Bhishma said After Nini had acted thus, all the great Rishis began to celebrate the sacrifice in honour of the departed Manes (called the Shraddha) according to rites laid down in the ordinance.

Performing all duties, the Rishis, having performed Shraddhas, began to also offer oblations of sacred waters, with attention.

On account, however, of the offerings made by persons of all classes, the departed Manes began to digest that food.

Soon they, and the celestials also with them, became afflicted with indigestion. Indeed, afflicted with the heaps of food that all persons began to give them, they went to Soma.

Approaching Soma they said, Alas, great is our misery on account of the food that is offered to us at Shraddhas. Do you ordain what is necessary for our comfort? Soma answered to them, saying, if, you gods, you are desirous of acquiring comfort do you then go to the abode of the Self Create, Even he will do what is for your behoofAt these words of Soma, the celestials and the departed Manes then went, O Bharata, to the Grandfather where he was seated on the summit of the mountains of Meru.

The gods said o illustrious one, with the food that is offered us in sacrifices and Shraddhas, we are suffering very much. O lord, show us favour and do what would be for our behoof.

Hearing these words of theirs, the SelfCreate said to them in reply, Here, the god of fire is sitting beside me. Even he will do what is for your good.

Agni said You sires, when a Shraddha comes, we shall in a body eat the offerings made to us. If you eat those offerings with me, you shall, forsooth, succeed in digesting them easily.

Hearing these words of the God of Fire, the departed Manes became comforted it is for this reason also that in making offerings at Shraddhas a share is first offered to the God of Fire, O king.

If a portion of the offerings be first made of the God of Fire at a Shraddha, O king, Rakshasas of twiceborn origin cannot then do any injury to such a Shraddha.

Sceing the God of Fire at a Shraddha, Rakshasas fly away forin it. The ritual of the Shraddha is that the cake should first be offered to the (departed) father. Next, one should be offered to the grandfather.

Next should one be offered to the greatgrandfather. This is the ordinance relating to Shraddha. Over every cake that is offered, the offer should, with rapt attention, after the Savitri mantras.

This other Mantra also should be uttered, viz., to Soma who is fond of the departed manes. A woman that has become impure on account of her season, or one whose ears have been cut off, should not be allowed to remain where a Shraddha is being done, Nor should a woman be brought from a family other than that of the person who is performing the Shraddha.

While crossing a river, one should offer oblations of water to his Pitris, naming them all. Indeed, when one comes upon a river one should please his Pitris with oblations of water.

Having offered oblations of water first to the ancestors of his race, one should next offer such oblations to his departed friends and relatives.

When one crosses a river on a car to which is yoked a couple of oxen of variegated colour, or from them that cross a river on boats, the departed Manes expect oblations of water.

Those who know this always offer oblations of water with rapt attention to the departed Manes. Every fortnight, on the day of the New Moon, one should make offerings to his departed ancestors.

Growth, longevity, energy, and prosperity became all attainable through devotion to the departea Manes. The Grandfather Brahman, Pulastya, Vasishtha, Pulaha, Angirasa, Kratu, and the great Rishi Kashyapa, these O prince of Kuru's race, are considered as great masters of Yoga.

They are numbered among the departed Manes. Even this is the high ritual in the matter of Shraddha, O king. Through Shraddhas performed on Earth, the deceased members of his race become freed from a poison of misery.

I have thus, O prince of Kuru's explained to you, according to the scriptures, the ordinances relating to Shraddhas. I shall one more discourse to you on gifts. race