In the illustrious lineage of Ikṣvāku, Shankhana’s learned son was known as Dhyushitasha, and from Dhyushitasha came the noble king Vishvasaha. Vishvasaha’s son was Hiranyanabha of Kosala, renowned as a disciple of Vasistha, the grandson of Jaimini, and celebrated throughout the Shastras for his wisdom. Hiranyanabha studied five hundred Samhitas, and it was from him that the wise Yajnavalkya received the profound knowledge of Yoga. Hiranyanabha’s learned son was Pushya, whose son was Dhruvasandhi. Dhruvasandhi’s son was Sudarshana, and Sudarshana’s son was Agnivarṇa. Among them, Agnivarṇa’s swift and fiery-complexioned son was Śīghra, and Śīghra’s son was Manu. Manu, devoted to yoga, resided in the village of Kalāpa, and in the nineteenth cycle, he became the originator of the Kṣatrapas. Manu’s son was Prasuśruta, and Prasuśruta’s son was Susandhi. From Susandhi came Amarṣa, and from Amarṣa, Sahasvān. Sahasvān’s son was the renowned king Viśrutavān, whose son was the king Bṛhadbala. These kings, all descendants of Ikṣvāku, are remembered as the principal figures in this noble lineage. It is said that whoever properly recites this account of creation by Āditya Vivasvat attains union with Manu Vaivasvata, the progenitor, and is blessed with prosperity. Such a person becomes pure, free from sin, long-lived, and steadfast—like Śrāddhadeva, the god who bestows prosperity upon all beings. Now, hear of the lineage of Nimi, the younger brother of Vikukṣi, who established a city as splendid as those of the gods. This city, known as Jayanta, was situated near the hermitage of Gautama, and in its line, during a great sacrifice, the eminent sage Janaka was born. Nimi, wise and righteous, was the son of Ikṣvāku, revered by all beings and radiant in brilliance. By the curse of Vasiṣṭha, he became known as Videha. His son, Mithi, was born through three great rites. When the churning was performed in the forest, the illustrious Mithi appeared, and from his birth, he became known as Janaka. Mithi, of great prowess, gave his name to Mithilā, and so the king was called Janaka. From Janaka came Udāvasu; from Udāvasu, the righteous Nandivardhana; and from Nandivardhana, the valiant and virtuous Suketu. Suketu, also righteous, had a son, Devarāta, of great strength. Devarāta’s son was Bṛhaduccha, also righteous. Bṛhaduccha’s son was the mighty Mahāvīrya, whose son, steadfast in resolve, was Sudhṛti. Sudhṛti’s son was Dhṛṣṭaketu, the subduer of foes, and his son was the renowned Haryaśva. Haryaśva’s son was Maru, and Maru’s son was Pratitvaka. Pratitvaka’s son was the righteous king Kīrttiratha. Kīrttiratha’s son was Devamīḍha, whose son was Vibudha, and Vibudha’s son was Dhṛti. The king Kīrttirāja, son of Mahādhṛti, was renowned for his valor, and his learned son, Mahāroma, was widely celebrated. From Mahāroma came the famous Svarṇaroma, and from Svarṇaroma, the king Hrasvaroma was born. The learned son of Hrasvaroma was Sīradhvaja, who is famed for having uncovered the illustrious Sītā while plowing the field. Sītā, the virtuous queen of Rāma, steadfast in her vows and supremely devoted to her husband, appeared during the ritual. When questioned about her birth, it was revealed that while the sacrificial ground was being plowed for the great soul’s horse sacrifice, with proper ritual, Sītā arose from that place. From Sīradhvaja came Bhānumān, called Maithila, whose brother Kuśadhvaja became king of Kāśī. Bhānumān’s son was Pradyumna, renowned for his valor, and his son was the sage from whom Ūrjavaha was remembered. From Ūrjavaha came Sutadvāja; his son was Śakuni; Śakuni’s son was Svāgata, and Svāgata’s son was Suvarcā. Suvarcā’s heir was Śruta, whose son was Suśruta. Suśruta’s son was Jayā, and Jayā’s son was Vijaya. Vijaya’s son was Ṛta, and Ṛta’s son was Sunaya. Sunaya’s son was Vītahavya, and Vītahavya’s son was Dhṛti. From Dhṛti came Bahulāśva, whose son was Kṛti. In Kṛti, the lineage of the great Janakas was established. Thus, the Maithilas are described. Now, hear of Soma. Soma gave the southern region to the Brahmins, to the foremost Brahmarṣis and to the assembly members. Nine goddesses—Sinī, Kuhū, Vapuḥ, Puṣṭi, Prabhāvasu, Kīrtti, Dhṛti, and Lakṣmī—served him. Having completed the ritual bath, undisturbed and honored by all the gods and sages, the supreme king of kings illuminated the ten directions. Though requested by the gods and divine sages, Soma did not release Tārā to Aṅgiras at that time. Uśanas, the illustrious disciple of his father Bṛhaspati in earlier times, took her from Aṅgiras. Thus concludes the twenty-seventh chapter, named "The Account of the Vaivasvata Manu Lineage," in the glorious Mahāpurāṇa spoken by Vāyu.