At the dawn of the kalpa, when time itself was young, the very first union took place, setting the foundation for all that would follow. From this primal moment emerged Manu, the sovereign of a hundred forms, remembered as the illustrious son of Virāj. Virāj himself, arising from the cosmic Puruṣa, became the progenitor of the heroic Śatarūpā. Together, from Virāj and Śatarūpā, were born two daughters of great fortune—mothers from whom all living beings have sprung. Svāyambhuva, the lord of all, gave his daughter Prasūti in marriage to Dakṣa, the renowned progenitor. To the mind-born sage Ruci, Ākūti bore a virtuous pair, and to Dakṣiṇā, Yajña was blessed with twelve sons. These sons of Yajña are known as the Yāmās, for they are also regarded as the sons of Yama. The Yāmās, the first to move about, became known as the dwellers of heaven. In Prasūti, Dakṣa, the lord, begot twenty-four daughters, all of whom became devoted wives and mothers of yoga. Among them were Śraddhā, Lakṣmī, Dhṛti, Tuṣṭi, Puṣṭi, Medhā, and Kriyā. Dharma, the lord of righteousness, accepted these daughters of Dakṣa as his wives. The remaining eleven, younger and radiant of eye, included Sannati, Anasūyā, Ūrjā, Svāhā, and Svadhā. To these daughters, Dakṣa gave illustrious husbands: Rudra, Bhṛgu, Marīci, Aṅgirā, Pulaha, and Kratu. 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, the fire god. All these noble beings, the progeny of Dakṣa and his daughters, followed their destinies and were firmly established in the world. From Śraddhā was born desire; from Lakṣmī, pride came forth as her son. Puṣṭi gave birth to gain, while from Medhā arose knowledge and learning. Intellect gave rise to understanding, vigilance, and awareness. From tranquility was born welfare, and happiness arose from accomplishment. Desire gave birth to joy, and the goddess Siddhi brought forth success. Yet, from unrighteousness came violence, along with deceit and falsehood. From these arose Māyā and pain, forming two pairs. From pain, suffering was born, originating from the realm of Raurava. All these, marked by unrighteousness, are remembered as following in the wake of suffering. Thus, this creation of darkness came into being, yet it was governed by dharma. Contemplating his faithful wife, the creator brought forth offspring from himself. He produced thousands upon thousands of beings clad in skins: tawny ones, those armed with weapons, the matted-haired Kapardī, and those of blue and red hues. He fashioned beings of great form, those deformed, and those of universal form and beauty. He created those with hundreds and thousands of arms, who dwell in heaven, on earth, and in the sky. Among these creations were eaters of food, flesh-eaters, ghee-drinkers, and those who partake of soma. There were slender-bodied ones, archers, and warriors bearing swords and shields. He created those who study, recite, practice, and meditate, as well as the wise and most enlightened—possessors of Brahman and seers of Brahman. Invisible to all beings, there arose great yogis, radiant with immense brilliance, silently shaping the world through their presence.