With deep reverence, I bow before all the ancestors of Manu, the ancient progenitors, and the other lords of the gods, as well as the radiant Sun and the gentle Moon, those celestial beings who bestow well-being upon the world. I offer my salutations to every one of them. I extend my homage to the ancestors of the stars, to those of all that moves and all that is still, to the revered grandfathers, and to Heaven and Earth themselves, joining my palms in respect. To the progenitors of the divine sages—those honored by every realm and ever granting fearlessness—I bow with devotion. With joined palms, I salute Prajāpati, Kaśyapa, Soma, Varuṇa, and the lords of yoga and union. I offer salutations to the seven groups of ancestors who dwell in the seven worlds, and to the self-born Brahmā, the seer whose vision is attained through yoga. This sacred teaching, honored by the groups of seven sages and the brahmarṣis, is supremely pure and has the power to destroy even the greatest sins. Whoever follows this path gains three precious boons from the ancestors: they are blessed with food, long life, and sons upon the earth. A person who, with supreme devotion, faith, and self-control, continually recites the Seven-flamed with steady concentration, becomes the sovereign ruler of the earth, with all its seven continents and encircling oceans. It is said that whatever is prepared in the household—whether for eating or enjoyment—should never be consumed without first offering it in honor of the ancestors. Now, let me describe the vessels used for these offerings and the fruits that each bestows, so listen attentively as I recount their order and significance. Bṛhaspati declares: The palāśa vessel is used for the attainment of brahmic splendor; the aśvattha vessel grants sovereignty; and the plakṣa vessel is always prescribed for lordship over all beings. For those desiring nourishment, the nyagrodha vessel is recommended. If one seeks intellect, wisdom, fortitude, and memory, the kāśmarya vessel is protective, renowned, and a destroyer of evil. Great fortune arises from the offering of honey, and one who performs this in a vessel of phalgu attains all their desires. By using a bilva vessel, the performer gains prosperity, intelligence, and enduring longevity. Offerings made in bamboo vessels bring unceasing rain from the clouds for fields, gardens, ponds, and all crops. Those who make offerings in these excellent vessels and who give the first portion, even once, are said to obtain the fruit of all sacrifices. Whoever always gives garlands and fragrant items to the ancestors, blessed with prosperity, shines like the sun. Offering incense such as guggulu, mixed with honey and clarified butter, brings the fruit of the horse sacrifice. One who offers fragrant incense with devotion to the ancestors gains offspring among women both in this world and the next; thus, one should always give to the ancestors with attentive care. Whoever offers a lamp to the ancestors with devotion attains incomparable vision in this world and is always blessed with auspiciousness. Through such brilliance, fame, beauty, and strength, one becomes radiant on earth and shines in heaven, surrounded by apsaras and delighting at the forefront of celestial vehicles. With devotion and purity, one should offer fragrances, flowers, incense, clarified butter, grains, fruit, roots, and respectful salutations to the ancestors. After honoring the Brahmins and animals, one should worship the ancestors with food. At the time of the śrāddha, the ancestors, having become like the wind, always enter upon seeing the Brahmins. Therefore, this teaching is declared to you: by honoring the foremost Brahmins with gifts—clothes, food, offerings, eatables, drinks, cows, horses, and villages—the ancestors are pleased. Thus, one should properly worship the best Brahmins with food. A Brahmin should diligently perform the marking with both right and left hands, as well as the sprinkling, during the śrāddha ritual. Darbha grass, rice balls, various foods, flowers, fragrance, and ornaments should each be offered separately as prescribed. After nourishing the people properly, the Brahmin becomes superior and should perform the anointing with three bundles of darbha grass, as tradition dictates. Excellent food should be given to the ancestors with the left hand, and after reciting their names, cloth and thread should also be offered to all. The acts of cutting, nourishing, and marking are performed once for the gods and three times for the ancestors, as prescribed. With a pure cloth in hand, offerings should be made again and again to all the ancestors, presenting the beneficial sight-born gift to the rice-balls, accompanied by the proper mantra. Always, one devoted to the ancestors should offer three rice-balls, mixed with clarified butter and sesame seeds, upon the ground, placing the left knee down as prescribed. Having invoked the ancestors, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and facing east, one should carefully encircle the rice-balls with water from the ancestral side, being ever vigilant. With food, water, flowers, and various edibles, some choose to honor the maternal ancestors separately. The three nourishing rice-balls should be offered in order, using the thumb and placed between the knees, with care and in the proper sequence. With the left and upper hands, and reciting the dharma mantra, one should always, without weariness, say: “Homage to you, O subtle ancestors.” With the right hand, the rice-ball should first be released, reciting always and without fatigue: “Homage to you, O gentle ancestors.” With the left and upper hands, ever attentive to dharma, one should serve at the line of the mortar and the vessel for water. New linen thread, red cotton cloth, woolen or bark cloth, and the ancestral thread should be given, but silk is to be avoided. In sacrifice, one should avoid any cloth that is torn or soiled, for the ancestors are not pleased by such, and the giver does not gain prosperity. Thus, by following these sacred prescriptions with devotion and care, one honors the ancestors, receives their blessings, and upholds the ancient, purifying tradition.