Listen, O seeker, to the ancient lineage of seers and sages, whose wisdom is the root of nonviolence, knowledge, truth, austerity, and scripture. The brāhmaṇa is praised because all these virtues are united within him, and thus the ṛṣi, the sage, is honored above all. At the time when all returns to the unmanifest, it is the ṛṣi who, through intellect, becomes one with that subtle reality. Having reached the highest, he is remembered as the supreme ṛṣi. The very cause of the word “seer” comes from the root expressing motion, and since this one is self-born, he is indeed a seer. In the beginning, with the Lord, the mind-born sons of Brahma arose spontaneously. As they withdrew from the manifest world, their intellect attained the great and supreme state. Because they possessed the highest vision, they are called great seers. Among them, the sons of the Lords are both mind-born and born from the body. Thus, from the supreme, the seers arose; from them came the primordial seers. The sons of these seers, called ṛṣikās, are born from union and conception. By the supreme, the seers arose; from the primordial seers, the ṛṣikās were born; and the sons of the ṛṣikās are known as the offspring of seers. Those who have heard the seer in the supreme way are called śrutarṣis. Among them are the unmanifest self, the great self, and the self of ego. The self of the elements and the self of the senses are also known; thus, the lineage of seers is renowned by five names. Among the mind-born, self-arisen Lords, born from Brahma, are Bhṛgu, Marīci, Atri, Aṅgirā, Pulaha, Kratu, Manu, Dakṣa, Vasiṣṭha, and Pulastya—these ten are supreme seers, called the great seers. Hear now of their sons, the seers: Kāvya, Bṛhaspati, Kaśyapa, Cyavana, Utathya, Vāmadeva, Agastya, Kauśika, Kardama, the Vālakhilyas, Viśravā, and Śaktivardhana. These seers attained their state through austerity. Their sons, the ṛṣikās, were born from the womb. Among the ṛṣikās are Vatsara, Nagnahū, Bharadvāja the mighty seer, Dīrghatamā, Bṛhadvakṣā, and Śaradvata. Also Vājiśravā, Sucinta, Śāva, Parāśara, Śṛṅgī, Śaṅkhapā, and King Vaiśravaṇa. All these ṛṣikās attained the state of seer through truth, alongside the Lords and renowned seers. Now, hear of those who made mantras: Bhṛgu, Kaśyapa, Praceta, Dadhīca the self-possessed, Ūrṣa, Jamadagni, Veda, Sārasvata, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, Cyavana, Vītahavya, and Savedhasa. Vainya, Pṛthu, Divodāsa, Brahmavān, Gṛtsa, and Śaunaka—nineteen are the foremost Bhṛgus who made mantras. Among the Angiras sages are Angiras, Trita, Bharadvaja, Lakshmana, Kritavacha, Garga, Smriti-Sankriti, Guruvita, Mandhata, Ambarisha, Yuvanashva, Purukutsa, Svasravas, Sadasyavan, Ajamidha, Asvaharya, Utkala, Kavi, Prishadasva, Virupa, Kavya, Mudgala, Utathya, Sharadvans, Vajishrava, Apasyauṣa, Sucitti, Vamadeva, Rishija, Brihachukla, Dirghatama, and Kakshivan—thirty-three are known as distinguished Angiras sages. All these are creators of mantras. Now hear of the Kashyapas: Kashyapa, Sahavatsara, Naidhruva, Nitya, Asita, Devala—these six are Brahmavādins. Atri, Ardhasvana, Shavasya, Gavishthira, Karnaka the sage, Siddha, and Purvatithi—these six great sages are named as creators of mantras. Among the Vasishtas are Vasishta, Shakti, Parashara, Indra-like Bharadvasu, Mitrāvaruṇa, and Kundina—these seven are known as Vasishtas, Brahmavādins. Vishvamitra, son of Gadhi, Devarata, Bala, Madhuchhanda, Aghamarshana, Ashtaka, Lohita, Bhratakila, Mambudhi, Devaśrava, Devarata, Purana, Dhananjaya, Shishira of great brilliance, and Shalankayana—these thirteen are foremost Brahmishthas among the Kaushikas. Agastya, Dridhadyumna, and Indrabahu—these three are renowned Brahmishthas. Manu Vaivasvata and King Pururavas, son of Ila, are distinguished mantra-knowers among the Kshatriyas. Bhalandaka, Vasashva, and Sankila are the foremost creators of mantras among the Vaishyas. Thus, ninety-two are named, excluded from the mantras. Among Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas are the sons of sages, the sons of the Rishikas, renowned as learned sages. O son of Sūta, a question arises: how was the great slaying of Tāraka told by Matsya? At what time did this story take place? This tale, O sage of great wisdom, is like nectar arising from the ocean of your mouth. Even when our ears drink it in, we are never satisfied. Please, recount what is in your mind.