As the devoted sage Gauramukha was engaged in worship of Lord Hari, Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme God, the great yogi and venerable sage Mārkaṇḍeya arrived at his hermitage. Seeing the illustrious Mārkaṇḍeya approaching from a distance, Gauramukha’s heart filled with joy. With utmost devotion, he welcomed the sage, offering water to wash his feet, honoring him as tradition prescribes. After these respectful offerings, both sages sat together in the humble cow-shed. Eager to learn, Gauramukha addressed Mārkaṇḍeya with reverence: “O best of sages, holder of great vows, instruct me—what is the proper course of action for me?” Hearing this, the illustrious Mārkaṇḍeya, renowned for his austerities, spoke to Gauramukha in gentle tones: “Association with the virtuous, O sage, is the highest duty. If you have doubts regarding any particular action, ask freely.” Gauramukha asked, “The beings known as the Pitṛs, the ancestors, are spoken of in the Vedas. Are they the same for all castes, or are there different groups for different people?” Mārkaṇḍeya replied, “Among all the gods, Nārāyaṇa is the original teacher. From him was born Brahmā, and Brahmā created the seven great sages. The Supreme Lord instructed them, ‘Worship me.’ In the beginning, they worshipped their own selves, as the scriptures declare. However, during their creative acts, those born from Brahmā committed a great transgression, for which a curse befell them: ‘You shall all become devoid of knowledge—there is no doubt.’ “Thus cursed, Brahmā’s mind-born sons, after producing sons to continue their lineages, ascended to heaven. Their sons, remaining on earth, quickly performed the śrāddha rites and satisfied their departed ancestors with offerings. These celestial beings—the seven mind-born sons of Brahmā—continue to observe the prescribed piṇḍa offerings, as revealed in the mantras.” Curious, Gauramukha asked, “Who are these Pitṛs, O Brāhmaṇa? For how long do they remain? Why are the groups of ancestors established in their own world?” Mārkaṇḍeya explained, “Some among them, excellent and powerful, increase the strength of the gods and Soma. There are seven, beginning with Marīci, who are remembered as the Pitṛs in heaven. Of these, four possess form, while the other three are formless. Listen as I describe the creation of their worlds. “Three of these Pitṛs embody the form of Dharma, while the others are supreme groups. Their names and realms I shall declare. The radiant, formless groups of Pitṛs, sons of the Lord of creatures, reside in the worlds called Saṃtānakas. The best among the progeny of Virāṭ are known as the Vairājas. “These Pitṛs, having fallen from their worlds, regain the eternal realms at the end of hundreds of ages. They are reborn as knowers of Brahman. Regaining their memory, they again attain the highest, flawless path of yoga—a pure course, difficult to return from. Nourished by offerings made during śrāddha, these ancestors increase the yoga of yogins. When satisfied, they delight in the strength of yoga. “For this reason, O best of yogis, yogins should always offer śrāddha. This is the foremost creation among the drinkers of soma, unsurpassed. These very Pitṛs exist as a single lineage; those dwelling on earth are to be worshipped, as are those residing in heaven. Among them are the Kalpavāsikas; among their people are Sanaka and others, and the Vairājas, established in austerity. Among them, those who have attained truth are liberated—thus is the lineage of the ancestors. “The Agniṣvāttas are the descendants of Marīci, and the Vairājas are called Barhiṣads. The ancestors of Vasiṣṭha, the lord of progeny, are called Sukāleyas. All these are to be worshipped with the three Vedic mantras, but not separately by a Śūdra. A Śūdra, if permitted by the three higher varṇas, may worship all the ancestors; but there are no separate ancestors belonging to the Śūdra lineage. “O Brāhmaṇa, a liberated and conscious being is indeed found among the Brāhmaṇas; but according to special scriptures and the Purāṇas, it is otherwise. Thus, knowing the scripture praised by sages and the origins of those to be worshipped, the sons of Brahmā, by remembering their own creation, also attained the highest liberation through knowledge. “The Vasus and others, beginning with Kaśyapa, are to be understood as belonging to all varṇas, as are the Gandharvas and others. This, O great sage, is the creation of the ancestors described to you in summary; there is truly no end to it, even in a hundred million years. “Now, I will speak of the proper times for śrāddha. Listen well, O best of twice-born. Śrāddha should be performed when suitable offerings or an excellent Brāhmaṇa is available. One should also perform śrāddha at the solstices, equinoxes, during lunar or solar eclipses, and whenever the sun enters a new zodiac sign. “When afflicted by inauspicious stars or planets, or after seeing evil dreams, one should perform śrāddha at one’s own wish, and also at the coming of new grain. When the new moon coincides with the nakṣatras Ārdrā, Viśākhā, or Svāti, the ancestors are satisfied for eight years by the śrāddha performed then. “When the new moon falls on Puṣya, the fierce nakṣatra, or Punarvasu, the honored ancestors are satisfied for twelve years. On the new moon in the Vāsava, Ājaikapāda, or Vāruṇa nakṣatras, those who desire the ancestors’ satisfaction should perform śrāddha; even the gods find it difficult to obtain such satisfaction. “O best of twice-born, when the new moon falls in any of the nine nakṣatras, śrāddha should be performed by those desiring inexhaustible merit; even with ten million times a thousand, the merit’s limit is not reached. “There is another, secret and meritorious time for śrāddha, spoken of by the ancestors: the third day of the bright half of Vaiśākha, and the ninth day of the bright half of Kārttika. On the thirteenth and fifteenth days of the dark fortnight in the month of Māgha, during eclipses of the moon or sun, as well as on the Aṣṭakā days and both solstices, a person should, with devotion, offer water mixed with sesame seeds to the ancestors. By this act, the śrāddha performed grants satisfaction to the ancestors for a thousand years—this secret is spoken by the forefathers.” Thus, Mārkaṇḍeya revealed to Gauramukha the profound mysteries and duties regarding the ancestors, their origins, their worship, and the auspicious times for honoring them.