Hear now the sacred account of the worlds of the ancestors, as told in the Purāṇa. Among the daughters of Himavat—Uma, Eka-parṇā, and Parṇā—each was renowned for her intense vows and devotion. Himavat, recognizing their extraordinary austerity, gave Uma to Rudra, Eka-parṇā to Bhṛgu, and Parṇā to Jaigīṣavya, thus bestowing them upon worthy sages and deities. Let us turn to the realms of the ancestors, the Somapatha worlds, where the descendants of Marīci dwell. In these revered realms, the ancestors reside, honored by the gods themselves. Among them are the Agniṣvāttas, ancestors devoted to sacrificial rites, and there was a radiant maiden named Acchodā. Once, the ancestors created the lake Acchoda in their world, and Acchodā performed divine austerities on its banks for a thousand years. Pleased by her dedication, the ancestors appeared before her, bearing divine forms adorned with celestial garlands and fragrant ointments. All were powerful chiefs, resplendent like the god of love. Among them, Acchodā beheld Amāvasu and, overcome by desire, requested union with him as her boon. But, due to this transgression, she fell from her state of Yoga. She had never touched the earth before, but now descended to the surface of the world. Amāvasu, too, acted according to his own wishes, not toward her. Through her steadfastness, Acchodā became known in the world as Amāvāsyā, beloved of the ancestors and bestower of inexhaustible merit. Downcast and ashamed at her loss of austerity, Acchodā turned her face downward and prayed to the ancestors for restoration. The ancestors, foreseeing her future and divine purpose, addressed her with auspicious words: "Whatever is done by the wise in heaven with a divine body, its result is enjoyed immediately, whether in divinity or after becoming human. Thus, by performing virtuous deeds, you shall obtain their fruits after death. In the twenty-eighth Dvāpara, you will be born from the womb of a fish. Because of transgressing your forefathers, you will experience hardship in your lineage and become the daughter of King Vasu. In your maidenhood, you will again attain rare celestial worlds, and by the seed of Parāśara, you will have a son. On the island called Badarī, your son, Bādarāyaṇa, will divide the one Veda into many parts. There will be two sons of the Paurava line, born to Śāntanu, son of Samudrāṃśa: King Citrāṅgada and Vicitravīrya. After producing these two sons, as kṣetrajā for that wise one, you will again become Aṣṭakā in the world of ancestors during the month of Prauṣṭhapada. In the world, you will be known as Satyavatī, and as Aṣṭakā in the realm of the ancestors, always bestowing long life, health, and the fruits of all desires. In the next world, you will become a river, the most sacred among rivers, known as Acchodā, pure in all the worlds." Having received these words, Acchodā vanished from their midst, experiencing the result of her past misdeed as foretold. In other heavenly realms, those called Vibhrāja, full of great splendor, dwell. These are the worlds of the Barhiṣads, where virtuous ancestors reside. Upon sacred grass, thousands of aerial chariots await, and wish-fulfilling trees stand ready to grant fruits. In mansions of prosperity, those who offer śrāddha rejoice, and there are hosts of Dānavas, Asuras, Gandharvas, and Apsarases. Yakṣas and Rākṣasas worship the gods, and hundreds of Pulastya's sons, endowed with ascetic power and yoga, reside there. Great-souled and highly fortunate, they grant fearlessness to devotees. Among them is the maiden Pīvarī, born of the mind, renowned in heaven. A yoginī and mother of yogins, she performed severe austerities, and the Blessed Lord was pleased with her. She requested, "Grant me, O Lord, a husband endowed with yoga, handsome, and self-controlled, if you are pleased and this is your promise." The god replied, "When Vyāsa's son Śuka is born, you shall become the wife of that master of yoga." Pīvarī would also have a daughter named Kṛttī, a yoginī, who would be given to the lord of the Pāñcālas, a Sātvata, at that time. The mother of Brahmadatta is remembered as one who attained the end of yoga, and Krishna, Gaura, and Shambhu would be her sons. Even in celestial palaces, those who are pure fulfill all desires—what then of Brahmins who perform śrāddha with devotion and proper rites? Among them, a maiden named Gaura shines in heaven, and Sukanya, beloved wife of the Sadhyas, increases their fame. Those called Marichigarbha dwell in the solar sphere. There, the ancestors, sons of Angiras, reside, consuming offerings. The foremost Kshatriyas go there to offer śrāddha at sacred places, and the ancestors of kings grant the fruits of heavenly enjoyment. Among them, a mind-born daughter named Yashoda is renowned. She is the distinguished wife of Anshumat and daughter-in-law of Panchajana. Yashoda is the mother of Dilipa and grandmother of Bhagiratha. The worlds called Kamadugha grant the fruits of desired pleasures. There, the ancestors named Susvadha reside, and those are their sons. In the worlds, the Ajyapa are the offspring of Kardama, the progenitor. Thus, these are the wondrous worlds and illustrious beings among the ancestors, their daughters, and their descendants, each bearing divine merit, fulfilling the sacred cycles of birth, virtue, and heavenly reward.