By the guidance of the ancient sages and kings, this entire earth—with its seven continents and mighty mountains—continues to be governed in accordance with sacred instructions and righteousness. Those who were anointed by Brahmā himself in the earliest age, during the time of Svāyambhuva Manu, are similarly anointed in each age to serve as Manus, the progenitors and rulers of humankind. As each Manvantara, or age of Manu, passes and its rulers depart, new ones are anointed at the dawn of the next era, ensuring the unbroken continuity of righteous governance. All the kings remembered from past and future Manvantaras fulfill their duty by producing sons, thus continuing their lineages for the welfare of the world. Among those desiring to perpetuate his family was the great sage Kāśyapa. Longing for a son to carry forth his lineage, Kāśyapa performed deep austerities and meditated, praying, “May a son who will establish my line be born to me.” Moved by his union with Brahma, two sons of great energy appeared to Kāśyapa: Vatsara and Asita, both learned in the Vedas and the knowledge of Brahman. Vatsara’s line produced Naidhruva, and from him was born the renowned Raibhya, famed across the worlds. The descendants of Raibhya are known as the Raibhyas. From the union of Naidhruva and the daughter of Cyavana was born Sumedha, and she became the mother of the Kuṇḍapāyins. Asita, with Ekaparṇā, fathered a Brahmin of great wisdom. Among the Śāṇḍilyas, Devala stood out as the most illustrious, renowned for his great austerity. Thus, the Śāṇḍilyas, Naidhruvas, and Raibhyas formed three distinguished branches, with the Kāśyapas as another. Now, let me recount to you the nine divine natures descended from Pulastya. When four ages had passed during the reign of the eleventh Manu, and half of that era remained with the Dvāpara age beginning, Mānavas had a son named Dama. Dama’s heir was Tṛṇabindu, who ascended the throne at the start of the third Tretā age. Tṛṇabindu’s daughter, Ilavilā, was of unsurpassed beauty, and he gave her in marriage to the sage Pulastya. From Ilavilā, Pulastya fathered the sage Airavilo and Viśrava. Viśrava had four wives, each of whom contributed to the expansion of the Paulastya lineage: Devavarṇinī, the auspicious daughter of Bṛhaspati; Puṣpotkaṭā; Balākā; and Mālyavat’s daughter, Kaikasī. Devavarṇinī bore Vaiśravaṇa, the eldest son. Kaikasī gave birth to Rāvaṇa, the mighty lord of the rākṣasas, as well as Kumbhakarṇa, Śūrpaṇakhā, and the wise Vibhīṣaṇa. Puṣpotkaṭā’s sons were Mahodara, Prahasta, Mahāpārśva, and Khara. Balā’s offspring included a daughter, Kumbhīnasī, and from her came Triśirā, Dūṣaṇa, and Vidyujjihva, all rākṣasas. Mālikā was also born to Balā, remembered among her progeny. These nine Paulastya rākṣasas became known for their fierce and cruel deeds. Yet among them, Vibhīṣaṇa stood apart, praised for his pure soul and righteousness. Pulastya’s sons were said to resemble wild beasts and fanged tigers, and among their progeny were spirits, piśācas, serpents, boars, elephants, monkeys, kinnaras, and those known as kimpuruṣas. During the interval of Vaivasvata Manu, Kratu was remembered as childless. The sage Atri, however, had ten beautiful and devoted wives. From the tenth Apsaras, Ghṛtācī, 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. Once, when the sun was eclipsed by Svarbhānu and fell from the sky, darkness enveloped the world. Prabhākara, by command of the Brahmarṣi, brought forth light and revived the sun, so that it did not fall from the sky. Because of this, the sages called him Prabhākara—Lord of Light. Prabhākara begot a glorious son, Soma, in Bhadrā. He also begot other sons in his wives, who became known as the Svastyātreyas, sages accomplished in the Vedas. Among them, two were especially renowned, devoted to Brahman and of great energy: Datta, the eldest of the Atris, and his younger brother, the famous Durvāsas. Their youngest sister was Amala, a knower of Brahman. In these two lineages, four sons were born who became famous on earth: Śyāva, Pratvasa, Vavalgus, and Gahvara. Among the Ātreyas, four branches are remembered: Kāśyapa, Nārada, Parvata, and Uddhata, all born from the mind of Arundhatī. Nārada gave Arundhatī in marriage to Vasiṣṭha. Nārada himself, radiant and steadfast in celibacy, was affected by Dakṣa’s curse during the fierce battle between gods and demons known as Tārakāmaya. At a time when the world was struck by a terrible drought, Vasiṣṭha, with the lords of the world, sustained the people through his austerities. He caused food, water, roots, fruits, and herbs to appear, reviving the people with compassion and healing plants. Vasiṣṭha fathered a hundred sons with Arundhatī. The eldest, Śakti, begot Parāśara on Adṛśyantī. When Śakti was devoured by a rākṣasa, Kālī gave birth to Parāśara from his blood, and from Parāśara was born the illustrious sage Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana.