Śeṣa, Vāsuki, Karkoṭa, Śaṅkha, Airāvata, Kambala, Dhanañjaya, Mahānīla, Padma, Aśvatara, and Takṣaka were among the foremost serpents brought forth. Alongside them came Elāpatra, Mahāpadma, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Balāhaka, Śaṅkhapāla, Mahāśaṅkha, Puṣpadaṃṣṭra, and Śubhānana. Not only these, but also Śaṅkhaloma, Nahuṣa, Vāmana, Phaṇita, Kapila, Durmukha, and Patañjali are remembered among the noble line of serpents. In a surge of anger, she gave rise to a host of powerful rakṣasas, beings of great illusion. Similarly, Gomahiṣī, a virtuous lady, gave birth to a group of Rudras. Surabhi, as tradition tells, produced the many offspring of Kāśyapa, while the sage himself brought forth a host of sages and apsarases. Ilā generated many Kinnaras and Gandharvas, and Ariṣṭā too produced many beings. Ilā further created all the grasses, trees, creepers, and shrubs that cover the earth. From Tviṣā came countless Yakṣas and Rakṣasas. Thus, the descendants of Kāśyapa are briefly recounted. Among these lineages, many sons, grandsons, and further generations are remembered. All these diverse beings—moving and unmoving—were created by the great-souled Kāśyapa. When the world of living creatures, both mobile and immobile, was established, Prajāpati anointed the most excellent among them as rulers. At that time, Vaivasvata Manu was appointed as the lord of mankind, following those who had previously been anointed by Brahmā in the earlier Svāyambhuva era. By their guidance, this entire earth, with its seven continents and mountains, continues to be governed according to sacred instruction and righteousness. Those who were anointed by Brahmā in the earlier Svāyambhuva period are again anointed in later times, becoming Manus. As each previous Manvantara passes and its rulers depart, new ones are anointed at the dawn of every new Manvantara. All the kings remembered in past and future Manvantaras, after ensuring the continuation of their lines through sons, are part of this unbroken succession. Desiring to continue his lineage, Kāśyapa undertook rigorous austerities, reflecting, “May a son who will establish my line be born to me.” As the great Kāśyapa meditated thus, through union with Brahma, two sons of great energy were born: Vatsara and Asita, both deeply learned in the Vedas. From Vatsara came Naidhruva, and from him, the renowned Raibhya, famed throughout the world. Raibhya’s descendants are known as the Raibhya line, and the tale of Naidhruva’s lineage is as follows: Sumedha was born to the daughter of Cyavana. She became the wife of Naidhruva and the mother of the Kuṇḍapāyins. From Asita and Ekaparṇā was born a wise Brahmin. Among the Śāṇḍilyas, the illustrious Devala, renowned for his austerity, stands as the best. Thus, the Śāṇḍilyas, Naidhruvas, Raibhyas, and Kāśyapas are counted as four great branches. Now, hear of the nine divine natures of Pulastya. When the four ages had passed during the reign of the eleventh Manu, and half of that era remained as the Dvāpara age began, Mānavas had a son named Dama. Dama’s heir was Tṛṇabindu, who became king at the beginning of the third Tretā age. His daughter, Ilavilā, was famed for her unmatched beauty, and she was given in marriage to the sage Pulastya. From Ilavilā, the sage Airavilo, Viśrava, was born. Viśrava had four wives, who greatly increased the Paulastya lineage. These were Devavarṇinī, the auspicious daughter of Bṛhaspati; Puṣpotkaṭā; Balākā; and the daughter of Mālyavat, known as Kaikasī, herself the daughter of Mālin. Devavarṇinī bore Vaiśravaṇa, the eldest. Kaikasī gave birth to Rāvaṇa, lord of the rakṣasas, as well as Kumbhakarṇa, Śūrpaṇakhā, and the wise Vibhīṣaṇa. Puṣpotkaṭā’s sons were Mahodara, Prahasta, Mahāpārśva, and Khara. Balā’s offspring included the daughter Kumbhīnasī, and from her came Triśirā, Dūṣaṇa, and Vidyujjihva, the rakṣasa. Mālikā was also born to Balā. These nine Paulastya rakṣasas were renowned for their fierce deeds, though Vibhīṣaṇa, with his pure soul and righteousness, was always praised. Pulastya’s sons included not only these, but also many beings: beasts, fanged tigers, spirits, piśācas, serpents, boars, elephants, monkeys, kinnaras, and kimpuruṣas—all were counted among his descendants. Kratu, during the time of Vaivasvata, was remembered as childless. Atri, however, had ten wives, each beautiful and devoted. From Ghṛtācī, the tenth Apsaras, Bhadrāśva had sons: Bhadrā, Abhadrā, Jaladā, Mandā, Nandā, Balā, Abalā (also known as Gopābalā), Tāmarasā, and Varakrīḍā—ten in all. Born in the lineage of Atri, their husband was Prabhākara. When Svarbhānu eclipsed the sun and darkness covered the world, the sun fell from the sky to earth. At the word of the Brahmarṣi, the radiant one was prevented from falling, and thus the sages called him Prabhākara, the Lord of Light. In Bhadrā, he begot Soma, a glorious son, and again begot sons in those women. Thus, the lineages of gods, sages, serpents, rakṣasas, and many beings flourished, each fulfilling their place in the vast creation, as ordained by the great sages and the will of Brahmā.