O all-purifying goddess! the gods implored, do not abandon our treasury, our cattle pens, our homes, our attendants, our very bodies, or our wives. Do not leave behind, from the chest of my Lord Viṣṇu, our sons, our circle of friends, our cattle, or our ornaments. For, O pure one, men forsaken by you are instantly deserted by virtue, truth, purity, and all noble qualities. Yet even those without merit, when graced by your glance, are transformed at once. Indeed, the one whom you, O goddess, have looked upon becomes praiseworthy, virtuous, fortunate, noble, wise, heroic, and valiant. But all virtues, such as good conduct, turn into faults for that man, O supporter of the world, O beloved of Viṣṇu, whom you have turned away from. Even the tongue of Brahmā cannot describe your qualities, O lotus-eyed goddess. Be gracious; never abandon us. Thus praised with devotion, Śrī, the goddess who abides in all beings, addressed Indra while all the gods listened: “O Lord of gods, I am pleased by this hymn of yours. Choose a boon, whatever you desire, for I have come as the granter of boons.” Indra replied, “If you are the giver of boons to me, O goddess, and if I am worthy, let this be my supreme boon: that you must never abandon the three worlds. And let this be my second boon: whoever, O ocean-born one, praises you with this hymn as it is, may such a one never be abandoned by you.” Śrī replied, “O Indra, Lord of the gods, I shall not take back the three worlds from one to whom I have given a boon, being pleased by his worship and praise. And any person who praises me with this hymn in the evening and likewise in the morning—I shall never turn away from him.” Thus, O Maitreya, the illustrious goddess, pleased by worship through the hymn, granted this boon to the king of the gods. Śrī was first born as the daughter of Khyāti, herself the daughter of Bhṛgu, and then again from the ocean, when the gods and demons churned it with great effort. Just as Janārdana, the Lord of the universe, the god of gods, takes incarnations, so too does Śrī, his eternal companion, incarnate along with him. When Hari became the son of Aditi, she was again born from the lotus; when he was Bhārgava Rāma, this earth became his consort. As Sītā in the Rāghava incarnation, as Rukmiṇī in Kṛṣṇa’s birth, and in all other incarnations of Viṣṇu, she is always his companion. As a goddess, she takes a divine form; as a human, she assumes a human form—ever suited to Viṣṇu’s incarnation. Whoever hears or recites this birth story of Lakṣmī, prosperity will not depart from his house for three generations. In those homes where this hymn to Śrī is recited, misfortune and quarrels never dwell. Thus, O Brāhmaṇa, as you asked, I have told you how Śrī, the daughter of Bhṛgu, was first born from the ocean of milk. This hymn, which brings all attainments and arose from the mouth of Indra to Lakṣmī, when recited by men, never allows misfortune to reside in their homes. Then Maitreya said, “O great sage, all that I asked you have told me. Now tell me again, beginning from the creation of Bhṛgu.” Parāśara replied: Lakṣmī was born to Khyāti, daughter of Bhṛgu, and became the consort of Viṣṇu. Likewise, Bhṛgu had two sons by Khyāti: Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ. Āyati and Niyati were the daughters of the great soul Mairā; Dhātṛ and Vidhātṛ took them as wives and each had sons. Prāṇa and Mṛkaṇḍu were born, and from Mṛkaṇḍu came Mārkaṇḍeya. Then Vedaśīrṣa was born—listen now to the son of Prāṇa as well. Prāṇa’s son was Kṛtimān, and from him came Rājavāṃśa; from him, O illustrious one, the Bhārgava lineage spread widely. The wife of Marīci was Sambhūti; she gave birth to Paurṇamāsa, who had two sons, Virajā and Sarvaga. In recounting the lineage, I will tell you of the sons and daughters born from her, O twice-born: from Smṛti and from Aṅgiras were born sons and daughters as well. Sinīvālī, Kuhū, Rākā, and Anumati were born; likewise, Anasūyā gave birth to the sinless sons of Atri. From Prīti, the wife of Pulastya, was born a son named Datoli. In a previous birth, Agastya is said to have existed in the Svāyambhuva Manvantara; Kardama, Śvāvarīya, and Sahiṣṇu were his three sons. Kṣamā, the wife of the progenitor Pulaha, gave birth; and Sannati, the wife of Kratu, gave birth to the Bālakhilyas. Sixty thousand ascetics, with upward-flowing seed, each the size of a thumb-joint and radiant like water, smoke, and the sun, were born. From Ūrjjā, the wife of Viśiṣṭha, seven sons were indeed born: Rajogātra, Ūrdhvabāhu, Vasana, Anagha, Sutapā, and Śukra—these are all the seven spotless sages, he who is the lord of fire, the eldest son of Brahmā. From him, through Svāhā, three sons were born: Pāvaka, Pāvamāna, and Śuci, who consumes water. From them, in succession, were born forty-five others; thus, forty-nine fires are enumerated. These fires are described as father and three sons; the ancestors created by Brahmā have thus been explained to you by me.