Vivasvat, the radiant Sun, had turned his affections away from us and now sought to adorn Saṃjñā. In a moment of anger, I had raised my foot against her, but I did not bring it down upon her body. Whether my action arose from childishness, greed, or delusion, I ask you, O Lord of the world, to forgive me. Though my mother has cursed me, O best of the blazing ones, I trust that by your grace my foot will not fall, O protector of cows. Yet, my son, there is indeed a great reason for the anger that seized you, for you are one who knows righteousness and always speaks the truth. Still, your mother’s words cannot be made false: worms will consume your flesh and return it to the earth. Thus her curse will be fulfilled, but you will also be protected by the removal of its sting. Meanwhile, the Sun addressed Saṃjñā, questioning her, “Why do you show greater affection to one among your children, when all are equal?” Saṃjñā, wishing to avoid the subject, did not reveal the truth to Vivasvat. But Vivasvat, gathering his mind through yoga, perceived what had happened. Though he desired to curse her, the blessed one restrained himself and instead seized her by the hair. Then, Saṃjñā confessed everything to him as it had occurred. Upon hearing this, Vivasvat, burning with anger, went to Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine artisan. When Tvaṣṭṛ saw Vivasvat, he worshipped him as was proper and sought to calm his anger. Tvaṣṭṛ spoke gently: “This form of yours, filled with excessive brilliance, does not shine in the world; unable to bear it, Saṃjñā now wanders in the grassy forest. Today, O protector of cows, through the power of yoga you will see your own wife, virtuous and praiseworthy, endowed with yogic might. If it pleases you, O god, and if I approve, I will fashion for you a form pleasing to you, O subduer of foes.” With Vivasvat’s consent, Tvaṣṭṛ placed him upon the wheel and diminished his overwhelming brilliance. Thus, the Sun’s radiance was condensed, and a new form emerged, more beautiful and splendid than before. Then, resorting to yoga, Vivasvat beheld his wife Vaḍavā, who, by her brilliance and discipline, was unassailable by all beings. The sages saw her, fearless and wandering in the form of a mare; and the blessed Sun, taking the form of a horse, approached her. She, suspecting another male and resisting union, discharged Vivasvat’s semen through her nostrils. From this union were born the two Ashvins, foremost among physicians, known as Nasatya and Dasra. These two, the Ashvins, are sons of Mārtaṇḍa, the eighth Prajapati; Bhaskara revealed their mother to them in a beautiful form. Upon seeing her husband, Saṃjñā was satisfied. Yet Yama, their son, was deeply troubled in his mind by these events and afflicted within. Nonetheless, as king of Dharma, Yama delighted all beings through righteousness, and by his virtuous deeds, he attained supreme splendor. He gained lordship over the ancestors and became the guardian of the worlds. Manu, the son of Savarna, became the Prajapati, rich in austerity. When the time comes, Manu Savarni will preside; even now, he practices austerity atop Mount Meru. Yama’s brother, Shani, became a planet, while Tvaṣṭṛ, through his brilliance, fashioned the discus of Vishnu—a mighty weapon, irresistible in battle and destined for the destruction of the Danavas. The younger, illustrious daughter was Yamī, who became the foremost of rivers, the purifying Yamuna. In this world, Manu is called Savarni, and his brother Shani, too, attained planetary status, honored by all. O best of men, whoever hears this sacred account of the birth of the gods, if beset by troubles, will be freed and attain great fame. Now, the sons of Manu Vaivasvata were nine, all equal to him: Ikshvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrishta, Sharyati, Narisyanta, Pramshu, Rishta, Karusha, and Prishadhra. Desiring sons, Manu, the wise Prajapati, performed a sacrifice to Mitra and Varuna in ancient times. While many sons had not yet been born and the sacrifice was underway, Manu offered an oblation in the portion of Mitra and Varuna. From this offering appeared a woman adorned with divine garments and ornaments—she was Ila, born with a divine form. Manu, the wielder of the staff, addressed her as Ila and said, “Follow me, O blessed one.” Ila replied righteously, “I was born from the portion of Mitra and Varuna, best among speakers; I will go to them—do not make me one who has abandoned righteousness.” Having spoken thus, Ila, of lovely form, approached Mitra and Varuna with joined palms and said, “I am born from your portion, O gods; what shall I do for you? Manu has also told me, ‘Follow me.’” Then Mitra and Varuna, best among the twice-born, answered virtuous Ila, who spoke thus and was devoted to righteousness.