Let us now hear the lineage of Nimi, the younger brother of Vikukṣi, whose wisdom and virtue led him to establish a city as splendid as those inhabited by the gods themselves. This city, famed as Jayanta, was situated near the hermitage of the revered sage Gautama. In the line of Nimi, during a sacred sacrifice, the eminent sage Janaka was born. Nimi, the righteous son of Ikṣvāku, was honored by all beings and shone with great brilliance. Yet, by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, he came to be 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 was called Janaka. Mithi, endowed with great prowess, gave his name to the city of Mithilā. The king was called Janaka, and from Janaka came Udāvasu. Udāvasu’s son was the righteous Nandivardhana, and from Nandivardhana came the virtuous and valiant Suketu. Suketu, also righteous, fathered Devarāta, a man of great strength. Devarāta’s son was Bṛhaduccha, also righteous. Bṛhaduccha’s son was the mighty and powerful Mahāvīrya, whose son Sudhṛti was steadfast in resolve. Sudhṛti’s son, Dhṛṣṭaketu, was a subduer of foes and righteous in conduct. From Dhṛṣṭaketu came the renowned Haryaśva. Haryaśva’s son was Maru, whose son was Pratitvaka. Pratitvaka’s son was the righteous king Kīrttiratha. Kīrttiratha’s son was known as Devamīḍha, whose son was Vibudha. Vibudha’s son was Dhṛti. The king Kīrttirāja, son of Mahādhṛti, became renowned for his valor; his learned son, Mahāroma, was widely celebrated. From Mahāroma was born the famous Svarṇaroma, and from Svarṇaroma came king Hrasvaroma. The learned son of Hrasvaroma was Sīradhvaja. It is said that the illustrious Sītā was uncovered by Sīradhvaja while plowing the field—she who would become the virtuous queen of Rāma, steadfast in her vows and supremely devoted to her husband. Śāṃśapāyana then asked, “How was the illustrious Sītā born while the field was being plowed? For what purpose did the king plow the field in which she appeared?” The Sūta replied: “While the sacrificial ground was being plowed for the great soul’s horse sacrifice, with proper ritual, from that place she arose.” From Sīradhvaja was born Bhānumān, called Maithila; his brother Kuśadhvaja became king of Kāśī. Pradyumna, renowned for his valor, was the son of Bhānumān; his son was the sage from whom Ūrjavaha was remembered. From Ūrjavaha came Sutadvāja; his son was Śakuni; Svāgata was the son of Śakuni, and Suvarcā was remembered as his son. Śruta was the heir of Suvarcā; Suśruta was his son; Jayā was the son of Suśruta, and Vijaya was the son of Jayā. Ṛta was the son of Vijaya; Sunaya was remembered as the son of Ṛta; Vītahavya was the son of Sunaya, and Dhṛti was the son of Vītahavya. From Dhṛti came Bahulāśva; Kṛti was the son of Bahulāśva; in him the lineage of the great Janakas was established. Thus, these Maithilas are described. Now, let us listen regarding Soma. Soma gave the southern region to the Brahmins, as it is told, to the foremost Brahmarṣis and to the assembly members, O twice-born ones. 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 the divine sages, Soma did not release Tārā to Aṅgiras at that time. Uśanas took her from Aṅgiras, O twice-born; he was the illustrious disciple of his father Bṛhaspati in earlier times. With that affection, the blessed Rudra became the protector of Brihaspati, grasped his bow, and stood ready. By that great soul, the supreme weapon was directed at the foremost of Brahmarshis and released against the gods, by which their fame was destroyed. There, a battle took place, visible to all, between the gods and the demons—a great conflict bringing destruction to the worlds. The three remaining gods and the Tusita deities, as remembered, sought refuge in Brahma, the primordial god and grandfather. Then, restraining Ushanas and Rudra, and Shankara the eldest, the grandfather himself gave Tara to Angiras. Seeing Tara pregnant, bearing the name of the lord of stars, Brihaspati said, “You must not release the embryo.” “In my body, in my womb, the embryo must be sustained at all costs,” Tara replied. Yet she did not release the child, the slayer of enemies. Approaching a reed stalk, blazing like fire, the blessed one, newly born, cast off his form among the gods. Then, the gods, filled with doubt, questioned Tara, “Speak the truth: whose son is this—Soma’s or Brihaspati’s?” Ashamed before the gods, Tara neither spoke well nor ill; then the child, the slayer of enemies, began to curse her. Thus ends the twenty-seventh chapter, named “The Account of the Vaivasvata Manu Lineage,” in the glorious Mahāpurāṇa spoken by Vāyu, in its northern section.