The wise person should carefully perform the sequence, starting from the index finger.

Similarly, all acts are auspicious when performed with the thumb. 20.

"The aforementioned acts should be performed in sequence, starting with the index finger (the finger next to the thumb). All auspicious acts should be employed using the thumb; that is, perform peace work with the thumb and index finger, nourishment with the middle finger and thumb, and malicious acts with the ring finger and thumb. 20."

Thus ends the determination of fingers.

The Procedure for Gathering Roots

A medicinal herb gathered with the method and the mantra becomes fruitful.

Without the method and the mantra, it becomes as useless as a piece of wood. 21.

"A medicinal herb brought with the method and the mantra is fruitful, and one brought without the method and mantra is like wood. 21."

A medicinal herb that stays in a secluded, beautiful forest,

Provides success in work because the power resides therein. 22.

"The medicinal herb that remains in a secluded, beautiful forest provides success in one's work because the power exists therein. 22."

Medicinal herbs born in anthills, wells, roadsides, beneath trees, in temples, or cremation grounds,

Are not productive of success even if gathered with the method. 23.

"Medicinal herbs born in an anthill, a well, a path, under a tree, in a temple, or in a cremation ground are not capable of granting success, even if gathered according to the method. 23."

Dissolved by water, burned by fire, born out of season, or whose body is wounded by worms,

Or if the substance is too little or too much, the sages say it is not a substance. 24.