When a thousand great ages have passed, the entire Kalpa—the cycle of creation—reaches its end. At that time, all living beings are consumed by the fierce rays of the Sun. Led by Brahma and accompanied by the hosts of Adityas, these beings enter into the supreme Lord Hari-Narayana, the greatest of the gods. The unmanifest, eternal God, the creator of all beings, gathers the world back into Himself at the close of each Kalpa, again and again; all that exists belongs to Him. Now, O foremost among sages, let me tell you about the creation of Manu Vaivasvata, the illustrious Manu of our present age. In the context of his lineage, an ancient story is told—how the great soul Hari, the Lord Himself, was born in the Vrishni clan. It began with Vivasvan, who was born from the sage Kashyapa and Daksha’s daughter. Vivasvan’s wife was Sanjna, the divine daughter of Tvashta, known throughout the three worlds as Sureshvari, destined to be the consort of the radiant Martanda, the Sun. Although Sanjna was endowed with beauty and youth, she found herself dissatisfied with her husband’s overwhelming brilliance. The Sun’s intense radiance scorched her very limbs, making his form difficult to bear. Out of affection, it was said, “This is not dead from the egg,” and thus, not knowing the full truth, Kashyapa called him Martanda. The radiance of Vivasvan was always excessive, and by this power, the son of Kashyapa scorched the three worlds. O Brahmins, the Sun, foremost among those who burn, fathered three children with Sanjna: a daughter and two sons, who became the lords of creatures. Manu, the son of Vivasvan, was once known as Shraddhadeva, the lord of all beings; the twins Yama and Yamuna were also born to them. Yet, unable to tolerate Vivasvan’s dark and overpowering form, Sanjna created from herself a likeness—a shadow identical in form. This being, Chhaya, approached Sanjna with joined palms and bowed head, asking, “What should I do, O fair-smiling one? Command me, and I shall obey.” Sanjna replied, “I will go to my father’s house; may all be well with you. Remain here in my place without fear. Care for these two boys and this slender-waisted girl as your own, but never reveal this secret to the Lord.” Chhaya promised, “O goddess, until I am seized by the hair or cursed, I will never disclose this. Salutations to you; go as you please.” Having thus instructed Chhaya and received her assent, Sanjna, feeling ashamed and full of austerity, departed to her father Tvashta’s presence. Upon arriving, she was repeatedly rebuked by her father, who urged her again and again to return to her husband. So Sanjna, concealing her form, became a mare and wandered north to the land of the Kurus, grazing on grass there. Meanwhile, the Sun, thinking Chhaya was his second wife, begot a son with her, equal to himself. The Lord declared, “He is like the elder Manu,” and so this son became known as Savarni. The second son born to Chhaya was Shani. Thus, Sanjna became the mother of her own son once more. Chhaya showed greater affection for her own son, Savarni, than for the previous children. Manu accepted this, but Yama did not. In anger and childishness, Yama, the son of Vivasvat, threatened Chhaya with his foot, unaware of what would follow. In her distress, Chhaya cursed him, saying, “May your foot fall off!” Frightened and troubled by this curse, Yama went to his father and, with joined palms, reported all that had happened. He pleaded, “May this curse be lifted, Father.” The Sun replied, “A mother must act with affection toward all her children.” Yama explained, “Vivasvat has set us aside and now honors her. I raised my foot against her, but did not strike her. Whether it was childishness, greed, or delusion, please forgive me, Lord. I have been cursed by my mother, but by your grace, may my foot not fall, O protector of all.” The Sun answered, “My son, there is reason for your anger, but your mother’s words cannot be made false. Worms will consume the flesh of your foot and return it to the earth. In this way, your mother’s words will be fulfilled, but you will be protected from the curse.” Then the Sun questioned Chhaya, “Why, among children who are equal, do you show greater affection to one?” Chhaya, wishing to avoid revealing the truth, did not answer. But Vivasvat, collecting himself through yoga, perceived what had truly happened. Though he wished to curse her, the blessed Sun did not do so. Instead, he seized her by the hair. At that moment, Chhaya confessed everything to Vivasvat. Hearing this, the Sun, filled with anger, went to Tvashta. Tvashta, seeing the blazing one approach, worshipped him as was proper. Seeking to soothe the Sun, who was intent on burning with anger, Tvashta began to conciliate him.