Sūta said: In fact the Āśramas bring about only misery or exhaustion (śrama) unto the different castes. People do not attain the Ātman through Āśramas (stages in life), Vedas, yajñas, Sāṃkhyas, (numerical knowledge), vratas (holy rites), severe penances, different kinds of charitable gifts, etc. But people with knowledge obtain it. Hence, with all efforts one shall perform the Pāśupata rite. In the holy rite of Pāśupata, the learned devotee shall perpetually lie on bhasman, besmeared with ashes.