In ancient times, it was said that a man who gave generously—offering a thousand horses, a hundred chariots, and a thousand elephants—would dwell among yogins, his merit shining brightly. Even greater, though, was the act of giving radiant fire in water to one’s ancestors and to yogins; such a giver would be rewarded as if he had bestowed thousands of gold coins. Yet, above all gifts, none surpassed the giving of life itself. Therefore, the wise declared, one should strive with all one’s effort to protect and preserve life, for nonviolence is pure in the eyes of all the gods and the supreme giver. The sages taught that the gift of life stands highest among all offerings to living beings. At the sacred rite of śrāddha, it was prescribed that one should give golden vessels marked with auspicious symbols. Such offerings would bring the donor the blessings of delightful flavors and the nourishing abundance of cows. A vessel of gold, pleasing in form and given at the śrāddha meal, would become the source of beauty, wealth, and fulfillment of desires. Whether the vessel was of silver or gold, the act of giving it in the śrāddha rite brought abundant virtue to the donor. To give a cow—one that yields milk and fills the pot—at a śrāddha was to receive the nourishment of cows in return. In the cold of winter, those who gave ample firewood and fuel to the twice-born for warmth accrued merit, and such a giver would triumph in battle, shine with prosperity, and be adorned with fragrant garlands. After honoring the vessels at the śrāddha, one should give them away respectfully. The donor would then be attended by fragrant breezes, great rivers, and many comforts. Charming young women, delightful beds, seats, lands, and vehicles would grace his life. Even if these gifts were given only at a śrāddha, the donor would obtain the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice, for such offerings were especially potent when made in honor of the ancestors. When vessels filled with ghee were given at the śrāddha and properly honored, the donor would attain keen memory and intelligence, especially if the Brāhmaṇas were virtuous. The fruit of giving many jars and milch cows would be his, and he would enjoy splendid chariots and excellent vehicles in this world. By giving generously at the śrāddha, one could attain the fruit of a lotus; by gifting a beautiful dwelling, the merit equaled that of a Rājasūya sacrifice. Giving a forest adorned with flowers and fruits bestowed the enjoyment of fragrance, while the donation of wells, gardens, ponds, fields, villages, and houses brought heavenly delight that endured as long as the moon and stars shone in the sky. Should one offer a bed adorned with fine coverings and jewels at the śrāddha, his ancestors would be satisfied, and he would enjoy endless heaven, honored by kings and blessed with increasing wealth and grain. Woolen and silk garments, fine blankets, deerskin, gold, silk cloth, braided girdles, and furs—when given to Brāhmaṇas and offered with proper ritual, these gifts brought the fruit of a hundred Vājapeya sacrifices. Such a donor would find many beautiful women, sons, servants, and attendants under his care, living free from disease. Whoever gave silk, linen, cotton, and garments with fine borders at the śrāddha would attain all that he desired. Misfortune would flee from him as darkness flees the dawn, and he would shine among the celestial palaces, radiant as the moon among the stars. Clothing itself was praised as a universal deity, revered by all the gods; without garments, there could be no ritual, no sacrifice, no Veda, nor austerity. Therefore, garments were especially to be given at the śrāddha, for by this act, one attained the merit of all sacrifices, Vedas, and austerities. Those who always gave at śrāddhas, with devotion and effort, would find all their desires fulfilled and even attain sovereignty. The fruits of their sacrifice would be rich and abundant: cooked rice, grains, cakes, and flour mixed with ghee and sugar; gruel, honey, sugarcane, milk, and milk-rice. Such gifts, especially rich cakes, granted the merit of an Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. Curds, pure cow’s milk, and various foods were especially praised when given at śrāddha during the rainy season or under the auspicious Maghā constellation. Brāhmaṇas should be fed with ghee, and ghee should be poured upon the earth. The one who gave an elephant at Gaya during a śrāddha would be free from grief. Rice, milk pudding, clarified butter, honey, roots, fruits, and various delicacies—offered at śrāddha—brought happiness in both this world and the next. He who, with devotion, gave parched grain mixed with sugar and juice, unfailingly and regularly for a year, along with krisara and masura beans, would find inexhaustible treasure. Saktu, laja, cakes, kulmāṣa, and other side dishes, pleasant and unctuous foods, and saktu with curd—these, too, when given at śrāddha, brought endless blessings. New grains, given respectfully and with care, ensured all enjoyments and honor in heaven. Whoever gave all the finest foods—whether to be eaten, chewed, sucked, drunk, or licked—became the best among men. The Vaiśvadeva and Saumya offerings, as well as the flesh of the rhinoceros, were considered supreme, though the horn was to be avoided, and envy had no place in such gifts. With joined palms, one should offer the first portion of food to guests, thereby attaining the highest fruit of all sacrificial acts. Hot, wholesome food should be quickly given to the hungry, along with unctuous side dishes, offered with devotion, respect, and care. The giver of food would obtain a celestial chariot, radiant as the young sun and drawn by swans, and enjoy the delights of three times ten million aeons. Thus, the gifts offered with faith and reverence at the śrāddha brought blessings beyond measure, both in this world and the next.