9 - The Progeny of Rudra: Birth of Bhrugu and others

Suta said:

1. By means of his mind, the lord then created five Kartras (doers or agents of creation). viz.: Rudra. Dharma, Manas (mind), Ruchi and Akruti.

2. All these are mighty-armed and they are the causes of the sustenance of the subjects. When the medicinal herbs decline again and again, it is Rudra who sustains them and revives them. 

3-4. By those who seek benefits, the Lord was well worshipped with whatever fruits and unmedicinal herbs were available (to them). He (that God) is called Tryambaka1 as in times of (impending?) extinction of medicinal herbs etc., sacrifice is offered to him by sages with three Kapila’s (plates or potsherds containing) of cakes sacred to him (Rudra).

1. Tryambaka means 'one having three eyes' and is an epithet of Siva. Here it is identified with Purodasha.

5-6. It has already been mentioned by me that the three Vedic metres, Gayatri, Trishtup and Jagati are the sources of origin of the Ambakas (i.e., Kapalas) along with the Vanaspati (i.e., the medicinal herbs). These three metres join together and assume unity (i.e., when they are used in Mantras at the time of the consecration of the Purodasha offerings). That Purodasha is infused with the virility of each of these mantras. Hence the Purodasha is remembered as Trikapala (having three vessels to hold it). Therefore, the Purodasha is Tryambaka as well. Hence the lord (to whom this Purodasha is offered) is remembered as Tryambaka. 

7. Dharma sustains all the subjects. Manas is remembered as that which caused knowledge. Akruti is the form of splendid beauty. Ruchi is remembered as one who inculcates Shraddha (faith). 

8-9. Thus, these protectors of the subjects are the causes of the sustenance of the subjects 

Even as he continued the creative activity for the sake of the multiplication of the subjects, those created subjects did not increase at all by any means. Therefore, he racked his intellect that should arrive at a decisive conclusion 

10. Then he saw the Tamas element moving within himself. Thanks to its own action, it had abandoned Rajas and Sattva and was existing by itself. 

11. Thereupon, due to that sorrow, the lord of the universe felt grieved. He pushed out the Tamas element and after-wards covered it with Rajas. 

12. That Tamas pushed out by him gave birth to a pair. On account of his unrighteous conduct, Himsa (Violence) and Shoka (grief) were born. 

13. When that pair in the form of Varana (covering up), was born, the lord became delighted. He resorted to this. 

14. From a half of the body of the lord who was delighted within himself thus, a woman conducive to great welfare, and charming and fascinating to all living beings, came out.1

1. Cf. Manu I.32.

15. That beautiful looking lady was indeed created from Prakruti by him as he was) desirous (of progeny) and was called Shatarupa. And she was again and again called so. 

16. It was then that the subjects were born of that noble souled being in the middle of Treta yuga as has already been mentioned by me to you in section-I Prakriyapada. 

17. When those subjects created by that intelligent self-possessed being did not increase in number, he created other mental sons similar to himself.

18-19. He created these nine mental sons1 viz.: Bhrugu, Angiras, Marichi, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Daksha, Atri and Vasishtha. In the Purana, these are decisively called the nine Brahmas" (because they were like) Brahma (the creator) unto all beings of controlled souls, having the Atman as their source of origin.

1. Cf. Manu I.35 also VP.I.8.4-6.

20. Then Brahma created again Dharma who was delightful and pleasant unto all living beings; as well as the Prajapati Ruchi. These two were the eldest of all ancient ones. 

21. He created from his intellect, Dharma who was delightful and pleasant unto all living beings. He who is named Ruchi was born of the mind of (the lord of) unmanifest birth, 

22-24. Sage Bhrgu was born of the heart of the lord whose source of origin was water. Brahma created Daksha from his vital breath and Marichi from his eyes. He created Rudra (also known as Nilalohita in the form of Abhimana (prestige honour). He created angiras from his head and Atri from the ears. From his Udana (?) vital breath (prana) he created Pulastya and Pulaha from Vyana. Vasishtha was born of Samana and he created Kratu from Apana.

25. Thus these twelve are remembered as the sons of Brahma at the beginning (of creation) of subjects. Dharma was the first-born among those Devatas. 

26. Bhrugu and others who had been created arc remembered as Brahmarshis (Brahminical sages). They are the ancient house-holders and Dharma (virtue) was initially established by them. 

27-28a. In the Kalpa, these twelve-give birth to subjects again and again. Their twelve races are divine and equipped with Divine qualities. They perform holy rites and have (i.e., procreate) progeny. They are adorned (honoured) by great sages. 

28b-29. When the progeny created by Dharma and other great sages (who themselves) had been created (by him) did not multiply, the intelligent and self-possessed lord became slightly enveloped by Tamas and afflicted by grief. 

30. Just as Brahma was enveloped by Tamas elements, so also in the case of his sons too another Tamas element issued forth. 

