In the earliest days of creation, when beings brought forth by action had appeared, the great creator took his own seed and, with solemn intent, offered it into a vessel filled with clarified butter. As this sacred seed was offered, radiant sages of immense splendor manifested, each endowed with sevenfold creative powers. From the very flames of this sacrificial fire, a luminous being emerged—Kavi. Witnessing his birth from the fire, Hiranyagarbha proclaimed, “You are Bhṛgu,” and thus he became known as Bhṛgu. Mahadeva, beholding this Brahmin who had arisen from the union of his own desire for a son and his consecration, addressed the Lord, saying, “This one, born of my yearning and your act, let this Bhṛgu be my son.” Svayambhu, the Self-born, granted his blessing, and so Mahadeva accepted Bhṛgu as his son. Because he was also born of Varuṇa, Bhṛgu came to be known as the son of Varuṇa. Next, a second portion of the seed fell upon glowing coals. From these coals, the limbs united and Angiras was born. When Agni beheld this birth, he spoke to Brahma, “Since I have received the seed, let this second one be mine.” Brahma, lord of the assembly, agreed: “So be it.” Thus, Angiras became known as the son of Agni. Then, Brahma, the creator of worlds, offered his seed six more times, and from these offerings, six Brahmas—great sages—were born, as tradition declares. Marici was the first, arising from the rays of light; during that sacrifice, his son Kratu was born. The third sage, Atri, received his name from the meaning, “I am the third.” Pulastya came forth from sharp hair, Pulaha from long hair, and Vasuman—who rests upon the earth—arose from the midst of the Vasus. He is known as Vasiṣṭha by those who speak the truth of Brahman. These six, together with Bhṛgu and Angiras, are revered as the mind-born sons of Brahma. These great seers became the progenitors of the world, increasing its creatures. Thus, the sons of Brahma are honored as the lords of creation. The mighty sages produced other revered ancestors—seven groups of seers, renowned throughout the worlds. The lineages of Marici, Bhṛgu, Angiras, as well as the Paulastyas, Paulahas, the famous Vasiṣṭhas, and the Ātreyas, are all celebrated as the noble clans of the ancestors. These ancient ones, O dear listener, possessed three qualities: they were unprecedented, radiant, and luminous. Among them, Yama, the god, is king, and those who falter are restrained by the Yamas, while others are lords of beings. Attend now to their names: Kardama, Kaśyapa, Śeṣa, Vikrānta, Suśruvas, Bahuputra, Kumāra, Vivasvān, and Śuciśravā. Also among them are Pracetas, Ariṣṭanemi, Bahulasva, and Prajāpati, along with many others, all lords of progeny. The Vālakhilyas, exalted sages, sprang from the tips of Kuśa grass—swift as thought, all-pervading, and sovereign over the earth. From the ashes that dispel impurity were born the Vaikhānasa sages, esteemed among the Brahmarṣis, devoted to austerity and sacred knowledge. From the creator’s streams emerged the twin Aśvins, equal in form, pure and unstained, born from the very eyes of the creator. The eldest lords of beings were also born from these streams; the seers arose from his hair follicles, and others came forth from the impurities of sweat. The months are harsh, the fortnights their junctions; years, days, and nights—all are governed by the stern brilliance of the father. What is fierce is called red, and red is gold; that which is friendly is so known, and smoke is said to be the animals. The flames of the creator are the Rudras; likewise, the Ādityas are born. From the embers arose the divine and human lights. Brahmā, born from Brahman, is the first in the world of mind, known as the fulfiller of all desires, and there a maiden is mentioned. In that place, Brahmā, the teacher of the gods, is pleased with the thirty-three gods, who will generate all creatures. By his favor, all the lords of beings and ascetics would sustain the worlds and their rites from the very beginning. He caused the divine pair to flourish, increasing their brilliance among the gods, the knowers of the Veda, and the royal sages. All are devoted to the Vedic mantras, endowed with the qualities of the lords of beings, and grounded in the infinite Brahman, truth, and supreme austerity on earth. Indeed, all beings—Brahma, the brahmins, and all the worlds, both moving and unmoving—are his progeny. Having first created Marici, along with the gods and sages, the creator contemplated offspring and desired further progeny. In that sacrifice, the gods and sages born from this lineage became lords of their respective places and times. Yet, these beings were not established in the same form throughout; from the beginning of the age to its end, they were established anew. Then, the teacher of the worlds spoke, contemplating the highest truth: “Thus, O gods, having deliberated, you were created by me; these great sages are again born from your lineage.” Now, let the lineage of Bhṛgu, the ancient great soul, be recounted in order, beginning with the first progenitor. Bhṛgu’s incomparable, noble, and auspicious wife was the renowned divine daughter of Hiranyakashipu, known as Paulomi, the beautiful daughter of Puloman. From Bhṛgu, this divine one gave birth to Kavi, foremost among those who know the Veda, teacher of gods and asuras, who is also known as Shukra—the planet and son of Kavi.