In ancient times, there lived a group of sages known as the Svastyātreyas, who were deeply accomplished in the Vedas. Among them, two stood out for their devotion to Brahman and their immense spiritual energy: Datta, the eldest and foremost among the Atris, and his younger brother, Durvāsas. Their youngest sister was Amala, who too was a profound knower of Brahman. Within these illustrious lineages, four sons were born who became renowned throughout the earth: Śyāva, Pratvasa, Vavalgus, and Gahvara. Among the Ātreyas, four great branches are remembered: Kāśyapa, Nārada, Parvata, and Uddhata. These, it is said, were born from the mind of Arundhatī. Nārada, resplendent and steadfast in his vow of celibacy, gave Arundhatī in marriage to the sage Vasiṣṭha. Nārada, owing to a curse by Dakṣa, was present during the fierce battle between the gods and demons, known as the Tārakāmaya. At a time when the world was afflicted by a terrible drought, Vasiṣṭha, through his great austerity and compassion, sustained the people and the lords of the world. He caused food, water, roots, fruits, and healing herbs to appear, reviving all with his mercy and knowledge of medicinal plants. Vasiṣṭha and Arundhatī had a hundred sons. The eldest, Śakti, fathered Parāśara upon Adṛśyantī. But tragedy struck: Śakti was devoured by a Rākṣasa, and from his blood, Kālī gave birth to Parāśara. From Parāśara was born the illustrious Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana, also known as Vyāsa. In the forest, Dvaipāyana begot his son Śuka. From Pīvarī was born Upamanyu, and Śuka’s sons were Bhūriśravā, the lord Śambhu, Kṛṣṇa, and Gauras, with Kīrtimatī as their sister—steadfast in her vows and the mother of Yoga. Kīrtimatī became the wife of Brahmadatta and also of Anuha, giving birth to Śveta, Kṛṣṇa, Gaura, Śyāma, Dhūmra, Aruṇa, Nīla, and Bādarika. These eight are known as the branches of the great-souled Parāśaras. Listen further to the lineage that arose from Indrapramiti. From Vasiṣṭha and Ghṛtācī was born Kapiñjala. Indrapramiti, also called Trimūrti, was born from Pṛthu’s daughter, and from her came Bhadra, from whom Vasu was born. Upamanyu was Vasu’s son, and from Upamanyu sprang many descendants. The Kauṇḍinyas, famed as the offspring of Mitra and Varuṇa, are also of this line, as are the Ekārṣeyas and the renowned Vāsiṣṭhas. Thus, ten branches are remembered as the great lineages of Vasiṣṭha. These are the mind-born sons of Brahmā, celebrated throughout the world. Born into the families of divine sages, they are capable of upholding the three worlds, and their descendants—sons and grandsons—number in the hundreds and thousands. Through them, the three worlds have been filled, just as the sun fills all with its rays. But sorrow visited Vasiṣṭha’s house. How did Śakti, along with his brothers, meet their end at the hands of a Rākṣasa? The tale unfolds thus: A Rākṣasa named Rudhira, prompted by Viśvāmitra and acting on the command of King Kalmāṣapāda, devoured Vasiṣṭha’s son Śakti and his brothers, as a result of Śakti’s curse. Rudhira even consumed the sacred offerings of Vasiṣṭha. When the news reached Vasiṣṭha that his beloved son Śakti, the best among the powerful and a knower of dharma, had been devoured along with his brothers, the sage was overwhelmed by grief. Crying out again and again, “O son, O son, O son,” Vasiṣṭha and Arundhatī fell to the ground, consumed by sorrow. Believing his lineage lost and unable to bear the pain of losing his hundred sons and, above all, Śakti, Vasiṣṭha resolved to end his own life, thinking, “I will not live without him.” He climbed to the summit of a mountain, and with tearful eyes, he and his wife cast themselves down. But as they fell, the earth herself, adorned with beauty and compassion, caught them in her lotus hands. She cradled the weeping sage, lamenting with him. At that moment, the wife of Śakti, Vasiṣṭha’s daughter-in-law, approached the great sage, her heart filled with fear and grief. She pleaded, “O revered one, best of Brāhmaṇas, preserve your blessed body, so that you may see your grandson, my son. You must not abandon this splendid body, for the child of Śakti, who fulfills all purposes, is still in my womb.” Having spoken these words, the righteous, lotus-eyed woman gently raised her father-in-law, bowed to him, and wiped his eyes with water. Though she was herself afflicted with sorrow, she sought to comfort Vasiṣṭha and also appealed to Arundhatī, who was likewise distressed. Moved by her words, Vasiṣṭha rose from the ground, regained his senses, and embraced his daughter-in-law, who, overwhelmed by grief, collapsed in his arms. Arundhatī, her eyes streaming with tears, touched her, and Vasiṣṭha, the tiger among sages, wept, loving his wife as dearly as a son. Then, just as the four-faced Brahmā sits upon the lotus that springs from Viṣṇu’s navel, the boy yet unborn in his mother’s womb recited a Vedic hymn. Hearing this, the venerable Vasiṣṭha, filled with wonder and reverence, pondered who could have spoken such sacred words and focused his mind deeply. At that moment, Hari—Lord Viṣṇu—appeared in the sky above, his eyes radiant like lotuses, the very soul of the universe and the embodiment of compassion. With kindness, he spoke to the grieving Vasiṣṭha, offering solace in his time of need.