On the sacred day of the new moon, it is prescribed that a ritual object be placed into a pit measuring four finger-breadths square. This rite, known as the thrice-seven, is said to uphold the three worlds, sustaining their balance and harmony. Through its performance, one is blessed with nourishment, wealth, long life, and progeny; various forms of good fortune arise, and ultimately, liberation is granted. This ritual is supremely purifying. It removes sin and bestows the fruit of the grand Aśvamedha sacrifice. When twice-born men honor and worship it, a special mantra—immortal and created by Brahma—is to be recited. The ritual begins with homage to the deities, the ancestors, and the great yogis; Svadhā and Svāhā are honored as well. At both the beginning and the end of the śrāddha ceremony, this mantra must be recited three times. It should also be recited with concentration during the offering of the piṇḍa. By doing so, the ancestors quickly arrive, and any hostile spirits or demons are driven away. This mantra truly delivers the ancestors of the three worlds when recited faithfully at the śrāddha by those devoted to Brahman. Anyone who desires sovereignty should diligently recite this mantra, for it increases strength, purity, wealth, virtue, glory, lifespan, and power. The ancestors are pleased by its disciplined recitation. The Seven-flamed (Saptārciṣa) mantra, auspicious and bestower of all desires, is then declared. With reverence, one bows to both the formless and the formed ancestors, radiant in their brilliance—those contemplative ones with the eye of yoga. Respect is paid to the progenitors of Indra and the other gods, to Bhṛgu and Marīci, to the seven sages, and to the ancestors who grant desires. All the ancestors of Manu and the other lords of the gods, and of the Sun and the Moon, who grant well-being, are honored with bows. The ancestors of the stars, of all moving and unmoving beings, of the grandfathers, as well as Heaven and Earth, are honored with joined palms. The progenitors of the divine sages, who are honored by all the worlds and bestow fearlessness, are also saluted. Prajāpati, Kaśyapa, Soma, Varuṇa, and the lords of yoga and union are honored with joined palms. Salutations are offered to the seven groups of ancestors in the seven worlds, and to the self-born Brahmā, the seer through yoga. This rite, honored by the groups of seven sages and brahmarṣis, is supremely pure and destroys great sins. One who follows this method receives three boons: the ancestors grant him food, long life, and sons upon the earth. If a person performs the Seven-flamed ritual with supreme devotion, faith, and self-control, always with concentration, he becomes the sole ruler of the earth and its seven continents and oceans. It is prescribed that whatever is cooked in the house, whether for eating or enjoyment, should never be consumed without first offering it. The text then describes the bali vessels and the fruits declared for each. Bṛhaspati explains: the palāśa vessel is for brahmic splendor; the aśvattha is for attaining sovereignty; the plakṣa is for lordship over all beings. For those desiring nourishment, the nyagrodha is prescribed. For intellect, wisdom, fortitude, and memory, the kāśmarya vessel is protective, famed, and a destroyer of demons. In this world, supreme good fortune arises from the offering of honey. Whoever performs it in a vessel of phalgu attains all desires. Great radiance and special brilliance are gained by the performer; in a vessel of bilva, one achieves prosperity, intelligence, and perpetual longevity. For fields, gardens, ponds, and crops, unceasing rain is bestowed for those who offer in bamboo vessels. Those who make offerings in these excellent vessels, giving the first portion even once, obtain the fruit of all sacrifices. Whoever always gives garlands and fragrant items to the ancestors, endowed with prosperity, shines like the sun. Whoever offers incense, such as guggulu, combined with honey and clarified butter, to the ancestors obtains the fruit of the horse sacrifice. By offering incense with fragrance and pleasing qualities, devoted to the ancestors, one obtains offspring among women both here and hereafter. One should always give to the ancestors with attentiveness. Whoever always offers a lamp to the ancestors with devotion attains incomparable vision in the world and always receives auspiciousness. Through brilliance, fame, beauty, and strength, one becomes radiant on earth and shines in heaven, delighting among apsaras at the forefront of celestial vehicles. Fragrances, flowers, incense, clarified butter, grains, fruit, roots, and respectful salutations should be offered to the ancestors with devotion and purity. After honoring the Brahmins and animals, one should worship the ancestors with food. At the time of śrāddha, the ancestors, having become like wind, always enter upon seeing the Brahmins. Therefore, this is declared. By honoring the foremost Brahmins with gifts of clothes, food, offerings, eatables, drinks, cows, horses, and villages, the ancestors are pleased. Therefore, one should properly worship the best Brahmins with food. A Brahmin should perform the marking with both right and left hands, as well as the sprinkling, being diligent in the śrāddha ritual. One should offer darbha grass, rice balls, various foods, flowers, fragrance, and ornaments, each separately, as prescribed. After properly nourishing the people, the Brahmin becomes superior; he should perform the anointing with three bundles of darbha grass, as prescribed. Excellent food should be given to the ancestors with the left hand; after uttering their names, cloth and thread should also be given to all. Cutting, nourishing, and marking, as well as the same marking, are performed once for the gods and three times for the ancestors. Thus, the sacred rites and offerings, performed with devotion and care, ensure the favor of the ancestors, the gods, and the sages, bringing blessings, prosperity, and liberation to the performer and his lineage.