All that exists—creation, sustenance, protection, and dissolution—takes place solely through the grace of the Supreme Lord of gods. This Lord is worshipped as Aniruddha, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace, and is also known as Suṣeṇa. The greatest sages honor Him, recognizing His supreme personhood. Those who truly know the self and meditate upon Aniruddha are said to be equal to Nārāyaṇa Himself, endowed with every prosperity. Among His foremost devotees are Sanandana, the Blessed One, Sanaka, Sanātana, the Vālakhilya sages, the Siddhas, and the deities Mitra and Varuṇa. These holy ones ceaselessly worship Hari, the source of the universe. Their devotion takes place in a region marked by seven islands, each adorned with many great peaks and diverse summits. Some of these mountains stretch all the way to the ocean, and their caves have witnessed the passage of countless lords of the earth, all subject to the mighty weight of time. By the divine power of these supreme lords, and from the progenitor who was the enemy of Krauñca, rulers have arisen in every past and future manvantara. Now, let me recount to you, O best of listeners, the lords of the earth, beginning with the Svāyambhuva manvantara and continuing through all eras, past and yet to come. All these kings were equally proud and united in purpose; the grandsons of Svāyambhuva Manu were heroes of great might. The valiant sons of Priyavrata were: Āgnīdhra, Agnibāhu, Medha, Medhātithi, and Vasu, along with Jyotiṣmān, Dyutimān, Havya, and Savana. Priyavrata, their father, appointed these seven as rulers over the seven lands. Āgnīdhra, mighty among them, was made lord of Jambūdvīpa; Medhātithi was established as lord of Plakṣadvīpa. Śālmala, radiant in beauty, was anointed king, and Jyotiṣmat was installed as ruler over Kuśadvīpa. Dyutimat became king in Krauñcadvīpa, while Havya was made lord of Śākadvīpa. Savana, steadfast in his vows, was appointed lord of Puṣkara, where his son Mahāvīta was born. Mahāvīta and Dhātakī, both excellent sons, lent their names to their respective regions, Mahāvīta and Dhātakīkhaṇḍa. Havya, lord of Śākadvīpa, also had seven sons: Jalada, Kumāra, Sukumāra, Maṇīcaka, Kusumottara, Modāka, and Mahādruma. Each son gave his name to a region: Jalada ruled Alada, Kumāra ruled Kaumāra, Sukumāra ruled Sukumāra, Maṇīcaka ruled Māṇīcaka, Kusumottara ruled Kusumottara, Modāka ruled Modāka, and Mahādruma ruled Mahādruma. Thus, the seven regions of Śākadvīpa bear the names of these noble sons. Dyutimat, lord of Krauñcadvīpa, had sons named Kuśala, Manuga, Uṣṇa, Pīvara, Andhakāraka, Muni, and Dundubhi. The regions of Krauñcadvīpa are named after them as well: Kuśala, Manonuga, Uṣṇa, Pīvara, Andhakāraka, Muni, and Dundubhi. These seven illustrious peoples dwell in Krauñcadvīpa. In Kuśadvīpa, too, there are seven mighty sons: Udbhida, Veṇumān, Dvairatha, Lavaṇa, Dhṛti, Prabhākara, and Kapila. Their regions are likewise named after them: Udbhida, Veṇumaṇḍala, Dvairatha, Lavaṇa, Dhṛtimat, Prabhākara, and Kapila. The seven lords of Śālmaladvīpa were the sons of Vapuṣmat: Śveta, Harita, Jīmūta, Rohita, Vaidyuta, Mānasā, and Suprabha. Each ruled a region named after himself: Śveta, Hārita, Jīmūta, Rohita, Vaidyuta, Mānasā, and Suprabha. Now, after Jambūdvīpa, let us speak of Plakṣadvīpa. Medhātithi had seven sons who ruled as kings over Plakṣadvīpa. The eldest was Śāntabhaya, followed by Śiśira, Sukhodaya, Ānanda, Śiva, Kṣemaka, and Dhruva. Each established his own region, and thus these seven lands bear their names, set forth in the ancient Svāyambhuva Manvantara. The sons of Medhātithi settled the inhabitants of Plakṣadvīpa, and the people there followed the practices of varṇa and āśrama. In the regions of Plakṣadvīpa and those near Śākadvīpa, dharma is known to be fivefold, corresponding to the divisions of varṇa and āśrama. Happiness, long life, their own forms, strength, and dharma—these qualities are found in all these five islands, O best of the twice-born. Thus, the world is ordered and sustained by the grace of the Supreme Lord, and the noble lineages of kings and sages continue, each upholding the sacred dharma in their own lands.