O best of the twice-born, know that the Saṃhitās received by noble Brahmins from Hiraṇyanābha are revered among the learned as the eastern singers of the Sāma Veda. From Pauṣpiñji’s disciples—Lokākṣi, Kuthumi, Kusīdi, and Laṅgali—along with others, the Saṃhitās multiplied greatly, spreading the wisdom of the Sāma Veda far and wide. Hiraṇyanābha’s own wise disciple taught twenty-four Saṃhitās to accomplished students, and through all these branches, the Sāma Veda flourished in abundance. Now, listen as I speak of the Atharva Veda. The sage taught his disciple Kabandha, who preserved it faithfully and passed it on to Devadarśa and Pathya. The radiant sage Sumantu, full of wisdom, also taught the Atharva Veda. Devadarśa’s disciples were Maudaga, Brahmabali, Śaukyāyani, Pippalāda, and another eminent sage. Pathya, too, had three disciples—Jājāli, Kumuda, and Śaunaka—by whom the Saṃhitās were further divided. Śaunaka, having firmly established the tradition, entrusted one Saṃhitā to Babhrava and another to Saundhavāyana. Saindhava and Mūñjikeśa divided the established Saṃhitā into three, as did the Nakṣatrakalpa and other Saṃhitās of the Vedas. Among the arrangers of the Atharvaṇa Saṃhitās, the foremost are the fourth, Āṅgirasa, and the fifth, Śāntikalpa. By narratives, sub-narratives, songs, and ritual instructions, one skilled in Purāṇic meanings composed the Purāṇa Saṃhitā. The renowned disciple of Vyāsa, Sūta Romaharṣaṇa, received this Purāṇa Saṃhitā from the great sage Vyāsa himself. Romaharṣaṇa then taught six disciples: Sumati, Agrivarja, Mitrayu, Shamsapayana, Akritavrana, and Savarni. From these, Kashyapa, Savarni, and Shashapayana each composed a Saṃhitā, and Romaharṣaṇa himself made another—these are the three root Saṃhitās. Through this fourfold division, O sage, the foremost Purāṇa among all is known as the Brahma Purāṇa. The knowers of the Purāṇas declare there are eighteen Mahāpurāṇas: Brahma, Padma, Vaishnava, Shaiva, and Bhagavata; then Naradiya, Markandeya as the seventh, Agneya as the eighth, and Bhavishya as the ninth; Brahmavaivarta is the tenth, Linga the eleventh, Varaha the twelfth, and Skanda the thirteenth; Vamana is the fourteenth, Kurma the fifteenth, Matsya, Garuda, and Brahmanda complete the eighteen. In addition, the sages have spoken of the Upapurāṇas. Within each Purāṇa are described creation, dissolution, genealogies, the cycles of Manus, and the deeds of dynasties. What I have narrated to you, O Maitreya, is called the Vaiṣṇava Purāṇa, following after the Padma. In all the accounts of creation, dissolution, genealogies, and Manus, the blessed Vishnu is described, O noble one. The four Vedas, their auxiliary limbs, Mīmāṃsā, the expanse of Nyāya, the Purāṇas, and the Dharma Śāstras—these fourteen are considered the main sciences. Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharva, and Artha Śāstra add four more, making a total of eighteen sciences. The Brahmarshis are known as the first among sages; from them came the Devarshis, then the Rajarshis, and from these arose three types of Rishi lineages. Thus, the branches and sub-branches have been enumerated, along with their creators and the causes of their divisions. In every Manvantara, the divisions are considered equal—the Prājāpatya tradition and the eternal Vedas form the threefold arrangement, O twice-born. All this, as you asked, O Maitreya, has been explained. What else concerning the Vedas would you like to hear? Maitreya replied: Everything I asked has been explained just as it is, O twice-born. Yet I wish to hear one thing from you—please tell me. O great sage, all seven continents, the paths of the underworld, and the seven worlds within are encompassed everywhere within this cosmic egg. It is filled with all living beings—gross and subtle, subtler than the subtle, and gross and grosser forms. There is not even an eighth part of a finger’s breadth where living beings bound by karma do not exist. At the end of their lifespans, all these beings certainly come under the sway of Yama, O venerable one, and are driven to their respective torments. Having fallen from those torments, creatures—beginning with the gods—revolve among various wombs; this is the conclusion of the scriptures. I wish to hear about those who are subject to Yama. Tell me, O sinless one, by what actions men can avoid falling under his power. Parāśara replied: O sage, this very question was once asked by the great-souled Nakula, and Bhīṣma, the grandsire, answered it. Listen to what he said. Bhīṣma spoke: Once, O child, my friend, the Brahmin Kāliṅgaka, who remembered his past births, came to me, and I questioned him. He described what had happened, what was happening, and what would happen; and, O child, it all occurred just as that wise one had said. That Brahmin, full of faith, was questioned again by me, and whatever he said was never found false at any time.