With deep reverence, I bow to the ancestors who dwell in the heavenly realms, who remain embodied and partake of the sacred svadhā, ever intent upon fulfilling the fruits of desire. May all those venerable ancestors, who grant the wishes of those who seek their favor, be satisfied here and now. These are the ancestors who abide perpetually in the radiant rays of Soma, within the orb of the sun, and in their resplendent celestial chariots. They are pleased by the offerings poured into the sacrificial fire, and they partake of the oblations placed with devotion in the bodies of Brahmins. Some are gratified by sword-cut meat, by their chosen drinks, by black sesame seeds, and by the delightful offerings of the gods. Whatever desirable things there are, all manner of offerings, exceedingly so, have been presented in worship to these ancestors of mine. Day by day, they accept the worship offered to them, and they are to be honored especially at the end of each month, as well as those who dwell within the very bricks upon the earth. Among Brahmins, they shine like the lotus and the moon; among Kshatriyas, they blaze like fire and the sun. May all these ancestors be satisfied here through the offerings of flowers, fragrant substances, incense, water, food, and all other presentations. For their satisfaction, they accept those offerings that are first given to the gods, as well as all auspicious things brought with devotion. May all Rakshasas, spirits, fierce demons, and every form of danger be destroyed, so that no harm may come to the people. Among the ancestors are the Agniṣvāttas, the Barhiṣads, the Ājyapās, and the Somapās. May the Agniṣvātta groups protect my eastern direction, the Ājyapās the western, and likewise the Somapās the northern—safeguarding all from Rakshasas, spirits, ghosts, and the faults of demons. He who is universal, the enjoyer of all, worthy of worship, righteous, blessed, and of auspicious countenance—he is the giver of auspiciousness, the doer of good, the blessed refuge of all that is most auspicious. He is excellent, most excellent, the bestower of boons, the giver of satisfaction and nourishment. He is great, of vast soul, honored, possessing greatness and immense strength. Among these ancestors, one bestows happiness, another grants wealth, another gives righteousness, and yet another confers existence itself. By them, the entire universe is pervaded—these are the thirty-one groups of ancestors. As these ancestors were thus praised, a great radiance arose from their collective energy. That immense brilliance enveloped the whole world, astonishing all who beheld it. Then Ruci, seeing this wondrous light, spoke with devotion: “I always bow to those meditators endowed with divine vision. I offer homage to the leaders among Indra and the others, and likewise to those of Daksha and Marichi, to the foremost among the Manus, and to the lords of the Sun and the Moon. I bow to the stars, the planets, and likewise to wind, fire, and sky. Homage to Prajapati, to Kashyapa, to Soma, and to Varuna. I honor the seven groups and the seven worlds. I revere the groups of ancestors who are the supports of Soma, those who possess yogic forms, those who have the form of fire, and all others as well. I bow to those who are in the form of radiance, and to those who are forms of Soma, the Sun, and Fire. To all those yogic ancestors, with a concentrated and devoted mind, I offer my respects.” Thus praised by Ruci, O best of sages, those radiant ancestors were deeply pleased. He offered them fragrant flowers and ointments as sacred offerings. Bowing with devotion and hands joined, Ruci again paid homage. Then, the pleased ancestors spoke graciously to that best of sages. Ruci expressed his heartfelt desire: “I long for a wife who is blessed, divine, and fruitful with offspring.” The ancestors responded with assurance: “From her, a son will be born to you, O best of sages! He will be the wise ruler of the Manvantara, bearing your name. He, too, will have many sons, mighty and valiant.” Thus, the blessings of the ancestors were bestowed, and their radiance illuminated the path forward for Ruci and his lineage.