In the ancient times, when the gods themselves pondered the mysteries of life and death, a choice was made among them. For whom, they wondered, would death be chosen, and for whom would immortality be reserved? It was Yama, the son of Vivasvat, who accepted mortality, choosing the beloved form of death, while Brhaspati was appointed as the priest of sacrifice. Thus, the great order was set in motion. Seven sacred rivers flowed for the child of the Maruts, and the sons, in their devotion, protected their father, the steadfast and true one. In the cosmic balance, both sides ruled and strove for each other, prospering together in harmony. When a soul departs this world, it journeys along the great slopes, following the well-trodden path taken by many before, to the assembly of ancestors presided over by King Yama, the son of Vivasvat. There, the departed is to be honored with offerings, for Yama was the first to discover the way to this eternal pasture—a place that cannot be taken away. There, the ancestors, each following their own path of righteousness, have gone before us. Mātalī, wise among messengers, Yama with the Angiras, and Brhaspati with the singers, all grew strong, as did those gods who thrived on offerings and delighted in sacrifice. Yama, seated with the Angiras and the assembled ancestors, is invited to partake of the sacred chants and rejoice in the offerings made in his honor. With each rite, Yama is welcomed together with the Angiras and the radiant ones, and Vivasvat, his father, is invoked to sit upon the sacrificial grass. The Angiras, the Navagvas, the Atharvans, the Bhṛgus—all ancestors full of Soma—are remembered and sought for their favor and harmony. The departed is urged to go forth along the ancient paths, where the ancestors have walked before, and there, in the company of both Yama and Varuṇa, the divine kings who rejoice in offerings, the soul finds its way. With the fulfillment of sacrifices and good deeds, the soul ascends to the highest heaven, leaving behind all faults, returning with radiant form to the home of the ancestors. The living are told to depart and disperse, for the ancestors have made this world for the departed. By the passage of days and nights, and the flow of waters, Yama grants a resting place to those who have passed on. On the journey, the soul must run past the two Sārameya dogs of Yama, four-eyed and spotted, guardians of the path, and then approach the ancestors who rejoice with Yama. These two vigilant dogs, ever watchful, are asked by the living to protect the departed and grant safety and freedom from disease. Among the people, the messengers of Yama—wide-nosed and eager for drink—wander in the form of Udumbala trees. May they grant the departed a return to the sight of the sun and good fortune in this world of the living. Soma is pressed and oblations are made to Yama, with Agni as the messenger carrying the sacrifice. Clarified butter is offered to Yama, with prayers for a long and prosperous life among the gods. The sweetest offerings are presented to Yama the king, as homage is paid to the sages and ancestors who paved the paths before us. The sacred meters—Trikadrukas, Triṣṭubh, and Gāyatrī—are established for Yama, flying forth with the offerings. Let the ancestors rise up—those below, above, and in between—those who are full of Soma and who have left this world free from harm, knowing the truth. May these ancestors protect the living in their offerings. Homage is paid to all ancestors, those present and those departed, those who remain in the earthly realm, and those who dwell among the well-born in the villages. The forefathers, bestowers of blessings, and the offspring and strides of Vishnu are invoked. Those who sit on the sacred grass, partaking of the pressed Soma by their own power, are called to the offering. The ancestors, seated on the sacred grass, are asked to come near and accept the prepared offerings, bringing help, peace, and blessings free from harm. The ancestors, summoned and delighting in Soma, are invited to come, listen, speak, and protect. Seated to the south, bending the right knee, the ancestors are asked to accept the sacrifice and forgive any human errors. Seated in the lap of the dawns, the ancestors are implored to grant wealth and strength to the worshipper and his sons. The Vasiṣṭhas, who first approached the Soma feast, are remembered, and Yama, rejoicing with them, is asked to accept the offerings and allow them to partake as they wish. Those ancestors who thirsted among the gods, skilled in rites and singers of hymns, are brought to the offering by Agni, the bestowers of blessings and seers praised by the gods. Whether distant or former, those who have been consumed by Agni are invited to sit at every seat, eat the offerings made with devotion, and bestow all-heroic wealth. Agni, knower of all births, is invoked to bring fragrant offerings to the ancestors, who partake by their own power. Whether the ancestors are known or unknown, present or absent, Agni is asked to accept the well-made sacrifice and lead the living to the world of the righteous, shaping their bodies as is fitting. When the time comes for the final rites, Agni is asked not to consume the departed entirely—not to scorch or burn the skin or body. When Agni has prepared the body, he is to send the soul forth to the ancestors. The eye of the departed is to go to the sun, the breath to the wind, and the body to abide with the plants and waters, as is proper. Let the unborn portion be purified by austerity, and with auspicious forms, Agni is asked to carry the soul to the world of the righteous. Whatever harm may have come from birds, ants, serpents, or beasts, may Agni and Soma make all that harmless. The departed is clothed in the armor of Agni, surrounded by cows and richness, and is led forth with force and delight. Agni is asked not to consume the vessel that is dear to the gods, for it is for the immortal gods to rejoice in. Thus, the rites are fulfilled, the ancestors are honored, and the soul is guided along the ancient paths to the world prepared by those who have gone before.