May the heavy burden of sin be lifted from those who have committed great transgressions, for such is the grace found here. Indeed, it is certain that by merely beholding the sacred liṅga, all faults are washed away without doubt or hesitation. As long as the holy Setu stands, I shall remain concealed in this place, abiding here unseen. Even by simply remembering the liṅga, the sins of the day are destroyed. Then, in that sacred presence, Rudra, accompanied by his attendants and the devoted Nandī, vanished from sight. The mighty one, radiant with great splendor, was anointed by Bharata. Through the performance of the Aśvamedha sacrifice, he worshipped Śaṅkara, the destroyer of sacrifice. In due course, Lava was born—a child of great fortune, wisdom, and knowledge of all truths. Nala became the king of Niṣadha, and from him was born Nabhas. Nabhas’s son was the heroic and powerful Devānīka, from whom descended Candrāvaloka, and his son was Tārāpīḍa. Thus have all these illustrious ones been mentioned in summary, foremost among the twice-born. Freed from all sin, he is honored in the heavenly realms. He had six sons, each resplendent and equal in splendor to Indra himself. Among them were Śatāyu and Śrutāyu, as well as the divine sons of Urvaśī. It is recounted that these were born from Prabhā, the daughter of Svarbhānu. The heirs of Nahusha, whose brilliance rivaled that of Indra, were six in number: Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, Viyati, and Ashvaka. Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, was born of Asuri lineage. She gave birth to Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. Of these, Puru was the youngest and alone upheld his father’s command with steadfastness. In the western lands, Uttara bore Druhyu and Anu. The illustrious king, together with his wives, was blessed with nine sons: Sahasrajit, the eldest, followed by Kroshatru, Nala, Ajita, and Raghu. Shatajita himself had three sons, all renowned for their righteousness. Haihaya’s son was Dharma, known by that name throughout the land. From Dharmanetra came Kirti, whose son was Samjita. Bhadrasrenya’s heir was the king Durdama. Dhanaka was blessed with four sons, all honored in the world, and Kritavira was the fourth among them. From Kritavira was born Kartavirya Arjuna. For Kartavirya Arjuna, Rāma Jamadagnya—Janārdana himself—became the agent of death. These kings were skilled in weapons, strong, valiant, righteous, and reverent. Among them was Jayadhvaja, a powerful ruler devoted to Nārāyaṇa. These great souls, devoted to Rudra, worshipped Śaṅkara with steadfast hearts. Taking refuge in Viṣṇu, the divine preserver, they remained ever devoted to righteousness. He became our father, absorbed in the worship of the Lord. Know that all kings who dwell upon the earth are born from a portion of Viṣṇu himself. Viṣṇu, Hari, the protector of the world, is ever to be worshipped. Three divine forms have been described as the causes of creation, preservation, and destruction: Brahmā, in the mode of rajas, creates; Hara, in the mode of tamas, destroys. Thus the sacred lineage and the eternal truths are revealed.