All that was spoken to you by the sage Pulastya will indeed come to pass. Between Pulastya and the wise Vasiṣṭha, by their favor, the sage Parāśara composed the Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa—a treasury of knowledge in six forms, accomplishing all meanings. This Purāṇa consists of six thousand verses, united with the essence of the Vedas, and is counted as the fourth among the Purāṇas, shining brightly within these sacred collections. Thus, I have briefly described to you the origins of the Vasiṣṭha lineage and the greatness of Śakti’s son, O best of sages. Now, O Romaharṣaṇa, foremost among those who know lineages, let us turn to the stories of the solar and lunar dynasties. Aditi, from Kaśyapa, gave birth to Āditya, the Sun. Āditya had three wives, and later a fourth joined them. Their names were Saṃjñā, Rājñī, Prabhā, and Chāyā. Let me tell you of their children. Saṃjñā, the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ, bore Manu, the most excellent son of Sūrya. She also gave birth to Yama, Yamunā, and the queen Revatī. Prabhā gave birth to Prabhāta from Āditya. When Saṃjñā departed, she appointed Chāyā in her place. Chāyā then bore Sāvarṇi from Bhāskara, O twice-born ones. Afterward, she gave birth, in order, to Śani, Tapatī, and Viṣṭi. At that time, Chāyā showed greater affection for her own children than for Manu. Manu did not notice, but Yama, overcome by anger, struck her, raising his right foot. Distressed by this, Chāyā cursed Yama, and one of his feet became afflicted—full of pus and blood, swarming with worms. Yama, seeking relief, went to Gokarṇa, fasting and living on air, worshipping Mahādeva for tens of thousands of years. By the grace of Bhava, he attained the highest position as guardian of the worlds, lordship over the ancestors, and release from the curse. He obtained this by the power of the god of gods, the wielder of the trident. In earlier times, the blameless wife of Bhānu could not endure his blazing radiance. Therefore, the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ fashioned from her own body one called Chāyā. Assuming the form of a mare, the virtuous one performed austerities. Knowing by time and effort, the Sun, lord of the shadow, approached Chāyā, who was called Vaḍavā, taking the form of a horse. Then Vaḍavā, the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ, from the Sun gave birth to the two Aśvins, the best physicians among the gods. Afterwards, the Sun, inscribed by the great soul—the father of Saṃjñā—became the source of Viṣṇu’s fierce discus, which arose from the Sun’s orb. The blessed Tvaṣṭṛ fashioned the principal divine weapon, Sudarśana, remembered as auspicious, by the grace of Rudra. The blessed Kṛṣṇa obtained the discus, resembling the fire of destruction. The first offspring of Manu were nine sons, equal to him: Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṇu, Śaryāti, the wise Nariṣyanta, Nabhāga, Ariṣṭa, Karūṣa, and Pṛṣadhra. Ilā, the eldest and most excellent, formerly obtained manhood. She became renowned as Sudyumna, having attained manhood by the favor of Mitra and Varuṇa. Again, upon reaching the thicket, Sudyumna, illustrious son of Manu, by Śiva’s command, became a woman, for the propagation of the lunar dynasty. By Ikṣvāku’s horse sacrifice, Ilā became a kiṃpuruṣa; and in that state, she is also called Sudyumna. For one month, Ilā was a heroic man; for another month, a woman. Ilā resided in the house of Budha, son of Soma. Having approached Budha, she engaged in union; and from Budha, son of Soma, was born Aila, Purūravas. Purūravas, wise and devoted to Śiva, foremost of the lunar race and mighty, arose. I will later recount the expansion of Ikṣvāku’s lineage. Sudyumna had three sons: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatāśva. Utkala’s realm was Utkala; Vinatāśva’s was the western land; and Gaya’s city, called Gaya, was supremely beautiful. In that city is the assembly of the gods and the constant abode of the ancestors. The eldest heir of Ikṣvāku obtained the central region. Because Sudyumna had no daughter, he did not obtain a share; but by the word of Vasiṣṭha, the illustrious one dwelt in Pratiṣṭhāna. Pratiṣṭhā was the domain of the righteous king Sudyumna. Having obtained the kingdom, he gave it to Purūravas, who became greatly renowned. The illustrious Mānaveya, endowed with the marks of both woman and man, was born to Ikṣvāku—a heroic and supremely righteous son named Vikukṣi. He was the eldest among a hundred sons, and his sons numbered fifteen and ten; the eldest among them was Kakutstha, and from Kakutstha came Suyodhana. Then came Pṛthu, foremost among sages, and likewise Viśvaka the king; from Viśvaka was born the wise Ardraka, and Yuvanāśva was his son. Śābasti, of great brilliance, was next, and then Vaṃśaka was born; by him, the Śābastis were established in the land of Gauḍa. From Vaṃśa came Bṛhadaśva, and his son was Kuvalāśva; after slaying the mighty Dhundhu, he attained the name Dhundhumāra. Dhundhumāra had three sons, renowned throughout the three worlds: Dṛḍhāśva, Caṇḍāśva, and Kapilāśva—these names are remembered throughout the ages.