She who bore Dhruva in her womb attained the highest, steadfast state—the refuge of all three worlds. Such was her glory. And whoever, with devotion, recounts the story of Dhruva’s ascent to heaven each day is released from all sins and is honored in the celestial realms. Such a person never suffers loss of position, whether on earth or in the heavens, and, blessed with all auspiciousness, enjoys a long and fulfilled life. Śrī Parāśara continued: From the illustrious Dhruva were born two sons, Śiṣṭi and Bhavya. Bhavya’s son was Śambhu, while Śiṣṭi’s wife, Succhāyā, gave birth to five pure sons: Ripu, Ripunjaya, Vipra, Vṛkala, and Vṛkatejasa. Ripu’s daughter was Bṛhatī, and from her was born Cākṣuṣa, radiant with all brilliance. Cākṣuṣa fathered Manu through Puṣkariṇī and Vāruṇī, the noble daughters of Prajāpati Vīraṇa, a great soul. From Manu and Naḍvalā—herself a daughter of great strength and born of the ascetic Vairāja Prajāpati—came ten sons. Their names were Kuru, Puru, Śata, Dyumna, Tapasvī, Satyavān, Śuci, Agniṣṭoma, Otirātra, and the mighty Sudyumna; Abhimanyu was the tenth, also born of Naḍvalā. Kuru’s wife, the daughter of Agni, brought forth six illustrious sons: Anga, Sumanasa, Khyati, Kratu, Angiras, and Sibi. From Anga and his wife Sunitha was born a single son, Vena. Yet, for the sake of progeny, the sages undertook a great churning of Vena’s right arm. As the great sages churned Vena’s arm, a king arose from it—Vainya, renowned as Prithu. It was Prithu who, for the welfare of all people, first milked the Earth, bringing forth her bounty. At this point, Maitreya inquired, “O best of sages, for what reason did the exalted sages churn Vena’s arm, from which the mighty Prithu was born?” Śrī Parāśara replied: Sunitha, who was once the daughter of Mrityu (Death), was given as wife to Anga, and from her Vena was born. Because his mother was the daughter of Mrityu, Vena was wicked by nature from birth. When Vena was consecrated as king by the revered sages, he proclaimed his sovereignty throughout the land. He decreed, “No one shall perform sacrifices, give gifts, or make offerings in any way. Who else but I is the enjoyer of sacrifice? Today, I alone am the lord and master of sacrifices.” The sages, having first honored the king, approached him and spoke in gentle, conciliatory words, saying, “O king, hear our counsel. Kingship exists for the benefit of the body and for the highest good of the people. Through sacrifice, we worship Hari, lord of all sacrifices and god of gods. A share of the offerings will be yours. By sacrifice, the Supreme Person Vishnu is pleased, and he will fulfill all your desires through our actions. Where Hari, the lord of sacrifice, is properly worshipped in a kingdom, he bestows all desired blessings upon its rulers.” But Vena, filled with pride, replied, “Who is greater than I, or who else is worthy of worship besides me? Who is this Hari, the lord of sacrifice, whom you consider supreme? Brahma, Janardana, Shambhu, Indra, Vayu, Yama, Ravi, Agni, Varuna, Dhata, Pusha, Earth, and the Moon—all these and other gods, who grant curses and blessings, dwell within the king. The king is the embodiment of all the gods. Therefore, let my command be carried out: no gifts, no sacrifices, and no offerings. Just as a woman’s highest duty is service to her husband, so too is your duty to obey my command, O twice-born.” The sages pleaded, “O great king, grant us permission and do not let righteousness perish. The transformation of offerings is what sustains the entire world.” Yet Vena, though repeatedly entreated by the eminent sages, refused to grant their request. At last, the sages, filled with anger and indignation, exclaimed among themselves, “Let him be slain! Let this sinner be slain!” They declared, “He who reviles Viṣṇu, the eternal Lord and embodiment of sacrifice, is not fit to rule the earth.” With these words, the assembly of sages struck down Vena with blades of kuśa grass, purified by mantra, for his blasphemy against the divine. Soon after, the sages noticed dust rising everywhere. The people approached and asked, “What is this?” They explained that, in the absence of a king, theft had arisen across the land, and those eager for others’ property had begun to seize it. Among these thieves, whose impulses had grown fierce, a great cloud of dust was seen—stirred up by those who plundered others’ wealth. Then, after much deliberation, the wise sages churned the thigh of the king, who had no son, seeking an heir. From this churning emerged a man, resembling a burnt pillar—bald-headed and very short. He asked the sages, “What shall I do?” They replied, “Sit down,” and so he became known as Niṣāda. From him descended the Niṣādas, dwellers of the Vindhya mountains, marked by sinful deeds. Through this act, the king’s sin departed, and the Niṣādas were born, carrying away the wickedness of Vena. Thereafter, the twice-born sages churned his right hand.