Ascending the peaks of the mighty mountains and descending them one by one, Manu journeyed southward, his eyes beholding the sacred Śrīśaila along the way. When he reached Mount Malaya, Manu devoted himself to austere practices there. At that very time, the Goddess—whom Manu worshipped with deep reverence—appeared at Vindhya. From then on, she became renowned throughout the worlds as Vindhyavāsinī, the Dweller in Vindhya. Sūta, the storyteller, declared to Śaunaka: “This tale is supreme and excellent, a story that destroys enemies. The legend of Agastya and the Vindhya mountain destroys sin, grants victory to kings, and increases knowledge for the twice-born. It bestows grain and wealth upon merchants, happiness upon servants, and fulfills the desires of all—righteousness for those who seek it, wealth for those who seek wealth, and pleasures for those who seek pleasure. Even hearing this story once with devotion brings all these blessings.” Thus, Svāyambhuva Manu worshipped the Goddess with unwavering devotion and, through her favor, obtained sovereignty over the earth and his own epoch as Manu. Sūta concluded, “Gentle one, I have described to you the story of Manu’s era and the first legend of the blessed Goddess. What else would you like to hear?” Śaunaka then spoke: “You have described the first and most excellent epoch of Manu. Now tell me of the origin of the other radiant Manus.” Sūta responded, “Having heard of the origin of the first Manu, Svāyambhuva, you now inquire about the birth of the others, one after another.” Nārada, the supreme knower and expert in the truth of the Goddess, asked, “O eternal one, tell me of the origin of the Manus.” Śrī Nārāyaṇa replied, “The first Manu is called Svāyambhuva, O great sage. By worshipping the Goddess, he obtained a kingdom free from obstacles. His two mighty sons were Priyavrata and Uttānapāda, renowned as rulers and protectors of the earth. The second Manu, called Svārociṣa by the wise, was the illustrious son of Priyavrata, whose valor was beyond measure. Svārociṣa established his residence on the banks of the Kālindī, bringing joy to all beings. Living on fallen leaves and devoted to austerity, he worshipped the Goddess with devotion, making an image of her from clay. For twelve years, he practiced austerities in the forest, until the Goddess appeared before him, radiant as a thousand suns. Pleased by his devotion and supreme hymn, the Lady of the gods granted Svārociṣa all the powers belonging to the entire Manvantara. The Sustainer of the world became renowned as the ruler, known as Tāriṇī, and thus Svārociṣa attained the Manvantara by worshipping Tāriṇī. He obtained rulership free from adversaries, established dharma according to proper rites, and governed the kingdom together with his sons. After enjoying his reign, he departed for the heavenly realm at the end of his Manvantara. The third Manu, named Uttama, was also a son of Priyavrata. On the banks of the Ganges, Uttama practiced austerities, reciting the Vāgbhava mantra in solitude. He fasted for three years and received the grace of the Goddess. Praising her with excellent hymns and his mind filled with devotion, Uttama obtained a kingdom without obstacles and a lineage enduring for a long time. He enjoyed the pleasures arising from kingship and the dharmas of his era, and eventually attained the exalted path of royal sages. The fourth Manu, named Tāmasa, also a son of Priyavrata, worshipped the All-pervading Goddess on the southern bank of the Narmadā. He devoted himself to reciting the Kāmarāja mantra to Maheśvarī, especially during the spring and autumn, performing the nine-night worship. Tāmasa pleased the Lady of the gods, the lotus-eyed and peerless one, and, receiving her favor, bowed and praised her with unsurpassed hymns. He enjoyed a great kingdom free from obstacles, fearless, and produced ten valiant and heroic sons from his own wife. After generating those sons, Tāmasa departed for the supreme heavenly realm. The fifth Manu, named Raivata, was Tāmasa’s younger brother. Residing on the banks of the Kālindī, Raivata recited the Kāma mantra—the seed that bestows supreme eloquence and is the refuge of practitioners. Through this worship, he attained unrivaled royal prosperity and strength in the world, granting all accomplishments. He obtained a lineage of sons and grandsons enduring for a long time, established dharma, enjoyed his domains, and, unmatched in valor, departed for the supreme abode of Mahendra. Now, listen to the marvelous and supreme power of the Goddess in the story of the sixth Manu. Aṅga’s son became the illustrious Manu named Cākṣuṣa, who sought refuge in the sage Supulaha. Cākṣuṣa approached the sage and said, “O Brahmarṣi, I have come to you for refuge, remover of the distress of the devoted. Instruct me, Master, as your servant, so that I may attain prosperity. May I have undivided sovereignty over the earth, unimpeded strength of arms, skill in weapons and missiles, and the capacity to rule. May our noble lineage endure unbroken for a long time, and in the end, may I attain liberation. Instruct me accordingly.” The sage Supulaha heard these words and replied, revealing the supreme worship of the Goddess. “O King, listen to my words, greatly pleasing to the ear: worship Śivā today, for by her grace, all this will be accomplished.” Cākṣuṣa then asked, “What is that supreme and purifying worship of the Goddess? By what means should it be performed? Out of compassion, please explain.” The sage responded, “O King, listen to the supreme and inexhaustible worship of the Goddess: ceaselessly recite the unmanifest Vāgbhava seed-mantra.” Thus unfolds the story of the Manus, each attaining their epoch, prosperity, and liberation through devotion to the Goddess, whose grace bestows all blessings and establishes dharma across the ages.