A. Royden D'souza

In the line of the first Manu, Svāyambhuva, there was a son named Priyavrata. Priyavrata had a brother—Uttānapāda, father of the famous king Dhruva. From this same lineage emerged a child destined to become the next Manu. Uttama Manu.

Lopāmudrā’s earliest memories were of Vidarbha’s palace, a world of shimmering silk, perfumed lamps, and morning music in polished halls.

Tāṭakā did not begin as a rākṣasī. She was born yakṣiṇī, a forest spirit of auspicious lineage. Her father Suketu had earned her from Brahmā through austerities.

Indra had come in the guise of Gautama. Ahalya had been clever enough to seek certainty, but not clever enough to turn away when the certainty she sought was not pure certainty, but desire and flattery wearing the form of trust.