He who worships the god who is without beginning or end attains a son who is righteous and devoted. By offering reverence to that primordial Krishna, the Supreme Lord, one is blessed with a virtuous son. The same holds true for those who worship Hṛṣīkeśa: such devotion brings forth a righteous offspring. By honoring the great yogi, the eternal Vāsudeva—who established the great city of Śrāvastī in the land of Gauḍa—one is similarly blessed. It was by the grace of this Lord that a noble soul attained the status of Dhundhumāra, having vanquished the mighty demon Dhundhu. From this illustrious line came Dṛḍhāśva, Daṇḍāśva, and Kapilāśva. Haryaśva’s son was Nikumbha, and Nikumbha’s son was Saṃhatāśvaka. Yuvanāśva, son of Raṇāśva, was renowned for his strength, equal to Indra himself in battle. Māndhātṛ, wise and mighty, was the best among warriors, and Mucukunda, of virtuous soul, too matched Indra in valor. From Yuvanāśva came Harita, and from Harita, Hārita. Saṃbhūti, son of Hārita, was born on the banks of the Narmadā. Bṛhadaśva, son of Anaraṇya, was followed by his son Haryaśva. By divine favor, Haryaśva obtained a righteous son devoted to the Sun. This son was Tridhanvan, an incomparable ruler and subduer of foes, dedicated to study, generous in giving, patient, and intent on righteousness. In his time, the gods led by Vasiṣṭha and Kaśyapa, with Indra at their head, came to his sacrifice. After completing the rites, Tridhanvan honored Vasiṣṭha and the foremost Brahmins with due respect. Then, seeking wisdom, he asked the all-knowing sages: “Tell me, is sacrifice, austerity, or renunciation the highest path?” The sages replied: “After worshipping the Lord of Sacrifice with offerings, a self-controlled person should go to the forest. There, after honoring the gods with proper sacrifices, one should enter the renounced life. By worshipping the thousand-rayed Sun through austerity, liberation is attained. The seed of worship, when offered through austerity to the Blessed Lord, is supremely potent. Rudra, too, is pleased not by other sacrifices, but by fierce austerity alone. He is the Lord of Austerity, whose form encompasses all deities, and he is worshipped through penance. The eternal God of gods, the supreme yogi, is pleased when honored in this way. Indeed, no true dharma is found in scripture apart from austerity.” Having honored and dismissed the sages, Tridhanvan was addressed directly. He heard of the great vital being, the cosmic Person, who abides within the sun, and of the earth, sustained by the fourfold varṇa system. Inspired, Tridhanvan, free from sin, departed for the forest to perform supreme austerity. Sustained only by roots, tubers, and fruits, he worshipped the gods with ascetic offerings. In solitude, he mentally recited the Sāvitrī, the goddess and mother of the Vedas. Moved by his devotion, Hiraṇyagarbha, the soul of the universe, came to him. Tridhanvan bowed low at his feet, reciting his name in reverence: “To you, of golden form, thousand-eyed, creator, I offer praise. Salutations to you, embodiment of knowledge, attainable through Sāṃkhya and Yoga.