Vishvamitra, renowned among sages, had a son named Shunahshepha. In the great sacrifice of King Harishchandra, Shunahshepha was chosen as the sacrificial victim. The gods intervened and gave him to the ritual, and from that moment, Shunahshepha was known as Devarata, “the one given by the gods.” Among Vishvamitra’s sons, Shunahshepha is honored as the eldest, and his brothers include Madhuchchhanda, Naya, Kritadeva, and Dhruvashtaka. Kacchapa and Purana, too, were sons of Vishvamitra, and from these wise descendants arose the many noble lineages of the Kaushikas. Within these lineages, there are the Parthivas, Devaratas, Yajnavalkyas, Samarshanas, Udumbaras, Udumlanas, Tarakas, and those who were released from Yama’s grasp. The Lohinyas, Renavas, and Karishavas are also remembered, along with the Babhravas, Paninas, and those deeply devoted to meditation and recitation. From Shalavati came the Hiranyakshas, Syankritas, and Galavas, as well as the Devalas, Yamadutas, Shalankayanas, and Bashkalas. Dadati, Badaras, and many others are counted among the descendants of the wise Vishvamitra; and those born from other sages are known as the Shoushikas. The Kaushikas, Oshrumas, and Saidavayanas—all these are children of the virtuous sage Kaushika. Among these descendants are the son of Drishadvati, Ashtaka from Vishvamitra, and the son of Ashtaka, who is said to belong to the Jahnu lineage. The sages, curious and eager to understand, asked: “By what qualities, by what righteousness, by what asceticism or learning did kings such as Vishvamitra attain Brahminhood? By what means or lineage did Kshatriyas become Brahmins? We wish to know the distinction—was it by austerity or by giving?” Thus addressed, the wise one spoke: “If one, desiring righteousness, performs sacrifice with wealth acquired unjustly, that person does not obtain the fruit of righteousness. A person of sinful soul and lowest character, who gives gifts to Brahmins merely for ostentation among people, does not gain true merit. Driven by unchecked greed for wealth, filled with passion and delusion, he may give gifts at the end for purification, but such gifts, given by one cruel and wicked though engaged in dharma, become fruitless. When one acquires wealth through delusion and gives or sacrifices with impure actions, the gift of such a wicked person does not endure. “But one who offers rightfully acquired wealth at holy places, without desire for personal gain, who sacrifices and gives in this way—he attains the fruit of giving, and that gift brings forth happiness. Through giving, he obtains enjoyments, and by truth, he ascends to heaven. By well-performed austerity, he upholds the worlds; having established himself, that radiant one attains endlessness among the worlds. “Sacrifice is superior to giving, austerity is superior to sacrifice, renunciation is superior to austerity, and knowledge is declared by the wise to be superior to renunciation. “Indeed, there are accomplished ascetics among the twice-born who were of royal lineage: Vishvamitra the king, Mandhatr, Samkriti, and Kapi; Purukutsa, Satyavrata, Rthu, Arstisena, Amidha, Bhaga, and Anyonya, all descendants of Kapi; Kakshivat, Shijaya, and other mighty chariot-warriors; Rathitara, Runda, Vishnuvriddha, and other kings. These are remembered as royal sages, born of the warrior class, who became like seers through austerity. All these royal sages attained great success. Now I shall speak further of the lineage of Ayu, the great soul.” Turning to another sacred tale, Suta spoke: “The father of Soma was the venerable seer Atri, born of Vaivipra. By his own radiance, he sustained all the worlds. Performing only auspicious deeds by action, mind, and speech, he stood with arms raised like a wooden post or stone, possessed of great brilliance. He performed a very difficult austerity, known as ‘great,’ in ancient times, lasting three thousand divine years. “While he stood there, with his seed held upwards, unmoving and desiring nothing, Soma, the wise twice-born, was born from him. From Atri, whose soul was purified, Soma arose upwards; Soma flowed from his eyes, illuminating all ten directions. “Then, as ordained by the rite, ten goddesses together bore that embryo, but they were unable to sustain it. Suddenly, that radiant embryo, full of brilliance, departed from those goddesses and from the directions, shining upon the worlds like the moon, nourisher of all beings. When those women were unable to bear that embryo, with their help, the moon fell down to the earth. “Seeing Soma falling, Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, placed him upon a chariot, desiring the welfare of all. That chariot, as we have heard, is made of the gods, seeking righteousness and wealth, steadfast in truth, and yoked with a thousand white horses. “When Soma fell, the gods—the seven renowned mind-born sons of Brahma—praised the son of Atri, the supreme soul. Angiras and also the son of Bhrigu, with many hymns from the Rig, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas, offered praise. As Soma, resplendent, was being praised, his radiance increased, nourishing the three worlds in every way. “With that chief chariot, Soma thrice seven times made a vast circumambulation of the earth, reaching to the ocean’s edge. And whatever part of his radiance touched the earth, from it the plants arose, shining with his energy.” Thus, the lineage of sages and the birth of Soma are recounted, revealing the power of righteousness, austerity, and divine brilliance that nourishes the worlds.