On the sacred banks of the Ganges, a devoted seeker undertook intense austerities. In solitude, he recited the Vāgbhava mantra and fasted for three years, his heart set only on the grace of the Goddess. With unwavering devotion, he composed and sang excellent hymns in her praise. The Goddess, pleased with his worship, blessed him with an unimpeded kingdom and a lineage that would endure for ages. Enjoying the righteous pleasures of kingship and faithfully upholding the dharma of his time, he too attained the exalted path reserved for royal sages. After him, Tāmasa, the fourth Manu and son of Priyavrata, worshipped the all-pervading Goddess on the southern bank of the Narmadā river. He dedicated himself to the recitation of the Kāmarāja mantra, especially during the sacred seasons of spring and autumn, and performed the nine-night worship of Maheśvarī. Through his devotion, he delighted the lotus-eyed, peerless Lady of the gods. Receiving her favor, he bowed low and praised her with unsurpassed hymns. In return, he enjoyed a vast and fearless kingdom, free from obstacles, and was blessed with ten valiant sons born of his own wife. Having established his lineage, Tāmasa departed for the supreme heavenly realm. Succeeding him was Raivata, the fifth Manu and Tāmasa’s younger brother. Taking up residence on the banks of the Kālindī, he practiced the recitation of the Kāma mantra, the seed of supreme eloquence and the refuge of all who seek success. Through this worship, Raivata attained unrivaled royal prosperity and strength, gaining all manner of accomplishments. His lineage of sons and grandsons flourished for a long time, dharma was firmly established, and he enjoyed his domains to the fullest. Unmatched in valor, Raivata eventually departed for the supreme abode of Mahendra. Now, hear of the marvelous and supreme power of the Goddess in the life of the sixth Manu, as related by Śrī Nārāyaṇa. The illustrious Manu, son of Aṅga, became known as Cākṣuṣa. Seeking guidance, he approached the sage Supulaha and said, “O Brahmarṣi, I have come to you for refuge. You remove the distress of the devoted. Please instruct me, Master, so that I may attain prosperity. Grant me undivided sovereignty over the earth, unimpeded strength of arms, mastery of weapons and missiles, and the capacity to rule. May my noble lineage endure unbroken for a long time, and in the end, may I attain liberation. Teach me the way.” Hearing these earnest words, the illustrious sage replied, revealing the supreme worship of the Goddess. “O King, listen well to my words, which delight the ear: worship Śivā today. By her grace, all that you seek will be accomplished.” Cākṣuṣa humbly 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 instructed him: “O King, listen to the supreme and inexhaustible worship of the Goddess. Ceaselessly recite the unmanifest Vāgbhava seed-mantra. By reciting it three times daily, a mortal attains both enjoyment and liberation. There is no seed-mantra superior to Vāgbhava, O delight of the royal line. Its recitation brings success and greatly increases strength and power. By this mantra, even Padma (Brahmā) became the mighty creator, Viṣṇu became the renowned protector, and Maheśvara the destroyer. The guardians of the worlds and those capable of restraint and favor all found strength, valor, and pride through it. In the same way, by worshipping the great Goddess, Mother of the universe, you too will soon obtain great prosperity.” Thus instructed by sage Pulaha, the son of Aṅga went to the river Virajā to perform austerities. There, he engaged in rigorous penance, devoted to the recitation of the Vāgbhava seed-mantra, subsisting only on fallen leaves. In his first year, he ate only buds; in the second, he lived on water; and in the third, he survived on air alone, standing unmoving like a pillar. For twelve years, the king abandoned all food and ceaselessly recited the Vāgbhava mantra, his mind filled with auspiciousness. As he continued his solitary recitation of the Goddess’s supreme mantra, Śrī Parameśvarī, Mother of the universe, manifested before him. Radiant and unassailable, the sovereign of all the gods addressed the son of Aṅga with gentle, gracious words: “O protector of the earth, whatever supreme boon you desire, speak it. Pleased by your austerity, I shall grant it.” Cākṣuṣa replied with humility, “O Goddess, Lord of the gods, you know all that is desired and sought for in the mind. You, worshipped by the gods, are the indwelling controller of all. Yet, by my great fortune, your vision has appeared to me. Therefore, O Goddess, I ask—grant me the kingdom for the duration of a manvantara.” The Goddess responded, “The kingdom of this manvantara is granted to you, O best of kings. Your sons will be mighty and endowed with great virtues. Your kingdom will be free from obstacles, and at the end, liberation is assured.” Having granted this supreme boon to Manu, the Goddess vanished from sight, praised with devotion. By her grace and refuge, Cākṣuṣa became honored as Manu, surrounded by all the enjoyments of a universal monarch. His sons were powerful, ready for action, capable of bearing responsibilities, and devoted to the Goddess. Heroic and strong, they brought happiness to the great kingdom. Thus, through worship of the Goddess, Cākṣuṣa Manu became a distinguished ruler, and at the end of his reign, he attained the auspicious state of liberation.