In ancient times, Yama, overcome by anger, raised his right foot and struck Chāyā. Distressed by this harsh act, Chāyā uttered a curse upon Yama, causing one of his feet to become grievously afflicted—oozing with pus and blood, and crawling with hosts of worms. Seeking relief from this torment, Yama journeyed to the sacred site of Gokarṇa. There, he undertook severe austerities, sustaining himself only on air, and worshipped Mahādeva with unwavering devotion for tens of thousands of years. Through the grace of Bhava, Yama was released from the curse and elevated to the highest position as guardian of the worlds and lord of the ancestors. This blessing and release came by the power of the god of gods, the wielder of the trident, Mahādeva himself. In those days, the blameless wife of Bhānu, the Sun, was unable to withstand his blazing radiance. Therefore, the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ, drawing upon her own essence, fashioned a being named Chāyā. Assuming the form of a mare, the virtuous Chāyā performed intense austerities. The Sun, the lord of shadows, through the passage of time and his own effort, discerned her presence. Taking the form of a horse, he approached Chāyā, who was then called Vaḍavā. From their union, Vaḍavā, the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ, gave birth to the two Aśvins—the divine twin physicians, renowned among the gods for their healing prowess. In the course of time, the Sun, inscribed by the great soul and father of Saṃjñā, became the source from which Viṣṇu’s fierce discus arose. From the Sun’s orb, this mighty weapon manifested. The blessed Tvaṣṭṛ, by the grace of Rudra, fashioned the principal divine weapon Sudarśana, which is ever remembered as auspicious. This discus, blazing like the fire of destruction, was obtained by the illustrious Kṛṣṇa. In those days, Manu, the progenitor of mankind, had nine sons, each equal to him in virtue and strength. Their names were Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṇu, Śaryāti, the wise Nariṣyanta, Nabhāga, Ariṣṭa, Karūṣa, and Pṛṣadhra. The eldest and most excellent among them was Ilā, who by the favor of Mitra and Varuṇa, once attained manhood and became renowned as Sudyumna. By the command of Śiva, Sudyumna, the illustrious child of Manu, upon entering a certain thicket, was transformed once more into a woman, ensuring the continuation of the lunar dynasty. Later, through the horse sacrifice performed by Ikṣvāku, Ilā became a kiṃpuruṣa—a being alternating between male and female forms—and was also called Sudyumna. For one month, Ilā lived as a heroic man; for the next, as a woman. During this time, Ilā resided in the house of Budha, the son of Soma. United with Budha, Ilā bore a son named Aila, also known as Purūravas, who became wise, devoted to Śiva, and the foremost among the lunar race. In time, the expansion of Ikṣvāku’s lineage would be recounted in detail. Sudyumna, for his part, had three sons: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatāśva. Utkala’s domain became known as Utkala, Vinatāśva’s as the western land, and Gaya’s city, famed as Gaya, was supremely beautiful. In that sacred city, the gods assemble and the ancestors dwell eternally. The eldest heir of Ikṣvāku claimed the central region. Because Sudyumna had no daughter, he did not receive a share of his father’s inheritance; yet, by the word of the sage Vasiṣṭha, the illustrious Sudyumna made his abode in Pratiṣṭhāna. Pratiṣṭhā became the domain of the righteous king Sudyumna, who, having gained the kingdom, bestowed it upon Purūravas, making him greatly renowned. To Ikṣvāku was also born a heroic and supremely righteous son named Vikukṣi, who bore the marks of both woman and man. Vikukṣi was the eldest among a hundred sons, and he himself had twenty-five sons. The eldest among them was Kakutstha, from whom descended Suyodhana. The line continued with Pṛthu, foremost among sages, and Viśvaka the king. From Viśvaka came the wise Ardraka, whose son was Yuvanāśva. Śābasti, of great brilliance, followed, and then Vaṃśaka, who established the Śābastis in the land of Gauḍa. From Vaṃśa was born Bṛhadaśva, whose son was Kuvalāśva. After slaying the mighty Dhundhu, Kuvalāśva earned the name Dhundhumāra. Dhundhumāra had three sons, celebrated throughout the three worlds: Dṛḍhāśva, Caṇḍāśva, and Kapilāśva. From Dṛḍhāśva came Pramoda, whose son was Haryaśva; from Haryaśva came Nikumbha, and his son was Saṃhatāśva. Saṃhatāśva’s sons were Kṛśāśva and Raṇāśva. Raṇāśva’s son was Yuvanāśva, whose own son was Māndhātṛ. From Māndhātṛ issued Purukutsa, the mighty Ambarīṣa, and the virtuous Mucukunda—each famed throughout the three worlds. Ambarīṣa’s heir was another Yuvanāśva, from whom descended Harita, the progenitor of the Haritas. Though of the lineage of Aṅgiras, these Haritas became renowned as twice-born kṣatriyas. Purukutsa’s heir was Trasaddasyu, famed for his great deeds. On the banks of the Narmadā, Trasaddasyu’s son Sambhūti was born; his son was Viṣṇuvṛddha, from whom the Viṣṇuvṛddhas descended—also of the Aṅgiras line, yet kṣatriyas by status. Sambhūti also begot another son, Anaraṇya, who was slain by Rāvaṇa during his conquest of the three worlds. Anaraṇya’s son was Bṛhadaśva, whose son was Haryaśva. On the banks of the Dṛṣadvatī was born King Vasumanas, whose son was King Tridhanvan, inspired by the divine. By the grace of Taṇḍin, the son of Brahmā, Tridhanvan became his disciple and, by his command, attained the fruit of a thousand horse sacrifices. Thus, the illustrious line of Manu flourished, blessed by the gods and ever upholding the dharma of the world.