Now, listen as I recount the sacred instructions regarding the Śrāddha rite, as revealed in the ancient text. First, the regions to be carefully avoided are declared: one must neither perform nor even witness Śrāddha in such places, nor undertake any acts of ritual purity or impurity there. Instead, the Śrāddha should be performed with devotion, using wild roots and fruits, for by doing so, one may attain the desired goals—be it a blessed land, heaven, liberation, or lasting fame. The ground chosen for Śrāddha must be proper—never unpleasant, noisy, infested with creatures, or foul-smelling. From the river to the ocean, the entire region of Triśaṅku, with its entrance facing southeast, is to be avoided for twelve yojanas. Likewise, the area known as Traiśaṅkava, lying north of the great river and south of Kaikaṭa, is also forbidden for these rites. Places such as Kāraṅkarā, Kaliṅga, the lands north of the Sindhu, and any region where the discipline of the āśrama-dharma has vanished must be diligently shunned. It is further decreed that naked ascetics and similar persons should not witness the Śrāddha; for if they do, the ancestors and forefathers will not partake of the offerings. At this, a question arose: “O Lord, as I inquire about these naked ascetics and others, please explain in detail, in truth, about the foremost among the twice-born.” Thus addressed, the great and radiant Bṛhaspati spoke: “For all beings, the threefold Vedic restraint is remembered. Those naked ascetics, O best of the twice-born, are those who, out of delusion, abandon this restraint. Just as a man who is lost, or a bull without support, is said to be dissolved, so too are they. He who abandons the bull and seeks liberation elsewhere, or does not see the bull as the embodiment of all the Vedas, loses his way.” Bṛhaspati continued, “Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and all those called Vṛṣalas—when the gods and asuras fought in ancient times, the asuras were defeated. In places corrupted by heresy, this creation was not made by the Self-born. The followers of the double-Śrāddha, the Nirgranthas, the Śākyas, and the Puṣṭikalaṃśakas—all these should be avoided. Those who do not follow dharma are indeed the naked ascetics and the like: those with matted hair in vain, those who wear a useless seal, or the twice-born who is naked in vain. Those who observe vows in vain, who chant in vain, the Kulandhamas, the Niṣādas, and those who destroy prosperity—these too are to be shunned.” He went on, “Those who perform improper rites and gamble are said to be on the wrong path. If such persons see or complete the Śrāddha, the benefit goes to them instead. The slayer of a brāhmaṇa, an ingrate, an atheist, one who violates the teacher’s bed, robbers, and cruel men—all these are to be avoided, even by their mere sight. All others who commit sinful deeds should be shunned, especially those who delight in reviling the gods and sages. If such people are seen, the Śrāddha goes to the asuras and yātudhānas instead.” Bṛhaspati explained further, “The brāhmaṇa age is said to be Kṛta, the kṣatriya age is called Tretā, the vaiśya age is Dvāpara, and the śūdra age is Kali, so say the ancestors. In the Dvāpara age, battles are constant; in the Kali age, heretics abound. The village rooster and the village pig are both impure and disrespectful. A dog, merely by being seen, destroys the efficacy of a Śrāddha; so too if touched by a dog, a woman in childbirth, or those afflicted with chronic disease.” “One must never allow those who are unclean or fallen to see the food. If such people see it, the food becomes unfit for offering to the gods and ancestors. If the main item is touched by such persons, it becomes like the remains of a funeral. Food that has been gathered for sacrifice must be avoided beforehand, and purification with water mixed with earth is prescribed. Sprinkling with siddhārtha seeds or black sesame should be done, or these may be scattered in water. One should also ensure the sight of a teacher, the sun, fire, or other sacred objects.” “Food that has been sat upon, touched by feet, seen by impure beings, or is dry or stale, must be rejected. Food that is blackened, spoiled, licked at the edge, or contaminated by gravel, hair, stones, or insects is likewise to be avoided. Food that is pressed oil-cake, made from sesame or barley, and cooked rice that has been directly salted—all these are unsuitable. Food brushed with cloth is forbidden in Śrāddha rites, and 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 are also to be avoided, as are eggplant and all that is exuded. Rock salt, common salt, and salt produced from the mind are likewise to be rejected.” “This is the highest purity, indeed, and is visible. One should place it in the fire, tie it up, and carefully immerse the hands. One should touch the head, for that is called the sacred water of Brahman; the purification of substances should be done, and again, their immersion. After placing them down, one should sprinkle with water, and likewise immerse them in water—at the root of the arishta tree, bilva, and also the bark of the inguda tree.” “For all types of pulses, purity is prescribed by dharma; likewise, for teeth, bones, wood, and horns, scraping is enjoined. For all earthen vessels, re-burning is prescribed; for gems, diamonds, coral, pearls, conch, and crystal as well. For siddhārtha seeds, purification is done with their paste, or with sesame paste; this is the rule for all kinds of wool and for all sheep. For all sheep, purification is done with earth and water; at the beginning and end of purification, washing with water is again prescribed.” “In the same way, ashes are prescribed for those who work with cotton, and washing with water is enjoined for those who handle fruits, flowers, and sticks. Sweeping, sprinkling with water, and smearing the ground are prescribed; after leaving the village, the earth purified by the wind is to be used.” Thus, with careful observance of place, purity, and conduct, the Śrāddha rite brings blessings to the ancestors and fulfills the highest dharma.