In ancient times, the great and powerful Śaṃkhapada was appointed as the lord of the southern direction, Saketumanta as the lord of the west, and Bhuvanāṇḍagarbha as the lord of the worlds. Hiraṇyaromāṇa, born of the clouds, was made the guardian of the north. Even today, these guardians of the directions continue to protect the earth, upholding the cosmic order. With these four mighty guardians established, Pṛthu, the very first king, was anointed as ruler upon the earth. When Pṛthu departed from this world, during the era known as Cākṣuṣa, the guardians made Vaivasvata the king of the earth. When the Cākṣuṣa era ended and the Vaivasvata Manvantara began anew, the illustrious son of the Sun—marked by divine signs—became lord over all beings, both moving and unmoving. At this point, the sage Pulastya addressed the descendant of the Kurus, saying, “Listen attentively, O joy of the Kurus, as I recount for you the story of all the Manvantaras—the reigns of the Manus, the span of a kalpa, and the creation of the world in brief. With a clear and focused mind, hear now of these ancient cycles. In the age of Svāyambhuva Manu, the gods were known as the Yāmas. The seven great sages of that era were Marīci and his illustrious companions. Among the rulers were Āgnīdhra, Āgnibāhu, Vibhu, and Savana. The lineage of Svāyambhuva Manu was increased by ten descendants: Jyotiṣmān, Dyutimān, Bhavya, Medhā, Medhātithi, Vasu, and others. When the account of the cosmic dissolution was complete, these beings attained the supreme state. Thus, the Svāyambhuva Manvantara is described. Now, let me tell you of the Svārociṣa Manvantara. Svārociṣa Manu had four illustrious sons: Nabhonabha, Prabhṛti, Bhāvana, and Kīrtivardhana. The seven sages of this era were Datta, Agni, Cyavana, Staṃbha, Prāṇa, Kaśyapa, and Arvā Bṛhaspati. The gods were known as the Tuṣitas, among whom Havīndra, Sukṛta, Mūrti, Āpa, and Jyotiratha are remembered. The seven sons of Vasiṣṭha were the progenitors of this age. Thus ends the account of the second Manvantara. Now, I shall tell you of the next auspicious Manvantara. In this age, Manu Uttama begot ten sons: Iṣa, Ūrja, Tanūja, Śuci, Śukra, Madhu, Mādhava, Nabhasi, Nabhas, Saha, and Sahasya. Among them, Uttama was the most renowned. The gods were the Bhānavas, and the Ūrjas were the Seven Sages. The seven sages—Kaukabhiṇḍi, Kutuṇḍa, Dālbhya, Śaṃkha, Pravāhita, Miti, and Saṃmiti—excelled in yoga. The fourth Manvantara is known as Tāmasa. In this era, the sages were Kapi, Pṛthu, Agni, Akapi, Kavi, Janyadhāman, and Aunau. The Sādhyas were the divine hosts of this time. Tāmasa’s ten sons—Akalmaṣa, Tapodhanvin, Tapomūla, Tapodhana, Taporāśi, Tapasya, Sutapasya, and Paraṃtapa—further increased the lineage. Now, listen to the account of the fifth Manu, Raivata. In the era of Raivata Manu, the seven sages were Devabāhu, Subāhu, Parjanya, Samayo the sage, Hiraṇyaroma, and Saptāśva. The gods were called the Bhūtarajas, and the Prakṛtis are also remembered. The sons of Raivata—Avaśa, Tatvadarśin, Vītimān, Havyapa, Kapi, Mukta, Nirutsuka, Satva, Nirmoha, and Prakāśaka—were endowed with righteousness, heroism, and strength. The sixth Manvantara, known as Cākṣuṣa, saw Bhṛgu, Sudhāmā, Viraja, Sahiṣṇu, Nārada, Vivasvān, and Kṛti as the Seven Sages. The gods in this era were the Lekhas, not widely famed, with Vibhava and Pṛthakcānu among the dwellers of heaven. During this time, there was a fifth group of gods, and Ruru and others, ten sons of Cākṣuṣa, are mentioned. All these, belonging to the lineage of Svāyambhuva and the Cākṣuṣa interval, have thus been recounted. Now, let me speak of the seventh and present Manvantara, called Vaivasvata. The Seven Sages of this age are Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Bhāradvāja the yogi, Viśvāmitra the mighty, and Jamadagni. Having established righteousness, these sages attain the supreme state. Next will come the future Manvantara of Sāvarṇi Manu. In the Sāvarṇi Manvantara, the sages will be Aśvatthāman, Śaradvān, Kauśika, Gālava, Śatānanda, Kāśyapa, and Rāma. The sons of the future Manu, Arka Sāvarṇi, will be Dhṛti, Varīyān, Yavasu, Suvarṇa, Dhṛti again, Variṣṇuvīrya, Sumati, Vasu, and the mighty Śukra. Others such as Raucyā and the rest will also be named as Manus. Ruci, the lord of creatures, will have a son named Raucyā, and Manu, son of Bhūti, will be known as Bhautyā. Then, Merusāvarṇi, the son of Brahmā, will be remembered as Manu, followed by Ṛbhu, Ṛtudhāmā, and Viṣvaksena, who are also Manus. Both the past and future Manus have now been described. Through these Manus, a thousand ages—Manvantaras—are encompassed, O king. In each interval, all creation—moving and unmoving—arises anew. But at the end of a kalpa, when dissolution comes, all beings, along with Brahmā, are released. At the conclusion of these thousands of ages, Brahmā and all others perish again and again, finally attaining union with Viṣṇu. At this juncture, Bhīṣma asked, “It is said that many kings have ruled and enjoyed the earth in ancient times. O lord, now that those kings have passed, to whom does the earth belong?