During the sacred time of the lunar eclipse in the month of Vaiśākha, and at great festivals, holy assemblies, and gatherings—whether in revered places, shrines, homes, gardens, or temples adorned with lamps—a wise person prepares to honor the ancestors through the śrāddha rite. This ritual is best performed in a secluded, clean, and well-plastered space. With humility, the host invites the Brāhmaṇas either on the day before or after the main event, ensuring their presence for the ceremony. The Brāhmaṇas chosen should be of good conduct, noble character, and virtuous nature, possessing suitable age and appearance. For the divine rite, two are invited; for the ancestral rite, three; or, if necessary, one for each, or both together. Even if the host is wealthy, he avoids extravagance, beginning by worshipping the Viśvadevas with fresh flowers and offering them proper seats. He then fills a pair of vessels, placing sacred darbha grass upon them. Reciting the mantra 'śaṃ no devī,' he pours water and places barley, uttering 'yavaḥ.' After worshipping with fragrance and flowers, the vaiśvadeva offering is set aside. The Viśvadevas are invoked with two mantras, and barley is scattered in their honor. Adorned with fragrance and flowers, he offers arghya with the mantra 'yā divyā.' Once the Viśvadevas are worshipped, the ancestral rite begins. First, a seat of darbha grass is given, and three vessels are filled and purified. Water is poured while reciting 'śaṃ no devī.' Sesame seeds are placed, saying 'tilāḥ,' and again the vessels are adorned with fragrance and flowers. These vessels may be made of wood, leaves, water plants, or even from the sea; gold and silver vessels are especially prescribed for the ancestors. Silver, arising from the eye of Śiva, is dear to the ancestors, and even its story, sight, or gift—especially vessels adorned with silver—are considered auspicious for them. Water offered with faith in a silver vessel becomes inexhaustible, and silver is proper for arghya, piṇḍa, and food offerings to the ancestors. However, because silver is inauspicious for rites to the gods, it must be avoided in those ceremonies. Having chosen the vessels according to what is available, without envy, the host places them, reciting 'yā divyā,' along with the ancestor’s name and lineage, holding darbha grass. Declaring, "I will invoke the ancestors," he invites them with two Ṛgvedic verses: 'uśantastvā' and 'tathāyantu.' Arghya is offered with the mantra 'yā divyā,' followed by fragrance and other offerings. Water is poured from the hand to begin the libation. The vessel for the ancestors is placed facing north, and water is poured around it, reciting 'pitṛbhyaḥ sthānam.' As before, the fire rite is performed without envy, and offerings are brought with both hands and served. With a peaceful mind, holding darbha grass, the host offers foods rich in virtues—soups, vegetables, and various edibles—without omission. Food prepared with curd, milk, cow’s ghee, and sugar, when offered, satisfies all the ancestors for a month, as declared by Keshava. Fish meat satisfies for two months; deer meat for three; goat or sheep meat for four; bird meat for five months. Goat meat brings satisfaction for six months; parṣata fish for seven; ena antelope meat for eight. Boar and buffalo meat satisfy for ten months; rabbit and tortoise meat for eleven months. Cow’s milk, rice cooked in milk, and raurava meat satisfy for a year and fifteen months. Vārdhrīṇasa (wild ox) meat brings satisfaction for twelve years; kālaśāka greens and swordfish meat grant endless satisfaction. Offerings of cow’s milk, ghee, or sweet rice mixed with honey are said to be inexhaustible by the ancestors and ancient deities. The host should recite svādhyāya (ancestral recitation), all the Purāṇas, and hymns to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, the Sun, and Rudra. Hymns to Indra, Agni, and Soma, which purify, are recited as able, along with the Bṛhat and Rathantara Sāmans, the Jyeṣṭha Sāman, and the Sarauhiṇa. The Śāntikādhyāya, Madhu Brāhmaṇa, Maṇḍala Brāhmaṇa, and any other texts that bring satisfaction are also recited. All these recitations should be proclaimed by the Brāhmaṇas and by the host, after the guests have eaten and while they are still near the food. Food suitable for all castes, sprinkled with water, is offered in front of those who have eaten and scattered upon the ground. The host prays, "May those beings of my lineage who were burned by fire and those not burned be satisfied by what is given on the earth, and may they attain the highest state." For those who have neither mother, nor father, nor kin, nor purity of lineage, nor food, the host prays that the food offered on earth leads them to happiness in the worlds. For those who died without rites, and for abandoned women of the family, their share is what remains as leavings and whatever is scattered on darbha grass. Water is offered for the satisfaction of the unknown and departed, once and in various ways, on ground smeared with cow dung, urine, and water. Darbha grass, with its tips to the south, is placed carefully, and the ancestral balls of food are offered with food suitable for all castes, as in the ancestral rite. Before ritual cleansing, incense, fragrance, and similar items are offered, stating name and lineage, and then cleansing is performed. The host circumambulates, holding darbha grass in his left hand, and carries out the prescribed actions for the ancestors, following the proper ritual method. A lamp is lit, and flowers are offered in the same manner. After rinsing his mouth, water is given once or repeatedly at the end of the ritual. Afterwards, flowers, rice grains, and inexhaustible water with sesame are offered, stating name and lineage, and a donation is given according to ability. Thus, with reverence and care, the śrāddha is performed, honoring the ancestors and fulfilling the sacred tradition.