Once, with a firm resolve, it was declared that food should be given to cows in accordance with proper rules. However, such offerings must not be given to those unworthy—never to an atheist or to anyone hostile toward the teacher. After these instructions were spoken, all the ancestors, satisfied, ascended to heaven, O beautiful one. Filled with joy, the devotee carried out every command given by the ancestors. Indeed, he delivered others from difficulties and dangers—there could be no doubt of this. Therefore, O Earth, it was proclaimed that a gift should be given to a Brāhmaṇa. All—including Nimi and the others—would perform the śrāddha ritual, O Earth. Thus concluded the one hundred and eighty-ninth chapter, entitled ‘The Origin of the Piṇḍa Ritual,’ in the holy Varāha Purāṇa, the divine scripture. Now, a new section begins: the determination of śrāddha and ancestral rites among gods, humans, animals, the departed, and those in hell. It is said that this world is like a dream, shaped by one’s own actions, whether good or bad. “O God,” inquired Vasundharā, “who are these ancestors who partake of śrāddha by means of yoga? How should one assign intention for the rice-ball offering, month by month? I wish to hear the true determination, for my curiosity is great.” The Blessed One, in the form of a Boar, replied to Vasundharā: “Well asked, O Earth, of noble form, established in all dharma. I shall tell you what you have asked. The father, the grandfather, and the great-grandfather—these are the ancestors. Knowing the conjunction of the stars, when the fortnight of ancestors arrives, those wise people who perform śrāddha with faith will do so. Some twice-born perform the sacrifice known as Brahma-yajña, while others sustain themselves by the bhūta-yajña. And then there is the pitṛ-yajña—listen, O goddess, as I declare its true determination. All of them abide in me; this is the truth I tell you. 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 certain beings at śrāddha, but should worship them at divine sacred places. The highest is one who is content in his household, patient, self-controlled, and master of his senses. He is versed in the Vedas, devoted to vows, purified by sacred bathing, and 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. The food offered should not be seen by dogs, cocks, or pigs, nor by those who do all kinds of work, nor by men who eat everything. Whatever śrāddha is seen by these is known as demonic. When the three worlds were taken for the sake of Śakra in the stride of Viṣṇu, these beings were to be avoided by the wise in ancestral rites, O beautiful one. There, one should invoke the ancestors on earth with the proper mantra and procedure: the father, the grandfather, and the great-grandfather. Having bowed with the head to the goddesses and to the holders of the offering, in this way the ancestors are pleased by the offering—there is no doubt. Three, O lovely one, have arisen from the body of the gods.