In the sacred tradition, the śrāddha rite is to be performed with utmost care and reverence, honoring both the ancestors and the divine. For this purpose, one must first select worthy brāhmaṇas to participate. These should be śrotriyas, sons of śrotriyas, those skilled in ritual speech, and learned in all matters—versed in the Vedas, adept in mantras, and born into a lineage of knowledge. Ideally, they have performed the three Nāciketa fires and the three Madhu sacrifices, and are established in other scriptural rites. They should be knowers of the Purāṇas and of Brahman, devoted to self-study and recitation, dedicated to Brahman, devoted to their ancestors, worshippers of the Sun, or Vaiṣṇavas. Such brāhmaṇas are steadfast in yoga, self-controlled, and possess good character. These individuals must be honored with diligence. However, certain people must be avoided: those fallen from virtue, their sons, the impotent, slanderers, and those with visible disease. All such must be rejected at the time of śrāddha by those who know dharma. On the previous or following day, one should instead invite those who are humble. When the śrāddha is performed, the ancestors themselves approach these brāhmaṇas. Those who have become like air also come, attending upon the seated brāhmaṇas. The host, having touched the right knee, should invite with the left hand those who are free from anger, devoted to purity, well-bathed, and speakers of Brahman. Thus, both you and I should perform the śrāddha rite in this manner. After completing the pitṛ-yajña, known as tarpaṇa, with the proper fire, one should prepare the piṇḍa offering and the vāhāryaka śrāddha at the waning of the moon, on a spot smeared with cow dung, at the southern bathing place. With devotion, one should begin the śrāddha in a cowshed or near water; with fire, offer the pitṛ caru, or handfuls of parched grain. Saying, “I offer to the ancestors,” everything should be placed to the south. After washing the hands, make the three offerings in front. Each offering should be a span long and four fingers wide. Prepare three ladles of khadira wood with silver inlay, each the size of a ratni, smooth, with the tip shaped like a hand. Water vessels of bronze, a strainer, sacrificial sticks, and kuśa grass are to be used. Sesame-leaf plates, clean garments, fragrant incense, and ointments should be brought, and all items gently placed to the south. Arrange everything in the northern part of the house, on a spot smeared with cow dung, and make a circle with cow urine. With pure water adorned with flowers, both with the right and left hand, wash the feet of the brāhmaṇas, bowing to them again and again. When seats are properly arranged with darbha grass and the brāhmaṇas have purified themselves with water, seat them and recite the appropriate mantras. For divine rites, two brāhmaṇas; for ancestral rites, three; or one each for both, or as appropriate—let the wise person serve food to the brāhmaṇas, but do not make the offering elaborate. First, present the offering for the divine purpose; then, according to tradition, honor the brāhmaṇas with arghya and other rites; with their permission, perform the ritual in the fire as prescribed. According to the rules of one’s own tradition, at the proper time and place, the wise person should perform the āpyāyana rite with the Agni and Soma fires. Using the southern fire, which is properly established, the excellent brāhmaṇa, wearing the sacred thread, should complete the rites and then proceed with sprinkling and other acts. All these actions should be performed by one who knows the prācīnāvīta posture. Having obtained the special offerings, prepare the balls of rice and water. With vessels of water, offer the liquid with the left hand; offer everything with care, endowed with self-control and free from envy. Carefully draw a line and place the offerings for the ancestors; facing south, lay down the darbha grass accordingly. Place each rice ball upon the darbha grass, circumambulating them; then, deposit the balls on the grass, reciting the names and gotras. On those blades of darbha, wipe the hand for those who receive the offering; likewise, recite the mantra and again perform the cleansing. Having offered water, worship with incense, fragrance, and other rites. Thus, invoke all with Vedic mantras as prescribed. With one fire and one vessel of water, place the rice balls; then, having done so, offer the kuśa grass to the ancestors. Next, perform the invocation and dismissal for the rice balls and other offerings; afterwards, take the portions from the balls in order. First, seat the brāhmaṇas and praise them; then, serve them food, both for the desired and the meritorious purposes, always. Avoid those prone to anger, remembering Nārāyaṇa Hari. Knowing the ancestors are satisfied, again perform the scattering for all castes. Retaining the food with water and sesame, scatter it on the ground; after the brāhmaṇas have finished, again offer water with flowers and rice grains. Recite the svadhā invocation over all the rice balls; perform the rites from beginning to end, otherwise the śrāddha will be fruitless. After dismissing the brāhmaṇas, bowing to them and circumambulating, the person should face the southern direction, addressing the ancestors. Pray: “May our donors increase, may the Vedas and our lineage continue; may our faith not diminish, and may we always have much to give. May we have abundant food, may we receive guests; may there be those who ask from us, and may we never have to beg from anyone.” This is the rule for the Anvāhārya offering as spoken by Agnimat: just as at the waning of the moon, so too is it prescribed elsewhere. One should offer the rice-balls to cows, brāhmaṇas, into the fire, or into water; or scatter them at the edge of a field, or immerse them with water. The wife, endowed with humility, should eat the middle rice-ball; the ancestors place in her the seed for the growth of progeny. The offering remains until the brāhmaṇas have departed; after completing the rites for the ancestors, one should perform the Vaiśvadeva offering. Thus, the śrāddha is fulfilled, ensuring the satisfaction of both ancestors and the divine, and the blessings of prosperity, lineage, and righteousness continue for the family.