In the beginning, Brahmā produced Dakṣa, Atri, and Vasiṣṭha as his mind-born sons. Indeed, Brahmā is the origin of all those who are self-born and possess self-restraint. Prajāpati and Ruci are recognized as the earliest ancestors among these beings. From Brahmā’s mind, Ruci was born, emerging from the unmanifest, while from his vital breath, Dakṣa came forth. From Brahmā’s eyes, Marīci was created; from his head, Angiras; and from his ears, Atri took birth. Vasiṣṭha arose from the equalizing breath, and Kratu from the downward breath. Among these divine progeny, Dharma is remembered as the firstborn of the deities. These ancient householders established Dharma in former times. Within their lineages, there are twelve divine branches, each endowed with the qualities of the gods. When creation was brought forth by them and by the great sages beginning with Dharma, Brahmā himself became enveloped by darkness and was struck by sorrow. From his sons, too, another measure of darkness emerged. When Brahmā’s manifestation was hindered, he exercised his divine will and divided his own body in two, becoming half-man and half-woman. This nature, the bearer of all beings, was created from desire by the Lord. That was Brahmā’s former body, remaining and covering the heavens. The goddess, born from this division, performed austerity for countless years, enduring the most arduous penance. The primordial Svayambhu, Brahmā, is known as Manu, the man. Without being born from a womb, Manu obtained a wife named Śatarūpā. Their first union took place at the dawn of the kalpa. Manu, remembered as the sovereign with a hundred forms, is the son of Virāj. From Virāj, from the Puruṣa, the heroic Śatarūpā was born. From them came two daughters of great fortune, from whom all beings were born. Svāyambhuva Manu, the lord, gave Prasūti as a wife to Dakṣa. To the mind-born Ruci, a virtuous pair was born in Ākūti. To Yajña, twelve sons were born in Dakṣiṇā. The sons of Yama are also the sons of Yajña, and thus they are known as the Yāmās. The Yāmās, who first moved about, are called the dwellers of heaven. In Prasūti, Dakṣa, the lord, begot twenty-four daughters. All of these daughters became devoted wives and mothers of yoga. Among them were Śraddhā, Lakṣmī, Dhṛti, Tuṣṭi, Puṣṭi, Medhā, and Kriyā. Dharma, the lord, accepted many of Dakṣa’s daughters as his wives. The remaining eleven, younger and fair-eyed, were Sannati, Anasūyā, Ūrjā, Svāhā, and Svadhā. To Rudra, Bhṛgu, Marīci, Aṅgirā, Pulaha, and Kratu, Dakṣa gave his daughters in marriage. Satī was given to Bhava, Khyāti to Bhṛgu, Prīti to Pulastya, and Kṣamā to Pulaha. Energy was bestowed upon Vasiṣṭha, and Svāhā was offered to Agni. All these noble ones, the progeny, have followed and are established, continuing the divine lineages and the unfolding of creation.