brighter. He who protects a Brahmin stricken by fear, O king, performs a deed of immense virtue. The one who gives cloth as a gift attains the revered abode of Rudra, while the giver of a maiden in marriage is blessed with the realm of Brahma. And when a maiden, adorned with care, is given to a man learned in spiritual knowledge—especially on the auspicious full moon of Kārtika or Āṣāḍha—the giver, freed from sins gathered over many noble births, attains the very form of Rudra. Consider also the one who marks a buffalo with the sign of the Śiva-liṅga and releases it, or who, according to his means, offers betel leaves, O best of kings. The giver of sugarcane is granted entry to Brahma’s abode, and one who gives jaggery or sugarcane juice attains the ocean of milk, the celestial realm of purity and plenty. The gift of knowledge is supremely exalted: by imparting wisdom, a man attains union with Mādhava, Lord Viṣṇu. Furthermore, giving cows for purposes such as recitation, riding, or milking lifts one from the depths of hell. Again, by the gift of knowledge, O king, one is united with Viṣṇu. The Śālagrāma stone, when given in charity, is proclaimed a gift of greatest merit. Indeed, the fruit gained by giving away ten million universes is surpassed twofold by the gift of a Śālagrāma stone. Whoever gives gifts from his own house, according to his means, and especially when offering a golden vessel adorned with jewels, attains great merit. By giving a ruby, a man reaches the highest liberation; by giving coral, he ascends to heaven; and by giving pearls or beryl or red gems, he attains Rudra’s realm. The giver of horses enjoys their company for a long time, and by gifting a vehicle, he is carried to heaven upon a celestial chariot. Offering grass to cows leads one to the realm of Rudra. Those who are devoted to the conduct of their own āśrama, intent on the welfare of all beings, who instruct others, free from passion and envy, delight in the company of the virtuous and are ever engaged in noble deeds. They are always devoted to the welfare of Brāhmaṇas and cows, have mastered their senses and appetites, are patient with cows, and possess good character. They serve the sacred fire and their teachers, are devoted to worshipping the gods, and are dedicated to the name of Hari. O best of kings, those who cremate the body of a Brāhmaṇa who has no protector—even if only with leaves, flowers, fruits, or water—are praised by hosts of Apsarases and Gandharvas and ascend to the celestial chariot. Even the simplest acts of devotion are powerful: by bathing the liṅga with a mere handful of water, by worshipping the liṅga with flowers or food or fruits, even without formal ritual, or by worshipping Viṣṇu without prescribed rites, one earns great merit, O descendant of Karvaṃśa. He who, with wisdom, sweeps the temple of the deity, or repairs a broken crystal liṅga, is similarly blessed. Thus, O king, the fruits of charity, protection, and devotion are manifold and wondrous, leading the virtuous to the highest realms and union with the divine.