Desiring to understand the transformation of Kshatriyas into Brahmins, a seeker asked: “By what means or lineage did Kshatriyas attain Brahminhood? Was it through asceticism or through giving? I wish to know the true distinction.” In response, the wise one spoke with gravity: “If one, longing for righteousness, performs sacrifice with wealth gained unjustly, he does not attain the fruit of righteousness. Even if a person of sinful heart and base character offers gifts to Brahmins, seeking only to impress others, such acts are hollow. Driven by unchecked greed, performing intense recitations while filled with passion and delusion, he gives gifts at the end merely for purification. But gifts given by such a cruel and wicked person, though outwardly engaged in dharma, bear no fruit. When wealth is gained through delusion and given away or sacrificed with impure intent, the gifts of such a person do not endure. However, one who offers wealth acquired rightfully, at holy places and without desire for personal gain, who sacrifices and gives in this spirit—he truly attains the fruit of giving. Such gifts bring happiness, enjoyment in this world, and, through truth, a path to heaven. Through well-performed austerity, such a person upholds the worlds; established in this way, that radiant one attains an endless place 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 have been accomplished ascetics among the twice-born who were originally of royal lineage. Among them are Viśvāmitra the king, Māndhātṛ, Saṃkṛti, and Kapi. Also, Purukutsa, Satyavrata, Ṛthu, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, Amīḍha, Bhāga, and Anyonya, all descendants of Kapi, as well as Kakṣīvat, Śijaya, and other great chariot-warriors like Rathītara, Runda, and Viṣṇuvṛddha. These are remembered as royal sages, born of the warrior class, who became seers through their austerity. All these royal sages attained great success. Now, let me speak further of the lineage of Ayu, the great soul. In the northern half of the world, the venerable seer Atri, son of Vaivipra, was the father of Soma. Atri sustained all the worlds by his own radiance. Through auspicious deeds of action, mind, and speech, he stood with arms raised, unmoving like a wooden post or stone, glowing with great brilliance. He undertook a most difficult and ancient austerity, one that lasted three thousand divine years. As he stood there, restraining his seed and desiring nothing, the wise, twice-born Soma was born from him. From Atri, whose soul was purified, Soma arose upwards, flowing from his eyes and illuminating all ten directions. According to the ordained rite, ten goddesses together bore that embryo, but they could not sustain it. Suddenly, that radiant, brilliant embryo departed from those goddesses and from the directions, shining upon the worlds like the moon, the nourisher of all beings. When the women could not bear that embryo, the moon, with their help, fell to the earth. Seeing Soma falling, Brahma, grandsire of the worlds, placed him upon a chariot, wishing for the welfare of all. This chariot, as the sages have heard, was crafted by the gods, steadfast in truth and the pursuit of righteousness and wealth, yoked with a thousand white horses. As Soma descended, the gods—the seven renowned mind-born sons of Brahma—praised the son of Atri, the supreme soul. Angiras and the son of Bhrigu, too, offered many hymns from the Rig, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas in his honor. As Soma was praised, his radiance increased, nourishing the three worlds in every way. With that chief chariot, Soma thrice seven times circumambulated the earth, reaching to the ocean's edge. Wherever his radiance touched the earth, plants sprang forth, shining with his energy. Through these plants, the world and all four kinds of creatures are sustained; for Soma is the nourisher of the universe. Having gained radiance through austerity, praise, and these acts, the illustrious Soma performed further austerities for a hundred thousand years. The golden-hued goddesses, who sustain the world by their power, were graced by the all-pervading Soma, who became manifest among them, renowned for his deeds. Then Brahma, the foremost knower of Brahman, granted Soma sovereignty over seeds, plants, waters, and the best of the twice-born sages. Thus anointed with great power as king of kings, Soma, foremost among the radiant, nourished the worlds by his very nature. Prachetas Daksha gave his twenty-seven daughters, famed for their great vows and known as the Nakshatras, to Soma. Having attained this great sovereignty, Soma, lord of those who possess Soma, performed the Rajasuya sacrifice, offering a thousand hundred gifts. At that sacrifice, Hiranyagarbha was the Udgata, Brahma attained the state of Brahman, and the blessed Lord Hari Narayana was the Sadasya, surrounded by the foremost Brahmarshis, led by Sanatkumara and others. It is said that Soma gave the southern gift—the three worlds—to the foremost Brahmarshis and all the members of the assembly. Attending upon Soma were nine goddesses: Sinī, Kuhū, Vapuḥ, Puṣṭi, Prabhā, Vasu, Kīrti, Dhṛti, and Lakṣmī. Thus, Soma, radiant and powerful, nourished the universe and upheld the worlds by his very being.