In the unfolding cycles of time, it is said that a sage named Ṛtañjaya Vyāsa will arise, and at that very moment, I too shall be present in the world, known by the name Śikhaṇḍī. In that era, upon the sacred and meritorious peak of Himavat—worshipped by gods and demons alike—stands a mountain called Śikhaṇḍī, a field of accomplishment and delight. There too lies the forest of Śikhaṇḍin, a place frequented by accomplished beings, and in that hallowed ground, my sons will be born, endowed with great austerity. Among them will be Vācaśravā, Ṛcīka, and Śyāvāśva, the lordly ascetic—souls of great merit, established in yoga, and deeply learned in the Vedas. Having attained the supreme yoga of Maheśvara, these ascetics will merge into the world of Rudra. Then, as the nineteenth cycle of time unfolds, Vyāsa will be known as the sage Bharadvāja, and I too will return, this time as Jaṭāmālī. Again, on the delightful peak of Himavat, where the mountain Jaṭāyur rises, my sons will be born, radiant with great energy. They will be Hiraṇyanābha, the Kauśalya, Lokākṣī, and Kuthumi—noble lords, steadfast in yogic discipline and of exalted lineage. Having realized the yoga of Maheśvara, they too will become established in Rudra’s world. When the twentieth cycle dawns, Gautama will become Vyāsa, the great sage, and I shall be present as Aṭṭahāsa. In that age, men devoted to Aṭṭahāsa will flourish, and on the slopes of Himavat, the great mountain Aṭṭahāsa will stand. There, attended by gods, demons, yakṣa lords, siddhas, and celestial beings, my sons will again be born, vibrant with energy. They will be Sumantu, Barbarī, the learned Kabandha, and Kuśikaṃdhara—all yogic in nature, great-souled, meditative, and resolute in their vows. Having attained Maheśvara’s yoga, they will ascend to Rudra’s world. With the arrival of the twenty-first cycle, Vācaśravā will be remembered as Vyāsa, the foremost of sages. At that time, I will be known as Dāruka. From him, the sacred and auspicious Devadāru forest will arise, and there, my sons, brimming with energy, will be born: Plaksha, Darbhayana, Ketuman, and Gautama—great souls, devoted to yoga, self-restrained, and steadfast in celibacy. Having embraced lifelong celibacy, they too will reach Rudra’s world. When the twenty-second cycle comes and Vyāsa is Shushmayana, I will be present in Varanasi as the sage Langali Bhima, in the city where gods and Indra themselves reside. In that Kali age, they will see me and also Balarama, the wielder of the plough, and my sons, righteous in conduct, will be born there: Bhallavi, Madhu-pinga, Shvetaketu, and Kusha. Attaining the yoga of Maheśvara, they too will be devoted to meditation, pure and established in Brahman, and will reach Rudra’s world. As the twenty-third cycle begins, when the sage Trinabindu appears, Vyāsa will be born anew, and I too will return as Shveta, a sage’s righteous son of great stature. I will dwell until old age on the finest of mountains, then known as Kalanjara. There, my disciples will be ascetics: Ushika, Brihadashva, Devala, and Kavir. Attaining the yoga of Maheśvara, they will reach the world of Rudra. With the coming of the twenty-fourth cycle and Vyāsa as Riksha, I will again be present at the end of Kali age as the great yogi Shuli, in Naimisha, revered by the gods. There, my disciples—ascetics rich in austerity—will be Shalihotra, Agnivesha, Yuvanashva, and Sharadvasa. Following the same path, they too will be established in Rudra’s world. In the twenty-fifth cycle, when Vasishtha is Vyāsa, known as Shakti, I will be present as Dandi, lord of ascetics. My sons, ascetics rich in austerity, will be Chagala, Kundakarna, Kubhanda, and Pravahaka. Attaining Maheshvara’s yoga, they will attain immortality. When the twenty-sixth cycle arrives and Vyāsa is Parashara, I too will be present, known as Sahiṣṇu, in the city of Bhadravata at the end of Kali age. My sons, righteous and virtuous, will be Uluka, Vidyuta, Shambuka, and Ashvalayana. Attaining the supreme yoga of Maheshvara, they will reach Rudra’s realm. With the return of the twenty-seventh cycle and Jatukarna as Vyāsa, I shall be Soma Sharma, the foremost among the twice-born. At the sacred place of Prabhasa, renowned for yoga, my disciples will be ascetics, well-versed in yoga: Akshapada, Kumara, Uluka, and Vatsa—great souls, pure, clear in intellect, and firmly established in yoga. Attaining the supreme yoga of Maheshvara, they too will enter Rudra’s world. Finally, when the twenty-eighth cycle returns, and the illustrious son of Parashara—Vishnu, the grandfather of the worlds—becomes Vyāsa, known as Dvaipayana, the lord, the succession of sages and the eternal cycle of yoga and righteousness will continue, as ordained by the highest.