In the illustrious lineage of kings, Anaraṇya, famed for his deeds, was the son of Sarvakarman. Anaraṇya’s own son was Nighna, who fathered two distinguished sons: Anamitra and Raghu, both celebrated as eminent leaders among the royal families. From Anamitra came Dilīpa, a learned and noble king. Dilīpa’s son, also named Dilīpa, became the great-grandfather of the renowned Rāma. The younger Dilīpa’s son was Raghu, known for his long arms and valor. In the ancient city of Ayodhyā, the mighty king Aja, belonging to the Rāghava line, ruled with strength and wisdom. From Aja was born Daśaratha, and from Daśaratha came Rāma, a paragon of righteousness and famed throughout the worlds. Rāma’s son was Kuśa, and from Kuśa was born Atithi, who was righteous and widely respected. Atithi’s son was the valiant Niṣadha, whose lineage continued with Nala, then Nabha, followed by Puṇḍarīka, and then Kṣemadhanvan. Kṣemadhanvan’s son was the powerful Devānīka, and from Devānīka came Ahīnaga, a lord among men. Ahīnaga’s heir was Sudhanvan, a king of great repute, and Sudhanvan’s son was Śala. Śala’s son, Ukya, was known for his righteousness, and Ukya’s son was Vajranābha. Vajranābha’s son was Nala, a great-souled king. Among the ancients, two Nalas are celebrated: one, the son of Vīrasena, and the other, the illustrious descendant of the Ikṣvāku line. These noble kings, the foremost of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, are proclaimed as belonging to the radiant lineage of Vivasvat, the sun. It is said that whoever recites this account of Vivasvat—the sun, honored in ancestral rites and the nourisher of all beings—will attain union with Vivasvat, blessed with abundant offspring. Turning to another sacred tale, the venerable sage Atri, whose mind was first born from Brahmā in his desire to create beings, was the father of Soma. In ancient times, Atri performed the supreme austerity known as Anuttara for three thousand divine years. From his intense penance, his seed rose upward and became Soma, while water flowed from his eyes in ten radiant streams, illuminating all directions. By the order of the ritual, ten goddesses together took up Atri’s embryo and tried to bear it, but they could not sustain its power. Unable to hold it, the goddesses abandoned the embryo, which then fell to the earth in all directions. Seeing Soma fallen, Brahmā, the Grandfather of the worlds, placed him upon a chariot for the welfare of all beings. As Soma was praised by the gods, the sons of Brahmā, and other eminent sages, his radiant energy nourished the worlds in every direction. With that foremost chariot, Soma circled the earth, bounded by the ocean, thrice seven times, performing auspicious circumambulations. The energy he displayed entered the earth, and from it arose the herbs that sustain the world. Having regained his energy through praise and his own deeds, Soma performed austerity, desiring the vision of the divine Lotuses. Then Brahmā, the supreme knower of Brahman, granted Soma sovereignty over seeds, herbs, Brahmins, and waters. Having attained this great sovereignty, Soma, gentle and foremost among beings, performed the Rājasūya sacrifice, offering a hundred thousand gifts. Soma gave the three worlds as gifts to the chief Brahmarshis and the officiating priests. Hiranyagarbha, Brahmā, and Bhrigu served as the priests, with Hari present among a host of sages. Nine goddesses—Sinī, Kuhū, Dyuti, Puṣṭi, Prabhā, Vasu, Kīrti, Dhṛti, and Lakṣmī—served him. After performing the Avabhṛtha rite, Soma was honored by all gods and sages, shining as the king of kings and illuminating the directions. Yet, having attained such sovereignty, Soma’s mind was swept away by pride and lack of humility. Intoxicated by his power, he forcibly took Tārā, the wife of Bṛhaspati, son of Angiras, in his folly. Though the gods and divine sages pleaded with him, Soma refused to return Tārā to Angiras. Uśanas seized Angiras’s heel, and Rudra, wielding his goat-horn bow, also grasped his heel. The supreme weapon, Brahmaśiras, was invoked against the gods, threatening their fame. Thus, a renowned battle for Tārā erupted between the gods and the demons, vast and destructive to the worlds. The remaining gods, the Tuṣita deities, and the twice-born sages sought refuge with Brahmā, the eternal and primeval god. Brahmā, restraining Uśanas and Rudra Śaṅkara, returned Tārā to Angiras. Seeing her pregnant, Bṛhaspati, enraged, declared that Soma’s seed would not remain in his wife under any circumstances. Tārā approached a reed stalk and expelled the embryo, and as soon as he was born, that blessed child shone forth with the form of the gods.