Śaṅkara, the great Lord, spoke with unwavering resolve: “I cannot abandon one who has sought my refuge. Even in the face of fear, to give up someone who has surrendered is not my way. O Lord of the world, I can relinquish all else, but never my own duty. For whoever always protects dharma, dharma in turn protects him.” Then, with reverence, he addressed the divine: “You are the mother of all, the creator, and, in your transformations, the destroyer as well.” Hearing these words, the Lord—knower of all hearts—understood Śaṅkara’s steadfastness. The Moon, now relieved of his affliction and shining bright, was restored and took his honored place upon Śiva’s crest. Witnessing the Moon, once struck with consumption, now healed, Dakṣa offered praise to Mādhava. Kṛṣṇa, after granting boons to those assembled, returned to his own celestial abode. The Moon, having regained his vitality, once more moved joyfully across the heavens, gracing both day and night. Thus, O sage, the entire order of creation was recounted. Sauti then explained: “Even in sacred rituals, the presence of the wife is essential for their completion. From such rites, the Vālakhilya sages were born. Three sons were born to Aṅgiras, O best of sages. Śakti was the son of Vasiṣṭha, and Parāśara was born of Śakti. Śuka, the foremost among the wise and a portion of Śiva himself, was the son of Vyāsa. At this point, Śaunaka inquired, ‘There is no authoritative account regarding the origin of Dhanesha. How did the birth of Dhanesha, the lord, come about?’ Sauti replied: ‘Once more, by the curse of Brahmā, the son of Viśravas was afflicted. Utathya gave Dhaneshvara as a gift to his teacher as a fee. Weakened, Dhanesha was ready to give himself over. Thus, Kubera, son of Viśravas, became the lord of wealth. Pulah’s son was Vātsya, and Śāṇḍilya was the son of Ruci. Kāśyapa was born from Kaśyapa, and Bharadvāja from Bṛhaspati. Śāṇḍilya, son of Ruci, became a sage, foremost among the radiant. Other Brahmin lineages arose from the mouth of Brahmā. The noble Kṣatriyas are remembered as descendants of the Moon, the Sun, and the Manus. From Brahmā’s thighs came the Vaiśyas, and from his feet, the Śūdra lineages. Among these were born cowherds, barbers, Bhillas, as well as Modaka and Kūbara. Thus, O foremost of Brahmins, have the origins of the pure Śūdras been described. Viśvakarmā then deposited his seed in a Śūdra woman. From this union came the garland-maker, the conch-worker, the artisan, and the potter, as well as the thread-maker, the painter, and likewise the goldsmith. Śaunaka then asked, ‘How did these three fall among the lowest of the Śūdras? What was the cause of Brahmā’s curse upon them?’ Sauti replied: ‘Viśvakarmā once saw her as she walked along the path to Puṣkara. As she approached and he beheld her, his heart blossomed with delight. She was adorned with jeweled ornaments, her limbs soft and delicate. Her broad hips bore a graceful weight, enchanting even the minds of sages. As the wind carried away her garment, revealing her firm hips, her smiling, lovely face shamed even the autumn moon with its beauty.