31-32. Adharma is in the nature of return flow (?) and Himsa (Violence) is inauspicious by nature. Then when he was obstructed and the nature of the covering was manifest, Brahma discarded his own shining physical body. After dividing his own body into two, he became a man by one half. 

33. By (another) half he became a woman and she was Shatarupa. She was the Prakruti,1 the mother of all living beings (and manifested thus) because the lord was creating out of desire.

1. The Sankhya pair of Prakruti and Purusha are represented there as Shatarupa and Manu. The terms Vairaja, Purusha, Manu (and Samrat) are used as synonyms.

34-36. With her grandeur, she pervaded the firmament and the earth and remained steady. That was the former body of Brahma who stayed enveloping the firmament. The half that was created as a woman became Shatarupa. That divine lady performed a very difficult penance for a hundred thousand years and obtained Purusha of brilliant fame as her husband. Indeed, he is called Manu, the Purusha, the earlier son of the self-born lord. 

37-38a. Seventy-one sets of four Yugas constitute what is called his Manvantara (reign of a Manu). After obtaining as his wife, Shatarupa who was not born of any womb, the Purusha sported with her. Hence it is called Rati (sexual dalliance). 

38b-40. The first union took place in the beginning of the Kalpa. Brahma created Virat (the immense Being). That Virat became the Purusha. He, accompanied by Shatarupa, is remembered as Vairaja, Manu and Samrat (Emperor). That Purusha, Manu, the Vairaja created subjects (begot progeny). From Vairaja, the Purusha, Shatarupa gave birth to two heroic sons. 

41. They were Priyavrata and Uttanapada. These two sons were the most excellent sons that persons possessing sons could expect. (She gave birth to) two daughters also of great fortune. From them these subjects were born.

42. They were the divine lady named Akuti and auspicious lady Prasuti. Both of them were auspicious. The lordly son of the self-born lord gave Prasuti to Daksha. 

43. He gave Akuti to Ruchi, the Prajapati. An auspicious pair was born of Akuti as the progeny of Ruchi, the mental son (of Brahma). 

44. They were the twins Yajna and Dakshina. Twelve sons were born to Yajna and Dakshina. 

45. They were the Devas named Yamas in the Svayambhuva Manvantara. They were the sons of twins, viz: Yajna and Dakshina. Hence, they are remembered as Yamas.1

1. Derivation of Yama, the gods of the Svayambhuva Manvantara.

46. (?) Two groups of Brahma are remembered viz: Ajitas and Shukras. The Yamas who have the appellation Divaukas (heaven-dwellers) circumambulated the former. 

47. Lord Daksha begot of Prasuti, the daughter of Svayambhuva Manu, twenty-four daughters who became mothers of the world. 

48-49a. All of them were highly fortunate. All of them were lotus-eyed. All of them were wives of Yogin’s and all of them were Yogic mothers. All of them were expounders of Brahman and all of them were the mothers of the universe. 

49b-50. Lord Dharma accepted the following) thirteen daughters of Daksha as his wives, viz: Sraddha, Lakshmi, Dhruti, Tushti, Pushti, Medha, Kriya, Buddhi, Lajja, Vasu, Shanti, Siddhi, and Kirti as the thirteenth. 

51-52. These door-ways of his creative activity) were ordained by the self-born lord. The others that remained were the eleven younger daughters of beautiful eyes. viz: Sati, Khyati, Sambhuti, Smruti, Priti, Kshama, Sannati, Anasuya. Urja, Svaha and Svadha. 

53-54. Other great sages accepted them (as wives). They were Rudra, Bhrgu, Marichi, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, Atri, Vasishta, Agni and Pitrus. He gave (in marriage) Sati to Bhava and Khyati to Bhrugu. 

55. To Marichi, he gave Sambhuti, and Smruti to Angiras, To Pulastya he gave Priti and Kshama to Pulaha.

56. To Kratu, he gave Sannati and the daughter) named Anasuya to Atri. He gave Urja to Vasishta and Svaha to Agni (the fire-God). 

57-58. He gave Svadha to the Pitrus. Listen from me their children. All these were highly fortunate ladies; their subjects (children) obediently followed them in all Manvantaras till the time of ultimate annihilation (of the world). Sraddha gave birth to Kama and Darpa (arrogance) is remembered as the son of Lakshmi.1

1. VV. 58-67 personify virtues and vices and state their parentage. Out of these VV.63-68 describe the Tamasa creation.

59. Niyama (Restraint) was the son of Dhruti (Courage). Santosha (Contentment) is mentioned as the son of Tushti (Satisfaction). Labha (gain) was the son of Pushti (Nourishment) and Shruta (Learning) was the son of Medha (Intellect). 

60. Dama (Restraint of sense-organs) and Shama (Restraint of the mind) are mentioned as the sons of Kriya (Activity). Bodha (Understanding) and Apramada (Absence of Errors) were the sons of Buddhi (Intellect). 

