Having fulfilled his prescribed duties, the brahmin was assured that he would attain perfection. With this goal in mind, he was encouraged to perform the rites for the ancestors; after all, if he desired the blessings of a wife and sons, why would the forefathers not grant such wishes to him? Upon hearing these words spoken by the sage, words that described the nature of Brahma—the one of unmanifest birth—the brahmin was filled with reverence. He then praised the ancestors with heartfelt hymns, offering his devotion. He bowed to the ancestors who dwell among the presiding deities, honoring them with deep devotion. He bowed to those ancestors in heaven, who are satisfied by the offerings of great sages. He bowed to those ancestors in heaven, whom the perfected beings gratify. He bowed to those ancestors who are worshipped by celestial beings in the heavens. He bowed to the ancestors who are always worshipped on earth by mortals, and again to those who are revered by brahmins. He offered his respects to the ancestors gratified by those dwelling in the forest, and to those worshipped by brahmins devoted to lifelong vows and righteousness. He bowed to the ancestors whom kshatriyas satisfy with śrāddha offerings, and to those worshipped on earth by vaiśyas. He honored the ancestors worshipped by śūdras as well, with devotion, through śrāddha. He bowed to those ancestors who, during śrāddha, reside in the netherworld and are gratified by the great asuras. He offered respects to those worshipped in Rasātala, and to those always satisfied with śrāddha offerings by serpents. He bowed to the ancestors who dwell directly in the world of the gods or on the earth, and to those of the highest reality, dwelling in celestial vehicles, formless. He honored the ancestors who dwell in heaven, who are embodied, who partake of svadhā, and who are intent upon the fruits of desire. He prayed that all these ancestors might be satisfied here, for they grant desires to those who wish for them. He remembered those ancestors who dwell always in the rays of Soma, in the orb of the sun, and in shining celestial chariots. He honored those whose satisfaction comes from offerings poured into the sacrificial fire, and who partake of oblations placed in the bodies of Brahmins. He bowed to those ancestors gratified by sword-cut meat, their desired drinks, black sesame seeds, and delightful divine offerings. He acknowledged all the various offerings, whatever desirable things there are, exceedingly so, for those ancestors who have been worshipped. He remembered those who, day by day, accept worship, who are to be honored at the end of the month, and who dwell in the bricks upon the earth. He honored those who are worshipped among Brahmins, shining like the lotus and the moon, and among Kshatriyas, radiant like fire and the sun. He prayed that through the offering of flowers, fragrance, incense, water, food, and other presentations, all these ancestors might be satisfied here. He honored those who, for the sake of satisfaction, accept the offerings that were first given to the gods, and the auspicious things that have been brought. He prayed that the Rakshasas, spirits, fierce demons, and all dangers be destroyed, so that no harm may come to the people. He invoked the Agniṣvāttas, the Barhiṣads, the Ājyapās, and the Somapās as well, seeking their protection. May the Agniṣvātta groups of ancestors guard the eastern direction, the Ājyapās the western, and likewise the Somapās the northern, shielding all from Rakshasas, spirits, ghosts, and the faults of demons. He acknowledged the universal ancestor, the enjoyer of all, worthy of worship, righteous, blessed, and auspicious. He praised the one who is auspicious, the giver of auspiciousness, the doer, the blessed one, and the refuge of the most auspicious. He honored the excellent, most excellent, the bestower of boons, the giver of satisfaction, and the giver of nourishment. He revered the great ancestor, of great soul, honored, possessing greatness and strength. He recognized that one ancestor bestows happiness, another grants wealth, another gives righteousness, and yet another confers existence itself. By these ancestors, the entire universe is pervaded—these are the thirty-one groups of forefathers. Thus, the brahmin, with devotion and reverence, praised and honored all his ancestors, seeking their blessings and protection for himself and all beings.