There is no gift more sacred or greater than the gift of food. From food, all beings are born, and by food, they are sustained—of this, there can be no doubt. Indeed, the gift of food is the gift of life itself, for all the three worlds exist and thrive because of food; the fruit of all sustenance is, truly, food. The worlds themselves rest upon food, and this is the reward of giving generously to the world. Prajāpati, the lord of creation, is himself identified with food, and by his essence, all creation is permeated. Thus, there has never been, nor will there ever be, a gift equal to that of food. Whatever treasures lie hidden within the earth—be they precious jewels, noble vehicles, or women of virtue—one who is devoted to honoring the ancestors soon attains all these blessings. With hands joined in reverence, one should always offer shelter to guests, for the gods themselves wait for such a person, accompanied by thousands of celestial guests. Whoever gives all these gifts becomes the sole ruler of the earth; and by giving even three, two, or just one of these, happiness is assured. Charity stands as the highest dharma, honored and revered by the virtuous; indeed, the sovereignty of all three worlds is established upon the foundation of charity. Through charity, the king gains his kingdom, the poor man attains supreme wealth, and one devoted to the ancestors is blessed with long life. All desires cherished in the heart are known to the ancestors. Bṛhaspati then spoke, saying, “Now, my child, listen as I explain the honored rites of śrāddha. This ritual is always performed, both for the fulfillment of desires and as a sacred obligation. The three aṣṭakā rites are based upon sons, wives, and wealth. The first half of the lunar month is considered superior, and the first aṣṭakā is called Citrī. The second is Prājāpatyā, and the third is Vaiśvadevikī. The first should always be performed with cakes, while the others are to be observed each month. The third is to be performed with vegetables; such is the rule regarding the offerings. The Anvaṣṭakā is prescribed for the ancestors and should always be performed. If a fourth aṣṭakā occurs, it too should be observed with special care. In all these, the wise should perform śrāddha to the best of their ability. In all worlds, here and hereafter, those who perform these rites regularly attain happiness. The devoted are ever elevated, while those who do not believe are cast into lower states. The ancestors, at all the proper times and lunar days, come to their descendants just as cows go eagerly to their watering place. Let not these aṣṭakā rites, honored by the gods, pass by neglected; for the one who ignores them, the world becomes barren, and whatever is gained is soon lost. Those who make offerings ascend to the gods, while those who withhold go to lower realms. Through giving, one obtains children, prosperity, memory, intelligence, sons, and sovereignty. One who performs the rite on the full moon attains complete fulfillment in advance; what is gained by performing it on the first day of the lunar fortnight is never lost. Performing it on the second day makes one lord over all bipeds; for those seeking boons, the third day destroys enemies and removes sins. On the fourth day, one gains insight into the flaws of enemies; the fifth day bestows great prosperity. When śrāddha is performed on the sixth day, the twice-born honor the performer; and the one who observes it on the seventh day attains the merit of a great sacrifice and becomes lord of assemblies. The eighth day brings complete prosperity. On the ninth day, one attains wealth and the wife he desires; on the tenth day, he gains Brāhmī prosperity, mastery of all the Vedas, and the destruction of sin. On the eleventh day, supreme gifts and constant sovereignty are attained. The twelfth day brings kingdom, victory, and wealth; the thirteenth day bestows offspring, intelligence, cattle, wisdom, independence, supreme nourishment, long life, and prosperity. For those in whose families young men have died, offerings should be made for them; for those killed by weapons, offerings are to be made on the fourteenth day. Similarly, for those born in adverse circumstances and for twins, one should always perform the śrāddha with purity and care on the new moon day. He who, on the new moon, offers the great, nourishing Soma in accordance with truth, attains all desires and enjoys endless heaven. Thus nourished, Soma sustains the three worlds, constantly praised by Siddhas, Cāraṇas, and Gandharvas, with hymns, delightful flowers, all desired offerings, and with dances, music, and songs performed by thousands of Apsarases. With games, celestial chariots, and unwavering devotion to the ancestors, the gods, Gandharvas, and groups of Siddhas always praise him. One devoted to the ancestors, performing rites on the new moon, attains all desires; by him, the ancestors are always worshipped directly. Because the ancestors are the deities of the Maghā constellation, that lunar mansion is considered imperishable, and the wise especially perform ancestral rites on that day. Therefore, the ancestors always yearn for Maghā; those devoted to the deities of the ancestors also attain the highest state. Bṛhaspati continued: “Hear from me in detail the śrāddhas which Yama taught to Śiva, each according to the lunar mansion. A man who always performs śrāddha during Kṛttikā, having established the sacred fire, is blessed with sons and remains free from illness. One desiring offspring, performing śrāddha under Rohiṇī with the gentle moon, becomes vigorous; but generally, śrāddha should be performed under Ārdrā for those of harsh deeds. By performing śrāddha under Punarvasu, one gains land and daughters, riches in wealth and grain, and is surrounded by sons and grandsons. Desiring satisfaction, a man should perform śrāddha under Puṣya; by worshipping the ancestors under Āśleṣā, he obtains heroic sons. He becomes foremost among his kin who performs śrāddha under Maghā; and by honoring the ancestors under Phalgunī, a man attains good fortune. Thus, through the faithful observance of these sacred rites, one honors the ancestors, attains all that is desired, and upholds the highest dharma, blessed by the gods and ancestors alike.