Sanaka and his brothers, guided by wisdom, were set upon the noble path of renunciation, while Marichi and the others—excluding the sage Narada—were engaged by Brahma in the path of action. The first Prajapati, born from Brahma’s right thumb, began the creation of the world, producing through his lineage all the realms of moving and unmoving beings. From Daksha’s daughters were born the gods, demons, Gandharvas, serpents, and birds—each upholding supreme righteousness. From the furrowed brow of the supreme lord, born of wrath, emerged Rudra, renowned for his fierce and terrifying form, half male and half female. Brahma, seeing this formidable being, instructed Rudra to divide himself, and Rudra vanished. Following Brahma’s command, Rudra split into two aspects—male and female. The male aspect was further divided tenfold and singly, resulting in eleven Rudras, all born from Brahma and celebrated throughout the worlds. Having briefly recounted the creation of Rudra, the sage continued, promising to narrate the greatness of the ages. There are four ages: Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali. In these ages, great souls—kings who gave abundant gifts—and the gods and demons established dharma and performed noble deeds. In the first cycle, Manu Svayambhuva reigned, with two sons: Priyavrata and Uttanapada, both devoted to righteousness and whose actions surpassed those of ordinary men. King Priyavrata, a mighty sacrificer endowed with ascetic power, performed grand sacrifices and bestowed abundant gifts. He established his sons, including Bharata and others, across the seven continents, and then retired to a vast, blessed land to undertake great austerity. While Priyavrata, the universal monarch, was immersed in his austerities, Narada approached him, desiring to see the one who followed dharma. Seeing Narada radiant in the sky, shining like the sun, Priyavrata rose joyfully to greet him, offering a seat and water for his feet, and exchanging words of welcome and courtesy. At the end of their conversation, Priyavrata, eager for knowledge, questioned Narada, the knower of Brahman. Priyavrata asked, “O revered one, tell me of any wonder you have seen or heard in this age called Krita.” Narada replied, “I have indeed witnessed a wonder, O king. Yesterday, I traveled to the island called Shveta, where I saw a lake adorned with blooming lotuses. On its shore, I beheld a maiden with wide, beautiful eyes. Amazed, I approached her and asked, ‘Who are you, gentle one? How are you here? What is your purpose?’ She gazed at me silently, her eyes unblinking, and I felt as if all my knowledge—the Vedas, scriptures, teachings of yoga, and traditions—were forgotten. In that moment, everything was taken away by the maiden, and I was filled with astonishment, anxiety, and sorrow. Seeking refuge in her, I continued to gaze, when suddenly a divine man appeared within her body. Within her heart was another, and upon his chest yet another—splendid, red-eyed, and radiant like twelve suns. I saw three men within the maiden’s body, but in a moment, only the maiden remained; the men vanished. I then questioned her, ‘How have my Vedas been lost? O blessed one, tell me the cause of their disappearance.’ The maiden replied, ‘I am the mother of all the Vedas, known as Sāvitrī. Because you did not recognize me, your Vedas were taken from you.’ Hearing this, I asked, ‘Who are these men?’ She answered, ‘He who dwells in my body, with beautiful eyes and all limbs, is the god Nārāyaṇa himself, called the Ṛgveda. Becoming fire, he quickly burns away sins through recitation. He whom you saw within his heart is Brahmā of great might, abiding in the form of the Yajurveda. He who is seated upon his chest, pure and radiant, is Rudra in the form of the Sāmaveda. Like the sun, he swiftly destroys sins. These three are the great Vedas and are remembered as three gods. They are the syllables beginning with “a” and the sacrificial rites.’ ‘All this has been told to you in brief. Receive the Vedas, the scriptures, and omniscience, O Nārada. In this lake of the Vedas, perform your bath. By bathing here, you will remember your previous births.’ Having spoken thus, the maiden vanished. I bathed in the lake and, having regained my knowledge, came here desiring to see you.” Priyavrata, filled with curiosity, asked, “O blessed one, tell me everything that happened in my previous birth.” Narada replied, “O king, after I had bathed in that lake of the Vedas and heard the words of Sāvitrī, I instantly remembered a thousand previous births. Listen to the story of my former birth. There is a city called Avantī, where I was once a foremost brāhmaṇa named Sārasvata, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches. Surrounded by many servants and possessing much grain, I lived in the Krita age, endowed with supreme wisdom. Then, contemplating in solitude, I wondered what to do with all my possessions. Abandoning everything to my sons, I departed, my resolve set on asceticism, and swiftly journeyed to the Sarasvata lake. Reflecting thus, I worshipped Keśava through ritual acts, offering śrāddha to my ancestors, sacrifices to the gods, and offerings to other beings as well.