At that time, the gods who resided in the celestial realms flourished, their numbers vast and precise—twenty-eight crores of these virtuous beings, and also three hundred crore, with ninety-two crore more. In each cycle of existence, these gods known as 'celestial beings' are remembered. Alongside them were the ancestors, the seers, the immortals, and those who transcended caste and stage of life; all these gods dwelling in the sky. As the great dissolution approached, all became equal in their steadfastness. The gods inhabiting the three worlds, each identified by their unique forms, as well as those who endure until the end of the cycle, found themselves disturbed when dissolution arrived. Their minds turned toward the world of Maharloka, seeking refuge. Abundant in purity, they attained perfection through the power of their minds. Not only the gods, but brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and people of various births also became troubled and directed their thoughts toward Janaloka. Thus, thousands of ages of the gods passed in succession. Those who dwelled for a cycle, together with others, reached Janaloka. Eventually, they ascended to Brahmaloka, the realm from which there is no return. There, they became equal to Brahma, both in form and experience. Having attained the bliss of Brahma, they were liberated along with Brahma himself. Yet, bound by ritual measures and worship, they became influenced by the conditions of the time. When thus influenced, they performed service, and in this way, joy arose. Their actions and instruments grew together with them. Those whose authority had ceased remained established in their own duties, endowed with natural instruments, settled only in their own self. Because of the multiplicity of persons, their activity was perceived. For the liberated and the knowers of truth, nature was understood in union. Eventually, non-existence arose again, like the flames of those who have found peace. Along with these beings, Maharloka was then attained. Gandharvas and others, Piśācas, humans, Brahmins, and the rest dwelt among the inhabitants of the earth at that time. Then, each became one of the seven rays, transforming into suns. All moving and unmoving beings, rivers and mountains alike, became helpless, burned by the rays of these suns. Their bodies were scorched, their sins cleansed at the end of the age. Then, those people were born again among others of similar form. In this new creation, the mind-born sons of Brahmā came into being. When the worlds were burned by the seven suns, all waters—oceanic, cloud-born, and terrestrial—were affected, along with all water that ebbs and flows in abundance. Through this, its own radiance appeared, and the sound 'bhā' was used for pervasion and brilliance, spreading within and throughout the whole earth on all sides.