When a person fixes their mind deeply and unwaveringly upon the Goddess, all sins are washed away. By recognizing her—the supreme Goddess—as dwelling within the radiant orb of the sun, and honoring her there, one attains her grace. Remembering her highest state, the supreme Māheśvara aspect of the Goddess, especially at the final moment of life, that person reaches the supreme Brahman. Through the accumulated power of previous spiritual impressions, knowledge of Brahman arises in the heart. Such a soul becomes peaceful, all-pervading, and attains union with Śiva himself. Freed from all defects caused by beings like Pūtanā and from the malefic effects of planets, he is purified. If one seeks prosperity and worships Goddess Pārvatī according to the prescribed rites, great fortune is bestowed by the grace of Mahādeva. For the removal of all sins, the thousand names of the Goddess are to be recited. Now, hear further about the creation of beings, beginning with the sages Bhṛgu and others. Among the first were the two gods, Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ, who became the sons-in-law of the great mountain Meru. Both Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ took wives, and to each were born two sons. Another son was born, radiant with life, named Vedaśirā, along with four daughters, all marked by auspicious signs. Paurṇamāsa had two sons, Virajā and Parva. Among the foremost sages were Kardama, Varīyān, and Sahiṣṇu. The virtuous Anasūyā bore sons for the sage Atri, while Smṛti, daughter of Aṅgiras, gave birth to daughters blessed with auspicious marks. In Prīti, the blessed sage Pulastya begot Dattātrima, and also had a daughter named Sannati and a son called Vedabāhu. All these children, possessing upward-flowing energy, are known as the Bālakhilyas. Among the daughters, Pundarīkākṣā shone with the radiance of all. There were also seven mighty sons, including Sutapā and Śukra. From him, Svāhā bore three noble and powerful sons: Nirmathya, Pavamāna, and Vaidyuta, remembered as the sons of Pāvaka. Their descendants number forty-five, making in all the forty-nine sacred fires. All these fires are considered to be of Rudra’s essence, with their foreheads marked by three sacred lines. They are divided into two groups: the Agniṣvāttas and the Barhiṣads. Both groups are learned in Brahman, accomplished in yoga, and foremost among sages. Gaṅgā, the sole purifier of all the worlds, was born from Himavat. The supreme glory of the Goddess has thus been properly described. Now, let us turn to the creation of Manu. Śatarūpā gave birth to two sons, both knowledgeable in dharma and possessed of great might. One of them, a devotee of Lord Nārāyaṇa, attained the highest spiritual abode. From Śliṣṭā, he begot five sons, all faultless and of excellent character. Having worshipped Lord Viṣṇu, Janārdana, at the sacred Śālagrāma, these sons became devoted to Nārāyaṇa, pure in heart, and steadfast in upholding their own duties. In the wife of Prajāpati, the great-souled Vīraṇa, the lineage continued, ever blessed by the divine.