With deep reverence, the devotee began his salutations, bowing to the ancestors who are gratified by those who dwell in the forests, leading lives of simplicity and meditation. He offered his respects to the ancestors worshipped by brahmins, those steadfast in their vows and devoted to righteousness, and further bowed to those whom the kshatriyas satisfy with their śrāddha offerings. He acknowledged the ancestors who are ever-honored on earth by the vaiśyas, and those who are worshipped with śrāddha by the śūdras as well, their offerings filled with devotion. He paid homage to the ancestors residing in the netherworld, who are pleased during śrāddha by the mighty asuras, and to those who are worshipped in Rasātala itself. He bowed to the ancestors who are ever satisfied by the śrāddha of serpents, and to those who dwell in the world of the gods or on the earth. His salutations extended to the ancestors of the highest reality, formless and radiant, who move in celestial vehicles, and to those who, embodied, reside in heaven, partaking of svadhā and intent on fulfilling desires. The devotee prayed that all these ancestors—givers of boons to those who seek them—be satisfied here and now. He remembered those who dwell in the rays of Soma, in the orb of the sun, and in shining celestial chariots, as well as those ancestors who are gratified by offerings poured into the sacred fires and by oblations placed before the brahmins. He honored those content with sword-cut meat, their favored drinks, black sesame seeds, and other delightful, divine offerings. He offered all manner of desirable things, whatever has been presented in worship to his ancestors. He recalled those who accept worship day by day, those honored at the month’s end, and those dwelling in the very bricks of the earth. He bowed to the ancestors to be worshipped among Brahmins—radiant as lotus and moon—and among Kshatriyas, shining like fire and sun. “May all these ancestors,” he prayed, “be fully satisfied by the flowers, fragrances, incense, water, food, and all other offerings presented here.” He remembered those ancestors who, for their satisfaction, accept offerings first given to the gods, and all auspicious gifts brought forth. He prayed for protection, that all Rakshasas, spirits, fierce demons, and dangers be destroyed, so no harm may come to the people. He invoked the Agniṣvāttas, the Barhiṣads, the Ājyapās, and the Somapās, praying that the Agniṣvātta groups protect his eastern direction, the Ājyapās the western, and the Somapās the northern, guarding all sides from Rakshasas, spirits, ghosts, and the faults of demons. He reflected on the universal nature of the ancestors: enjoyers of all offerings, worthy of worship, righteous, blessed, and auspicious in countenance. He honored the one who is supremely auspicious, the giver of all good, the blessed refuge of those seeking the highest. He praised the ancestors as excellent and most excellent, bestowers of boons, givers of satisfaction, and providers of nourishment. He recognized their greatness, their honored status, their strength, and their capacity to bestow happiness, wealth, righteousness, and even existence itself. He remembered that these thirty-one groups of ancestors pervade the entire universe. As he offered his praises, a great radiance arose from their collective energy, an immense brilliance that enveloped the whole world. Witnessing this wondrous sight, Ruci spoke with awe: “I always bow to those meditators endowed with divine vision.” He extended his salutations to the foremost among Indra and the other gods, to the leaders among Daksha and Marichi, to the Manus, the Sun, and the Moon. He paid homage to the stars, planets, wind, fire, and sky, and to Prajapati, Kashyapa, Soma, and Varuna. He honored the seven groups and the seven worlds, and the hosts of ancestors who are the very supports of Soma and possess yogic forms. He bowed to those ancestors who have the form of fire and to all others, offering his reverence to each and every one. Thus, with devotion, the devotee completed his salutations, honoring the ancestors in all their forms and abodes, seeking their satisfaction, blessings, and protection for all beings.