Once, it was declared that one who truly understands both what is to be known and what is to be comprehended, following the proper method, is regarded by thoughtful students as a knower of the Veda. Such a person attains the fruits of sacrifices, mastery of the Vedas, fulfillment of desires, and many kinds of knowledge. He is blessed with long life, offspring, devotion to his ancestors, and wealth. Those who recite, with discipline, the prescribed final section of the Śrāddha ritual gain all these benefits, along with the rewards of giving at holy places. Such a person becomes a purifier of his lineage and the foremost among the twice-born. By teaching all the twice-born, he attains all his desires. Moreover, whoever listens faithfully to this endless account and is free from envy, has conquered anger, and is devoid of greed and delusion, attains heaven. He receives the complete fruits of pilgrimages and gifts; this is the highest path to liberation and the supreme means to heaven. Both in this world and the next, the highest satisfaction is achieved, and thus one should strive diligently. One who recites this procedure attentively and with concentration during assemblies and at the junctions of sacred days gains offspring, supreme brilliance, and reaches the realm of the gods. To the Self-born, who declared this rite, reverence is offered; and always, homage is paid to the great lords of yoga. Know, dear one, that these ancestors are indeed the deities of the gods; these seven, ever undisturbed, remain always in their places. They are the sons of Prajapati, all great souls. The first group is composed of yogis, eternal and ever increasing in yoga. The second group is of gods, the third of the enemies of the gods, and the rest belong to the classes of men, as described. The gods worship these ancestors, all being established in them; and the four orders of life worship these, each in their own way. The four classes also worship them according to proper methods, and even those born of mixed castes and foreigners honor them. Whoever worships the ancestors with devotion is honored by them; and for those desiring prosperity or offspring, the grandfathers grant prosperity, children, and heaven. The duty owed by a son to his father surpasses even the duty owed to the gods, for the ancestors are the original source of nourishment for the gods. Neither the subtle path of yoga nor the supreme path of the ancestors can be perceived by the physical eye, even through intense austerity. A vessel made entirely of silver, or adorned with silver, is declared most purifying and excellent for offerings to the gods and ancestors together. Those whose relatives, identified by name and lineage, offer them three balls of food on earth—placed upon sacred grass and following the prescribed manner—receive benefit. Wherever these balls of food are present, they truly satisfy the ancestors; whatever nourishment a creature receives becomes its sustenance. Just as a calf finds its lost mother in the cowshed, so the mantra guides the creature to its place of residence. Respect, lineage, mantra, and the offered food together lead to satisfaction; even across a hundred births, that fulfillment follows them. Thus, this arrangement was established by Brahmā, the supreme lord: the original creation of the ancestors, for those worlds seeking imperishability. These ancestors are gods, and the gods are again ancestors; the sacrificers and their descendants have also been described. The worlds, daughters, grandsons, and sons, as well as gifts, purity, sacred places, and their fruits, have all been explained. Imperishability, the twice-born, and the wandering ascetic tradition have been stated in proper order, as Brahmā once spoke. Bṛhaspati said: “Thus Aṅgiras spoke this to the listening sages; when questioned, he explained all doubts concerning the ancestors in the assembly. In the ancient sacrifice, lasting a thousand years, where the householder was present, Brahmā, lord of the gods, presided. Hundreds of years were spent there, and verses were sung by the sages, those who speak of Brahman. At that sacrifice, the supreme soul, Brahmā, was initiated. There, the fierce desire for imperishability arose among the ancestors, for the welfare of the worlds, by Brahmā, the supreme lord.” Sūta continued: “Thus, Bṛhaspati, when questioned by his wise son, spoke of the lineage of the ancestors as it was recounted. Now I shall speak further—listen to the account of Varuṇa.” When the sages had been addressed in this way, they became exceedingly joyful; eager to hear more, they questioned again immediately: “Tell us, in proper sequence, about the dynasties and the kings of immeasurable energy, their existence and greatness.” Thus addressed, the charioteer Lomaharṣaṇa, skilled in the words of the sages, prepared himself to listen to the subsequent narration. Expert in storytelling, he said, “Hear what the sage told me, just as it was spoken to me. Listen as I recount, in order, the lineages, and the status and power of the kings of boundless energy. Varuṇa’s wife, called Sāmudrī and also known as Śunodevī, bore two sons, Kali and Vaidya, and a daughter, Surasundarī. Kali’s sons, Jay and Vijaya, were of great strength; Vaidya’s sons, Ghṛṇi and Muni, were also mighty. Desiring to consume the creatures, those two devoured each other and thus met their destruction. Kali was born among the gods; his son is known as Mada. Kali’s wife was Tvāṣṭrī, whose elder sister, Nikṛti, is remembered as Himsā. She gave birth to four other sons of Kali, all man-eaters: Nāka, Vighna, Sadrama, and Vidhama, as they are known.” Thus, the lineage and deeds of Varuṇa’s descendants were recounted, just as the sages had requested.