With the consent of the gathered assembly, Romaharṣaṇa, the wise son of Sūta, took his seat upon the beautiful, well-prepared place arranged for him. Composed in mind, filled with happiness, and steadfast in humility and concentration, he radiated contentment. United in the highest joy, the sages addressed him, their voices full of reverence: “O wise one, we desire to see and hear of the most virtuous and eminent sage. You, O Sūta, are devoted both to that sage and to the great-souled Vyāsa himself. Your mind, O lord, is firmly set on sharing the true teachings out of compassion. Whenever we inquire, you are always worthy to tell us everything. We wish now to hear, with righteousness and purpose, all that you have learned from Vyāsa.” Hearing their earnest request, Romaharṣaṇa, supremely wise and modest in his reply, spoke the highest teaching. “Because your intention is to listen with sincerity, this is certain and settled. Whatever you wish to know, you are worthy to learn here.” The sages, their eyes brimming with tears of longing, addressed him again: “Therefore, O Sūta, reveal to us entirely the origin of this world.” Thus respectfully questioned, the great-souled Romaharṣaṇa—pleased by the grace of Dvaipāyana Vyāsa—spoke to the best of the twice-born the sacred story, saying, “I shall now declare the Purāṇa as spoken by Mātariśvan. It encompasses creation, dissolution, genealogies, and the ages of Manus. The process, the first section, and the collection of narratives—these four sections have been briefly described by me.” He continued, “The Purāṇa was first heard by Brahmā among all the scriptures. Its limbs include the Dharmaśāstra, the vows, and the disciplines as well. From the great principle to the particular, the resolve to create is explained. The covering of the cosmic egg, the vast ocean, and the radiance of the primordial waters are all recounted here. The elements, together with the great principle, and the great one enveloped by the unmanifest are described.” He spoke further: “Here is told the origin of rivers and mountains. The praise of the tree of Brahman and the narration of Brahmā’s birth are declared. The various states of Brahmā, whose birth is from the unmanifest, are described. The resting of Hari upon the waters, and likewise the raising up of the earth, are narrated. The constellations, the positions of the planets, and the abodes of the perfected beings are set forth. The division of the heavenly realms and the places where the virtuous dwellers in truth reside are explained. The two paths of the gods and the seers are described, as well as the origin of animals and humans.” Romaharṣaṇa continued, “Again, the nine creations proceeding from Brahmā, born of his intention, are spoken of. From the limbs of Brahmā arises the origin of Dharma and the others. The interval between the great ages, the kalpas, is described, as well as the connection that occurs between them. From the predominance of sattva and from the body, the origin of the person, the puruṣa, is declared. The auspicious births and forms of Priyavrata and Uttānapāda are recounted. From Ruci, the Prajāpati, through Ākūti, the birth of the divine pair occurred. The offspring of the daughters of Dakṣā, beginning with Śabdā, are described. Likewise, the unrighteousness in violence, marked by darkness and inauspiciousness, is explained.” Thus, with reverence and clarity, Romaharṣaṇa began to unfold the sacred history, as it was heard from the great sages, for the benefit of all who sought the truth.