Bhishma said:—O Yudhishthira, he, who propitiates the departed manes by the performance of Srāddhas that secure all desired for objects, who always performs them with a concentrated mind, attains to delight both in this world and in the next. The Pitris confer virtue on him who seeks it, children on him who wants them and nourishment on him who desires for it (10–11). Yudhisthira said:—The departed manes of some persons live in heaven, and those of others live in hell. The fruits of Karma, it is said, eternally exist with people. Persons, in expectation of fruits, perform Srāddhas for their father, grand-father, and great-grand-father. How those offerings reach the ancestral manes (12–14)? How can they, while living in hell, grant them the fruits (thereof)? Who are those ancestral manes Who else are others? To whom do we offer our offerings (15)? We have heard that even the gods, in the celestial region, dedicate offerings to the ancestral manes. I wish to hear all this at length O you of great effulgence (16). You are endued with immeasurable intelligence, do you describe to me, how by making gifts to the ancestral manes we are released (from worldly trammels) (17). Bhishma said:—O slayer of foes, I shall describe to you what I have heard on this subject from my deceased father—who are those ancestral manes and who are others to whom we dedicate our offerings (18). When on the occasion of my father’s Srāddha I was about to offer him Pinda²⁶ my father, rending assunder the earth, begged it of me with his hand (19). His arm was adorned with bracelet and other ornaments—his fingers and palm were as red as I had seen them before (20). Thinking that no such practice is seen in Kalpa²⁷ I offered the Pinda at the Kusa grass, without any consideration (21). O sinless one, then my father delightedly said to me in sweet accents:—"O foremost of Bharatas, I have been blessed with a son like you, both in this world and the next-a good son, pious and learned as you are (22-23). You are also of firm vows, O sinless one; with a view to lay down the religious practices of people, I issued this command (24). As a man, observing the religious practices, is entitled to a fourth part of the virtue thereof, so a stupid person, transgressing them, is visited by one fourth of the sin (consequent thereon) (25). The subjects follow the example set by the king in religious practices (26). O foremost of Bharatas, you have observed the practices laid down in the eternal Vedas and incomparable is my satisfaction therefore (27). Greatly pleased with you I will confer upon you a most excellent boon—do you pray for it which it is hard to get in the three worlds (28). As long as you will wish to live Death will not be able to extend his influence on you. When you will permit him he will overpower you then only (29). O foremost of Bharatas, if there is any other boon which you wish to pray for, tell me and I shall grant it (30)."