Śrī Nārāyaṇa spoke to the great sage, recounting the illustrious line of Manus and their devotion to the Goddess, through which they attained sovereignty and blessings. The first Manu, Svāyambhuva, by sincerely worshipping the Goddess, was granted a kingdom free from obstacles. His two powerful sons, Priyavrata and Uttānapāda, became renowned across the earth as noble rulers and steadfast protectors of their realms. After him came the second Manu, Svārociṣa, the valiant son of Priyavrata, whose strength was beyond measure. Svārociṣa chose to dwell on the banks of the sacred Kālindī river, where he brought joy to all beings. Submitting himself to austerity, he lived on fallen leaves and fashioned an image of the Goddess from clay, worshipping her with unwavering devotion. For twelve years, he practiced severe penance in the forest, until one day the Goddess appeared before him, radiant as a thousand suns. Pleased by his steadfast devotion and the supreme hymns he offered, the Lady of the gods granted Svārociṣa all the powers and responsibilities of an entire Manvantara. Thus, by worshipping Tāriṇī—the Sustainer of the world—Svārociṣa became the celebrated ruler of his age, governing a kingdom free from adversaries, upholding dharma, and ruling alongside his sons. When his time as Manu was fulfilled, he ascended to the heavenly realms. The third Manu, Uttama, another son of Priyavrata, followed. On the banks of the Ganges, Uttama practiced austerities in solitude, reciting the sacred Vāgbhava mantra and fasting for three years. Through his heartfelt hymns and deep devotion, he received the grace of the Goddess. She blessed him with an untroubled kingdom and a lineage destined to endure for ages. Uttama enjoyed the fruits of kingship, upholding the dharmas of his era, and ultimately attained the exalted path reserved for royal sages. Next was Tāmasa, the fourth Manu and also a son of Priyavrata. He worshipped the all-pervading Goddess on the southern bank of the Narmadā, dedicating himself to the Kāmarāja mantra addressed to Maheśvarī—especially during the sacred spring and autumn, performing the nine-night worship. Tāmasa pleased the lotus-eyed, incomparable Lady of the gods with his unsurpassed hymns and devotion. In return, he ruled a vast and fearless kingdom and fathered ten heroic sons with his own wife. Having fulfilled his duties and established his lineage, Tāmasa too departed for the supreme heavenly realm. His younger brother, Raivata, became the fifth Manu. Residing on the banks of the Kālindī, Raivata recited the Kāma mantra, the seed of supreme eloquence and the refuge of spiritual aspirants. Through this worship, he attained unmatched royal prosperity and strength, securing all accomplishments. He enjoyed a long-lasting lineage of sons and grandsons, established dharma, ruled his domains, and, unmatched in valor, ultimately reached the supreme abode of Mahendra. Śrī Nārāyaṇa then began to describe the sixth Manu, Cākṣuṣa, son of Aṅga, and the wondrous power of the Goddess in his life. Cākṣuṣa, seeking guidance and refuge, approached the sage Supulaha. Humbly, he begged, “O Brahmarṣi, remover of the devoted’s distress, I come to you for refuge. Instruct me, Master, so I may attain prosperity—may I possess undivided sovereignty, unimpeded strength, mastery of weapons, and the power to rule. Let my lineage endure, and in the end, may I attain liberation.” Hearing these earnest words, the wise sage revealed the supreme worship of the Goddess. “O King,” he said, “listen well: worship Śivā today. By her grace, all that you desire will be accomplished.” Cākṣuṣa asked, “What is this supreme and purifying worship? By what means should it be performed? Please explain, out of compassion.” The sage replied, “O King, ceaselessly recite the unmanifest Vāgbhava seed-mantra. Reciting it three times daily brings both enjoyment and liberation; there is no mantra superior to Vāgbhava. Its recitation bestows success, strength, and power—even Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara attained their cosmic roles through it. The guardians of the worlds and others, by relying on this mantra, became powerful and heroic. In the same way, by worshipping the great Mother of the universe, you too will soon obtain great prosperity.” Thus instructed by the sage Pulaha, Cākṣuṣa went to the river Virajā and undertook intense austerities, wholly devoted to reciting the Vāgbhava mantra. In the first year, he subsisted on buds; in the second, on water; in the third, on air alone, standing motionless like a pillar. For twelve years, he abandoned all food, reciting the mantra ceaselessly, his mind filled with auspiciousness. Alone in the forest, as he repeated the supreme mantra, the Mother of the universe, Śrī Parameśvarī herself, appeared before him, blessing his devotion and penance.