1. Shatrudri patha (related to Lord Shiva)
2. Atharvasheersha patha (related to Lord Ganesha etc)
3. Trisuparna Mahavrata
4. Gosukta (related to cow worship)
5. Ashwa sukta (related to horse worship)
6. Indra Sukta (related to the worship of Indra)
7. Samani Vrata.

Further Shankh says that “ for the prevention of the ill effects of the sins Tryabhist, Drupada, Stom, Vyahriti, Bharund, Sam, Gayatri and Aushan are the names of few austerities which help in that direction.

Besides the above mentioned austerities Shankh has also instructed the people to follow the following austerities-
a) Shuddh Gatya b) Startasama c) Kushmand d) Pavamanya e) Purushvrata f) Soma Vrata g) Abling h) Brihaspati I) Trinyajyadoha j) Rathantar k) Agnivrata and l) Vamdeva.

These austerities were strictly followed during the Dwapar era and continued to be practiced till the Mahabharat period. Though many of the above mentioned austerities have almost extinct in the modern age but still a few of them have survived and are practiced even today like Gayatri, Bhash, Shatarudri, Atharvasheersha, etc.

Narrating about the importance of Gayatri mantra, the Vedas says- “ A chanter of Gayatri mantras attains the desired world (loka) and the desired object. ‘Gayatri’ is the mother of the Vedas and destroyer of the sin.”

For chanting, Gayatri mantra is considered to be the best and for performing a ‘homa’ (offerings made to the sacrificial fire), Vyahrili havan is the best. Chanting of Gayatri mantra for 108 times eliminates the sins which are committed daily knowingly or unknowingly. Chanting of the Gayatri mantra for eleven hundred times eliminates all the sins and chanting it for ten thousand times gives salvation.

1. LIBATION OF WATER TO THE DEAD ANCESTORS (TARPAN):

   After taking a bath and chanting the mantras, a man, facing east first of all should make libation of the deities by the water from the pilgrimage. After that, libations should be made to the seven nether worlds and the Jambu island respectively. Then the provision is to make libation to all the seven seas with one mantra each taken from the Purush Sukta. At last libation is made to the dead ancestors facing south and wearing the ‘Yagyopavit’ across the left shoulder.

2. LIBATION TO WHOM

   According to Shankh the following dead ancestors should be satisfied by libation of water to them- “ Father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, maternal grandfather maternal great-grandfather, father of maternal great-grandfather, maternal grand mother, maternal great-grandmother and mother of maternal great-grand mother.
   
   Today even in Kaliyuga, this tradition still continues , though with a slight change in the methods of libation as mentioned in Shankh Smriti. In the modern age libations are made to the deceased male from the father’s side, deceased male from the mother’s side, deceased female from the father’s side and at last deceased female from the mother’s side.
   
   Some people even make libations by using silver utensils just like it was done in the Dwapar Yuga, but it is also true that golden utensils are not in use nowadays though this shortcoming is made up by wearing either silver or golden rings.
   
   Shankh has instructed to make libations to the relatives from the father’s side till seven generations. Elaborating on the importance of libation Shankh says- “ A man who makes libation of water with sesame after taking a bath satisfies his dead ancestors and attains the reward similar to that of ‘Pitra- yagya’.

1. TEST OF A BRAHMIN

   Describing about the qualities of a impure Brahmin, he says: “ A pathless and corrupt Brahmin, a Brahmin who is apparently polite but possesses hatred within his heart, a crippled Brahmin or having extra organ are considered to be impure and not fit to be invited for the ‘pitra-karma’ (offerings of water, food etc. to the manes).
   
   Describing about the qualities of pure Brahmin he says- “ A Brahmin who performs meditation, who is learned, who is an ascetic is fit to attend the occasion of Shraadh-karma and guide it”.

2. DUTIES OF THE HOST:

   Shankh has instructed the host to feed the Brahmins cheerfully, He says: “ After performing the Shraadh karma, a host should immediately and without being angry provide freshly cooked food to the Brahmins.”

3. PROHIBITION OF ‘RED FLOWERS’ IN PITRA-KARMA

   The use of red flowers is prohibited during the performance of ‘pitra-karma.’ But according to Shankh red flowers which grow in the water are acceptable. He says- “ Red flowers which have bloomed in the water are especially worth offering.

4. DONATON OF CLOTHES :

   Shankh advocates donation of new woolen and cotton clothes to the Brahmins. This tradition of donating clothes is still followed in the present age. It is worth noting that the ‘Shraadh’ ceremony is performed for one’s own satisfaction. It has been the belief of Indian theist tradition that the soul of the dead person goes to heaven after his death. For this very reason Shraadh is performed.

5. DEFECTS IN THE CHARACTER OF A BRAHMIN :

   Regarding defects in the character of a Brahmin invited to preside over the Shraadh ceremony Shankh says- “ If a Brahmin who has been invited in the Shraadh ceremony indulges in copulation before attending it commits a grave sin”. Here both the priest and the host have been prohibited from indulging in sexual acts during Shraadh period.

6. LIBERALITY DURING PILGRIMAGE:

   Sage Shankh has said in his treatise Shankh Smriti that a person who donates liberally when on a pilgrimage gets indestructible and ever lasting results. Performing ‘pind daan’ (oblation of cooked rice to the manes) help deceased ancestors to go to heaven and attain supreme abode. According to Shankh donating liberally at the following pilgrimages gives eternal fruits. “ Gaya, Prabhas, Pushkar, Prayag and Naimisharanya.” According to the Shankh Smriti making donations at the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna, Ayodhya, Amarkantak, at the banks of the Narmada, Kashi, Kurukshetra etc. gives eternal fruits. Even in the present age, the tradition of donations and ‘pind daan’ at these sacred pilgrimages is alive.

7. PROHIBITION OF PERFORMING OF ‘PITRA KARMA’ IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS :

   Shankh Smriti prohibits the performance of ‘Pitra karma’ in certain situations. It says: “ Pitra karma should not be performed by a learned at ‘Mlechch Sthaan, in the night and especially during the evening time.”
   
   Today , the instructions of sage Shankh regarding the performance of ‘pitra karma’ are followed by people in India. People try to finish the act of ‘pitra karma’ before sunset and avoid passing through the defiled places.
   
   Shankh Smriti recognizes that an appropriatlly accomplished pitra karma satisfies the dead and they bless their following generations with joy and prosperity. At last it would be appropriate to come to the conclusion that ‘Shankh Smriti’ was like a sacred scripture during Dwapar Yuga and its instructions and advises were followed unfailingly during religious activities, rites and rituals. Even today, we see the indelible impacts of Shankh Smriti in our society here and there.