In ancient times, the wise sages spoke with great care about the proper offerings and conduct for the sacred rite of Śrāddha, performed to honor one’s ancestors. They explained that certain foods and items are especially pleasing: Śleṣmāṇa, śītalā, hṛdyā, and the sweet sugarcane bring delight. When śyāmāka and sugarcane are offered, all desires of the ancestors may be fulfilled, and one who performs the āgrayaṇa with these offerings swiftly attains success. Yet, not all substances are suitable. Śyāmāka, hastināmā, paṭola, and the fruit of bṛhatī, along with Agastya’s crest, are intensely astringent. Though there exist other sweet and pleasant things, ginger and plants with long roots must not be given in these rites. Bamboo shoots, surasā, sarjjaka, and earthly grasses are always forbidden in Śrāddha, as declared by the sages. Garlic, coriander, onions, radish, and other items such as karambha are considered inferior, due to their taste and smell. These are forbidden, and the reason is rooted in ancient history: when the gods fought the demons and Bali was defeated, drops of blood fell from his wounds. From these drops, such foods emerged, and thus they are always to be avoided in Śrāddha. Furthermore, extracts prescribed in the Vedas, salts, and alkaline substances, as well as the presence of menstruating women, are forbidden during the rite. Water that is foul-smelling, foamy, collected from marshes, unsatisfying to cows, or gathered at night must not be used. The wise avoid the milk of sheep, wild animals, camels, single-hoofed creatures, buffalo, and yak. The regions in which Śrāddha is performed are also carefully prescribed. The rite should not be seen or conducted in certain places, nor should acts of purity or impurity be performed there. Instead, one should offer wild roots and fruits with devotion, thereby attaining the desired land, heaven, liberation, and fame. Ground that is unpleasant, noisy, infested, or foul-smelling must be avoided. From the river to the ocean, with the entrance facing southeast, the entire region of Triśaṅku for twelve yojanas is to be shunned. The area called Traiśaṅkava, north of the great river and south of Kaikaṭa, is forbidden for Śrāddha. Kāraṅkarā, Kaliṅga, the land north of the Sindhu, and places where the āśrama-dharma has perished must also be avoided. It is decreed that naked ascetics and similar people should not witness the rite; if seen by such individuals, the ancestors and grandfathers do not partake of the offerings. When asked about these ascetics and others, the radiant sage Bṛhaspati explained that, for all beings, the threefold Vedic restraint is remembered. Those who abandon this restraint, out of delusion, are like men who are lost or bulls without support—dissolved and adrift. He who abandons the bull and seeks liberation elsewhere, or fails to see the bull as the embodiment of all the Vedas, is misguided. Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and those called Vṛṣalas—when gods and asuras fought in ancient times, the asuras were defeated. In places corrupted by heresy, creation was not made by the Self-born. Followers of double-Śrāddha, Nirgranthas, Śākyas, and Puṣṭikalaṃśakas are among those who do not follow dharma; the naked ascetic, the one with matted hair in vain, the one with a useless seal, the twice-born who is naked in vain, those who observe vows and chant in vain, the Kulandhamas, Niṣādas, and those who destroy prosperity—all are to be shunned. Those who perform improper rites or gamble are said to be on the wrong path; if the Śrāddha is seen or completed by them, it goes to them instead. The slayer of a brāhmaṇa, an ingrate, an atheist, one who violates the teacher’s bed, robbers, and cruel men are to be avoided even by their mere sight. All others who perform sinful deeds, especially those who delight in reviling the gods and sages, must be shunned. If these are seen, the Śrāddha goes to asuras and yātudhānas. The ages are remembered thus: the brāhmaṇa age is Kṛta, the kṣatriya age is Tretā, the vaiśya age is Dvāpara, and the śūdra age is Kali, so say the ancestors. In Dvāpara, battles are constant; in Kali, heretics abound. The village rooster and pig are considered impure and disrespectful. The mere sight of a dog destroys the efficacy of the rite, as does touch by a dog, a woman in childbirth, or those afflicted with chronic disease. No unclean or fallen person should see the food; if seen, it is unfit for offering. If the main item is touched by such persons, it becomes like funeral remains. Food brought together for sacrifice must be avoided beforehand, and purification with water mixed with earth is prescribed. Sprinkling with siddhārtha seeds or black sesame, or scattering them in water, is advised. The sight of a teacher, the sun, fire, or sacred objects is to be ensured. Food that has been sat upon, touched by feet, seen by impure beings, or is dry or stale must be avoided. Food that is blackened, spoiled, licked at the edge, or contaminated by gravel, hair, stones, or insects is to be rejected. Pressed oil-cake, food from sesame or barley, and cooked rice that has been directly salted must not be offered. Food brushed with cloth is forbidden. Some, out of opposition to the Veda, claim knowledge but act otherwise. Those called 'goat-born' are like dust to the Śrāddha; curd, green vegetables, and fermented foods must also be avoided. Thus, with reverence and care, the sages have preserved the sanctity and efficacy of Śrāddha, ensuring that the offerings truly reach the ancestors and bring blessings to the performer.