History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.197.4

v5.c73.t1.197.4

After offering arghya water, he should collect the drops of the arghya water fallen from the hands (or fingers) of the brāhmaṇas in one vessel (the pitṛ vessel), them turn it upside down⁹⁸⁹ on the ground (over a bunch of kuśas with ends turned towards the south) with the mantra 'thou art a place for the pitṛs.'⁹⁹⁰ Then, being about to perform 'agnaukaraṇa' (offering in sacrifice), he takes the food mixed with clarified butter and asks the brāhmaṇas (in the words 'I shall offer into the sacred fire') and when permitted by them with the words 'do so', he offers into the fire (two portions cut off from the food mixed with ghee) with a *mekṣaṇa*⁹⁹¹ according to the procedure laid down for Piṇḍapitryajña. He, being intent (only on performing śrāddha correctly), should serve the food that remains after (making the two offerings mentioned above) in plates (except earthen one) that he may be able to secure, and particularly silver ones (plates are meant for feeding pitrya brāhmaṇas). After serving the food in the plates, he should invoke over the plates the mantra 'the earth is thy⁹⁹² support', he should take hold of the thumb of the brāhmaṇas and put it on the food (served in the plates) with the mantra⁹⁹³ 'idam Viṣṇur' ('Viṣṇu strode over this' Ṛg. I. 22. 17, Vāj. S. V. 15, Tai S. I. 2. 13. 1). The performer should then mutter the Gāyatrī verse (Ṛg. III 62. 10, Vāj. S. III. 35, Tai. S. I. 5. 6.