Rāvaṇa, the formidable one, stood among his followers, accompanied by Sītā, who was pleased by his words. To the delighted Sītā, the Lord granted a boon. Yet, he spoke of the nature of gifts, saying that those given in anger—even if presented with proper vessels—do not bear fruit. He also mentioned the śrāddha, the ancestral rite, performed without the customary fee, and declared, “This I give to you, Trijaṭā.” He continued, inviting all to listen as he recounted what had once been given to the pleased Vāsuki, the serpent king. He explained that the proper fee must always be given for a sacrifice; if the twice-born, the Brāhmaṇa, fails to offer it, the rite loses its merit. He spoke of śrāddhas performed by those unversed in the scriptures, or rituals conducted without the sacred mantras, and of disciples who do not bow with devotion to their guru, the giver of knowledge. All these, he said, he had granted to Vāsuki for a year. Then, he requested, “Tell me about false performances—about śrāddha, gifts, and vows.” He described those who, having stolen or damaged, partake of the fruits of such gifts, and those who observe the vow of silence, returning again and again, seeking some purpose. The knower of the three times spoke: “Remain steady until you are satisfied, having seen for yourself. Be firm. Wait for the period until my return.” With compassion, he resolved to abandon his vow for the day and perform the śrāddha with Sītā according to the proper rite. When the king saw the sage suddenly arrive nearby, he fell to the ground, humbly placing his feet upon his own head in reverence. The king declared, “I shall always perform sacrifice whenever you come to my house. Here is water for washing your feet, here is arghya, here is madhuparka, and here is this cow.” The sage quickly accepted these offerings and spoke promptly, “Do all that by which I became satisfied.” The king asked, “Tell me, what should be done to accomplish this? Bring your queen, the one with the lovely face.” Her maid, renowned as Prabhāvatī, with beautiful hips, was summoned. The queen then came from the inner chambers, always accompanied by her maid. When she was seated, the best of Brāhmaṇas addressed her, who bore a humble face. He spoke of the ancestors, established everywhere among all people. Among them was one old man, surrounded by subtle beings, who, hopeless and wishing to depart, entered again the impure hell. Through him, the action arising from the sage’s own deeds was offered. The servant of the maidservant was said to be her offspring. Hearing this, the queen, faultless in limb, hastened to bring her. This offspring, always devoted to drinking and meat, was alone that day. She was brought into the presence of the sage, seized by the servants by her hand. The sage then spoke to her about the rite, seeking certainty. Yet, the offering of water to the ancestors—which grants supreme liberation—had not been given. She confessed, “I do not know my ancestors, nor indeed the rite to be performed, O Lord.” Meanwhile, the wife of the lord of Mathurā, along with the king and noble citizens, were brought by the king to that holy place for the śrāddha, together with the sage. There, that being was seen, but the offspring was unconscious. Agastya spoke: “Let her perform the offering of water here, according to the procedure previously described.