19 - Description of secondary creation: the progeny of Kasyapa

Agni said:

1-3. O Sage! I describe the creation (made) by Kaśyapa through Aditi and others. Those devas who were (known) as Tushita in the Cåkshusha manvantara, again became (the sons) of Kaśyapa through Aditi in the Vaivasvata manvantara as the twelve Adityas (with the names) Vishnu, Sakra, Tvashțr, Dhått, Aryaman, Pushan, Vivasvat, Savitr, Mitra, Varuna, Bhaga, and Amśu. The progeny of the wives of Arishtanemi were sixteen. 

4. The four lightnings were the daughters of the learned Bahuputra. Those born of Angiras were excellent. (The progeny) of Kršāśva were the celestial weapons.² 

2. According to the science of Jyotisa, these four lightnings are kapila, atlohita, pitā and asita indicating respectively wind, heat, rain and famine. 

5. Just as the sun rises and sets, similarly these (do) in every yuga. From Kaśyapa, Hiranyakasipu and Hiraṇyākṣa (were born) through Diti. 

6. Simhikä was also their daughter, who was married by Vipracitti. Råhu and others born to her were known as Saimhikeyas. 

7-8. The four sons of Hiranyakaśipu (were) very effulgent. (They were) Anuhrada, Hráda, Prahráda a staunch devotee of Vishnu; and Samhrada was the fourth (son). Hrada (was) the son of Hráda. Ayushmat, Sibi, and Bashkala (were) the sons of Hrada. 

9. Virocana (was) the son of Prahrada. Bali was born to Virocana. Bali had hundred sons. Bāņa was the foremost among them, O great sage! 

10. Having propitiated the consort of Uma (Siva) in the past kalpa, a boon was obtained by Bäņa from the lord that he would always wander by the side (of the lord). 

11. The sons of Hiraṇyākṣa were five.¹ Sambara, Śakuni², Dvimūrddhan, Sankurårya³ were (the prominent among) the hundred sons of Danu. 

1. They are Utkura, Sakuni, Bhútasantāpana, Mahånábha, Mahābāhu and Kälanåbha. See V..P. I. xxi. 1-3, 

2. Given as the son of Hiranyáksha. See ibid. 3. Sankusirah. Sec ibid. 

The reading given in the text here mixes the progeny of Hiranyaksha and that of Danu. 

12. Suprabha was the daughter of Svarbhānu (a son of Danu). Śachi was known as the daughter of Puloman (a son of Danu). Upadanavi, Hayasira, and Sarmishthå (were) the daughters of Vrushaparvan (a son of Danu). 

13. Puloma and Kalakä were the two daughters of Vaišvanara. They both married Kaśyapa and they had crores of sons. 

14-16. In the family of Prahrada (were born) four crores (of sons) (known as) the nivdtakavaca (protected by armour). Tämrå had six daughters-Kaki, Śyeni, Bhasi, Grudhrikā, Suchi and Sugriva. The crows and (other birds) were born from them. The horses and camels (were born in the line) of Tamrå. Aruna and Garuda (were born) from Vinata. Thousands of serpents (were) born of Surasa. Thousands of serpents (such as) Sesa, Väsuki, Takshaka and others were born of Kadrū. 

17. Animals having tusks, other earthly beings and the aquatic birds were born to Krodha. The cows, buffaloes and other animals (were born) from Surabhi. The grass and other things were the production of Irå. 

18. The Yakshas (semi-divine beings) and the demons (were born) of Khasa. The nymphs came into being from Muni. The Gandharvas (a class of semi-divine beings) (were born) to Arishțā. Thus the stationary as well as the movable are born of Kaśyapa. 

19-21. Innumerable are the offspring of these. The Dänavas (the progeny of Danu) (the demons) were conquered by the celestials. Diti, who had lost her offspring, propitiated Kaśyapa, desirous of (getting) a son capable of destroying Indra. (She) achieved (her object) from Kaśyapa. Indra, seeking to find a fault (found out thatshe) had slept without washing her feet and destroyed (cut off) the embryo. They became celestials (known as) Maruts, fifty one (in number) radiant with lustre and the allies of Sakra (Indra).² 

1.    Failure to observe the necessary hygiene deprived her desire to get a var quisher of Indra. For a detailed account of this episode ace VI.P. I. xxi. 30-41; P. Index II. pp. 87-88.

2. Cf. Vi. P. I. xxi. 11-14. 

22. All these (are) forms of Hari. Having installed Pruthu as the ruler, Hari duly set apart kingdoms for others. 

23. The moon (was made the king) of the twice-born and the plants, Varuņa (as) the king of waters, Vaiśravaņa (Kubera) (as) the king of kings, Vishnu (as) the lord of Suns. 

24. Påvaka (fire) as the king of Vasus; Väsava (Indra) (as) the lord of Maruts and then Daksha (as the king) of Prajapatis (patriarchs), Prahlada (as) the ruler of demons. 

25. Yama (was made) the king of manes, Hara (Siva) (as) the lord of goblins, Himavat (as the ruler) of mountains, the ocean (as) the lord of rivers. 

26. Chitraratha (was made the ruler) of Gandharvas, and then Väsuki (as the ruler) of Nägas, Takshaka (as) the king of serpents, and then Garuda, among the birds. 

27. The Airavata (was made the ruler) among the lords of elephants, bull of the kine and the tiger, of the animals, (and) Plaksa (the Indian fig-tree) (as) the lord of trees. 

28. And Uccaiḥśravas (was made the ruler) among the horses². Sudhanvan (son of Vairaja Prajapati) became the regent of the east, Sankhapad (the son of Kardama Prajāpati) (the regent) of the south, Ketumat (son of Rajas) as the protector of the waters (on the west), Hiranyaromaka (son of Parjanya Prajapati) on the Saumya (the north).