O King, there exists a most wondrous seed-mantra known as Vāgbhava, whose power surpasses all others. If one recites it three times daily, even a mortal attains both the joys of worldly life and the supreme freedom of liberation. There is no mantra more potent than this, O delight of the royal line. Its recitation brings sure success, greatly increasing one’s strength and power; indeed, it was by the power of this very mantra that Padma, the great Brahmā, became the mighty creator of the worlds. Through its repetition, Viṣṇu is famed as the protector and sustainer of creation, while Maheśvara, Lord Śiva, became the formidable destroyer, O King. In the same way, the guardians of the worlds and other mighty beings, capable of both restraint and favor, drew their heroism, power, and pride from reliance upon this mantra. Thus, O King, if you too worship the great Goddess—the Mother of the universe—following this path, you will swiftly obtain great prosperity. So it was that, instructed by the eminent sage Pulaha, the son of Aṅga resolved to perform austerities. He journeyed to the banks of the sacred river Virajā, and there, with unwavering devotion, he began to recite the Vāgbhava seed-mantra, subsisting only on fallen leaves. In his first year, he ate only tender buds; in the second, he survived on water alone; and in the third, he lived on air, standing unmoving as a pillar. For twelve years, abandoning all food, the king ceaselessly recited the Vāgbhava mantra, his mind filled with auspicious intent. Alone in the silence of the forest, as he repeated the supreme mantra of the Goddess, the Mother of the universe—Śrī Parameśvarī—herself appeared before him. Resplendent and unassailable, sovereign over all the gods, she addressed the son of Aṅga with gentle, gracious words. The Goddess spoke: “O protector of the earth, whatever supreme boon your heart desires, speak it now. Pleased by your austerity, I am ready to grant you your wish.” Cākṣuṣa, the son of Aṅga, replied: “O Goddess, Lord of the gods, you know all that is sought and cherished in the heart; you, worshipped by the gods, perceive all through your indwelling presence. Yet, by my great fortune, I have beheld your vision. Therefore, O Goddess, I ask: grant me the kingdom for the duration of a manvantara.” The Goddess answered: “The kingdom for this manvantara is yours, O best of kings. Your sons will be mighty and endowed with great virtues. Your reign shall be free from obstacles, and at its end, liberation shall be yours.” Having thus bestowed this supreme boon upon Manu, the Goddess at once became invisible, praised with devotion. By her grace and refuge, that king—Manu, the sixth—became honored as Manu, enjoying all the pleasures of a universal monarch. His sons were powerful, ready for action, and capable of bearing great responsibilities. They were devoted to the Goddess, heroic, and possessed of great strength and valor; in all lands, they were respected and brought happiness to the kingdom. Thus, by worshipping the Goddess, Cākṣuṣa Manu became a distinguished Manu, and in the end, attained the auspicious state of liberation. Now, O King, hear of the boon of another—King Suratha. Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: The seventh Manu is known as Vaivasvata Manu, the lord Śrāddhadeva, enjoyer of supreme bliss, honored among kings. This Vaivasvata Manu, too, by the grace of the Supreme Goddess and through his austerities, gained the rulership of his manvantara. The eighth Manu is called Sāvarṇi, renowned upon the earth. In a previous birth, he worshipped the Goddess and, by her boon, was born as Manu. He became the lord of the manvantara, honored by all kings, a hero of great valor and courage, steadfast in his worship of the Goddess. Nārada then inquired, “How did he, in a previous birth, worship the Goddess to become Manu? Please tell me, O worthy sage.” Śrī Nārāyaṇa replied: “During the Svārociṣa manvantara, there was born in the lineage of Caitra a king named Suratha, famed for his great strength and valor. He was appreciative of virtue, an expert archer, honored, the best among poets, accomplished in many arts, a gatherer of wealth, and generous to all who asked. He crushed his enemies, was proud and skilled in all weapons, and possessed great strength. Yet, in time, kings rose against him and destroyed his clan. His enemies, with their armies, besieged his city, proud as he was of his honor and wealth. King Suratha, surrounded by his army, marched out from his city, determined to destroy his adversaries. But in the ensuing battle, he was defeated. His ministers and counselors seized all the wealth from his treasury, and his riches were completely taken. The king, still radiant in his splendor, was expelled from his city. Mounting his horse, he ventured into the forest, seeking game. Alone in that desolate wilderness, his mind restless and troubled, he wandered until he came upon the peaceful hermitage of a sage. The hermitage, filled with tranquil creatures and surrounded by the sage’s disciples, welcomed him. There, King Suratha, of great splendor, stayed for a time in the company of the eminent sage Sumedhas, who possessed far-reaching vision. One day, after the sage had completed his worship, the king approached, bowed respectfully, and asked: “O sage, sorrow arises in my mind and troubles me constantly, even though I know the truth and have no heirs. Even though I have been conquered by enemies and lost my kingdom, still, attachment to them arises clearly in my heart. What should I do? Where should I go? How can I find peace, O sage? I seek your grace—tell me, best of those who know the Vedas.” The sage replied, “Listen, O king, to a supreme and wondrous account—the incomparable greatness of the Goddess, who grants all desires.