In ancient times, the earth was milked for her bounty, with particular calves and milkers, and the milk itself flowing forth. At the very beginning, it was the great-souled Brahmā who first drew sustenance from the earth. As the ages unfolded, this act was repeated: in the era of Svāyambhuva, during that Manvantara, and again when the Svārociṣa Manvantara arrived. In each age, the earth was milked anew—by Uttama, the divine son, during his time; in the fifth Manvantara, during the interval of Tāmasa; in the sixth, during the interval of Cāriṣṭa Manu; and once more when the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara began. When the interval of Cākṣuṣa passed and the era of Vaivasvata dawned, these beings continued to draw from the earth. Thus, in each past interval, the earth was milked by those appointed beings. You should understand that such events have occurred and will occur throughout both the past and the future. In this lineage, two valiant sons of Pṛthu were born, endowed with supernatural powers. From Havirdhāna and Dhiṣaṇā, the daughter of Agni, sons also came forth. Among them was Prācīnabarhis, illustrious and a great lord of creatures. His sacred grass faced east, which earned him the name Prācīnabarhis. After his great austerities, the lord of creatures was born from Savarṇā. All his sons, known as the Pracetas, mastered the science of archery. For ten thousand years, the Pracetas remained immersed in the waters of the ocean. During their absence, the trees grew unchecked, and living beings began to decline. The wind could not blow, and the sky was blocked by the immense growth of trees. Hearing of this, the Pracetas, engaged in austerity, arose and uprooted the trees, allowing the wind to dry them up. When only a few branches remained, they realized the destruction had gone too far. Seeing the true purpose for the continuation of the world, they resolved that trees would be born again on earth, and the fire and wind should be calmed. A woman, who carried Soma in her womb and had been nurtured, was presented to the Pracetas as their wife. From her would be born a learned and capable Prajapati named Daksha, brilliant as Agni, destined to further increase creation. Daksha, restraining his anger towards the trees, righteously accepted Māriṣā as his wife. From Māriṣā and the ten Pracetas, Prajapati Daksha was born. In the beginning, Daksha created beings through his mind, and later through sexual union. Having first produced offspring by mental power, Daksha then created women. Twenty-seven, endowed with the movement of time, he gave to the Moon; two to Bahuputra; and likewise, two to Angiras. The interval between the age of Cākṣuṣa and that of Manu is known as the sixth. During these times, the Vasudevas, birds, cows, serpents, Dānavas, and the sons of Diti came into being. It is said that the creation of these earlier beings happened through will, vision, and touch. The origin of the great-souled Daksha has already been described. Now, the question arises: How did you, O great ascetic, regain your former state?