“Do not weep,” the sons were gently told. These sons, radiant and powerful, came to be known as the Maruts. Having spoken thus, the one who addressed them gathered all the Maruts and took them before the assembly of deities. Thus, during the Svārociṣa Manvantara—the era of Svārociṣa Manu—these Maruts shone forth among the gods. In the lineage of Uttama, there was a king, the illustrious lord of Niṣadha. His son Jyotishman was renowned for his virtues and unwavering righteousness. Jyotishman married a noble woman, fair-hipped and auspicious, who was the daughter of the preceptor of the gods. She herself would gather fruits, flowers, water, sacred sticks, and kusa grass, performing these tasks with devotion. In her service to her husband, she grew thin, her veins becoming visible from the austerities she practiced. Despite her emaciation, she remained beautiful in every limb. Observing her condition, she spoke, “For the sake of a child, we both must undertake austerities.” In response, she was told, “Go forth; seven sons will be born, but not one who is auspicious.” After these words, all the great sages departed. In time, the beloved queen of the king became pregnant. Yet, while she was with child, the lord of men—her husband—passed away. Though his ministers tried to restrain him from his actions, he did not desist. Then, O sage, a piece of flesh fell from the midst of the fire into water. In this way, the Maruts were born in the period between Uttama and the next Manu. Now I shall recount those Maruts, who delighted in song, dance, and play. Desiring a son, the king offered his own flesh and blood into the sacred fire. For the sake of a child, he also offered semen and variegated cows, as has been heard. Yet, a voice arose, pleading, “Do not cast me,” but the king died nonetheless. The children were then born, O sage, and they wept upon entering the world. Coming together, he restrained them and acted upon the sons of Marut. Now, listen, O sage devoted to austerity, to those who were born in the Raivata period. There was one known as Ripujit, yet he had no son. He took the maiden Surati and, having seized her, brought her home. Afflicted in body by sorrow, Surati resolved to abandon her own form. All the ascetics became attached in mind to her, and their thoughts, absorbed by her, beheld her presence. The sages then departed, and from the fire, seven sons were born. Having restrained them, the lord of the worlds acted again upon the hosts of Maruts. Now hear what occurred in the interval of Cākṣuṣa Manu. At the holy place of the seven Sarasvatis, he performed great austerities. She too, approaching the riverbank, began to disturb him. The sage Maṅkaṇaka, angered by her distraction, cursed the deluded woman, saying, “A horse will destroy you at the sacrificial assembly.” From the seven Sarasvatis, seven Maruts were indeed born. Hearing the account of their birth destroys sin and brings forth great righteousness. In these times, Prahāda was known as the giver of mantras, and Śukra was the family priest. All the assemblies gathered together, eager to witness these wondrous happenings.