Hear now the sacred tale, for those who listen to the story of Uttama’s birth and life are protected from enmity, and those who recite or hear it are blessed with harmony—never separated from their beloved wives, sons, or kin. O Brahmin, listen as I recount the manvantara, revealing who was Indra, and who were the gods and sages of that age. In those ancient times, Martanda, the son of Rasi and the daughter of Visvakarman, was wed to Sanjna. From their union, Bhanu was born. Manu, renowned for his wisdom and mastery of many kinds of knowledge, was the son of Vivasvat, and thus called Vaivasvata. One day, Sanjna, seen by her husband the Sun, closed her eyes against his dazzling brilliance. The Sun, angered by her gesture, spoke harshly to her: “Because you always restrain your eyes when you see me, you will give birth to Yama, the restrainer of beings.” Markandeya tells us that the fearful goddess then cast a restless glance, and seeing her eyes unsteady, the Sun spoke again: “Because your gaze is now unsteady when you look at me, you will give birth to a daughter, a river named Vilola.” Thus, by her husband’s curse, Sanjna gave birth to Yama and Yamuna, the great and famous river. Sanjna endured the Sun’s radiance with difficulty; unable to bear it, she pondered deeply: “What shall I do? Where shall I go? Where can I find relief? How will my husband not be angry with me?” Contemplating many possibilities, the blessed daughter of the Lord of creatures decided that seeking shelter with her father was best. Resolved to leave, she created from herself a shadow-form, Chaya, dear to the Sun. Sanjna instructed Chaya: “Just as I have behaved in the house of Bhanu, so you must conduct yourself properly with his children, as with the Sun himself. Even if questioned, do not speak of my departure; always say only this: I am Sanjna by name.” Chaya replied, “O goddess, by grasping my hair and by your command, I will do as you say, and tell the truth only if compelled by a curse.” Thus instructed, Sanjna went to her father’s house, where she saw Tvashtar, purified by his austerities. Honored by Visvakarman, she stayed for some time, blameless. Yet her father, noticing she did not linger long, addressed his beautiful daughter with loving praise: “O child, even if I see you for many days, those days seem but half a moment to me; but righteousness is diminished. For women, a long stay among relatives does not bring honor; relatives wish that a woman remain in her husband’s house. You, united with your husband, the lord of the three worlds, the Sun, should not dwell long in your father’s house. Go, therefore, to your husband’s house; I am pleased, you have honored me. But return again to see me, O auspicious one.” Thus addressed, Sanjna replied, “So be it,” honored her father, and departed for the northern Kurus. Not wishing to face the Sun’s heat and fearing his radiance, she performed austerities there, assuming the form of a mare. Meanwhile, the Sun, believing Chaya to be Sanjna, took her as his second wife and begot two sons and a beautiful daughter with her. Chaya was exceedingly affectionate toward her own children, but not so toward Sanjna’s daughter and her two sons. In her caresses and enjoyment, she made distinctions day by day. Manu, patient and wise, endured this, but Yama could not tolerate it. In anger, he raised his foot to strike her, but Chaya, forbearing, did not let it fall upon her body. Then, with trembling lips and unsteady hands in anger, Chaya cursed Yama: “Because you, disregarding propriety, threaten me, your father’s wife, with your foot, today your foot will fall to the earth.” Hearing this curse, Yama, filled with fear, approached his father and bowed before him: “Father, this is a great wonder, unheard of—that a mother, abandoning affection, should lay a curse upon her son. As Manu has declared, and so is my own view: even if her sons are at fault, a mother herself does not become faulty.” Hearing Yama’s words, the blessed Sun, dispeller of darkness, summoned Chaya and asked her where she had gone. Chaya replied, “I am Sanjna, daughter of Tvashtar, wife of Vivasvat; these children of yours were born from me.” Yet, when Vivasvat pressed her with questions, she did not reveal the truth. Angered, the radiant one prepared to curse her. Then, compelled, Chaya told Vivasvat everything as it had happened. Understanding the truth, the blessed Sun went to the house of Tvashtar. There, he who is worshipped throughout the three worlds was honored with supreme devotion by Tvashtar upon his arrival. Thus unfolds the sacred story, filled with wisdom and the blessings of harmony for all who listen.