61. Vinaya (Modesty) was the son of Lajja (Bashfulness). Vyavasaya (Enterprise) was the son of Vasu. Kshema (Welfare) was the son of Shanti (Tranquillity). Sukha (Happiness) was born of Siddhi (Achievement). 

62. Yashas (Fame) was the son of Kirti (Renown) — These were the sons of Dharma. Kama’s (Love's) son Harsha (Delight) was born of the noble lady Siddhi (Achievement). 

63. Through Adharma (Evil), Himsa (Violence) gave birth to the two children Nikruti (Dishonesty, Wickedness) and Anruta (Falsehood). 

64. Two twins were born of Nikruti and Anruta viz Bhaya (Far), Naraka (Hell), Maya (Illusion) and Vedana (Pain). 

65. Through Maya, Maya gave birth to Mrutyu (Death) that takes away all living beings. Then Duhkha (Misery) was born of Vedana through Raurava (Hell).

66. Vyadhi (Sickness) gave birth to Jara (Old age), Shoka (Grief), Krodha (Anger) and Asuya (Jealousy) through Mrutyu. All these are remembered as characteristics of Adharma (Evil) with misery as the ultimate end.

67. Their wife, son, —everyone is remembered as death-less. 

Thus, this Tamasa creation took birth with Adharma as the controlling one. 

68. Nilalohita was commanded by Brahma, “Beget progeny". He contemplated on his wife Sati and created sons.1

1. VV. 68-80 describe the Raudri Srushti (creation by Rudra) and he was asked by Brahma to stop creation as he was procreating immortal progeny and Rudra complied.

69. They were neither superior to him nor inferior. They were his mental sons on a par with himself. He created thousands and thousands of such children wearing elephant hides. 

70-80. All of them had these characteristics and features: All of them were on a par with himself in form, brilliance, strength and learning. They were tawny-coloured. They had quivers and matted hair. They were dark blue-red in complexion. They were devoid of tufts. They had no hairs. They were killers with eyes (by casting a look). They had Kapalas (skills) with them. They had huge beautiful forms and hideous cosmic forms. Some occupied chariots and wore coats of mail. They were defenders wearing armours. They had hundreds and thousands of arms. They were able to go through the firmament, earth and heaven; they had big heads, eight fangs, two tongues and three eyes. (Some were) eaters of rice, (some) eaters of flesh, (some) drinkers of ghee and (some of) Soma juice. (Some) had penises of great size; fierce bodies and blue necks. Some had fierce fury. They had quivers and armours, bows, swords and leather shields. Some were seated; some were running. Some yawning and some occupying (seats). Some were reciting the Vedas), some performing Japas, Yogic practices and meditations. Some were blazing. Some were showering, some shining and some smoking. Some were enlightened. Some were wakeful, alert and enlightened. Some had the property of Brahma (?). Some had the vision of Brahman. They had blue necks and thousand eyes. All of them were walking over the earth. They were invisible to all living beings. They had great Yogic power, virility and splendour. They were shouting and running. On seeing Rudra creating these excellent Devas with these qualities and features, in thousands even before the expiry of the period of a Yama, Brahma told him—"Do not create subjects like these. The subjects should not be created on a par with oneself or superior to oneself; welfare unto you. Create other subjects vulnerable to death. Subjects devoid of death do not begin to perform holy rites". 

81. Thus addressed, he (Rudra) said to him (Brahma): “I will not create progeny subject to death and old age. Prosperity unto you. I am standing by (i.e., cease to procreate); you please create, o lord. 

82. These hideous and bluish-red coloured subjects who had been created by me in thousands and thousands, have come out of my own self. 

83. These Devas will be known by the name of Rudras. They are highly powerful. Those Rudranis are well-known over the earth and firmament. 

84. Enumerated in the (Vedic text) Shatarudra, they will become worthy of Yajnas. All of them will partake of the Yajnas along with the groups of Devas. 

85. Till the end of the Yuga, they will remain, on being worshipped along with those Devas born of Cchandas (Vedas or-born as they are pleased) in the Manvantaras. 

86. On being told thus by Mahadeva, that lord Brahma, the delighted lord of subjects replied to the terrible Rudra. 

87. "O lord welfare unto you. Let it be as spoken by you." 

When it was permitted by Brahma, everything happened that way. 

88. Thenceforth, the lord Sthanu did not beget subjects. He remained celibate till the ultimate annihilation. 

89-91a. He is remembered by learned man as Sthanu1 because it was said by him thus—"I am standing by". All these qualities are present in Shankara—viz: knowledge, penance, truthfulness, glorious prosperity, virtue, detachment and com prehension of the self. He excels all the Devas and sages along with the Asuras, by means of his splendour. Hence the lord is remembered as Mahadeva1 (Great god).

1.    Derivation of Sthanu.

1. Derivation of Mahadeva.

91b-92. He excels the Devas through his glorious prosperity, the great Asuras through his power, all the sages through his knowledge and all the living beings through Yoga. It is thus that Mahadeva is bowed to by all the Devas. After creating the subjects devoid of enterprise, he refrained from creation.