O blessed one, listen as the story unfolds. Indra, whose dwelling is established in righteousness, faced a formidable adversary named Tāraka. Now, let me recount the lineage of the sons of Raucyamana, the thirteenth Manu: Sunetra, Kṣetravṛtti, Sunaya, Dharmapa, and Dṛḍha. Alongside them, Nirmoha and Tattvadarśa are counted among the seven illustrious sages, renowned for their wisdom. In those times, the divine hosts were divided into thirty-three groups, each representing the gods who presided over that age. To vanquish Tāraka, Mādhava, taking the form of a peacock, would bring about his destruction. The sons of Bhautiya Manu were Urur, Gabhīra, Dhṛṣṭa, Tarasvī, Graha, Tejasvī, and Durlabha. Among other notable descendants were Agnīdhra, Agnibāhu, Māgadha, and Śuci. Cākṣuṣa, those devoted to action, the pure, and the sinless, also belonged to this noble lineage. Śuciindra, the mighty Daitya and slayer of foes, was none other than Hari himself. It was during this era that the Purāṇas were composed, along with the eighteen branches of knowledge. These included the Purāṇa, Dharmaśāstra, Ayurveda, and Arthaśāstra, forming the foundation of wisdom and dharma. Thus concludes the eighty-seventh chapter of the Śrī Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa, in the Pūrvakhaṇḍa's Ācārakāṇḍa, named 'The Account of the Lineage of Manus.' As the tale continues, Hari spoke to Brahmā, to Hara, and to the others about the Manvantaras, the cycles of cosmic time. Markaṇḍeya, the great sage, narrated: Hari, fearless and possessed of immeasurable illusion, wandered across the earth. He lived without fire, without a fixed abode, subsisting on a single meal each day, and without any hermitage. The ancestors spoke, saying: "Heaven and liberation depend upon you. Because of this, we are bound without respite, not even for a moment. The householder is the one who offers proper honor to all the gods and ancestors. By uttering 'svāhā,' he satisfies the gods; by uttering 'svadhā,' he satisfies the ancestors. Every being is bound by debts to the gods, to the sages, to us—the ancestors—and by their own debts as well. Without producing sons and without properly satisfying the gods and ancestors, one remains bound. If a son is born through suffering, through knowledge, or by unjust means, he becomes yours. Taking a wife out of excessive desire or sinful intent is condemned. Acting without deliberation, even for a moment, brings uncertainty. He who is without possessions purifies himself day by day, yet is marked by the mud of actions accumulated over countless births, as taught by the wise. The ancestors continued: 'Yet, my son, this is not the path or means by which you conduct yourself. By the five sacrifices, by austerity and charity, you drive away what is inauspicious. Thus, bondage does not arise for one who acts with proper motive. Past actions are exhausted through enjoyment, little by little, without ceasing. In this way, the wise purify themselves and protect themselves from bondage.' Ruci then spoke: 'Then how do you, sirs, involve me in the path of action?' The ancestors replied: 'There is no doubt that action is the cause for the attainment of knowledge. The harm from neglecting prescribed duties is not committed by the good. Bhavani considers this to be best: "Let me cleanse myself." Even ignorance, like poison, sometimes serves a purpose for people. Therefore, my child, you should properly undertake the acquisition of a wife.' Ruci lamented: 'I am now old—who will give me their daughter in marriage? For us, my child, there is downfall, and for you as well, a decline.' Having spoken thus, his father, as the sage looked on, addressed him, O best of sages, and the story continued on its sacred path.