The ancestors, the primordial deities, are peaceful in mind, ever devoted to purity, gentle in their speech, and deeply attached to those who honor them. They are bringers of happiness, and their presence is a blessing to all who remember them. The sun stands as the presiding deity over all offerings made to them, shining as a witness to these sacred acts. All this—the noble lineage and ways of the ancestors—has been revealed, a holy and purifying tradition, life-giving and ever worthy of praise. Having heard this sacred account, Manu approached Keshava with reverence and asked, “O Lord, please tell me about the different times and forms of the śrāddha rites. Which twice-born should be invited to partake in the śrāddha, and who should not? At what hour of the day should these rites be performed for the ancestors? O Madhusudana, when and how does the offering at śrāddha reach its intended recipients? By what method should it be carried out so as to please the ancestors?” Keshava replied, “Śrāddha should be performed every day, using food, water, milk, roots, or fruits, so that the ancestors may be satisfied. The śrāddha is of three kinds: regular, occasional, and desired. I shall now explain the regular śrāddha, which omits the offering of water and the formal welcoming rites.” “This rite is not for the gods; it is called pārvaṇa, observed on festival days. Pārvaṇa itself is of three types, and you should listen carefully, O King, to whom should be appointed for these rites. The ones to be chosen are: a maintainer of five sacred fires, one who has completed his Vedic studies, one who knows the three suparṇas, and one who is versed in the six limbs of the Vedas. Also worthy are a Vedic scholar, his son, one skilled in ritual texts, a knower of all scriptures, a reciter of mantras, one familiar with his lineage, and one from a noble family. One versed in the Purāṇas, knowledgeable in dharma, devoted to study and recitation, a worshiper of Shiva, one dedicated to the ancestors, a devotee of the sun, and a follower of Vishnu—all these are suitable.” “Further, one devoted to Brahman, tranquil in yoga, self-controlled and virtuous, should be invited. Grandsons, friends, and teachers are also to be honored at the śrāddha. Others worthy of invitation include a wit, maternal uncle, relative, officiating priest, teacher, soma-drinker, one who explains doctrine, and one who investigates the sacrifice. Also, one skilled in the Sāma Veda’s tones and methods, a purifier of the ritual line, a singer of Sāma, a celibate student, a Veda-knower, and one who knows Brahman.” “Where such persons partake in the śrāddha, the rite attains its highest value. These should be fed with care. Now, hear from me who should be avoided. Those fallen from the path, accused, impotent, slanderous, deformed, diseased, with bad nails or dark teeth, and those who tend pigs, donkeys, or horses should not be invited. Likewise, those who covet others’ wealth, who are careless, mad, fierce, who imitate the habits of cats and herons, or who are hypocrites—such as the Devalakas and others—should be avoided. So too, the ungrateful, atheists, and those dwelling in the lands of the Mlecchas—such as Triśaṅku, the Barbarians, Dravidas, and Konkans—should not be chosen. All those with marks of heretics must be avoided, especially during the śrāddha. However, on the day before or after, a disciplined person may invite them.” “For when the worthy Brāhmaṇas are invited, the ancestors themselves approach, becoming as subtle as the wind, and attend the rite as the Brāhmaṇas are seated in their honor. When inviting, one should touch the right knee and say, ‘You have been invited by me,’ and the rules should be announced to the relatives of the ancestors.” “You and I, as performers of the śrāddha, must always be free from anger, devoted to purity, and steadfast in celibacy. After completing the ancestral offering called tarpaṇa, the maintainer of the sacred fire should always perform the śrāddha with rice balls (piṇḍas) during the waning phase of the moon.” “The rite should be performed with devotion on a spot smeared with cow dung, sloping to the south, either in a cowshed or near water. With fire kindled, one should offer the ancestral oblation and the rice cake with equal handfuls, saying, ‘I offer this to the ancestors,’ always placing the offerings to the south. After sprinkling, three elongated offerings, each four fingers wide, should be made in front.” “Three ladles of khadira wood, adorned with silver, each the size of a finger and with a handle shaped like a hand, should be prepared. Also bring a water vessel, a bronze vessel, a strainer, sacred sticks, sesame seeds, vessels, clean garments, fragrant incense, and ointments. All these should be held in the left hand and brought slowly from the south, then placed on the ground before the house.” “On a spot smeared with cow dung, draw a circle with cow urine and worship it with unbroken rice and flowers, using the left hand. Wash the feet of the Brāhmaṇas, greet them repeatedly, and seat them properly on darbha grass, as prescribed. After sprinkling water, seat the Brāhmaṇas and invite them—two for the divine rite, and three for the ancestral rite, one for each or for both.” “Even a king should not make the meal elaborate. The wise should first assign the Brāhmaṇas for the divine rite, providing arghya and other offerings. With the Brāhmaṇas’ permission, perform the fire ritual as prescribed in your own Gṛhya-sūtra, and then prepare the rice cake in a bronze vessel. A learned person should perform the āpyāyana rite with Agni and Soma; or, if there is only one sacred fire, it should be done in the southern fire or after it has been kindled.” “After investing with the sacred thread, perform all the sprinkling and related rites with the thread worn over the right shoulder. From the remainder of the oblation, make six rice balls and offer water with sesame seeds, using the left hand and vessels meant for water. Place the darbha grass to the left knee, free from envy, and carefully draw lines, performing the sprinkling and cleansing as prescribed.” “Facing south, hold the ladle in your hand and, one by one, place each rice ball on all the darbha grasses in order. On the darbha grass, recite the names and lineages of the ancestors, and after touching those darbhas, wipe your hand for those entitled to the offering.” Thus, in this way, the śrāddha is performed, bringing satisfaction and honor to the ancestors, upholding the sacred lineage, and continuing the holy and purifying tradition.