O best of great sages, foremost among those who know dharma! Out of deep affection, friendship, and love, I am moved to speak—so listen closely to what I tell you. It was out of love for my son that I acted as I did; my heart compelled me, and so I performed those rites. Afterwards, I offered the rice-ball for him, carefully spreading darbha grass upon the ground as is proper. Overwhelmed by the force of my grief, I carried out these actions almost unconsciously. My intellect, my memory, my very resolve were lost in the fog of sorrow; ignorance had deluded my mind. Now, I see terrible fear rising from the fierce curse of the sage—but do not be afraid, O best of the twice-born! Take refuge in your father. I see no unrighteousness in what has been done—indeed, I am certain that this is true righteousness. By his actions, by his thoughts, and by his words, my son took refuge in his father. With this in his heart, he quickly approached the ascetic, who was adorned with the fruits of his austerities. The ascetic then comforted his son, speaking auspicious and imperishable words: “This rite for the ancestors is prescribed as duty by Brahma himself. The first Śrāddha was performed by Svayambhū, the self-born, O best among the wise. Thus, the procedure for the Śrāddha rite and the acts for the departed have been established. And by my grace, I bestow understanding upon you.” He continued, “One must certainly go, for it is the command of Dharmarāja. For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who has died, birth is certain. Sattva, rajas, and tamas—these three qualities are said to arise from the body. Those who are dominated by tamas, because of their actions, do not comprehend the sattvic. But those who know the Vedas, being sattvic, proceed on the path to liberation. “One who is cruel, fearful, addicted to vice, violent, and shameless—know him to be tamasic; when spoken to, he does not understand. Such a person is strong in speech, unsteady in mind, and always suspicious. But he who is patient, self-controlled, pure in soul, and endowed with faith is to be known as sattvic. Reflecting thus, you should not give in to sorrow. “Modesty, fortitude, righteousness, prosperity, fame, memory, and wisdom—all these, together with every virtue, abandon a man who is afflicted by grief. Deluded by the power of attachment, he commits violence and falsehood. Therefore, restraining attachment towards all, one should direct the mind towards righteousness. “Now, I shall declare the duties of the four varnas, as spoken by Svayambhū. Lying on a bed of kusha grass, he should not look in any direction. With affection, he should cause the twice-born—the earth-gods—to recite sacred words. For the sake of benefit in the next world, the gift of a cow is especially praised. By giving such gifts, one is quickly freed from sin. Afterwards, let the divine sound be made heard in the right ear. “Seeing him greatly distressed, following my path, by this mantra, the release from all worldly existence should be performed. The mantra is: ‘Om, accept from me this purest madhuparka, the foremost, which destroys worldly existence, equal to nectar.’ Then, with this mantra, one should indeed offer the madhuparka. In this way, when the life-breath has departed, he does not return to worldly existence.” Thus, the sacred rites and teachings were revealed, guiding the grieving heart toward understanding, righteousness, and ultimate release.