In the ancient cycles of time, known as Manvantaras, the world was guided and protected by great sages, powerful gods, and illustrious kings. During the Svārociṣa Manvantara, seven exalted beings—Datta, Agni, Cyavana, Staṃbha, Prāṇa, Kaśyapa, and Arvā Bṛhaspati—became the revered Seven Sages, the guardians of wisdom and dharma. At this time, the gods were known as the Tuṣitas, among whom Havīndra, Sukṛta, Mūrti, Āpa, and Jyotiratha were remembered. The seven sons of Vasiṣṭha, who became the progenitors of that age, have also been named. Thus concludes the account of the second Manvantara. Now, let us proceed to the next. In the third and auspicious Manvantara, the Manu named Uttama was born. He begot ten sons: Iṣa, Ūrja, Tanūja, Śuci, Śukra, Madhu, Mādhava, Nabhasi, Nabhas, Saha, and Sahasya. Among them, Uttama was the most renowned. In this era, the gods were called the Bhānavas, and the Seven Sages were known as the Ūrjas: Kaukabhiṇḍi, Kutuṇḍa, Dālbhya, Śaṃkha, Pravāhita, Miti, and Saṃmiti, all of whom excelled in yoga. The fourth Manvantara, known as Tāmasa, followed. In this era, the Seven Sages were Kapi, Pṛthu, Agni, Akapi, Kavi, Janyadhāman, and Aunau. The Sādhyas became the divine hosts of this age. The sons of Tāmasa—Akalmaṣa, Tapodhanvin, Tapomūla, Tapodhana, Taporāśi, Tapasya, Sutapasya, and Paraṃtapa—numbered ten, and they increased the lineage. Then came the fifth Manvantara, that of Manu Raivata. The Seven Sages remembered in this age were Devabāhu, Subāhu, Parjanya, Samayo, Hiraṇyaroma, and Saptāśva. The gods of this era were called the Bhūtarajas, and the Prakṛtis were also remembered. The ten sons of Revata—Avaśa, Tatvadarśin, Vītimān, Havyapa, Kapi, Mukta, Nirutsuka, Satva, Nirmoha, and Prakāśaka—were all endowed with righteousness, heroism, and strength. In the sixth Manvantara, called the interval of Cākṣuṣa, the gods were known as the Lekhas, though not widely famed. Among the dwellers of heaven were Vibhava and Pṛthakcānu. When that interval arrived, a fifth group of gods emerged, and ten sons of Cākṣuṣa—Ruru and others—were mentioned. These, along with the lineage of Svāyambhuva, have been recounted. Now, in the present, the seventh Manvantara, called Vaivasvata, is underway. The Seven Great Sages of this era are Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Bhāradvāja, Viśvāmitra, and Jamadagni. Having established the order of righteousness, these sages attain the supreme state. In the future, during the interval of Sāvarṇi Manu, 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, another Dhṛti, Variṣṇuvīrya, Sumati, Vasu, and the mighty Śukra. Other Manus, such as Raucyā and the rest, are also named. 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, along with Ṛbhu, Ṛtudhāmā, and Viṣvaksena. Thus, both past and future Manus have been described, and by their reigns, a thousand ages are encompassed. In each interval, all beings—moving and unmoving—are produced. Yet, at the end of a kalpa, when dissolution comes, all beings are released along with Brahmā. At the end of these thousands of ages, Brahmā and the others perish again and again, and then they attain union with Viṣṇu. At this point, Bhīṣma asked: “It is said that many kings have ruled the earth in ancient times. O lord, since those kings are gone, to whom does the earth now belong? And why is the earth called 'Bhūmi'? Why also is she known as 'Gaurī'? Please tell me the reasons for these names.” Pulastya replied: In the earliest age, there was a lord of creatures named Aṅga. He married the daughter of Death, who was exceedingly ill-favored. Their son was Vena, a powerful ruler of the earth, but devoted to unrighteousness and desire. Vena committed many unrighteous deeds and abducted the wives of others. For the sake of the world’s welfare and to restore order, the great sages intervened. Even when entreated, Vena did not grant safety to his people. Afflicted by fear of the king’s tyranny, the sages killed him with a curse. The sinless Brahmins then churned his body, and from this churning, the races of the Mlecchas were born. From the mother’s portion of the body arose beings with a complexion like black collyrium; from the union with the father’s portion, a righteous one—a doer of dharma—was born. From Vena’s right hand was born a son, armed with bow, arrow, and mace, radiant with divine splendor, adorned with jeweled armor and bracelets. He became known as Prithu, and he was born as an aspect of Viṣṇu. Consecrated by the Brahmins, Prithu performed great and difficult austerities. By the boon of Viṣṇu, he attained sovereignty over all. Seeing the earth devoid of Vedic recitation, of offerings, and bereft of dharma, Prithu resolved to restore righteousness to the world.