When the time of great dissolution approached, Manu was forewarned: “On the seventh day, the ocean will rise and flood the world. When the boat arrives, you must gather seeds and all that is needed for the world’s renewal.” Manu was instructed further: “Surrounded by the seven sages, you will journey through the long night of Brahma. When I appear, tie your boat to my horn with a mighty serpent.” Having spoken these words, the wondrous fish vanished from sight, and Manu waited with faith for the appointed time. As the seventh day dawned, the ocean swelled and engulfed the earth. Manu, prepared as instructed, boarded the boat. Then he beheld the fish once more—radiant gold, immense beyond measure, bearing a single horn. Around its horn was tied a great serpent as a rope. This was the very Fish whose tale is told in the Matsya Purana. Journeying across the endless waters, Manu praised the fish with hymns and listened as the fish, the destroyer of sin, spoke of Hayagriva, the demon who had stolen the sacred Vedas. In time, Keśava—Lord Vishnu—vanquished the demon, reclaimed the Vedas, and preserved them for the world’s renewal. When the new kalpa began, Hari took the form of a Boar, and then a Tortoise, to restore balance. Agni, the fire god, then spoke: “Hear now of the descent of the Boar, which destroys sin. Hiraṇyākṣa, lord of the asuras, conquered the gods and stood triumphant in heaven. The gods, seeking deliverance, approached Vishnu and praised him. Vishnu took the form of the Boar, embodying the spirit of sacrifice, and slew the demon Hiraṇyākṣa, removing the thorn from the daityas and restoring order. Having protected Dharma and the gods, Hari disappeared. Yet another threat arose: Hiraṇyakaśipu, the brother of Hiraṇyākṣa, seized the gods’ share of sacrifices and usurped their authority. For their protection, Vishnu descended as Narasiṃha, the Man-Lion, and destroyed Hiraṇyakaśipu in the presence of the gods. Praised by the gods, Narasiṃha restored them to their rightful places. In the ancient war between gods and asuras, the gods were defeated by Bali and others, and cast down from heaven. In their distress, they sought refuge in Hari. For their sake, Aditi and Kaśyapa gave birth to him in a body free from illusion. Praised by all, he became Vāmana, the Dwarf, and went to Aditi’s sacrifice. At the gate of King Bali, the great sacrificer, Vāmana chanted the Vedic hymns. Hearing Vāmana, Bali—though warned by his teacher Śukra—said, “Ask what you desire.” Vāmana replied, “Grant me three steps of land for the sake of my teacher.” Bali agreed. As water was poured into his hand to seal the promise, Vāmana ceased to be small and, with three strides, claimed the earth, the mid-region, and heaven. Bali was consigned to Sutala, and Indra was restored as the lord of the worlds, rejoicing with the gods. Agni continued: “Hear now of the descent of Paraśurāma. When the kṣatriyas grew arrogant and the earth was burdened, Hari descended for peace, protector of gods and brahmins. He was born as Bhārgava, son of Jamadagni and Reṇukā, master of weapons. By the grace of Dattātreya, Kārtavīrya became king, mighty with a thousand arms, lord of the earth. One day, weary from hunting, he was welcomed by sage Jamadagni in the forest. By the power of Kāmadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow, the king and his army were fed. When the king asked for Kāmadhenu and was refused, he seized her by force. In righteous anger, Rāma struck off the king’s head and returned the cow to the hermitage. But Kārtavīrya’s son, in vengeance, killed Jamadagni. While Rāma was away in the forest, this crime was committed. Returning and seeing his father slain, Rāma was seized by fury. In his wrath, he rid the earth of kṣatriyas three times seven, making five sacrificial pits in Kurukshetra to satisfy the ancestors. Having given the earth to Kaśyapa, he retired to Mount Mahendra. Thus did the incarnations of the Tortoise, the Boar, the Man-Lion, and the Dwarf fulfill their purposes. Hearing also of the descent of Rāma, one attains heaven. Agni said, “I shall relate the Ramayana, as told by Narada and recited by Valmiki, which bestows both enjoyment and liberation. Narada spoke: From Vishnu was born Brahma; from Brahma, Marichi; from Marichi, Kaśyapa; from Kaśyapa, the Sun; from the Sun, Manu, son of Vivasvat. From Manu came Ikṣvāku; in his line was Kakutstha; from Kakutstha, Raghu; from Raghu, Aja; and from Aja, Daśaratha. For the destruction of Ravana and others, Hari himself manifested in fourfold form as the sons of King Daśaratha: Rāma was born to Kausalya, Bharata to Kaikeyi, and Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna to Sumitrā, all by the consecrated payasa given by the sage Rishyasringa to the queens. After partaking of the sanctified oblation, these sons grew up in their father’s care. At the request of the sage Viśvāmitra, the king sent Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to protect the sage’s sacrifice from obstacles. Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and the sage, mastered the use of celestial weapons and slew the demoness Tādakā. He confounded Mārīca from afar with the Manava missile and slew Subāhu, the destroyer of sacrifices, along with his forces. Dwelling at Siddhāśrama with Viśvāmitra and others, Rāma journeyed to Mithilā for the king’s sacrifice, to see the great bow, accompanied by his brother. By the arrangement of Śatānanda and the power of Viśvāmitra, the sage, Rāma was honored at the sacrifice, and the story was recounted to him. Effortlessly, Rāma strung and broke the bow. As the price for his valor, Janaka gave Sītā, the daughter not born from a womb, to Rāma. When his father and the royal assembly had gathered, Rāma married Jānakī, and Lakṣmaṇa married Urmilā. Śrutakīrti and Māṇḍavī, daughters of Kuśadhvaja, Janaka’s younger brother, were married to Śatrughna and Bharata. Thus, the blessed line continued, fulfilling the purpose of the gods and the world.