Śrāddha-dvija-parīkṣā: Paṅkti-dūṣa and Paṅkti-pāvana (श्राद्धे द्विजपरीक्षा—पङ्क्तिदूष-पङ्क्तिपावन)
पितृन् पूज्यादितः पश्चाद्देवतास्तर्पयन्ति वै । तस्मात् तान् सर्वयज्ञेन पुरुष: पूजयेत् सदा
pitṝn pūjyāditaḥ paścād devatās tarpayanti vai | tasmāt tān sarvayajñena puruṣaḥ pūjayet sadā ||
“智者先敬奉祖灵(Pitṛs),然后才以供献使诸神满足。因此,人应当恒常以一切祭祀与圣仪来礼敬祖灵。”
भीष्म उवाच
One should prioritize honoring the ancestors (Pitṛs) before worshipping the gods, and maintain continual reverence for the Pitṛs through all sacrificial and sacred rites—gratitude to lineage is presented as a primary dharmic obligation.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma (Anuśāsana Parva), he lays down a ritual-ethical order: first perform acts of honor and satisfaction for the ancestors, then proceed to offerings for the deities, concluding with an injunction to keep Pitṛ-worship as a constant practice.