СНАР. II. 6 Rishis, who were the offspring of MENU, son of BRAHMA', are called the companies of Pitris, or forefathers. 195. The Sómasads, who sprang from VIRAJ, are 'declared to be the ancestors of the Sádhyas; and the Agnishwáttas, who are famed among created beings as the children of MARI'CHI, to be the progenitors of the Dévas. 196. Of the Daityas, the Dánavas, the Yacshas, 'the Gandharvas, the Uragas, or Serpents, the Racshases, the Garudas, and the Cinnaras, the ancestors are Barhishads descended from ATRI; 6 6 197. Of Bráhmens, those named Sómapas; of Cshatriyas, the Havishmats; of Vaisyas, those called Ajyapas; of Súdras, the Sucálins: 198. The Sómapas descended from Me, BHRIGU; 'the Havishmats, from ANGIRAS; the Ajyapas, from PULASTYA; the Sucálins, from VASISHT'HA. 199. Those who are, and those who are not, consumable by fire, called Agnidagdhas, and Anagnidagdhas, the Cavyas, the Barhishads, the Agnishwáttas, and the Saumyas, let mankind consider as the chief progenitors of Bráhmens. 200. Of those just enumerated, who are generally reputed the principal tribes of Pitris, the sons and grandsons indefinitely, are also in this world considered as great progenitors. 201. From the Rishis come the Pitris, or pa triarchs; triarchs; from the Pitris, both Dévas and Dánavas; CHAP. from the Dévas, this whole world of animals and III. vegetables, in due order. 202. Mere water, offered with faith to the progenitors of men, in vessels of silver, or adorned with silver, proves the source of incorruption. 203. An oblation by Bráhmens to their ancestors transcends an oblation to the deities; because that to the deities is considered as the opening and completion of that to ancestors. 6 204. As a preservative of the oblation to the pa- 205. Let 206. LET the Bráhmen smear with cow-dung a 207. The divine manes are always pleased with an oblation in empty glades, naturally clean, on the banks of rivers, and in solitary spots. 208. Having duly made an ablution with water, let him place the invited Bráhmens, who have also 'performed N 2 CHAP. III. performed their ablutions, one by one, on allotted seats purified with cusa-grass. 209. When he has placed them with reverence on their seats, let him honour them, (having first ho"noured the Gods) with fragrant garlands and sweet • odours. 210. Having brought water for them with cusa-grass and tila, let the Bráhmen, with the Bráhmens, pour 'the oblation, as the law directs, on the holy fire. First, as it is ordained, having satisfied AGNI, SOMA, and YAMA, with clarified butter, let him pro'ceed to satisfy the manes of his progenitors. 211. ( 6 212. If he have no consecrated fire, as if he be yet unmarried, or his wife be just deceased, let him drop 'the oblation into the hand of a Bráhmen; since, what 'fire is, even such is a Bráhmen; as priests, who know the Véda declare: 213. Holy sages call the chief of the twice-born 'the gods of obsequies, free from wrath, with placid aspects, of a primeval race, employed in the advance'ment of human creatures. 214. Having walked in order from east to south, and thrown into the fire all the ingredients of his ' oblation, let him sprinkle water on the ground with 'his right hand. 215. From the remainder of the clarified butter having formed three balls of rice, let him offer them, • with 6 with fixed attention, in the same manner as the CHAP. water, his face being turned to the south: 216. Then having offered those balls, after due ⚫ ceremonies and with an attentive mind, to the manes of his father, his paternal grandfather, and great grandfather, let him wipe the same hand with the 'roots of cusa, which he had before used, for the 'sake of his paternal ancestors in the fourth, fifth, and 'sixth degrees, who are the partakers of the rice and ' clarified butter thus wiped off. 217. Having made an ablution, returning toward the north, and thrice suppressing his breath slowly, let him salute the Gods of the six seasons, and the Pitris also, being well acquainted with proper texts of the Véda. 218. Whatever water remains in his ewer, let him carry back deliberately near the cakes of rice; and, 'with fixed attention, let him smell those cakes, in order as they were offered : 219. Then, taking a small portion of the cakes in order, let him first, as the law directs, cause the 'Bráhmens to eat of them, while they are seated. 220. If his father be alive, let him offer the sráddha to his ancestors in three higher degrees; or let him cause his own father to eat, as a Bráhmen at the 'obsequies: 221. Should his father be dead, and his grandfather living, let him, in celebrating the name of his father, • that III. CHAP. that is, in performing obsequies to him, celebrate also his paternal great grandfather; 222. Either the paternal grandfather may partake of the sráddha (so has MENU declared) or the grandson, authorized by him, may perform the ceremony at his discretion. 223. Having poured water, with cusa-grass and tila, into the hands of the Bráhmens, let him give them 'the upper part of the cakes, saying "Swadhá to 'the manes !" 224. Next, having himself brought with both hands, a vessel full of rice, let him, still meditating on the 'Pitris, place it before the Bráhmens without precipi 'tation. 225. Rice taken up, but not supported with both hands, the malevolent Asuras quickly rend in pieces. 226. Broths, potherbs, and other eatables accompanying the rice, together with milk and curds, ' clarified butter and honey, let him first place on the ground, after he has made an ablution; and let his mind be intent on no other object : 227. Let him add spiced puddings, and milky messes of various sorts, roots of herbs and ripe fruits, savoury meats, and sweet smelling drinks. 228. Then being duly purified, and with perfect presence of mind, let him take up all the dishes, one by one, and present them in order to the Bráhmens, proclaiming their qualities. 229. Let |