Listen, as I recount what I know and have heard: in each manvantara, cycles of cosmic time, the ancestors are born as the sons of the gods. Among those who have passed and those yet to come, there is a natural order of elders and juniors. Some ancestors were with the gods in previous cycles, while others exist now; I promise to speak of them. Humans perform śrāddha, the sacred rites, for these ancestors. In the beginning, Brahmā created the gods, but they did not partake of food. Desiring the fruits of action, they abandoned their abstinence and created themselves anew. However, Brahmā cursed them, and they became deluded, losing awareness and knowledge. The world itself became bewildered. In their confusion, all the gods bowed again before the Grandfather, Brahmā, begging for his favor. The Lord spoke to them for the sake of the worlds: “Perform penance for the transgression you have committed. Seek knowledge from your own sons, and you will regain awareness.” Eager to atone, the gods approached their sons with controlled minds, questioning each other according to the proper method. The sons, with disciplined minds and knowing righteousness, instructed their fathers in many ways about penances—those born of speech, mind, and action. As the gods regained awareness, they joyfully declared to their sons, “You are indeed our ancestors, for you have awakened us. What boon of knowledge or desire shall we grant you?” Then Brahmā spoke again: “You are speakers of truth; therefore, what you have said shall be so, and not otherwise.” Thus, it was established: “These are our ancestors.” Their own sons became their ancestors, and this boon was granted to them. By Brahmā’s word, the sons became ancestors, and the ancestors became sons again. Therefore, the ancestors are sons, and the state of ancestorhood is remembered in them. Remembering ancestors as sons and sons as ancestors, Brahmā spoke again for the growth of the ancestors’ selves. He proclaimed that whoever performs any rite without offering śrāddha to the ancestors, the fruit of that rite will go to the Rākṣasas and Dānavas. The ancestors, nourished by offerings of śrāddha, partake of the inexhaustible Soma; as you replenish them, they will continually increase. When Soma is nourished by śrāddha offerings, he, in turn, nourishes the worlds—the mountains, forests, and all beings, both moving and unmoving. Humans who perform śrāddha desiring nourishment will always receive nourishment and offspring from the ancestors. To those for whom three balls are given at śrāddha, named and identified by lineage, the ancestors and forefathers, present everywhere, will nourish their descendants through these offerings. Thus, Brahmā, the supreme lord, gave this command long ago. Therefore, giving, study, and austerity are accomplished in every way. Indeed, your ancestors are the givers of knowledge—there is no doubt. These ancestors are gods, and the gods are again ancestors; they are mutually ancestors and gods. Having heard these words of Brahmā, spoken by the Sūta whose mind was established, the sages questioned him further: “How many groups of ancestors are there, and at what times do these groups exist, O best among the gods, those who nourish Soma among the gods?” The Sūta replied, “I will declare to you the supreme origin of the ancestors, which Śaṃyu once asked of Bṛhaspati. Śaṃyu, the son, approached Bṛhaspati, who was versed in all knowledge, and respectfully asked: ‘Who are these ancestors by name, how many are there, and what are their names? How did they arise, and how did they attain the status of ancestors? Why are the ancestors always joined in sacrifice from the beginning, and why do all rites of the great-souled proceed preceded by śrāddha? To whom should śrāddha offerings be given, and what is the great fruit of what is given? In which places is śrāddha imperishable—in holy sites and rivers? In which places does a best of twice-born attain everything by performing śrāddha? What time is proper for śrāddha, and what procedure is followed? O revered one, please explain all this in detail and in proper sequence, as I have asked.’” Bṛhaspati, of great intellect, thus questioned, spoke in proper sequence, being foremost among those skilled in answering questions: “I will tell you, dear one, what you have asked me, the profound and excellent question, with due respect and in proper order. The sky, the atmosphere, the earth, the stars, the directions, the sun and moon, and likewise day and night—all these existed. But at that time, O dear one, there was nothing; the world was enveloped in darkness. Only Brahma existed, performing the most arduous austerity there. Shamyu then spoke again to his father, the foremost knower of Brahma, always purified by vows: ‘What kind of supreme austerity did Prajapati undertake for all beings?’ Thus addressed, the greatly radiant Brihaspati replied: ‘The highest union of all austerities is the supreme discipline of austerity. At that time, the blessed one meditated, and through that, he created the worlds anew. All knowledge of past and future, all worlds, and the Vedas in their entirety—having entered into yoga, Brahma created them with the vision of yoga.’ The worlds called Santanika are where the radiant ones reside; they are known as the Virajas, the divine beings among the gods in heaven. Previously, the Lord, united with yoga and austerity, created the gods; Brahma, established in eternal yoga, brought them forth. They are known as the Adidevas, beings of great strength and mighty brilliance, bestowers of all desires, revered by gods, demons, and humans. Thus, the origins of the ancestors, their connection with the gods, and the sacred rites of śrāddha are revealed, as established by Brahmā and taught by the wise.