Once, the ancestors spoke to a devoted daughter, revealing the fruits of her austerity and the course of her destiny. They told her, “Beloved child, your penance shall bear its reward after your departure from this life. In the twenty-eighth Dvapara age, you will be born from the womb of a fish. Because you once transgressed the ancestors, hardship will mark your lineage, and you shall certainly become the daughter of King Vasu.” They continued, “As a maiden, you will regain your own worlds—those difficult to attain. Through the seed of Parashara, you will have a single son. On the island called Badari, your son, Badarayana, steadfast and wise, will divide the single Veda into many parts. Then, two sons of the Paurava king Shantanu, son of Samudramsa, will be born: Vicitravirya and King Chitrangada. After you produce these two sons for the wise Kshetraja, you will assume the form of Praushtapadi Ashtaka and dwell in the world of the ancestors.” “In the world, you will be known as Satyavati, and among the ancestors as Ashtaka, always granting long life, health, and all desired fruits. In a later time, you will become a river, the most excellent among rivers, called Achhoda, bringing merit and satisfaction to the world.” Having spoken thus, the group of ancestors vanished, and she attained all the fruits that had been foretold. Beyond this, there are radiant worlds in heaven called Vibhrāja, where the virtuous Barhishads, ancestors of great merit, reside. Thousands of aerial chariots, adorned with sacred grass, are imagined there, and the Barhishads, bestowers of fruits, dwell in prosperity. Those who offer to the ancestors rejoice in these halls, together with hosts of gods, asuras, gandharvas, and apsaras. Even Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, along with the gods, worship the sons of Pulastya by the hundreds, who are endowed with austerity and yoga. Among them was born a renowned and noble-minded daughter in heaven, great-souled and highly fortunate, a yoginī and mother of yoga. She performed severe austerities, and the blessed Lord, pleased with her, granted her a boon. She chose from Hari, saying, “Grant me, O God, a husband who is endowed with yoga, handsome, and master of his senses. You are pleased—give me as a husband the best among men.” The Lord replied, “When Vyāsa’s son Śuka is born, you shall become the wife of that teacher of yoga, O virtuous one.” She would also have a daughter named Kṛtvī, a yoginī, whom she would give to the king of Pāñcāla in human form. She would be known as the mother of Brahmadatta, accomplished in yoga, and her sons would be Kṛṣṇa, Gaura, Prabhu, and Śambhu. These great-souled and highly fortunate sons would attain the supreme state; after giving birth to them, she would again, through yoga and with boons, attain liberation. The sons of Vasiṣṭha are remembered as ancestors with excellent forms, all called Mānasas, embodiments of righteousness. In their radiant worlds, they dwell in the highest heaven, shining forth and playing—those who receive offerings during śrāddha rites. Even those born from the feet reside in aerial chariots filled with every desired enjoyment; how much more so the devoted Brāhmaṇas who perform śrāddha? Among these, the mind-born daughter named Gaur shines in heaven, beloved wife of Śukra, and famed among the Sādhyas. The worlds called Marīcigarbhā, within the orb of the sun, are where the ancestors, sons of Aṅgiras, who partake of oblations, reside. Noble Kṣatriyas who give śrāddha at sacred fords are the ancestors of kings, bestowers of the fruits of heaven and liberation. Among them, the mind-born daughter Yaśodā, renowned in the worlds, became the chief wife of Aṃśumat and daughter-in-law of Pañcajana. She was also the mother of Dilīpa and grandmother of Bhagīratha; the worlds called Kāmadughā are known as bestowers of desired enjoyments. In the worlds where the virtuous ancestors named Susvadhā dwell, there too are the worlds called Ājyapā, belonging to Kardama, the progenitor. The descendants of Pulaha and Aṅgiras, who are Vaiśyas, honor them; all who perform śrāddha see them simultaneously as they depart. Over countless births, one has seen and experienced thousands of mothers, brothers, fathers, sisters, friends, relatives, and kin. Among them, the mind-born daughter Virajā is renowned; she became the wife of Nahuṣa and the mother of Yayāti. Afterwards, Ekāṣṭakā was born, virtuous, and went to the world of Brahmā. These three groups have been described; now comes the fourth. There are worlds called the Mānasa, established above the cosmic egg. Their mind-born daughter is famed as Narmadā. There dwell the eternal ancestors called Somapās, all bearing the form of Dharma, remembered as existing beyond Brahmā. Born from Svadhā, they attained the state of Brahman through yoga, and after performing acts of creation in their minds, remain established. Their daughter is Narmadā, the water-bearing river, who purifies beings as she flows toward the southern region. From them, all Manus and beings were created in the cycles of creation; knowing this, people always perform śrāddha, even when dharma seems absent. It is from them alone that the continuous line of grace and yoga is obtained again; at the beginning of creation, śrāddha was established for the ancestors. A vessel of silver, or one adorned with silver, when offered with svadhā at the forefront, always pleases the ancestors. Thus, the sacred lineage, the worlds of the ancestors, and the fruits of devotion and offering are revealed, shining forth in the heavenly realms.