The great ascetic began his narration to the king, inviting him to listen as he revealed the origins of the ancestors. In ancient times, Brahma, the lord of all creatures, desired to create diverse beings. With his mind gathered in deep concentration, Brahma placed all the subtle elements outside his mind and, intent on creation, meditated with great effort upon the supreme Brahman. As Brahma entered into union within himself, the subtle elements emerged from his body, luminous yet tinged with a smoky hue. These elements, saying, “Let us drink,” and addressing the gods as “Soma,” wished to ascend upward. Remaining in the sky, they practiced austerity, seeking elevation. Upon seeing them suddenly, Brahma addressed those who were facing upward, lying horizontally. He declared, “You shall be the ancestors of all householders.” Among these, those whose faces were turned upward became known as the Nāndīmukha ancestors. They are always to be honored during rites for prosperity, as prescribed in the scriptures. The twice-born who maintain the sacred fire are instructed to satisfy these ancestors with regular, occasional, and desired offerings, as well as with fortnightly rites. Kshatriyas, clad in outer garments, should also honor them, and those who partake of clarified butter must always be revered by the people. Shudras, when permitted by Brahmins, may properly honor their own ancestors, but without the prescribed mantras and rituals. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas who do not maintain the sacred fire should honor their ancestors at the proper time, before the household fire. When the ancestors are worshipped in this way, they grant the wishes of the devotees: life, fame, wealth, sons, knowledge, noble lineage, and memory. Having established their place, Brahma ordained for them the path known as the southern course, thus becoming the grandsire of the ancestors. He then created other beings in silence. The ancestors approached him, saying, “O Lord, grant us a means of subsistence by which we may attain happiness.” Brahma replied, “Let the new moon day be yours; on that day, when humans satisfy you with water mixed with kusa grass and sesame seeds, you attain supreme satisfaction—never otherwise.” He further instructed that sesame seeds should be offered on this day, after fasting with devotion to the ancestors. When thus honored, the ancestors become supremely satisfied and quickly grant boons. The ascetic then spoke of Atri, the mind-born son of Brahma, a sage of great renown. Atri’s son was Soma, who became the son-in-law of Daksha. Daksha had twenty-seven daughters, celebrated as the wives of Soma, among whom Rohini was the foremost. Soma delighted only in Rohini, neglecting the others. The rest, feeling wronged, approached Daksha with their complaints. Daksha repeatedly spoke to Soma, urging him to treat his wives equally, but Soma did not heed his counsel. In anger, Daksha cursed Soma, saying, “Become hidden.” Afflicted by the curse, Soma was about to abandon his body. Soma, in turn, said to Daksha, “So shall it be for you: having many offspring, you will abandon this eternal Brahma-body.” With these words, Soma declined due to Daksha’s curse, and his disappearance caused gods, humans, cattle, and plants to perish. All beings, especially the herbs, began to diminish. As the plants withered, the gods suffered greatly. They lamented that Soma remained only at the roots of the plants, and in their distress, they sought refuge in Vishnu. The Blessed Lord asked them what he should do, and they replied, “O god, Soma has been destroyed by Daksha’s curse.” Vishnu instructed them, “Let the pot-ocean be churned; let all the gods quickly and skillfully cast in the herbs from everywhere.” Having spoken thus, Hari meditated upon Rudra, Brahma, and Vasuki for the purpose of churning. Together, they churned the abode of Varuna, and from this churning, Soma was born again. He who is known as the knower of the field, the supreme person within the body—he is to be understood as Soma, the life of embodied beings. By the will of the Supreme, Soma assumed a separate, gentle form. Humans, the sixteen deities, trees, and herbs all live by him as their lord. Rudra then bore Soma entirely upon his head, and from that time, the waters became Soma’s very essence, and he is remembered as the form of the universe. Brahma, pleased, granted him the full-moon day as his sacred time. On that day, one should fast and offer Soma the due honor. Barley food should be taken, for Soma bestows knowledge, beauty, nourishment, wealth, and grain in abundance. The ascetic continued, promising to recount the jewel-like kings renowned in the Krita and Treta ages, and to reveal the lineage in which the king himself was born. In the Krita Yuga, the king was known as Suprabha, and in the Treta Yuga, as Prajāpāla, famed and radiant. Other mighty kings would arise in the Treta Yuga: Śānti, blazing with splendor; Suraśmi; Śaśakarṇa of great strength; Śubhadarśana, prince of the Pāñcāla lineage; Suśānti of the Aṅga dynasty; Sundara, also known as Aṅga; Sunda, Mucukunda, Sudyumna, and Tura. Sumanas became Somadatta, and the auspicious Saṃvaraṇa was born. Suśīla became Vasudāna, Sukhada became Supati. Śambhu became the commander of the army, Sukānta was remembered as Daśaratha, and Soma became Janaka. These were the kings of the Treta Yuga. All these lords of the earth, having enjoyed the world and performed various sacrifices, would undoubtedly attain heaven.