In the sacred discourse, the great rivers Sindhu, Sarayū, and Revā are also counted among the seven holy Gangās, each revered for their sanctity. Beyond these, the seashore is said to be ten times more meritorious, and the mountaintop surpasses even that by another tenfold. Yet, above all these places, the scriptures teach that the most superior place is wherever the mind finds true delight and peace. In such a place, the fruits of sacrifices, gifts, and other virtuous acts are experienced in their fullness. The measure of merit, however, shifts with the ages. In the Kṛta Yuga, the full fruit of good deeds is obtained. In the Tretā Yuga, three-fourths of the fruit is remembered; in the Dvāpara, only half; and in the Kali Yuga, a mere quarter, or even less, is received. Yet, for one whose mind is pure, an auspicious day yields results equal to the best of times. The wise know that during the sun’s transit, the merit of actions is multiplied tenfold. At the equinox and the solstice, the fruit of good deeds is tenfold. When the sun enters the Mṛgaśīrṣa constellation, or during a lunar eclipse, the merit is again tenfold. The time of a solar eclipse is held as the most auspicious of all. Then, the sun—the very form of the world—is said to be afflicted by poison, and those who act at this time help remove disease and affliction. Therefore, to pacify this cosmic poison, one should bathe, offer gifts, and recite sacred texts. Such acts performed at this time are especially meritorious. When one’s birth star arises, or at the completion of a vow, the fruit is like the sun’s burning passion. Most exalted of all is the company of great souls, for such association is equal to the merit of a crore of solar eclipses. Those devoted to austerity, established in knowledge, practicing yoga, or living as ascetics are the true recipients of worship, for they are the destroyers of sin. Among all, a brāhmaṇa who has completed twenty-four lakhs of Gāyatrī recitations is deemed most worthy, for he bestows the full enjoyment of the fruit of gifts. The scriptures call such a recipient a ‘pātra’—one who protects the giver from sin and the gift from falling into unworthiness. The Gāyatrī itself is so named because it protects the chanter from falling, just as one who lacks wealth cannot offer gifts for others’ sake. But he who, being pure, gives wealth for the benefit of another is truly purified and worthy to protect others through sacrifice. A brāhmaṇa purified by Gāyatrī recitation is called pure, and thus, in all acts—giving, reciting, offering, worship—he is fit to give and to receive. The proper recipient of food is the hungry, whether woman or man. When an excellent and composed brāhmaṇa is invited at the right time, one should offer him words or teachings that are both instructive and desired. It is taught that gifts given with desire yield full fruit, while those given in response to a request yield fruit according to their purpose. Gifts to one who serves bring the reward of reaching his feet. Even giving to a brāhmaṇa who is destitute, simply by virtue of his birth, is praised by the wise. Wealth given for worldly enjoyment yields ten years of benefit; given to a Veda-knowing brāhmaṇa, it grants ten years in heaven. Given to one engaged in Gāyatrī recitation, it brings ten years in the realm of truth; and to a brāhmaṇa devoted to Viṣṇu, the gift grants Vaikuṇṭha itself. To one devoted to Śiva, the reward is Kailāsa. Thus, all seek to give, each for the enjoyment of their desired world. A man who gives tenfold food to a brāhmaṇa on Sunday enjoys health for ten years in his next life. Great respect, invitation, anointing, service to the feet, clothing, fragrant worship, and offerings of ghee, cakes, and sweets—all these acts, along with six-flavored dishes, vegetables, betel, gifts both small and great, salutations, escort, and the tenfold gift of cooked food—bestow great merit. One who gives tenfold food to ten brāhmaṇas on Sunday enjoys health for a hundred years. On Monday and other days, the fruit of giving is according to the virtue of each day, both in this world and the next. By giving tenfold food to ten brāhmaṇas each day for seven days, one enjoys health and other blessings for a hundred years. If one gives to a hundred brāhmaṇas on Sunday, a thousand years of health are enjoyed in the world of Śarva. Giving to a thousand brings ten thousand years of benefit, and so it is on the other days of the week. By feeding thousands of brāhmaṇas purified by Gāyatrī on Sunday, one attains health and blessings in the world of truth. Feeding ten thousand brings the world of Viṣṇu, while feeding a hundred thousand leads to the world of Rudra. The scriptures further teach that those seeking knowledge should give food to children with the thought of Brahma; those desiring sons, to youths with the thought of Viṣṇu; those seeking wisdom, to elders with the thought of Rudra; and those desiring intelligence, to boys and women with the thought of Sarasvatī. To young women, those desiring enjoyment should give with the thought of Lakṣmī, and to elderly women, those seeking self-realization should give with the thought of Pārvatī. Wealth obtained through honest means—by ascetic practice, alms, or as a teacher’s fee—is called pure and yields complete results. Wealth received as a pure gift is middling, while that gained through agriculture or trade is considered inferior. For Kṣatriyas and Vaiśyas, wealth earned through valor or trade is superior; for Śūdras, wealth from service is best. For righteous women, wealth inherited from father or husband, as well as cows and other gifts given on the twelfth day or in the spring months, are each meritorious in their order. At auspicious times, one should give for the fulfillment of wishes: cows, land, gold, clarified butter, garments, grains, and jaggery. Silver, salt, gourds, twelve maidens, and cows are also suitable gifts. When giving a cow, one should also provide its milk and dung, for these bring further benefit. Thus, the scriptures lovingly lay out the hierarchy of places, times, recipients, and gifts, guiding all toward the highest merit and fulfillment.