What has come before, in the vast cycles of time, is hidden from those who live in the present age of Vaivasvata Manu. The events and beings of previous epochs are not witnessed by us now. Yet, among those ancient ones, there existed the illustrious serpent sages. Listen as I recall their names and stories. In those primordial days, Atri and Vasiṣṭha were present, along with the seven great sages of the Svāyambhuva epoch. Among them were Jyotiṣmān, Dyutimān, Havya, Savana, and Sattra—beings swift as the wind and possessed of noble souls. They were the kings and leaders of the very first age. Alongside them were Piśācas, humans, Suparṇas, and the radiant hosts of Apsarases. The multitude of their names and lineages is so great that it is impossible to count or fully comprehend their numbers. A vast expanse of time has passed since then—measured in solstices, years, and ages—so much so that the origins, beginnings, true natures, and essences of these beings are shrouded in mystery. What are their names? What is their innermost self? What is their true principle? Such questions are difficult to answer in full truth. Yet, it is said that the sun is the origin of all, the measurer of moments, the counter of numbers, and the eye of the world. The year is the true nature of the sun, and its name is composed of the divisions of time. Understand, then, the fivefold division of time: the year is the first, Parivatsara is the second, and the fifth among these is called Vatsara, which is known as a Yuga, an epoch. The sacrificial fire called Kratu is considered to be the year itself. The movement of the bright and dark fortnights is likened to a bird made of the essence of waters. He who pervades the worlds manifests in sevenfold, sevenfold forms. From the principle of ego arose the fierce Rudra, produced by Brahmā himself. Now, listen as I declare to you the true nature of this Rudra, as he is praised by the wise. He is the source of the Ṛg, Sāma, and Yajur Vedas, the lord of the five, the supreme ruler. Sages declare him to be the year and also the sun. He governs the planets, stars, cold and heat, rain, lifespan, and all actions. He is of a mental nature, serene, the son of Brahmā, and lord of all creatures. He is known as Āditya, Savitṛ, Bhānu—the giver of life, honored by Brahmā. He is the lord of the stars, the second Parivatsara, the sustainer of all beings, and the provider of welfare and security. He is the lord of tithis (lunar days), festival junctions, and both the full and new moons. Thus, Soma is remembered as the ancestor, embodying the year. By his actions, he initiates all activities of living beings in the world and accomplishes acts that produce equal measures of time. He exists through the beneficial functions of his sevenfold bodies. He is the source of fire, water, earth, the sun, and the moon. He is the maker of day and night; thus, Vāyu is called Anuvatsara. The ancestors of all worlds are proclaimed as the souls of the worlds. He is the sage, the brahmin, the great god, the soul of all beings, and the great-grandfather. By entering into beings, he becomes the origin of their limbs and parts. The sun, the moon, fire, wind, and Rudra himself—all are his forms. The blessed Rudra entered this world with his own radiance. Then, by his power, he brought about the welfare of all the worlds.