In the illustrious lineage of Prajāpati Vairāja, there was born a daughter of great might, and in her line appeared sons of noble renown: Agniṣṭut, Atirātra, Sudyumna, and Abhimanyu, followed by Aṅga, Sumanasa, Svāti, Kratu, Aṅgirasa, and Śiva. Among them shone Pṛthu, famed as the mighty protector of all beings. By the command of Brahmā, and together with the powerful Indra, the Sūta—the reciter of the Purāṇas—was born, who was none other than Hari himself, appearing in a form of illusion. It was that ancient self of mine, O best of sages, who arose in those times past. Hari, the Supreme Person, graciously caused me to hear the Purāṇa, and for those born in this line, the telling of the Purāṇa became their very livelihood by divine command. Pṛthu, the universal sovereign of radiant splendor and steadfast in his own duty, journeyed to Mount Govardhana. There, having mastered his senses, he undertook severe austerity. The god Dāmodara himself appeared before the king and spoke a single word, after which Hṛṣīkeśa returned to his own divine nature. Thereafter, Pṛthu ruled his kingdom with justice, O Madhusūdana. To him were born sons: Khikhaṇḍana, Havirdhāna, and Antardhāna—righteous, endowed with beauty, and accomplished in the Vedas and their branches. Through the workings of fate, Antardhāna, the knower of dharma, resolved upon renunciation. At a certain time, he journeyed to the slopes of the Himalayas, a realm frequented by perfected beings. There, he beheld the abodes of yogins—both those attainable and those unattainable, hidden from those who are hostile to Brahman. The region was adorned with hermitages of siddhas and filled with groves of lotuses and water-lilies. Amidst this sanctity, he came upon a most auspicious and delightful hermitage, overflowing with joy. With devotion, he worshipped Mahadeva with flowers such as lotuses and water-lilies. Gazing upon the radiant Lord, he praised the Supreme One with many hymns to Śambhu, drawn from the Vedas. There he saw the illustrious Śvetāśvatara, foremost among the great Pāśupatas, his self subdued by austerity, wearing a white sacred thread. With reverence, Antardhāna bowed his head at the sage’s feet, palms joined, and spoke: “Today I have seen the Lord of Yogis, the best among knowers of yoga. What shall I do? I am your disciple. Protect me, O sinless one.” Śvetāśvatara accepted him as a disciple, for his faults had been worn away by austerity. Then, he imparted to Antardhāna the divine knowledge and the observance prescribed in his own branch of teaching, known as the final stage of life, practiced by Brahmā and others. Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas devoted to celibacy meditate upon the great god Mahadeva, contemplating the formless Śiva. The blessed Lord, out of compassion for his devotees, abides in that sacred place. Desiring the welfare of the worlds, Antardhāna worshipped the great Lord, as did gods and demons before him, who thus attained great accomplishment. Seeing the fruits of their ascetic power, they gained knowledge valid for all times. Śvetāśvatara instructed, “Remain always with me; then you will attain perfection.” He then taught the great mantra properly, guiding Antardhāna toward the ultimate attainment of his own purpose.