In the earliest ages, the great beings who would shape creation emerged. Among them were Dharma, the upholder of righteousness; Rudra, fierce and mighty; Manu, the first man; and Sanaka, the eternal sage. Alongside them appeared the revered sages: Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu. The Agniṣvāttas, Kavyādhas, and Ajyapās, all auspicious and born in blessed times, also came forth. There were four endowed with form, and from the very thumb of Brahmā was born the lord Dakṣa. Dakṣa, in turn, begot auspicious daughters. Rudra’s sons were countless, possessed of immense power. From Bhrigu’s line, an auspicious one gave birth to Dhata and Vidhata. In another, Hari himself fathered Bala and Unmada. Dhata and Vidhata both took wives, and to each were born two sons. Sambhuti, the wife of Marichi, gave birth to Paurnamasa. From Smriti, the sons and daughters of Angiras were born. Similarly, Anasuya bore sinless sons to Atri. In Priti, Pulastya’s wife, was born a son named Dattoli. Kshama, the wife of Pulaha, gave birth as well. From the mind, sixty thousand sages were born. To Vasishtha and his wife Urjja, seven sons were born. Sutapa and Shukra are also counted among the seven great sages. From these sages, O Hara, Svaha obtained three sons of great energy. From the Pitrs arose Svadha, as well as Mena and Vaitarani. She who was once Sati gave birth to Mainaka and Gauri. O Hara, Prajapati himself fashioned Manu, the protector of all creatures, from his own being. The divine Svayambhuva Manu, the lord, accepted a wife. To Prasūti and Ākūti were born Priyavrata and Uttānapāda. Prasūti was given to Dakṣa, and Devahūti to Kardama. There were twelve powerful sons, known as the Yāmas. Dharma, seeking a wife, accepted the daughters of Dakṣa: Śraddhā, Calā, Dhṛti, Tuṣṭi, Puṣṭi, Medhā, and Kriyā. He also accepted Sannati, Anasūyā, Ūrjjā, Svāhā, and Svadhā. The eminent sages Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu, foremost among the wise, accepted daughters beginning with Khyāti. Among their children were Santoṣa, Tuṣṭi, Lobha, and Puṣṭi. Bodha, Buddhi, Lajjā, Vinaya, and Vapu were counted among their sons, as well as Sukha, Mṛddhi, Yaśas, and Kīrti—these are all sons of Dharma. Once, Dakṣa performed a great horse sacrifice. All the gods and sages, along with their wives, attended—except for Satī, the goddess and consort of Rudra. Having abandoned her body, she was reborn as Menā’s daughter from Himālaya. In time, Kumāra and Bhṛṅgīśa, the wrathful and mighty Rudra, would be born from the line of Dhruva, destined to become human. From Uttānapāda and Suruci was born a son named Uttama. By the grace of a sage, after worshipping Janārdana, the god of gods, another son was born—Prācīnavarhis. His own son would be noble-minded, continuing the sacred line.