Hear now the sacred lineage of sages, kings, and gods as recounted in the ancient tradition. Among the illustrious names, Agniṣṇu, Atirātra, Sudyumna, and Nara are remembered, each renowned in their own right. Alongside them are the revered sages Abhimāna, Sahiṣṇu, and Madhuśrī, whose wisdom is celebrated. Of Aṣṭaka, it is said that five distinct groups dwell in the heavenly realms. In a remarkable event, he took the form of a horse and was slain by Hari, the sustainer of all worlds. The royal line continues with Ikṣvāku, Nābhāga, Dhṛṣṭa, and Śaryāti, all sons of Manu, as are Karūṣa, Pṛṣadhra, and Sudyumna. Among the sages, Gautama, Bharadvāja, and Viśvāmitra are counted as the seventh in their line. The hosts of the gods are vast: the Ādityas, Vasus, and Sādhyas number twelve each. The two divine physicians, the Aśvins, are distinctly mentioned, as are the ten Viśvedevas. Śakra, mighty among them, is remembered as the adversary of Hiraṇyākṣa. The narrative then turns to the future, with the promise to declare the sons of Sāvarṇi Manu. Among his sons are Varishtha, Garishtha, Vāca, and Saṅgati. Notable too are Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, Rāma, and the seven sages, each upholding the sacred order. For each Manu, there are twenty gods who preside during their respective eras. In the course of time, there was he who, when asked, granted the three steps to Viṣṇu, an act of great significance. Moving forward, the sons of Vāruṇa, Dakṣa Sāvarṇi, the ninth Manu, are named: Pṛthuśravā, Bṛhadūdyumna, Ṛcīka, Bṛhato, and Guṇa, along with Medhātithi, Dyuti, Sabala, and Vasu. Paro, Marīci's Garbha, and Su-dharmāṇa are also among them. During that time, the gods are grouped as twelve for each division. Then come the sons of Dharmaputra, the tenth Manu: Śatānīka, Niramitra, Vṛṣasena, and Jayadratha, followed by Ayomūrti, Haviṣmān, Sukṛti, and Avyaya. The gods of their era are called Prāṇa and number a hundred. In this age, Bali, the formidable enemy, will be slain by Hari wielding a mace. The account continues with the sons of the eleventh Manu, born of Rudra's line: Kṣetravarṇa, Dṛḍheṣu, and Ārdraka. Among their companions are Viṣṇu, Agnitejas, and the seven sages. Each group of gods during this time consists of thirty, and Indra is known as Vṛṣa. Next are the sons of the twelfth Manu, born of Dakṣa: Mitravān, Mitradeva, Mitrabindu, and Vīryavān. This Manu is an ascetic of great austerity, the very embodiment of penance, delighting in spiritual discipline. Harita and Rohita, themselves of great austerity, fulfill their own sacred duties. In this period, Indra, whose abode is righteousness, faces a foe named Tāraka. The lineage proceeds to the thirteenth Manu, Raucyamana, whose sons are Sunetra, Kṣetravṛtti, Sunaya, Dharmapa, and Dṛḍha. The seven sages of this era, renowned for their wisdom, are Nirmoha and Tattvadarśa among others. The gods are grouped into thirty-three divisions at this time. Mādhava, taking the form of a peacock, will slay the adversary of this age. The sons of Bhautiya Manu are Urur, Gabhīra, Dhṛṣṭa, Tarasvī, Graha, Tejasvī, and Durlabha. With them are Agnīdhra, Agnibāhu, Māgadha, and Śuci. The Cākṣuṣas, devoted to action and purity, are also remembered, sinless in their conduct. In the end, Śuciindra, the great Daitya and slayer of enemies, is revealed to be none other than Hari himself. Thus, the sacred succession of Manus, their sons, sages, and the divine hosts is recounted, each era marked by its own guardians, adversaries, and the ever-present hand of Hari, the sustainer and protector of all worlds.