Listen now to the sacred tradition of performing śrāddha, the ancestral rites, as passed down in the Purāṇas. First, it is taught to avoid the company of those prone to anger, and to keep Nārāyaṇa Hari ever in your thoughts. Remember, when you perform the scattering of offerings for the ancestors, they are satisfied; thus, repeat this act for all castes, honoring each as prescribed. Retain the food, mingling it with water and sesame seeds, and scatter it upon the earth. Only after the Brahmins have concluded their meal do you again offer water, this time adorned with flowers and grains of rice, in reverence. As you prepare the rice-balls for the departed, recite the svadhā invocation over each one. It is essential to perform the rites completely, from beginning to end; otherwise, the śrāddha yields no fruit. Once the Brahmins are respectfully dismissed—with bows and circumambulation in their honor—the performer of the rite turns to the south, addressing the ancestors directly. With devotion, he prays: “May our donors multiply, may the Vedas and our lineage continue unbroken. May our faith never diminish, and may we always be able to give generously. May we have abundant food, guests to welcome, and those who seek alms from us—may we never be forced to beg from others.” Such is the rule for the Anvāhārya offering, as spoken by Agnimat, and as prescribed at the waning of the moon, and in other contexts as well. The rice-balls should be offered with devotion: to cows, to Brahmins, into the sacred fire, or into water. Alternatively, they may be scattered at the edge of a field or immersed in water. The wife, humble and pure, should partake of the middle rice-ball, for it is believed that the ancestors place within her the seed for the growth of progeny. The offerings remain until the Brahmins have departed. After all rites for the ancestors are completed, the Vaiśvadeva offering is performed. Then, together with the honored guests, one partakes peacefully of the food offered to the ancestors. Afterwards, it is permitted to eat again, to travel, to exert oneself, or to engage in marital union. However, those who perform or partake in śrāddha must always avoid a second meal, unnecessary travel, strenuous activity, sexual union, study, quarrels, and daytime sleep on that day. By this procedure, śrāddha is to be performed for the three aims of life, especially during the dark fortnight when the moon is in Kanyā, Kumbha, Vṛṣabha, or the auspicious signs of the stars. Wherever the sapiṇḍīkaraṇa offering is required, it must always be given by one who knows the fire-rites, following this very procedure. Now, hear what Brahmā himself once declared: the śrāddha called 'universal,' which bestows both worldly enjoyment and ultimate liberation. The proper occasions for this rite are the solstices, equinoxes, new moon, solar ingress, amāvāsyāṣṭakā, and the fifteenth day of the dark fortnight; also, on the days of Ārdrā, Maghā, and Rohiṇī, when wealth and Brahmins are present, and on the days of Gajacchāyā, Vyatīpāta, Viṣṭi, and Vaidhṛti. Further, śrāddha may be performed on the third day of Vaiśākha, the ninth of Kārtika, the fifteenth of Māgha, and the thirteenth of Nabhasya; on the ninth of Aśvayuj, the twelfth of Kārtika, the third of Caitra and also of Bhādrapada; on the new moon of Phālguna, the eleventh of Pauṣa, the tenth of Āṣāḍha, and the seventh of Māgha; and on the eighth of the dark fortnight in Śrāvaṇa, the full moon of Āṣāḍha, the Kārtikī and Phālgunī full moons, and the fifteenth bright day of Jyeṣṭha. These times, beginning with the manvantaras, are remembered as most beneficial for the ancestors. A wise person should also offer śrāddha at the start of a manvantara. Even the simple act of offering water mixed with sesame seeds, with devotion, brings great merit to the ancestors. By such offerings, the benefit to the ancestors endures for a thousand years—this is a secret teaching, especially potent during the fasts of Vaiśākha and on the great festival of Mahālaya. Śrāddha should be performed with understanding in holy places, temples, cow-pens, islands, gardens, homes, and in clean, secluded spots. On the day before or after, one should invite Brahmins who are self-controlled, virtuous, of noble lineage and appearance, and endowed with good conduct and character. For divine rites, feed two Brahmins; for ancestral rites, three; or one each for both if resources are limited. Even the wealthy should not make the offering excessive. Begin by worshipping the Viśvedevās with fresh flowers and proper seating, then fill a pair of vessels and place them on purified darbha grass. Reciting 'Śanno devī', pour water, or recite 'Yavosi' as you offer barley. After worshipping with fragrance and flowers, make the offerings to the Viśvedevās. Invoke them with the mantras such as 'Viśvedevāsa', and scatter barley, declaring: “You are the king of grains, O barley, mixed with honey and belonging to Varuṇa.” After worshipping with fragrance and offering oblations, begin the ancestral rite. First, prepare a seat of darbha grass and worship three vessels. Purify them with pavitras, pour water reciting 'Śanno devī', and place sesame seeds reciting 'Tilosi', again offering fragrance and flowers. The vessel may be of wood, leaves, silver, or even something from the sea; but a vessel of gold, silver, or copper is best for the ancestors. Even the story, sight, or gift of silver is praised. When water is offered with faith in silver vessels or those adorned with silver, the merit becomes inexhaustible. To this day, among all vessels, one adorned with silver is considered supreme and dearest to the ancestors, for it is said to have arisen from the eye of Śiva. Thus, choosing vessels according to one’s means, without envy, place darbha grass in your hand, reciting 'Yā divyeti' with the ancestor’s name and lineage. Announce, “I will invoke the ancestors,” and, with their assent, invoke them with the Ṛgvedic mantra, 'Uśantas tvā tathā yantu.' Again, reciting 'Yā divyeti,' offer arghya, then give fragrance and more. Present a cloth with darbha grass, and offer shelter first. Then, having placed the offering in the ancestral vessel, set it down facing north. With a seat established for the ancestors, serve the offerings with devotion and care. Thus is the śrāddha performed, as the wise have always taught, ensuring the blessings and satisfaction of the ancestors, and bringing prosperity and virtue to their descendants.