In a time when food could not be found to bring true satisfaction, Medhātithi listened carefully to the words he had heard and returned to his home. There, he resolved upon a sacred duty. He instructed, “Invite all the Brāhmaṇas who are free from the faults known as Kuṇḍa and Golaka.” At his command, Candraśarmā, the family priest, immediately set about gathering those who were virtuous, patient, well-born, well-conducted, and free from blame. When the auspicious śrāddha ceremony was performed, Candraśarmā carefully offered the rice-balls as tradition prescribes. The king, witnessing the Brāhmaṇas—cheerful, nourished, and endowed with strength—rejoiced greatly at their presence. Those humble and wise Brāhmaṇas, filled with affection, spoke gently, “Now you must accomplish this supreme good for us.” Yet, it was declared by the wise that the śrāddha offered to those two who were unworthy bore no fruit. Food, Medhātithi learned, should be given to cows according to proper rule, and never to the unworthy, the atheistic, or those hostile to their teachers. Having spoken thus, the ancestors, satisfied, ascended to heaven, O beautiful one. Medhātithi, filled with joy, fulfilled every command of his ancestors. In this way, he delivered himself and his kin from difficulties and dangers—of this, there is no doubt. Therefore, O Earth, it is said that a gift should be given to a worthy Brāhmaṇa. All, including the noble Nimi and others, would henceforth perform the śrāddha as is proper. Thus ends the one hundred and eighty-ninth chapter, entitled “The Origin of the Piṇḍa Ritual,” in the holy Varāha Purāṇa, the divine scripture. Now begins the section on the determination of śrāddha and ancestral rites, as they pertain to gods, humans, animals, the departed, and those in hell. This world, it is said, is like a dream, shaped by each person’s own good or bad actions. O Lord, who are these ancestors who partake of the śrāddha by means of yoga? How should one assign intention for the rice-ball offerings, month by month? With great curiosity, Vasundharā asked to hear the true determination of these rites. The Blessed One, taking the form of a Boar, replied to Vasundharā: “Well asked, O Earth of noble form, steadfast in all dharma. I shall tell you what you have asked. The father, the grandfather, and the great-grandfather—these are the ones for whom the śrāddha is performed. Knowing the conjunction of the stars, when the fortnight of the ancestors arrives, the wise perform śrāddha with faith. Some twice-born perform the Brahma-yajña sacrifice, while others maintain themselves through the bhūta-yajña. But listen, O goddess, as I declare the true determination of the pitṛ-yajña, the ancestral offering. All these ancestors abide in me; this is the truth. I am the northern fire, and I am the southern fire as well. I am established as the purifier and as the fire itself. A celibate, always pure, should be appointed at the Vaiśvadeva offering. He should not feed the unworthy at śrāddha, but rather worship them at divine sacred places. The highest recipient is one who is content in his household, patient, self-controlled, and master of his senses; versed in the Vedas, devoted to vows, purified by sacred bathing, and who eats well-prepared food. Having first offered to the fire and at divine holy places, O beautiful one, he should perform the śrāddha for each of the four castes, as is proper for them.