Indra, the king of the gods, was gripped by fear and left the celestial abode to approach Diti’s side. He remained with her, serving her with humility and outward calm, all the while seeking a fault in her conduct. Indra was determined, undistracted, and patient, hiding his true purpose beneath virtuous actions. For a hundred years, he served her faithfully, waiting for the moment when her discipline might lapse. Finally, with only three days left to complete her vow, Diti felt accomplished. Her heart was joyful and amazed, believing her penance was nearly fulfilled. But in her happiness, she neglected to cleanse her feet and lay down to sleep with her hair unbound, her head turned south, overcome by daytime slumber. Seeing this breach, Indra, the husband of Shachi, seized the opportunity. Entering Diti’s chamber, he used his thunderbolt to divide the embryo within her into seven parts. From these, seven radiant sons were born, shining with the brilliance of the sun. The seven newborns wept loudly, and the mountain-dweller forbade their crying. Yet they continued to cry, so Hari divided each one again into seven. Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, cut them once more while they were still in the womb. Thus, forty-nine children emerged, all weeping intensely. Indra tried to restrain them, telling them not to cry repeatedly. He wondered at the miracle before him: “By what greatness of dharma have these children been revived?” Through meditation, he realized the fruit of the Madanadvādaśī vow. He understood: “This has come to pass because of the worship of Kṛṣṇa; even though struck by the thunderbolt, they do not meet destruction.” Indra thought further: “Since even one in the womb has become many, they are surely invulnerable. Let them become gods.” He declared, “Since they wept when told not to cry, let them be called Maruts, and let them be entitled to a share of the sacrifice.” Diti, having propitiated Indra, pleaded, “Forgive me; by following the science of polity, I have done this wrong.” Indra, lord of immortals, made the host of Maruts equal to the gods. He placed Diti and her sons in a celestial chariot and led them to heaven. From then on, the Maruts became entitled to a share of the sacrifice. They did not join the Asuras and thus became dear to the gods. After this, the sages addressed Sūta, saying, “You have described the original creation in detail; now tell us about the secondary creation and the rulers of each.” When Pṛthu was anointed as sovereign over all, he became lord of the earth. He appointed the moon as lord of plants, sacrifices, and austerities. The golden-wombed sun was made lord of stars, planets, twice-born sages, trees, shrubs, and creepers; Varuṇa became lord of waters; Vaiśravaṇa, lord of wealth and kings. Pṛthu made Viṣṇu lord of the suns, Agni lord of the Vasus, Dakṣa lord of the progenitors, and Śakra lord of the Maruts. Among the Daityas and Dānavas, Prahlāda was made their lord; Yama became lord of the ancestors; and the trident-bearer, Śiva, became lord of Piśācas, Rākṣasas, animals, spirits, and Vetālas. He appointed the snowy mountain as lord of the mountains, the ocean as lord of rivers, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, and Kinnaras, with Citraratha as their lord. Vāsuki, fierce in strength, became lord of the Nāgas; Takṣaka, lord of the serpents; and Airāvata, called Gajendra, lord of the elephants of the quarters. Suparṇa was made lord of the birds; Uccaiḥśravas, king of horses; the lion, king of beasts; the bull, king of cattle; and Plakṣa, lord of all trees. The Grandfather first anointed these beings as lords of all directions, and Sudharmā, called Arātiketu, as guardian of the east. Śaṅkhapada became ruler of the south; Ketumant, guardian of the west and womb of the cosmic egg. The Lord of Creatures made Hiraṇyaroman, son of the gods, guardian of the north. Even today, these lords of the directions destroy enemies and protect the earth. With these four guardians, King Pṛthu was first consecrated on earth. When the Cākṣuṣa era ended and the Vaivasvata era began, the Lord of Creatures, marked by the lineage of the Sun, became lord of all that moves and does not move. Having heard this, Manu addressed Janārdana: “Tell me the deeds of the former Manus, O Madhusūdana. The periods of the Manus, their deeds, the measure of time, and creation—tell me all this in summary.” Janārdana replied, “Listen with a tranquil heart, O son of the Sun, to the gods called Yāmās who existed in the era of Svāyambhuva. The seven ancient seers—Marīci and the rest—along with Āgnīdhra, Āgnibāhu, Saha, and Savana. Jyotiṣmān, Dyutimān, Havya, Medhā, Medhātithi, and Vasu—these ten, enhancers of the lineage—were sons of Svāyambhuva Manu. Having completed these cycles of creation, they attained the supreme state; this is called the Svāyambhuva era, next comes the Svārociṣa. Svārociṣa had four radiant sons: Nabha, Nabhasya, Prasṛti, and Bhānava, all increasers of fame. Datta, Niścyavana, Stamba, Prāṇa, Kaśyapa, Aurva, and Bṛhaspati—these seven are remembered as the seers. The gods called Tuṣitas are remembered in the Svārociṣa era: Hastīndra, Sukṛta, Mūrti, Āpa, Jyotiraya, and Smaya. The seven sons of Vasiṣṭha, remembered as progenitors, were present; this is the second Manvantara. Next comes the following. Now I will describe the auspicious Manvantara of Uttama. There, Manu named Uttama begot ten sons: Īṣa, Ūrja, Tarja, Śuci, Śukra, Madhu, Mādhava, Nabhasya, and Nabha as well. Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the succession of creation, the rulers of worlds, and the lineages of Manus, each era guided by divine wisdom and cosmic order.