THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XII On the greatness in holding the Tripuṇḍra and Bhaṣma 1-20. Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: O Devarṣi Nārada! Hear now the great secret and the fruits of besmearing one's body with ashes, yielding all desires. The pure cow dung of the Kapila (brown) cow is to be taken up by the hand before it reaches the ground.

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XIII On the greatness of Bhaṣma 1-20. Nārāyaṇa said: O Best of Munis! What shall I describe to you the effects of using the Bhaṣma! Only applying the ashes takes away the Mahāpātakas (great sins) as well as other minor sins of the devotee. I speak this truly, very truly unto you. Now hear the fruits

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XIV On the greatness in holding the Vibhuti 1-17. Nārāyaṇa said: O Nārada! Whatever is given as charities to any man besmeared with the holy ashes, takes away instantly all the sins of the donor. The Śrutis, Smriti, and all the Purāṇas declare the greatness of this Bhaṣma. So the twice- born must accept this. Whoever

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XV On the rules of using the Tripuṇḍra and Ūrdhapuṇḍra marks 1-10. Nārāyaṇa said: Only the twice born are to take this Tripuṇḍra on the forehead and the other parts of the body after carefully purifying the ashes by the mantra Agniriti Bhaṣma, etc. The Brāhmaṇs, Kṣattriyas, and Vaiśyas are known as the twice-born, (the Dvījas).

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XVI On the description of Sandhyā Upāsānā 1-24. Nārāyaṇa said: Now I am speaking of the very holy Sandhyopāsanā method of Sandhyā worship of Gāyatrī, the Presiding Deity of the morning, midday and evening, and of the twice-born. Listen. The greatness of using Bhaṣma has been described in detail. No further need be stated on the

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XVII On the description of Sandhyā and other daily practices 1-5. Nārāyaṇa said: If one divides or separates the pādas while reciting or making Japam of the Gāyatrī, one is freed from the Brāhmiṇicide, the sin of Brahmāhatyā. But if one does so without breaking the pādas, i.e., repeats at one breath, then one incurs the

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XVIII On the Greatness of the Devī Puja 1. Nārada spoke: “O Bhagavān! I am now very eager to hear the special Puja of Śrī Devī. The people get their desires fulfilled if they worship Her. ” 2-23. Nārāyaṇa said: O Devarṣi! I shall now specially speak to you how the World Mother Bhagavatī is worshipped;

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XIX On the midday Sandhyā 1-24. Nārāyaṇa said: O Nārada! Now I am speaking of the auspicious midday Sandhyā, the practice of which leads to the wonderfully excellent results. Listen. Here the Āchamana and other things are similar to those of the morning Sandhyā. Only in meditation (Dhyānam) there is some difference. I will now speak

THE ELEVENTH BOOK Chapter XX On the description of Brahmā Yajña, Sandhyās, etc. 1-25. The twice born (Brāhmaṇa) is firstly to sip three times (make Āchamana); then to make the Mārjana (sprinkle water) twice; he is to touch the water by the right hand and sprinkle water on his two feet. Next, he is to sprinkle with water his head,