O King, listen with reverence to the ways in which the ancestors are honored and satisfied through offerings, as prescribed by the ancient sages. The satisfaction of the ancestors varies according to the nature of the food offered to them. When fish meat is presented, the ancestors are content for two months. If the meat of deer is given, their contentment endures for three months; goat or sheep meat brings satisfaction for four months, and the flesh of birds pleases them for five months. Goat meat, specifically, nourishes the ancestors for six months, while the meat of the parṣata fish extends their satisfaction to seven months. If the offering is the meat of the ena antelope, the ancestors are gratified for eight months. Boar and buffalo meat sustain them for ten months, and the meat of rabbit or tortoise brings joy for eleven months. The offering of cow’s milk, rice cooked in milk, or the meat of the raurava animal satisfies the ancestors for a full year and even up to fifteen months. Yet, with the meat of the vārdhrīṇasa, the wild ox, their contentment lasts an astonishing twelve years. Some offerings are said to grant endless satisfaction: such is the case with kālaśāka greens and with swordfish meat. Moreover, whenever cow’s milk, ghee, or sweet rice mixed with honey is given, the ancestors and ancient deities declare such offerings to be inexhaustible in their blessings. But it is not only food that pleases the ancestors. One should also recite the svādhyāya, the sacred ancestral recitation, along with all the Purāṇas, and the various hymns dedicated to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, the Sun, and Rudra. Hymns to Indra, Agni, and Soma, which purify the heart, should be chanted as one is able, together with the Bṛhat and Rathantara Sāmans, the Jyeṣṭha Sāman, and the Sarauhiṇa. Likewise, the Śāntikādhyāya, the Madhu Brāhmaṇa, the Maṇḍala Brāhmaṇa, and any other recitations that bring satisfaction should be included. All of these acts—the offerings and the recitations—should be proclaimed by the brāhmaṇas and by oneself, after the guests have eaten and while they are still near the food, as is proper. The food suitable for all castes should be sprinkled with water, offered before those who have partaken, and some should be scattered upon the earth. At this moment, one should pray: “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 even food—may this food given on the earth for their satisfaction bring them happiness in the worlds. Those who died without proper rites, or the abandoned women of the family, are to receive their share from what remains as leavings and whatever is scattered on darbha grass. Water, too, should be offered for the satisfaction of the unknown and the departed, once and in various ways, on ground that has been purified with cow dung, urine, and water. Darbha grass is to be carefully placed with its tips pointing south, and with due care, one should offer the ancestral balls of food, using food suitable for all castes, just as prescribed in the ancestral rite. Before the ritual cleansing, incense, fragrance, and similar offerings should be made, declaring one’s name and lineage. Only then should the ritual cleansing be performed. Circumambulating with darbha grass in the left hand, one should carry out the prescribed actions for the ancestors, using the proper ritual method. A lamp should be lit, and flowers offered in the same way; after rinsing the mouth, water should be given, once or repeatedly, at the end of the ritual. Following this, flowers, rice grains, and inexhaustible water with sesame seeds should be offered, again stating one’s name and lineage, and a donation should be given according to one’s ability. Cows, land, gold, garments, fine bedding, and whatever else the Brahmins desire should be given, for oneself and for one’s father. Free from miserliness, one should strive to bring satisfaction to the ancestors. After this, water should be offered to the Visvedevas, accompanied by the svadhā invocation. When the offerings are made, the wise person should accept blessings from the Brahmins, facing east. He should say, “May the ancestors be gentle,” and the Brahmins should repeat this blessing. When the Brahmins say, “May our lineage increase,” he should respond, “May the donors prosper,” thus exchanging good wishes. When the Brahmins say, “May these true blessings be,” he should then recite the svasti invocation and, with devotion, remove the rice balls. He should wait with the remnants of the offering until the Brahmins have departed. Then, he should perform the offering to the household deities, as prescribed by dharma. The remnants placed on the ground are considered the ancestral share for those who are upright, believing, and for the servant class. This way of nourishing the ancestors was established long ago, for those with or without sons, and even for women, O king. Once all this is done, standing before the offerings, he should take the water vessel, recite “vāje vāja,” and dismiss the ancestors with the tip of the kusa grass. He should then circumambulate outside, taking eight steps, accompanied by his relatives, sons, and wives. Upon returning, he should bow, sprinkle the fire with mantras, perform the Vaiśvadeva rite, and make the daily offering. After the Vaiśvadeva rite, he should partake of the food together with servants, sons, relatives, and guests—all that was offered to the ancestors. Even one who is not initiated may perform this universal śrāddha on all festival days, for it brings fulfillment of all desires. Even without a wife, even while abroad, the devoted wise man—or even a Śūdra—may perform this rite without mantras, following this procedure. There is a third type, called the prosperity Śrāddha, performed on occasions of celebration and joy, such as festivals, weddings, and auspicious rituals. In this rite, the mothers are to be honored first, then the fathers, and after them, O King, the maternal grandfathers and all the gods. With circumambulation and offerings of curd, unbroken rice, fruits, and water, facing east, one should offer the balls of food, mixed with sacred grass and dūrvā. When the prosperity rite is complete, arghya should be offered to each pair; pairs of twice-born should be honored with garments, gold, and similar gifts. The sesame offering should be performed with barley, accompanied by the recitation of the Nandī verses in order; all auspicious rites should be recited by eminent Brāhmaṇas. Thus, even a Śūdra, at a general prosperity Śrāddha, should always perform the rite with reverence, using the mantra and with humility. In this way, O King, the sacred duties to the ancestors are fulfilled, ensuring their satisfaction and the prosperity of future generations.