Śrutaśravas, who would one day be known as Sāvarṇi, was destined to become a future Manu. His brother, Śrutakarman, was fated to become the planet Saturn, known as Śanaiścara. In due time, Śrutaśravas indeed became Manu Sāvarṇi, and at that period, their mother, Saṃjñā, who was born of the earth, began to show a deeper affection for her own son, Manu, than she had for her earlier children. Manu accepted this with understanding, but Yama, his elder brother, did not. Yama, often rebuked by his stepmother and greatly troubled, was overcome by anger, childishness, and the inexorable force of destiny. In a moment of distress, he threatened Saṃjñā with his foot. Outraged, Saṃjñā—also called Savarṇā—cursed Yama, declaring, “Because you threatened your father’s illustrious wife with your foot, that foot of yours will surely fall off—there is no doubt.” Yama, deeply disturbed by this curse, went with Manu, who was ever righteous, to their father, Vivasvat, and reported everything that had transpired. Troubled by fear and seeking relief from this great danger, Yama pleaded, “O lord of the world, best among those who suffer, I have been cursed by my mother. May your favor protect us from this peril.” Vivasvat, hearing his sons, addressed Yama with compassion: “My son, there is indeed a great cause behind this. It is by destiny that anger entered you, who knows righteousness and speaks the truth. Yet, your mother’s words cannot be made false. Worms will consume the flesh of your foot, returning it to the earth; but afterward, O wise one, you will regain your foot and happiness. Thus, your mother’s words will be fulfilled, but the curse will be lifted, and you will be protected.” Turning to Saṃjñā, Vivasvat questioned her, “Why, when your children are equal, do you show greater affection to one?” Wishing to avoid the matter, Saṃjñā did not reply. But Vivasvat, focusing his mind, perceived the truth through the power of yoga. Angered and wishing to curse her, Vivasvat confronted Saṃjñā. Fearing destruction, she confessed everything to him as it truly was. Hearing her words, Vivasvat, still angry, went to Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine artisan, who honored the blazing lord as was proper. Desiring to burn him with his wrath, Vivasvat was gently appeased by Tvaṣṭṛ, who said, “This form, endowed with excessive brilliance, does not suit you. Saṃjñā, unable to endure your radiance, has wandered into the green forest. Today, you will see your own wife, virtuous and youthful, who has taken refuge in yoga. If the time is right, let it be favorable.” In time, Vivasvat’s original, excellent form was to be transformed. His radiance shone in all directions—across, above, and below—so much so that the lord of the day was ashamed of his overwhelming brilliance. Tvaṣṭṛ, the great ascetic, decided to fashion a disc to moderate this radiance. With Vivasvat’s permission, Tvaṣṭṛ set about creating a new form. Approaching Mārtaṇḍa Vivasvat, he placed a whirling device and cut away that excess brilliance, which then shone forth separately. Seeking a form more pleasing than his beloved’s, Vivasvat entered into yoga and beheld his wife as a mare. Invisible to all beings through his radiance and will, the Sun took the form of a horse and approached her. Saṃjñā, suspicious of another male, resisted union and expelled the inferior seed of Vivasvat through her nostrils. From this, the twin gods, the Ashvins—Nasatya and Dasra, best among healers—were born. These two are the sons of Mārtaṇḍa, the eighth Prajāpati. The radiant Sun then revealed himself to Saṃjñā in a pleasing form, which delighted her so much that she fainted with joy. Meanwhile, Yama, afflicted by his curse, suffered greatly. Yet, through his virtue, the king of righteousness delighted his mother and, by that very righteousness, attained supreme splendor. He was granted lordship over the ancestors and became a world-guardian. Manu, the illustrious Sāvarṇi Prajāpati, too, attained greatness. This Manu, who is destined to preside over the future Sāvarṇi Manvantara, even now wanders on the beautiful summit of Mount Meru. There, his brother Śanaiścara attained the status of a planet. Tvaṣṭṛ, using the brilliance he removed from Vivasvat, fashioned Viṣṇu’s discus—great, irresistible in battle, and a barrier against the Dānavas. Of the two daughters, the younger, Yamunā, became the foremost of rivers, sustaining the worlds. Now, I shall recount in detail the eldest, the mighty one, whose creation is current—the progeny of Manu Vaivasvata. Whoever hears or recites this account of the birth of the gods—the seven mighty sons of Vaivasvata—will be freed from calamity and attain great fame. Sūta continued: When the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara had ended, along with its gods, the great sovereignty of the earth was entrusted to Vaivasvata Manu. I will now recount, in order, the lineage of the great-souled Vaivasvata. Listen, O sages, as it is proclaimed. In the present creation of Manu Vaivasvata, there were nine sons born to that first Manu.