Hear now the ancient wisdom as it was spoken. Those who commit the grievous act of killing a brāhmaṇa, or who become outcastes, surely descend into hell. Therefore, one should strive to be devoted to proper conduct, peaceful in nature, and born in a noble family. Such a person should understand the three kinds of honey and the three kinds of rice, and be supremely compassionate toward all living beings. He ought to be accomplished in the true meaning of Vedānta and dedicated to the welfare of all the worlds. He should engage in teaching others and in the exposition of true scriptures. Now, listen attentively as I reveal who are to be avoided at a śrāddha ceremony. Those afflicted with leprosy, with deformed nails, with hanging ears, or those who have broken their vows must not be included. Also to be avoided are those who speak ill, who are turncoats, temple-servants, or wicked persons; those devoted to false scriptures, or who eat food belonging to others; bald men, those with round heads, or priests who serve the unfit for sacrifice; those who lack devotion to Viṣṇu or who turn away from devotion to Śiva; those who sell smṛti texts or mantras; those who revile the Vedas or give away goods from villages or markets; and those who engage in deceitful practices—all these must be carefully excluded from the śrāddha. The brāhmaṇa who is invited should be a celibate and self-controlled. One should invite a wise twice-born, holding darbha grass and possessing self-mastery. The learned should perform the śrāddha at the time known as kutapa, for whatever is given to the ancestors at that time is imperishable. Therefore, offerings should be made to the best of the twice-born precisely then. If offerings are made at the wrong time, they are considered rākṣasa—demonic—and do not reach the ancestors. In such cases, both the giver and the recipient fall into hell. The wise know that śrāddha should be performed in the afternoon, after the day has been pierced. It ought to be done at the end of the previous tithi, observing both the old and the new. The tithi that extends into the evening is renowned as the superior time for offerings. Yet, not all agree on the precise time for giving offerings, O lord of sages. With a mind purified by atonement, one should obtain the permission of the appropriate authorities. Both for the sake of the Viśvedevas and for the ancestors, three offerings are to be made according to rule. Once duly permitted for the purpose of śrāddha, one should prepare two circles: for a Vaiśya, the circle should be round; for a Śūdra, there should be sprinkling. One may appoint oneself, but not a brāhmaṇa who is devoid of Vedic knowledge. The worship should be performed properly, always remembering Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Lord. Reciting the ṛc 'apahatā', the performer should scatter sesame seeds. Having given, one should give again, each time waiting for the divine moment. In the offering of food, a fourth portion is prescribed; the rest are considered as completed. Into the vessel, one should pour water while reciting the ṛc 'śanno devī'. Then, the gods should be invoked with the ṛc 'viśve devāḥ saḥ'. Worship should be offered with fragrances, leaves, flowers, incense, and lamps. With darbha grass mixed with sesame, seats should always be provided for them. After sprinkling water with the 'śanno devī' hymn, sesame seeds should be scattered, saying 'tilosi'. With the mantra 'yā divyā', arghya should be offered as before. Thus is the sacred procedure for śrāddha, as established by the ancient seers.