(What is necessary?) The right, and learning and practising the Veda. The true, and learning and practising the Veda. Penance, and learning and practising the Veda. Restraint, and learning and practising the Veda. Tranquillity, and learning and practising the Veda. The fires (to be consecrated), and learning and practising the Veda. The Agnihotra sacrifice, and learning and practising the Veda. Guests (to be entertained), and learning and practising the Veda. Man's duty, and learning and practising the Veda. Children, and learning and practising the Veda. Marriage, and learning and practising the Veda. Children's children, and learning and practising the Veda. Satyavakas Rathitara thinks that the true only is necessary. Taponitya Paurasishti thinks that penance only is necessary. Naka Maudgalya thinks that learning and practising the Veda only are necessary,—for that is penance, that is penance.

In plain words: The text says each good duty must go together with learning and practising the Veda, the sacred texts. These duties include doing right, being truthful, self-discipline, self-control, calm, keeping the sacred fires and offerings, welcoming guests, doing one's duty, marriage, children and grandchildren. Three teachers each pick one thing as most important: one says truth, one says self-discipline, and one says learning and practising the Veda, because that itself is self-discipline.