Now, listen as the creation of beings unfolds, beginning with Bhṛgu and the others. Among the earliest, the two divine brothers, Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ, were joined in marriage to the daughters of Meru. To these unions were born two sons, and, shining with vitality, a son named Vedaśirā also came into the world. Four daughters, each marked by every sign of auspiciousness, graced their families as well. From Paurṇamāsa were born two sons—Virajā and Parva. Among the sages, Kardama, Varīyān, and Sahiṣṇu stood out as foremost. The virtuous Anasūyā gave birth to sons for Atri, each without fault. Smṛti, daughter of Aṅgiras, brought forth daughters, all adorned with auspicious qualities. The blessed Pulastya, lord among sages, begot Dattātrima in Prīti. He also had a daughter named Sannati and a son called Vedabāhu. All these offspring, radiant with upward-flowing spiritual energy, became known as the Bālakhilyas. Among the daughters, Pundarīkākṣā shone with the radiance of all. Seven mighty sons came forth, among them Sutapā and Śukra. From these lineages, Svāhā obtained three noble sons of great power: Nirmathya, Pavamāna, and Vaidyuta, who are remembered as the sons of Pāvaka. From their descendants, forty-five others arose, making the total number of these sacred beings forty-nine. These are revered as the forty-nine fires, each considered to be of Rudra’s essence, their foreheads marked with three sacred lines. These fires are divided into two groups: the Agniṣvāttas and the Barhiṣads. Both groups are learned in Brahman, accomplished in yoga, and stand as the foremost among sages. It was from Himavat that Gaṅgā, the single purifier of all worlds, was born. The supreme glory of this goddess has already been described and celebrated. Having heard of her greatness, now listen to the creation of Manu. Śatarūpā gave birth to two sons, both wise in dharma and endowed with great strength. One of them, a devoted follower of Lord Nārāyaṇa, attained the highest abode. From his union with Śliṣṭā, five sons were born, each faultless and of noble character. Having worshipped Lord Viṣṇu, Janārdana, at Śālagrāma, these descendants remained steadfast in their devotion to Nārāyaṇa, pure and true to their duties. In the lineage of Prajāpati, the great-souled Vīraṇa married the daughter of the mighty Vairāja, another Prajāpati. From this union came Agniṣṭut, Atirātra, Sudyumna, and Abhimanyu. Further, Aṅga, Sumanasa, Svāti, Kratu, Aṅgirasa, and Śiva were born in this line. Among them, Pṛthu became renowned as the mighty protector of all beings, upholding the welfare of creation. By the command of Brahmā, and together with the mighty Indra, the Sūta—the reciter of the Purāṇas—was born, Hari himself taking a form of illusion. That ancient self, who arose in times long past, was blessed by Hari, the Supreme Person, who graciously caused the Purāṇa to be heard. For these reciters, the telling of the Purāṇa became their sacred livelihood, as ordained by divine command. Thus, the universal sovereign, resplendent and steadfast in his own duty, upheld the order and welfare of the worlds.