I shall now recount what the venerable scripture teaches about the proper times and practices for performing śrāddha, the sacred rites honoring one’s ancestors. “O best of the twice-born,” it is said, “listen as I speak of the auspicious moments for śrāddha.” One should perform these rites when a suitable offering is available, or when an excellent Brāhmaṇa is present to receive the honor due. The wise know to observe śrāddha at key cosmic junctures: during the solstices and equinoxes, and at the time of lunar or solar eclipses. It is also fitting when the sun enters a new zodiac sign. There are other occasions, too, that call for śrāddha: when one is afflicted by inauspicious stars or planets, after experiencing evil dreams, or simply by one’s own wish. The coming of new grain is another sacred time. Particular conjunctions of the new moon and certain nakṣatras (lunar mansions) are especially meritorious. When the new moon coincides with Ārdrā, Viśākhā, or Svāti, śrāddha performed then brings the ancestors satisfaction lasting eight years. If the new moon falls on Puṣya, on a fierce nakṣatra, or on Punarvasu, the ancestors are content for twelve years. When the new moon is in the Vāsava, Ājaikapāda, or Vāruṇa nakṣatras, those seeking their ancestors’ satisfaction should not miss the occasion, for even the gods find it hard to obtain such fulfillment. Whenever the new moon falls in any of the nine special nakṣatras, śrāddha performed then brings inexhaustible merit—so great, it is said, that even with ten million times a thousand offerings, the limit of merit is not reached. The ancestors themselves speak of other, secret and highly meritorious times: the third day of the bright half of Vaiśākha, and the ninth day of the bright half of Kārttika. Likewise, the thirteenth and fifteenth days of the dark fortnight in Māgha, during an eclipse, on the Aṣṭakā days, and at both solstices, are all sacred. On these occasions, a person should offer water mixed with sesame seeds with devotion, for by this act the ancestors are satisfied for a thousand years—this secret is revealed by the forefathers. If, in the bright half of Māgha, the fifteenth day coincides with the star Varuṇa, that time is supremely auspicious for the ancestors. Yet, such a moment is rare and not easily attained by those of little merit. If, at that time, the star Dhaniṣṭhā is also present, then water and food offered to the ancestors bring them satisfaction for ten thousand years. Should the early Bhādrapadā stars also be present, those who perform śrāddha then cause their ancestors to attain supreme satisfaction, allowing them to rest peacefully for an entire age. Bathing with reverence in the sacred rivers—Gaṅgā, Sarayū, Vipāśā, Sarasvatī, Naimiṣā, or Gomati—and then performing worship for the ancestors, destroys their misfortunes. The ancestors themselves sing: “When, after a year, we again attain satisfaction at the end of the bright Māgha fortnight, with the pure waters of holy fords, through gifts made by sons and others…” A pure mind and wealth, the right time, the prescribed rite, a proper vessel, and supreme devotion—these grant all that is desired to those who perform śrāddha. Now, O noble one, listen to these verses sung by the ancestors. Having heard them, one should act as destiny ordains. “Blessed indeed is the wise man born in our lineage who, without deceit regarding wealth, will offer the rice-balls for us. He who, possessing jewels, garments, vehicles, all enjoyments, and wealth, gives gifts to Brāhmaṇas on our behalf—or, with whatever food he has, feeds excellent Brāhmaṇas with devotion and humility—even that much is sufficient. If unable to give food, let him offer wild greens according to his capacity, or even a small fee to a foremost Brāhmaṇa. If even that is not possible, let him respectfully offer a few sesame seeds, held at his fingertips, to any distinguished Brāhmaṇa. With seven or eight sesame seeds, or a handful of water, offered with devotion and humility, he fulfills his duty. Whatever he can obtain—be it daily milk from cows, if nothing else is available—let him satisfy us with devotion by making the offering. If everything is lacking, let him go to the forest, point out a sacred spot at the root of a tree, and recite aloud for the Sun and other guardians of the worlds: ‘I have no wealth, nor riches, nor anything else suitable for śrāddha; bowing to my ancestors, may they be satisfied with my devotion—my arms outstretched on the path of the wind.’ Thus have the ancestors sung regarding the purpose of existence and non-existence; the ritual becomes a true śrāddha when performed in this spirit by the twice-born.” At this point, the sage Markandeya spoke: “This teaching was told to me by the wise son of Brahma, Sanaka’s younger brother. Now, O sage among Brahmins, listen further about the Brahmins suitable for śrāddha. One who knows the three Nachiketas fires, the three Madhu verses, the three Suparna hymns, is versed in the six limbs of the Vedas, is learned, is a yogi, and foremost singer of the Jyotish Sama; a priest, a nephew, a grandson, a father-in-law, a son-in-law, a maternal uncle, and a Brahmin devoted to austerity; one engaged in the five fires, a disciple, a relative, one devoted to mother and father—these should be appointed for the śrāddha. But some are unfit: a betrayer of friends, one with deformed nails, a Brahmin with black teeth, one who defiles a maiden, one who neglects the sacred fire, one who sells Soma, one who is cursed, a thief, a slanderer, a village priest, one who teaches or is taught for hire, one who has married another’s former wife, one who neglects mother and father, one who supports or is the husband of a low-caste woman, and a temple priest—these should not be appointed. On the first day, the wise should invite the foremost Brahmins. If not possible, he should feed ascetics who have come to the house. Brahmins who arrive at the house, after washing their feet and so on, should be seated respectfully, and served with pure hands and after purification. Pairs should be appointed for the ancestors without union, and likewise for the gods; or one for each god and one for each ancestor. The maternal grandfather’s śrāddha should be performed together with the Vaiśvadeva rite, with devotion, or the Vaiśvadeva rite alone, as prescribed. Brahmins for the gods should be fed facing east, and those for the ancestors and grandfathers facing north. Some say that śrāddha should be performed separately for the two; others, the great sages, say it should be done together with one cooking.” Thus, in reverent detail, the scripture lays out the auspicious times, the spirit, and the worthy recipients of śrāddha, so that the ancestors may be honored and satisfied, and the lineage blessed.