The blessed Kṛṣṇa, in his glory, obtained the divine discus—radiant and fierce like the fire that brings about the world’s destruction. In those ancient times, Manu, the progenitor of mankind, had nine sons, each equal to him in virtue and power. Their names were Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṇu, Śaryāti, the wise Nariṣyanta, Nabhāga, Ariṣṭa, Karūṣa, and Pṛṣadhra. These nine are forever remembered as Manu’s sons. Among them, the eldest and most excellent was Ilā. By the favor of the gods Mitra and Varuṇa, Ilā, though born as a woman, was granted manhood and became renowned as Sudyumna. Yet, Sudyumna’s story was marked by divine intervention. Upon entering a sacred thicket, Sudyumna, by the command of Śiva, was transformed once again into a woman, thus ensuring the continuation of the lunar dynasty. Later, through the power of Ikṣvāku’s horse sacrifice, Ilā became a kiṃpuruṣa—a being who alternated between male and female forms. In this state, Ilā was also known as Sudyumna. For one month, Ilā lived as a heroic man; for the next, as a woman. During this time, Ilā dwelled in the house of Budha, the son of Soma, the Moon. There, Ilā and Budha united, and from their union was born Aila, the illustrious Purūravas. Purūravas, wise and devoted to Śiva, became the foremost and mighty scion of the lunar race. In time, the tale of Ikṣvāku’s descendants would be told, but for now, the focus remained on Sudyumna. Sudyumna had three sons: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatāśva. Utkala ruled the land named after him; Vinatāśva governed the western lands; and Gaya established the splendid city of Gaya, where the gods themselves assembled and the ancestors found their eternal abode. The eldest heir of Ikṣvāku received the central region. Because Sudyumna had no daughter, he was not granted a share in the ancestral division of lands. Yet, by the word of the sage Vasiṣṭha, Sudyumna was given the city of Pratiṣṭhāna, where he ruled righteously. In time, Sudyumna bestowed his kingdom upon Purūravas, who became renowned throughout the world. From Ikṣvāku’s line also came Mānaveya, a being marked by both male and female qualities. Ikṣvāku’s heroic and supremely righteous son, Vikukṣi, was born, the eldest among a hundred brothers. Vikukṣi’s own sons numbered twenty-five, the eldest being Kakutstha. From Kakutstha came Suyodhana, and after him, Pṛthu, foremost among sages, and King Viśvaka. Viśvaka’s son was the wise Ardraka, whose son was Yuvanāśva. Yuvanāśva’s lineage continued with Śābasti, a prince of great brilliance, followed by Vaṃśaka, who established the Śābasti clan in the land of Gauḍa. From Vaṃśa came Bṛhadaśva, whose son was Kuvalāśva. Kuvalāśva, after slaying the mighty demon Dhundhu, became famed as Dhundhumāra. Dhundhumāra had three sons—Dṛḍhāśva, Caṇḍāśva, and Kapilāśva—renowned across the three worlds. From Dṛḍhāśva came Pramoda, whose son was Haryaśva; Haryaśva’s son was Nikumbha, and his son was Saṃhatāśva. Saṃhatāśva’s sons were Kṛśāśva and Raṇāśva. From Raṇāśva came Yuvanāśva, and his son was Māndhātṛ. Māndhātṛ’s line included Purukutsa, the mighty Ambarīṣa, and the virtuous Mucukunda—each celebrated throughout the three worlds. Ambarīṣa’s heir was another Yuvanāśva, from whom descended Harita, the progenitor of the Harita clan. These Haritas, though born of the Aṅgiras lineage, became twice-born kṣatriyas. Purukutsa’s heir was Trasaddasyu, renowned for his deeds. On the banks of the Narmadā, Trasaddasyu’s son Sambhūti was born. Sambhūti’s son was Viṣṇuvṛddha, founder of the Viṣṇuvṛddha line—also of the Aṅgiras lineage, yet honored as kṣatriyas. Sambhūti also fathered 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, Haryaśva’s son, King Vasumanas, was born. Vasumanas’s son was King Tridhanvan, inspired by the divine. Through the grace of Taṇḍin, son of Brahmā, and by becoming his disciple, Tridhanvan achieved the merit of a thousand horse sacrifices, as ordained by Taṇḍin. Devoted to Bhava (Śiva) and full of might, Tridhanvan pondered how he might perform the horse sacrifice, though he lacked material wealth. Nevertheless, righteous in soul, he approached Taṇḍin, the brāhmaṇa son of Brahmā, and received his blessing. In ancient times, Brahmā had revealed the thousand names of Rudra, and Taṇḍin praised the great Lord with those names. Taṇḍin, best of the twice-born and descended from Brahmā, attained lordship over the Gaṇas by reciting the thousand names. In turn, he imparted this knowledge to King Tridhanvan. By reciting Rudra’s thousand names, Tridhanvan attained the status of Gaṇapati, leader of the Gaṇas. These thousand names, spoken by Taṇḍin, encompass the entire meaning of the Vedas. Thus, Sūta was urged to recite these auspicious thousand names to the brāhmaṇas, for by hearing and reciting the thousand and eight names of Hara—Śiva, the soul of all beings and of immeasurable brilliance—one attains great merit. These names praise the Lord as steadfast, radiant, the bestower of boons, the soul of all, renowned everywhere, all-pervading, the creator, the remover of all beings, tranquil, eternal, and unchanging.