Daksha, the illustrious sage born of Prachetas, joined with his wife Virini and begot a thousand sons, each one steadfast and devoted to their vows, equal to their father in virtue. When these sons, numbering in the thousands, were ready to begin their journey in life, the divine sage Narada approached them. With gentle wisdom, Narada instructed Daksha’s sons in the highest knowledge—teaching them the Sankhya philosophy and guiding them on the path toward liberation. Under Narada’s direction, Daksha’s sons set out to pursue knowledge in all directions, seeking dissolution and release from worldly bonds. Observing this, Daksha, who wished to further the creation of living beings, turned to his daughters. He appointed fifty of them as putrikas, or progenitors, O Janamejaya. Of these daughters, ten were given in marriage to Dharma, thirteen to the sage Kashyapa, and twenty-seven—skilled in the regulation of time and the lunar cycles—to Soma, the moon god. Among the thirteen wives of Kashyapa, the most excellent was a daughter of Daksha. Through her, Marichi and Kashyapa brought forth the Adityas, the celestial deities. From among the Adityas were born mighty beings such as Indra and others endowed with great strength, as well as Vivasvat. From Vivasvat came Yama, the powerful lord of death. Yami, the daughter of Martanda (another name for Vivasvat), was also born, and from Martanda himself came Manu, the wise and mighty progenitor of mankind. Manu, righteous and discerning, became the root of the human lineage; from Manu’s descendants, the race of men became renowned in the world. From Manu sprang forth the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and other classes—thus, O great king, the priestly and royal orders came together. These human Brahmins preserved the Veda and its branches. Among Manu’s sons were Vena, Dhṛṣṇu, Nariṣyanta, Nābhāga, and Ikshvaku. Then came Kāruṣa, Śaryāti, and the eighth, Ilila; Pṛṣadhra was the ninth, devoted to the duties of the Kshatriyas. Nābhāga and Ariṣṭa are named the tenth sons of Manu. In total, Manu had fifty sons and other descendants on earth. But, as the tradition tells, due to mutual discord, all of Manu’s sons perished. Afterward, from Ila was born Pururavas, the wise. Ila was both mother and father to Pururavas, as has been told. Pururavas, in his time, conquered the thirteen islands of the sea. Though born human, Pururavas, famed among men, was surrounded by non-human beings. Intoxicated by his own power, he came into conflict with the Brahmins. In his arrogance, he seized their sacred jewels, even as the Brahmins cried out in distress. Then, O king, Sanatkumara descended from the world of Brahma and appeared before Pururavas. Sanatkumara performed the rite of anudarsha for Pururavas, but the king did not accept it. Enraged by this disrespect, the great sages immediately cursed Pururavas, causing him to vanish from among men. Overcome by greed and pride, the king lost his senses. Virata, together with Urvashi, remained in the realm of the Gandharvas. Pururavas properly brought the sacred fires for the prescribed rites in threefold manner. From Caila were born six sons: Ayu, Dhiman, Amavasu, Dridhayu, Vanayu, and Shatayu, all sons of Urvashi. From Svarbhanu’s daughter were born Nahusha, Vriddhasharma, Raji, Gaya, and Anenasa. Among the sons of Ayu, Nahusha shone as wise and truly valiant. Nahusha, lord of the earth, ruled a vast kingdom with righteousness, protecting ancestors, gods, sages, Brahmins, Gandharvas, serpents, and rakshasas alike. He safeguarded Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and all his people; he destroyed bands of robbers, making the sages free from fear. But as Nahusha’s power grew, he forced the sages to carry him on their backs, like cattle, and overpowering the dwellers of heaven, he made himself Indra. Swollen with pride from his energy, austerity, valor, and strength, Nahusha was cursed and instantly transformed into a serpent. Yet before this, he had six sons: Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, Mayati, and Dhruva, all gentle-spoken. Yati, embracing the path of yoga, became a sage united with Brahman. Yayati, son of Nahusha, was a sovereign of true valor who ruled the earth and performed many great sacrifices. With utmost devotion, Yayati always worshipped the ancestors and gods, maintaining purity in all his acts; unconquered, he cared deeply for all his subjects. His sons were mighty archers, endowed with all virtues. O great king, they were born from two mothers: Devayani and Sharmishtha. From Devayani came Yadu and Turvasu; from Sharmishtha came Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. O king, ruling his subjects with righteousness for many years, Yayati finally encountered the dreadful old age that destroys beauty. Overcome by this affliction, the king spoke to his sons—Yadu, Puru, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu—O Bharata: “While still youthful, enjoying desires with young women, I wish to continue to delight in pleasures; my sons, make this possible for me.” Then his eldest son by Devayani replied, “What is the use for you, and for us, of your youth?” Yayati said, “Let my old age be accepted by you; with your youth, I will enjoy the pleasures of the senses. Because of my long sacrifices and the curse of the sage Usanas, my desire has been diminished; therefore, my sons, I am afflicted. Let one of you rule the kingdom with my body, while I, possessing a new and youthful form, may fulfill my desires.” None of them accepted his old age. Then Puru, the youngest and true to his word, spoke to his father: “O King, you may roam with a new and youthful body, enjoying youth; I will take on old age and remain in the kingdom by your command.” Thus addressed, the royal sage Yayati, by the power of his austerity, transferred his old age at that time to his great-souled son.