In ancient times, Manu, the progenitor of humanity, was blessed with nine illustrious sons: Ikṣvāku, Nahuṣa, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, Nariṣyanta, Prāṃśu, Nābhāga, Ariṣṭa, Karūṣa, and Pṛṣadhra. These noble sons are remembered with reverence as the pillars of Manu’s lineage. At the very dawn of creation, guided by the will of Brahmā, Manu endeavored to populate the world. Yet, his efforts bore no fruit. Desiring a son, Manu, the Prajāpati, undertook a supreme sacrifice, offering oblations into the sacred portion dedicated to Mitra and Varuṇa. From this divine rite, there emerged Ida, adorned in celestial garments, sparkling with heavenly ornaments, and clad in radiant armor—a being of wondrous beauty, as tradition attests. Manu, known as the bearer of the staff, approached Ida and spoke: “O blessed one, I will follow you.” But Ida, wise and virtuous, replied, “O best of speakers, righteousness dictates my path. I am born from the portion of Mitra and Varuṇa, O Prajāpati who desires a son. I must return to them, for righteousness must not be forsaken by us.” With these words, the goddess Ida returned to Mitra and Varuṇa. With joined palms, she addressed the gods: “O deities, born from your portion, what is my duty? Manu himself has commanded, ‘Follow me.’” Hearing her, Mitra and Varuṇa, moved by her humility and self-restraint, spoke kindly: “O knower of righteousness, by your truthfulness and devotion, O beautiful one, you shall be renowned as our daughter.” They bestowed a boon: “He will be known as Sudyumna, honored in all three worlds, beloved by all, righteous, and the enhancer of Manu’s lineage.” Thus, Sudyumna, born of Manu, took the form of a woman, and the goddess, graced with this boon, returned to her father. In time, Sudyumna encountered Budha, the son of Soma, and was invited to union. From this union was born a son, Pururavas, founder of the Aila lineage. After giving birth to Pururavas, Sudyumna returned, and later had three supremely righteous heirs: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatāśva. Utkala ruled the region known as Utkala, Vinatāśva’s realm lay in the west, and Gaya, the royal sage, reigned over the city of Gaya. As Manu’s line flourished, the Sun divided the earth into ten regions after creating the people. Ikṣvāku alone was blessed with ten heirs, while Sudyumna, due to having been a woman, did not receive a share. Under the guidance of the sage Vasiṣṭha, the splendid city of Pratiṣṭhāna was established by the righteous king Sudyumna. Sudyumna, having attained the kingdom, bestowed it upon Pururavas. Yet, Sudyumna, marked by both feminine and masculine forms, once more became a woman. The sages, hearing of this marvel, inquired: “How did Sudyumna, son of Manu, come to take the form of a woman?” Sūta explained: The goddess, out of affection for her beloved, declared, “O god, in my hermitage, any man who enters shall become a woman, beautiful as the celestial nymphs.” Thus, all beings—spirits, animals, and even Rudra—became women and sported with the nymphs. Unaware, the king entered Umā’s grove for hunting and, along with his companions, was transformed into a woman. By the grace of Mahādeva, however, Sudyumna regained his manhood. Now, hear further of Manu’s sons and their lineages. Pṛṣadhra, one of Manu’s sons, once slew his guru’s cow and partook of its flesh. For this act, he was cursed by the great sage Cyavana and became a Śūdra. Karūṣa, another son, was a fierce Kṣatriya, renowned for his valor among a thousand clans. Nābhāga’s son was the learned Bhalandana. Bhalandana fathered the mighty Prāṃśu, whose only son was Prajāni, famed among men. Prajāni’s son was the powerful Khanitra, whose son was the illustrious Kṣupa. Kṣupa’s twentieth son was Pratimā, and Pratimā’s son was the noble Viviṃśu. Viviṃśu’s son was the righteous and mighty Khaninetra, who fathered Karandhama at the dawn of the Tretā Yuga. Karandhama’s son was the powerful Āvikṣi, surpassing his father in virtue. Āvikṣi’s son was Marutta, a righteous king and universal monarch, who was taken to heaven by Saṃvartta along with his kin. There was once a great dispute between Saṃvartta and Bṛhaspati; seeing the prosperity of Marutta’s sacrifice, Bṛhaspati grew angry. When Saṃvartta took away the sacrifice, Bṛhaspati’s wrath threatened the worlds, but the gods pacified him. Marutta’s son was Nariṣyanta, whose heir was the king Daṇḍadhara, also called Dama. His son was the valiant Rāṣṭravardhana, whose son was Sudhṛti, and Sudhṛti’s son was Nara. Nara’s only son was Bandhumān, son of Kevala, who in turn had a righteous and swift son. Budha, son of Vegavat, begot Tṛṇabindu, who at the beginning of the Tretā Yuga, in the third age, became king. Thus, the noble lineages of Manu’s sons and their descendants were established, each contributing to the sacred tapestry of the world’s history.