For those who read or listen to these sacred words, Hari—the divine Self present in all beings—manifests Himself. The Agni Purāṇa is a source of blessings: it grants kingship to those who yearn for sovereignty, righteousness to those who seek virtue, and heaven to those who desire celestial realms. Those who wish for sons, cows, villages, or prosperity find their wishes fulfilled. For seekers of pleasure, it bestows enjoyment and auspicious fortune; for those who long for virtue and fame, it brings both; and for those who seek victory, victory is granted. If one desires everything, everything is given; if one seeks liberation, liberation is attained. Even for those burdened by sin, the Agni Purāṇa destroys their transgressions. Puṣkara spoke of the sacred tradition: what Brahmā once told Marīci—up to the measure of food, half of a hundred thousand verses—should be written and gifted by the Brāhma. In the month of Vaiśākha, on the full moon, one desiring heaven should give the Pādma Purāṇa, twelve thousand verses, along with a cow rich in milk; in Jyeṣṭha, it should be given with a cow. Regarding the Varāha epoch, Parāśara composed the Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa, comprising twenty-three thousand verses, which should be gifted. By giving it with a richly endowed cow, one attains Viṣṇu’s abode. The Vāyavīya Purāṇa, beloved of Hari, contains fourteen thousand verses. During the Śveta epoch, Vāyu revealed the Gharma Purāṇa; after writing it, it should be given to a brāhmaṇa in Śrāvaṇa, accompanied by a superior cow. Where the expansion of dharma is praised with reference to the Gāyatrī, and the slaying of Vṛtra and the Asura is recounted, that Purāṇa is called the Bhāgavata. In the Sārasvata epoch, it should be gifted on Proṣṭhapada, consisting of eighteen thousand verses and accompanied by a golden lion. Nārada spoke of dharmas based on the great Kalpa; these twenty-five thousand verses are known as the Nārada Purāṇa. If it is given with a cow and an Aśvinī, the giver attains the highest accomplishment, for here the consideration of dharma and adharma is made with regard to enemies. In the month of Kārttika, the nine-thousand-verse Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa should be offered. The Agni Purāṇa itself was spoken by Agni to Vasiṣṭha. Fourteen thousand verses concerning the future, originating from the Sun, were spoken by Bhava to Manu; this should be gifted in Pauṣa, with a respected guru. Sāvarṇi spoke the Brahmavaivarta to Nārada, including the account of Rathantara, numbering eighteen thousand verses. In Māgha, the story of Varāha from the Brahmavaivarta and the Rathantara account should be given, both comprising eighteen thousand verses. In the Āgneya Kalpa, the Liṅga Purāṇa contains eleven thousand verses; gifting it in Phālguna, with sesame and a cow, leads one to attain Śiva. Fourteen thousand verses of the Vārāha Purāṇa, spoken by Viṣṇu, and again the story of Varāha according to Manu’s tradition, are revered. With a golden Garuḍa in Caitra, the giver attains the Vaiṣṇava abode. The great Skanda Purāṇa, spoken by Skanda, encompasses eighty-four thousand verses. After considering the righteous ones in the Kalpa, the Tatpuruṣa should be offered; the Vāmana Purāṇa contains ten thousand verses, and the tale of Hari in the Dhauma Kalpa is included. At the autumnal equinox, one should give instruction on dharma, artha, and more, and the Kūrma Purāṇa, eight thousand verses, as spoken by Kūrma in the netherworld. On the occasion of Indradyumna, the Matsya Purāṇa, thirteen thousand verses spoken at the beginning of the Kalpa, should be given with a golden Kūrma. The Matsya Purāṇa should be gifted to Manu at the equinox, with a golden fish; and the Garuḍa Purāṇa, eight thousand verses spoken by Viṣṇu in the Tārkṣya Kalpa, should be offered. From the cosmic egg, the origin of Garuḍa is narrated; this should be given with a golden swan, for Brahmā spoke of the greatness of the Brahmāṇḍa after reflecting upon it. The reciter should first be honored, and the twice-born fed with milk-rice. At every festival, cows, land, villages, gold, and other gifts should be given. At the conclusion, the brāhmaṇa should be worshipped, and the Saṃhitā manuscripts placed in an auspicious spot, wrapped in linen and the like. Nara and Nārāyaṇa should be revered, and the books adorned with flowers and such. After giving cows, food, land, and gold, and feeding the brāhmaṇas, one should ask forgiveness. Great gifts and jewels should be distributed, two or three pairs each month. At the beginning of a journey, giving gifts is prescribed for the devotee; all acts of worship should be performed together with the reciters. Whoever gifts books of histories and ancient tales, after proper worship, attains long life, health, heaven, and liberation. Agni then spoke: “I shall tell you of the Solar and Lunar dynasties, the lineages of kings. Hari became Brahmā, born from the lotus, and Marīci was Brahmā’s son. From Marīci came Kaśyapa, and from him, Vivasvān. Vivasvān’s wives were Saṃjñā, Rājñī, and Prabhā—the three queens, daughters of Raivata. Prabhā bore Revanta and Prabhāta as sons to the Sun. Tvaṣṭrī Saṃjñā gave birth to Manu, and to Yama, she bore twins: Yama and Yamunā. Chāyā and Saṃjñā bore Sāvarṇi Manu and Vaivasvata Manu as sons, as well as Śani, Tapatī, Viṣṭi, and again to Saṃjñā, the Aśvins. The sons of Vaivasvata Manu were many, but none equaled him: Ikṣvāku, Nābhāga, Dhṛṣṭa, and Śaryāti; Nariṣyanta, Prāṃśu, Nābhāga, and Iṣṭa, the best of beings; Karuṣa and Pūṣadhra, mighty ones in Ayodhyā. Manu had a daughter named Ilā; from Budha, she bore Purūravas. After giving birth to Purūravas, Ilā became Sudyumna. From Sudyumna came three kings: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatāśva. Utkala’s realm was Utkala, while Vinatāśva ruled in the west.