At the end of a great cycle, the original, resplendent form of the Sun was transformed, O subduer of foes. The radiance of Vivasvat, the Sun, spread in every direction—across, above, and below—encompassing all. Yet, because of this overwhelming brilliance, the lord of the day himself became ashamed of his own form. Witnessing this, Tvaṣṭṛ, the great ascetic and divine craftsman, contemplated how to fashion a disc to contain that power. With permission granted, Tvaṣṭṛ set about creating a new form for the Sun. Approaching Mārtaṇḍa Vivasvat, he placed a whirling device—like a disc—and cut away a portion of the Sun’s excessive brilliance. That radiance, thus removed, shone forth separately, becoming distinct from the Sun’s new, tempered form. Then, yearning to behold a being even more beautiful than his beloved, Vivasvat entered deep yogic meditation. In that state, he perceived a mare in his own wife, and, by his radiance and will, became invisible to all beings. Taking the form of a horse, the Sun entered into union with her through her mouth. But she, suspicious that another male sought her, resisted and expelled the inferior seed of Vivasvat through her nostrils. From this expelled seed were born the two divine physicians, the Ashvins, best among healers, remembered as Nasatya and Dasra—the twin Ashvins. These two are the sons of Mārtaṇḍa, the eighth Prajapati. The radiant Sun then revealed himself to his wife in a pleasing form. Seeing him thus, his wife was filled with joy and fainted away in delight. At this time, Yama, the king of righteousness, was suffering greatly, afflicted in mind by a curse. Yet, by virtue, he delighted his mother, and through this righteous act, he attained supreme splendor. He was granted lordship over the ancestors and became a guardian of the world, as did Manu, the illustrious Sāvarṇi Prajāpati. This Manu, destined to preside in the future Sāvarṇi Manvantara, even now wanders upon the beautiful summit of Meru. There, Yama’s brother, Śanaiścara (Saturn), attained the status of a planet. Tvaṣṭṛ, using the brilliance he had removed from the Sun, fashioned Viṣṇu’s discus: a mighty, irresistible weapon, an impenetrable barrier against the Dānavas. Of the two children, the younger, renowned as Yamunā, became the foremost of rivers, sustaining the worlds. Now, let me tell you in detail of the eldest—the mighty one whose creation is ongoing: the progeny of Manu Vaivasvata. Whoever hears or recites this divine birth of the seven mighty sons of Vaivasvata will be freed from calamity and attain great fame. Sūta continued: When the Cākṣuṣa Manvantara had passed, along with its divine guardians, the great sovereignty of the earth was entrusted to Vaivasvata Manu. Listen, O sages, as I recount in order the lineage of the great-souled Vaivasvata. In this present creation, Manu Vaivasvata had nine sons: Ikṣvāku, Nahuṣa, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, Nariṣyanta, Prāṃśu, Nābhāga, Ariṣṭa, Karūṣa, and Pṛṣadhra—these are remembered as the sons of Manu. Long ago, Manu, prompted by Brahmā, began to create, but his efforts bore no fruit. Desiring a son, Prajapati Manu performed a supreme sacrifice, offering oblations into the portion of Mitra and Varuna. From this divine offering, adorned with celestial garments, ornaments, and armor, a being named Ida was born, as tradition declares. Manu, known as the bearer of the staff, addressed Ida, saying, “I will follow you, O blessed one.” But Ida replied, “O best of speakers, I am born from the portion of Mitra and Varuna, O Prajapati who desires a son. I must go to them, for righteousness must not be compromised between us.” So, the goddess Ida went to Mitra and Varuna, joining her palms in reverence: “O gods, I am born in your portion; what shall I do? Manu himself has asked me to follow him.” Hearing her virtuous words, Mitra and Varuna took Ida under their protection and said, “Because of your humility, self-restraint, truthfulness, and devotion, O beautiful and fortunate one, you will be renowned as our daughter.” They further decreed, “He will be known as Sudyumna, honored in the three worlds, beloved of all, righteous in conduct, and the enhancer of Manu’s lineage.” Thus, Sudyumna, born of Manu, assumed the form of a woman; the goddess, having received her boon, returned to her father. Meeting Budha, the son of Soma, she was invited to union, and from their union was born Pururavas, founder of the Aila lineage. After giving birth to Sudyumna from Budha, she returned again, and Sudyumna had three supremely righteous heirs: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatashva. Utkala ruled Utkala, Vinatashva’s kingdom lay in the west, and Gaya, the royal sage, held the city of Gaya. With Manu thus established, the Sun created the peoples and divided the earth into ten regions. Ikṣvāku alone obtained ten heirs, but because Sudyumna was a woman, he did not receive that share. By the instruction of the sage Vasiṣṭha, Pratiṣṭhāna, the splendid city, was established for Sudyumna, the great-souled and righteous king. Sudyumna, having attained the kingdom, gave it to Pururavas. And so, among Manu’s descendants, Sudyumna—marked by both womanhood and manhood—again assumed the form of a woman. Thus unfolds the sacred lineage, the wondrous deeds, and the divine births stemming from the radiant Sun and Manu Vaivasvata, sanctifying the earth and its peoples for all ages.