O Brahmins, listen with reverence to the account of the great sages and divine beings who preside over the cycles of time known as Manvantaras. In the interval of Cākṣuṣa Manu, seven illustrious sages are remembered: Atināmā, Sahiṣṇu, and their companions, who dwell separately in heaven from their very childhood. Alongside them, five distinct groups of gods are honored by name, each upholding the cosmic order. Among these, the sons of the sage Aṅgiras stand out, mighty and noble, joined by the Nāḍvaleyas—ten famous sons, renowned for their greatness. The sages beginning with Ruru also belong to this era, marking the sixth Manvantara. Now, let us turn to the seventh. In the present Manvantara, under Vaivasvata Manu, the seven sages are: Atri, Vasiṣṭha, the venerable Kaśyapa, the great Gautama, Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra, and Jamadagni, the son of the noble Ṛcīka. These exalted sages reside in heaven, guiding the world. The divine hosts present now include the Sādhyas, Rudras, Viśvedevas, Vasus, Maruts, Ādityas, the two Aśvins, and the two Vaivasvata deities. They preside over this era, joined by Manu’s ten illustrious sons, led by Ikṣvāku. The sons and grandsons of these renowned sages, mighty and virtuous, are found in all directions, spreading wisdom and dharma. In every Manvantara, seven groups of seven sages establish righteousness and protect the world. When a Manvantara concludes, four groups of seven sages, having fulfilled their sacred duties, ascend to the flawless realm of Brahma. Then, others, endowed with austerity, fill their place, each group succeeding the last in turn. There are also seven great sages remembered in heaven, who are yet to come, destined to guide the world when Sāvarṇa Manu’s interval arrives: Rāma, Vyāsa, Atri, radiant and learned, Bhāradvāja, Drauṇi, and Aśvatthāman of great brilliance. Alongside them, Gautama, Ajara, Śaradvān named Gautama, Kauśika, Gālava, Aurva, and Kāśyapa will also shine as sages of the future. Among the foremost sages yet to come are Vairī, Ādhvarī, Śamana, Dhṛtimān, and Vasu, as well as Ariṣṭa, Adhṛṣṭa, Vājī, and Sumati—sons of Sāvarṇa Manu. Those who rise early and recite their names attain happiness, fame, and long life. Thus, seven groups of sages have been truthfully spoken of. Hear now, in brief, about the coming Manvantaras. There are five Sāvarṇa Manus: one is Vaivasvata, and four are of Prajāpati. The sons of Parameṣṭhi, who attained Merusāvarṇya status, are grandsons of Dakṣa, born of his beloved daughter. Endowed with great austerity and power upon Mount Meru, the son of Prajāpati Ruci, named Rauci, is also remembered as Manu. From the goddess Bhūti was born Bhauti, son of Ruci. These seven Manus are yet to come in this cycle. By these Manus, the entire earth, with its seven continents and cities, will be protected for a full thousand ages. Prajapati, through his austerity, brings about dissolution among them continually; seventy cycles, together with their fractions, have been spoken of. These cycles, joined with Krita, Treta, and the other ages, are called the interval of a Manu. Fourteen Manus, renowned for their glory, have thus been described. In the Vedas and all the Purāṇas, O powerful ones, the praise of these lords of the people is auspicious. In the periods of the Manus, there are dissolutions, and at the end of each dissolution, new creations arise. It is impossible to state their end, even in hundreds of years. The creation and dissolution of beings, and the dissolutions in the periods of the Manus, are heard of in sacred tradition. Those who remain are the gods together with the seven sages, endowed with austerity, celibacy, and learning. When a thousand ages are completed, the Kalpa is said to be finished; then, all beings are burned by the rays of the sun. Having placed Brahma at the forefront, together with the hosts of Adityas, all enter the supreme lord Hari-Narayana, the best among the gods. The creator of all beings, at the end of each Kalpa, is the unmanifest, eternal god; this entire world belongs to him. Now, O tiger among sages, hear the account of the creation in the era of Manu Vaivasvata, the illustrious one of the present time. In connection with the lineage, the ancient story is narrated, wherein the great soul Hari, the lord, was born in the Vrishni clan. Vivasvan, the radiant sun, was born from Kaśyapa and Daksha’s daughter. His wife was Sanjna, the divine daughter of Tvashta, known as Sureshvari in all three worlds. She was destined to be the wife of the illustrious Martanda, the great soul. Though endowed with beauty and youth, Sanjna was not satisfied with her husband’s form. Possessed of great austerity and brilliance, she found the sun’s intense radiance scorching upon her limbs, making his form less pleasing to her. Out of affection, her husband said, “This is not dead from the egg.” Not knowing, Kaśyapa thus called him Martanda. Such is the sacred account of the sages, Manus, gods, and the cosmic cycles, as remembered in the tradition of Sanātana Dharma.