Seeing the anger on Rāma’s face, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha addressed him with gentle words. “Jābāli, too, knows well the mysteries of the world’s coming and going, O Rāma. Yet, seeking only to persuade you to return, he spoke as he did. Now, O lord of the world, listen as I recount for you the true origin of this universe. “In the beginning, all was but water. Upon these waters, the earth took form. From this expanse arose Brahmā, the self-born, together with the gods. Taking the form of a mighty boar, Brahmā lifted the earth from the depths. Eternal and imperishable, Brahmā, born from the sky itself, then created the entire world and his sons, all great masters of themselves. “From Brahmā was born Marīci; and from Marīci, his son Kāśyapa. Kāśyapa’s son was Vivasvān, and from Vivasvān came Manu, the ancient lord of creatures. Manu’s son was Ikṣvāku, and it was Manu who first bestowed this prosperous earth upon him. Know that Ikṣvāku was the first great king of Ayodhyā. “Ikṣvāku’s illustrious son was Kukṣi, from whom came the heroic Vikukṣi. Vikukṣi’s son was the mighty Bāṇa, and Bāṇa’s son was the famed Anaraṇya. During Anaraṇya’s reign, there was neither irregular rain nor famine, nor even a single thief among his virtuous people. “From Anaraṇya was born the mighty-armed Pṛthu, and from Pṛthu came the great king Triśaṅku, who, by the power of his truthfulness, ascended to heaven in his very body. Triśaṅku’s son was the illustrious Dhundhumāra, and from him was born the powerful Yuvanāśva. “Yuvanāśva’s son was the renowned Māndhātṛ, and from Māndhātṛ came the mighty Susandhi. Susandhi had two sons, Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. From Dhruvasandhi was born Bharata, the destroyer of enemies. “Bharata’s son was the mighty Asita. Against Asita rose rival kings—the Haihayas, Tāla-jaṅghas, and the valiant Śaśibindus. Though he resisted them all in battle, Asita was exiled and dwelt as a sage, devoted and serene, in the chief of mountains. “It is said Asita had two wives, both with child. One, wishing to destroy the other’s offspring, gave her a potion to cause miscarriage. At that time, a Bhārgava sage named Cyavana was residing on Mount Himavat. Kālindī, one of the wives, approached him with respect. The sage, perceiving her longing for a son, blessed her: ‘O lady, you shall bear a son—a great soul, renowned throughout the world, righteous and virtuous, the founder of a lineage, and destroyer of foes.’ “Joyfully, Kālindī circumambulated the sage and, radiant as a lotus bud, returned home. In due time, she gave birth to a son. Yet, because her co-wife had given her that potion, the child was born together with it—he became Sagara. “There was a king named Sagara, famed for excavating the ocean. Having performed great sacrifices, he struck terror into his foes with the swiftness of his actions. Sagara’s son was Asamañja, who, for his wicked deeds, was expelled by his own father while still alive. “Asamañja’s son was the valiant Aṃśumān; Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, and Dilīpa’s son was Bhagīratha. From Bhagīratha came Kakutstha, by whom the Kakutstha lineage gained its name and renown. Kakutstha’s son was Raghu, from whom the Raghus are named. “Raghu’s son was the powerful and renowned Kalmāṣapāda, also known as Saudāsa, a devourer of men. Kalmāṣapāda’s son was Śaṅkhaṇa, who, inheriting his father’s strength, destroyed a thousand armies. Śaṅkhaṇa’s son was Sudarśana, illustrious and valiant; Sudarśana’s son was Agnivarṇa, and Agnivarṇa’s son was Śīghraga. “Śīghraga’s son was Maru; Maru’s son was Praśuśruka; Praśuśruka’s son was Ambarīṣa, radiant with great splendor. Ambarīṣa’s son was Nahuṣa, steadfast in truth and valor. Nahuṣa’s son was Nābhāga, supremely righteous. Nābhāga had two sons, Aja and Suvrata. Aja’s son was the righteous king Daśaratha. “And you, O Rāma, are the eldest and heir of Daśaratha, renowned throughout the world. Therefore, accept your own kingdom and care for your people as king. Among all the Ikṣvākus, it is always the eldest who is crowned king; when an elder exists, the younger is not consecrated for the throne. Do not violate the ancient law of the Raghus and your own lineage today. Rule the earth, abundant in riches and vast in realms, just as your illustrious ancestors did.” Thus Vasiṣṭha completed his account of the royal lineage and the duties of a king. Then, having spoken thus to Rāma, the royal priest Vasiṣṭha addressed him further with words filled with righteousness. “For anyone born into this world, O descendant of Kakutstha, there are three elders: the teacher, the father, and the mother. The father gives birth to the man, O best of men; the teacher imparts wisdom, and thus is called ‘guru.’ “Therefore, O destroyer of foes, I am the teacher of your father and of you as well. By following my words, you will not deviate from the path of the virtuous.