Part 3

49. Every day let every man awake before sunrise, and after calling on the name of K.rish.na, proceed to the rites of bodily purification.

50. Having seated himself in some place apart, let him cleanse his teeth, and then, having bathed with pure water, put on two well-washed garments (an under and an upper).

51. Then having seated himself on a clean and single (asa.mkîr.na) seat placed on ground purified (with cow-dung, etc.), let a man sip water with his face either to the east or north.

52. My male followers should then make the vertical mark with the round spot in it on their foreheads, and wives should only make a circular mark with red powder (of saffron).

53. A widow is prohibited from making either a vertical or round mark on her forehead. In the next place all my followers ought to engage in the mental worship of K.rish.na.

54. After engaging in mental worship, let them bow down before the pictures of Râdhâ and K.rish.na, and repeat the eight-syllabled prayer to K.rish.na (that is--the formula meaning 'K.rish.na is my refuge') as many times as possible. After that they may apply themselves to their secular affairs.

55. All my ordinary disciples should perform the preceding rules; but those who like Ambarîsha have dedicated their whole souls (to the Deity) should be most particular in performing the duties ending with mental worship in the order enumerated (in the preceding six verses as well as the following):--

56. (Such devoted persons) should also then worship an image made of either stone or metal, and the black stone called Šâla-grâma (representing Vish.nu), with the (sixteen) offerings (of sandal, etc.), such as are procurable, and the eight-syllabled mantra of K.rish.na should be repeated (manu = mantra).

57. Next (in order to the performance of brahma-yaj"na) the hymn celebrating the praises of K.rish.na should be recited according to ability, and those that have not studied Sansk.rit should at least repeat his name.

58. All who have devoted themselves (in this way) to the worship of K.rish.na, should next present an offering (of cooked food) to him, and then they should eat the remains of the offering (prâsâdikam). They should at all times be full of joy.

59. Since they are called the passionless (nirgu.na) worshippers of the passionless K.rish.na, therefore, in consequence of that, all their acts are also (called) passionless (nirgu.na).

60. By these devoted (worshippers) indeed no water should be drunk, nor should any leaves, roots or fruits anywhere be eaten which have not been presented to K.rish.na.

61. All those who from old age or some grievous calamity are unable (to perform worship) should make over the (image or Šala-grâma stone) of K.rish.na to the charge of some other devotee (able to carry on the proper services), and should themselves act to the best of their ability.

62. An image (or Šâla-grâma) of K.rish.na, given by a religious leader (âçârya), or consecrated by him, should be worshipped, but to other images it is sufficient to make obeisance.

63. Every day all my followers should go to the temple of God in the evening, and there loudly repeat the names of the lord of Râdhikâ.

64. The story of his exploits should be related as well as heard with the greatest reverence, and on festivals hymns in praise of K.rish.na should be sung accompanied by musical instruments.

65. In this manner all my followers should every day perform religious duties. Moreover, they should study works both in Sansk.rit and in the popular dialects, according to their mental abilities.

66. Whatever individual is appointed to any office, he should be so appointed with strict regard to his qualifications, after due consideration, and never in any other way.

67. Let every one always provide his own servants with food and clothing in the most suitable manner, and according to his own pecuniary means.

68. In conversation every person should be addressed conformably to his character (or qualities), and suitably to time and place, and not in any other manner.

69. By all well-conducted persons due deference must be shown to a religious guide, a king, an elder, an ascetic, a learned man, and one that practises austerities, by rising from the seat and so forth.

70. No man should sit down on the ground in the presence of a religious preceptor, a god, or king, or in a (solemn) assembly, in such a (disrespectful) attitude as to make one foot rest on the thigh, or with a cloth tied round the (waist and) knees.

71. A controversial discussion should never be carried on with a religious teacher (âçârya). He is to be honoured with gifts of food, money, clothes, and with all other things according to ability.

72. When any of my disciples hear of his arrival, they should immediately show their respect by advancing to meet him, and when he departs, they should accompany him as far as the confines of the village.

73. If an act, attended with large recompense, be opposed to religious duty, that act ought not to be committed; for religious duty (when performed) confers all desired objects.

74. An unrighteous act that may have been committed by great persons in former times must never be held (worthy of imitation); but their virtuous conduct only is to be imitated.

75. Let not the secrets of any one be ever anywhere divulged, the neglect (vyatikrama) of proper respect (for those deserving of reverence) should never be made, (as if all were to be looked at) with an equal eye (of esteem).

76. All my disciples should practise special religious observances during the four special months (beginning with Âshâ.dha). But those who are sickly need only practise the same in the one month of Šrâva.na only.