When Saṃjñā, the auspicious wife of Vivasvat the Sun, returned to her father’s house, her father rebuked her again and again, urging her to return to her husband. Distressed, Saṃjñā, pure and blameless, concealed her form by transforming herself into a mare and journeyed north to the land of the Kurus, where she grazed on grass, hidden from all. Meanwhile, the Sun, thinking this mare was his second wife, begot a son upon her, a child radiant and powerful as himself. The lord declared, “He is like the elder Manu,” and so this son became known as Savarni. Saṃjñā then bore a second son, who came to be known as Shani. Thus, Saṃjñā was now the mother of her own son once more. For Shani, Saṃjñā felt a special affection, greater than for her earlier children. Manu accepted this difference, but Yama, her firstborn son, did not. Out of anger and youthful ignorance, Yama rashly threatened his mother with his foot, unaware of the consequences of such an act. In great distress and anger, Saṃjñā cursed him, saying, “May your foot fall off!” Frightened and troubled by his mother’s curse, Yama went to his father, Vivasvat, and with folded hands pleaded, “May this curse be lifted.” Vivasvat replied, “A mother should show equal affection to all her children.” Yama explained, “Mother has set us aside, and now seeks to favor another. Though I raised my foot in anger, I did not strike her. Whether from childishness, greed, or delusion, please forgive me, O Lord. I have been cursed by my mother, but by your grace, may my foot not fall.” Understanding the situation, Vivasvat said, “My son, there is reason for the anger that arose in you, who know righteousness and truth. But your mother’s words cannot be made false. Worms shall consume the flesh of your foot and fall to the earth; thus her words will come true, yet you will be protected from losing your foot entirely.” Thus, the curse was partially fulfilled and partially mitigated. Turning to Saṃjñā, the Sun asked, “Why do you show greater affection to one child among those who are equal?” Wishing to avoid conflict, Saṃjñā did not reveal the truth. But Vivasvat, gathering his mind through yoga, perceived all that had happened. Angered, he considered cursing her, but restrained himself and instead seized her by the hair. Thus compelled, Saṃjñā confessed everything to Vivasvat. Hearing her words, the Sun, filled with anger, went to Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine artisan. Tvaṣṭṛ, seeing the blazing one approach, worshipped him properly and sought to pacify him. Tvaṣṭṛ explained, “Your present form, O Sun, is too brilliant; Saṃjñā could not bear it and has wandered away into the grassy forest.” He continued, “Today, by resorting to yoga, you will see your own virtuous wife, radiant and endowed with yogic power. If you agree, I will fashion for you a form more pleasing and gentle.” With the Sun’s consent, Tvaṣṭṛ placed him upon his wheel and diminished his brilliance, refining it into a form even more beautiful and radiant than before. Now, with his brilliance condensed, the Sun, through yoga, beheld his wife Vaḍavā—Saṃjñā in her mare form—unassailable by any being due to her own radiance and discipline. The sages too saw her, fearless, wandering as a mare. The Sun, taking the form of a horse, approached her. As she resisted, suspecting another male, she released the Sun’s semen through her nostrils. From this union were born the two Ashvins, the divine physicians, known as Nasatya and Dasra. These Ashvins are the sons of Mārtaṇḍa, the eighth Prajāpati; Bhāskara, the Sun, revealed Saṃjñā in her beautiful form to them. Upon seeing her husband restored, Saṃjñā was satisfied. Yet Yama, troubled by his earlier act, remained afflicted in mind. In time, Yama, the king of Dharma, delighted all beings through righteousness and, by his virtuous deeds, attained supreme splendor. He was granted lordship over the ancestors and became a guardian of the worlds. Manu, son of Savarni, rich in austerity, became the Prajāpati. When the appointed time comes, Manu Savarni will rule; even now, he practices austerities atop Meru’s summit. Shani, his brother, became a planet, honored by all the worlds. Tvaṣṭṛ, by his brilliance, fashioned the discus of Vishnu, an irresistible weapon for the destruction of the Dānavas. The younger daughter, Yamī, became the illustrious river Yamunā, the foremost of purifying rivers. In the world, Manu is known as Savarni; his brother Shani, the second son, also attained planetary status. O best of men, whoever hears this sacred account of the birth of the gods, even if beset by troubles, will be freed and attain great fame. Now, know that the sons of Manu Vaivasvata were nine, each equal to their father: Ikshvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrishta, and Sharyati among them.