In the earliest days of creation, the Lord of Creatures, the Grandfather of all beings, set about establishing order in the universe by appointing lords and guardians over every realm and race. Among the mighty Daityas and Dānavas, he made Prahlāda their sovereign. Yama, the god of death, he entrusted with the ancestors, while the trident-bearing Lord Śiva was made master over Piśācas, Rākṣasas, animals, spirits, and Vetālas. To the snowy mountain, he gave lordship over all mountains, and to the vast ocean, dominion over the rivers. Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, and Kinnaras found their ruler in the ocean as well, but again, Citraratha was appointed as their chief. Among serpents, Vāsuki of fierce strength became king of the Nāgas, Takṣaka was made lord of the serpents, and Airāvata, known as Gajendra, was appointed king of the mighty elephants guarding the directions. Suparṇa, the great Garuḍa, was made lord of the birds, while Uccaiḥśravas was crowned king of all horses. The lion was established as the chief of beasts, the bull as lord of cattle, and Plakṣa as the sovereign of all trees. Having thus anointed lords for every domain, the Grandfather then appointed Sudharmā, also known as Arātiketu, as the guardian of the east. Śaṅkhapada, lord of all, was given the south, while Ketumant, the very womb of the cosmic egg, was made guardian of the west. Hiraṇyaroman, son of the gods, became the protector of the north. Even today, these guardians of the directions defend the earth and destroy its enemies. With these four guardians in place, the noble king Pṛthu was the first to be consecrated as king upon the earth. When the era of Cākṣuṣa ended and the Vaivasvata era began, the Lord of Creatures, born of the solar lineage, became the lord of all that moves and does not move. Having heard of these ancient appointments and the establishment of order, Manu once more addressed Janārdana, saying, “O Madhusūdana, tell me of the deeds of the former Manus. Speak to me of the periods of the Manus, their actions, the measure of time, and that creation—tell me all this in summary.” Janārdana replied, “With a tranquil heart, listen well, O son of the Sun, as I recount the gods known as Yāmās, who existed in the era of Svāyambhuva. The seven ancient seers—Marīci and the rest—were there, along with Āgnīdhra, Āgnibāhu, Saha, and Savana. Jyotiṣmān, Dyutimān, Havya, Medhā, Medhātithi, and Vasu—these ten sons of Svāyambhuva Manu were enhancers of the lineage. Having fulfilled their roles in creation, they attained the supreme state. This was the Svāyambhuva era; next came the Svārociṣa era. In the Svārociṣa Manvantara, Svārociṣa Manu had four illustrious sons: Nabha, Nabhasya, Prasṛti, and Bhānava, all radiant and bringers of fame. The seven seers of this era were Datta, Niścyavana, Stamba, Prāṇa, Kaśyapa, Aurva, and Bṛhaspati. The Tuṣita gods presided in this era, with Hastīndra, Sukṛta, Mūrti, Āpa, Jyotiraya, and Smaya among them. The seven sons of Vasiṣṭha, known as progenitors, were also present. Thus unfolded the second Manvantara. Next was the auspicious Manvantara of Uttama. Manu Uttama begot ten sons: Īṣa, Ūrja, Tarja, Śuci, Śukra, Madhu, Mādhava, Nabhasya, Nabha, and Saha, the youngest and most noble. The Bhāvanas were the gods of this era, and the Ūrjas were the seven seers: Kaukuruṇḍi, Dālbhya, Śaṅga, Pravahaṇa, Śiva, Sita, and Sasmita, all renowned as increasers of yoga. The fourth Manvantara was that of Tāmasa. Its sages were Kavi, Pṛthu, Agni, Akapi, Kapi, Jalpadhī, and Dhīmān. The Sādhyas were the gods of this era. Tāmasa’s ten sons—Akalmaṣa, Dhanvī, Tapomūla, Tapodhana, Taporati, Tapasya, Tapodyuti, Paraṃtapa, Tapobhāgī, and Tapoyogī—were all devoted to righteousness and increased the lineage. The fifth Manvantara was of Raivata. The sages were Devabāhu, Subāhu, Parjanya, and Somapa, with Hiraṇyaroma and Saptāśva among the seven seers. The Ābhūtarajasas were the gods, and all was auspicious. Raivata’s ten sons—Aruṇa, Havya, Kapi, Yukta, Nirutsuka, Sattva, Nirmoha, Prakāśaka, Bhṛgu, Sudhāmā, Virajā, Sahiṣṇu, Nāda, and others—were endowed with virtue, heroism, and strength. In the sixth Manvantara, that of Cākṣuṣa, the seven sages included Vivasvān and Ati. The gods were known as the Lekhās, and the Ṛbhus, whose roots are in water, were also present. In this era, five origins of the gods were declared. Cākṣuṣa’s ten sons, beginning with Ruru, continued the lineage as previously mentioned. Thus have I described the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara. Now listen to the seventh, the present Manvantara of Vaivasvata. The seven great sages are Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Bharadvāja the yogi, Viśvāmitra the mighty, and Jamadagni. These sages, having established righteousness, proceed to the supreme state. The Sādhyas, Viśvas, Rudras, Maruts, Vasus, Aśvins, and Ādityas are the seven groups of gods in this era. The ten sons of Vaivasvata Manu, led by Ikṣvāku, are remembered upon the earth. In every Manvantara, there are seven great sages, who, upholding dharma, ascend to the supreme state. Now, I shall tell you of the coming Manvantara of Sāvarṇi. The seven sages there will be Aśvatthāman, Śaradvān, Kauśika, Gālava, Śatānanda, Kāśyapa, and Rāma—each remembered as a great sage, ready to guide the world in the next age.