The goddess, radiant and devoted, was blessed by the powers of truth and her unwavering devotion. She was told, “By your truthfulness and your steadfastness, O beautiful and fortunate one, you shall be renowned as our daughter.” Through this divine blessing, a child would be born—Sudyumna—who would be celebrated throughout the three worlds, beloved by all, righteous in conduct, and a true enhancer of Manu’s illustrious lineage. Sudyumna, born of Manu, was unique: though a son, Sudyumna assumed the form of a woman. The goddess, having received this boon, returned joyfully to her father. In due time, she encountered Budha, the son of Soma. Budha, enchanted by her presence, invited her to union, and from their union was born a son—Pururavas—of the noble Aila lineage. After giving birth to Pururavas from Budha, the goddess returned once more, and Sudyumna, now restored to the form of a man, had three supremely righteous heirs: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatashva. Utkala ruled the land that bore his name, Vinatashva’s kingdom lay in the west, and Gaya, the royal sage, presided over the city of Gaya. As Manu’s lineage flourished, the Sun, having created the peoples of the world, divided the earth into ten regions. Ikshvaku alone received ten heirs to rule these lands. But because Sudyumna was born a woman, he did not receive a share in this division. By the sage Vasistha’s guidance, the splendid city of Pratishthana was founded—a city of righteousness, ruled by the great-souled Sudyumna. In time, Sudyumna bestowed the kingdom upon Pururavas, and among Manu’s descendants, Sudyumna became renowned for embodying both the marks of man and woman. Yet, once again, Sudyumna, the son of Manu, was transformed into a woman. Upon hearing this wondrous tale, the sages inquired, “How did Sudyumna, Manu’s son, come to take on the form of a woman?” Sūta, the storyteller, explained: The goddess, out of love for her beloved, had declared, “In my hermitage, any man who enters shall become a woman, beautiful and radiant as the celestial nymphs.” Thus, all who entered—including spirits, animals, and even Rudra—became women and delighted in the company of the celestial nymphs. One day, King Sudyumna entered the grove of Umā while hunting. There, he and his companions—spirits, beings, and Rudras—were all transformed into women. Yet, by the grace of Mahādeva, Sudyumna regained his manhood once more. Sūta then continued, “Now listen as I recount in detail the lineage of Manu’s sons.” Among them was Pṛṣadhra, who, having slain and eaten the flesh of his guru’s cow, was cursed by the great-souled Cyavana to become a Śūdra. Kārūṣa, another son, was a fierce Kṣatriya, famed for his valor among a thousand clans. Nābhāga’s son was the learned Bhalandana, whose son was the mighty Prāṃśu. Prāṃśu had a single son, Prajāni, well-known and noble. Prajāni’s son was the powerful Khanitra, and his son was the illustrious Kṣupa, renowned among men. Kṣupa’s twentieth son was Pratimā, whose virtuous son was Viviṃśu. Viviṃśu’s son was the righteous and mighty Khaninetra, whose own son was Karandhama, born at the dawn of the Tretā Yuga. Karandhama’s son was Āvikṣi, who surpassed his father in virtue. Āvikṣi’s son was Marutta, righteous and equal to a universal monarch. Marutta was taken to heaven by Saṃvartta, along with his friends and relatives. There was a great dispute between Saṃvartta and Bṛhaspati; Bṛhaspati, angered by the prosperity of Marutta’s sacrifice, was only pacified by the gods, for his wrath could destroy the worlds. Marutta’s son was Nariṣyanta, whose heir was the king Daṇḍadhara, also called Dama. Dama’s son was the valiant king Rāṣṭravardhana, followed by Sudhṛti, and then Nara. Nara had a single son, Bandhumān, the son of Kevala, whose own son was a righteous and swift king. Elsewhere, Budha, son of Vegavat, fathered Tṛṇabindu. At the beginning of the Tretā Yuga, Tṛṇabindu became king. His daughter, Draviḍā, became the mother of Viśravas, and his son was Viśāla, a king of supreme righteousness. Viśāla’s vision brought forth his son Viśālā, whose own son was the mighty king Hemacandra. Hemacandra was succeeded by Sucandra, and Sucandra’s son was the king Dhūmrāśva. Dhūmrāśva’s son was the learned Sṛñjaya, whose son was the illustrious and powerful Sahadeva. Sahadeva’s supremely righteous son was Kṛśāśva, and Kṛśāśva’s son was the mighty and radiant Somadatta. Somadatta, the royal sage, had a son named Janamejaya, whose son was the renowned Pramati. By the favor of Tṛṇabindu, all the kings of Vaiśālī were blessed with long life, great souls, power, and true righteousness. Śaryāti, another descendant, had twins: a famous son, Ānarta, and a daughter, Sukanyā, who became the wife of the sage Cyavana. Ānarta’s heir was the valiant Reva, and the land of Ānarta had its capital at Kuśasthalī. Reva’s son was Raivata, a righteous man named Kakudhmī, eldest among a hundred brothers, who became king and ruled from Kuśasthalī. Thus unfolded the illustrious lineages and the wondrous stories of Manu’s descendants—each marked by virtue, devotion, and the blessings of the divine.