38 - Vaivasvata Manvantara: The Maricha Creation

Suta said: 

1. During the Seventh Manvantara of Vaivasvata Manu, the Devas and the great sages were born of Kashyapa, the son of Marichi. ¹ 

1. This explains the Title "The Maricha Creation". 

2. The following are remembered as the eight groups of Devas: (1) Adityas (2) Vasus (3) Rudras (4) Sadhyas (5) Vishvedevas (6) Maruts (7) Bhrugus and (8) Angiras. 

3-4. The Adityas, Maruts and Rudras should be known as the sons of Kaśhyapa. The three sets (of gods) viz. Sådhyas, Vishvedevas and Vasus are the sons of Dharma. The Bhrugus are the sons of Bhrugu and the Devas (called) Angiras are the sons of Angiras. In this Vaivasvata Manvantara, these are considered to be Chandajas (born of Chandas). 

5. All these too will meet death after the efflux of time. Thus the current splendid creation should be known as that of the son of Marichi. 

6-8. At present, their brilliant Indra is Mahabala (greatly powerful) by name. 

The Indras of all the Manvantaras of the past, present and future should be known as having equal (similar) charac teristic features. All of them are the lords of everything) past, present and future. * All of them are bountiful and crested (eminent) and wield the thunderbolt in their hands. All of them have severally performed a hundred sacrifices. 

* See VV.12-20 below for the special meaning of bhuta, bhavat and bhavya. 

9-12. There Indras have overpowered all living beings whether mobile or immobile in the three worlds, by their Dharma (and other special reasons), by their brilliance, penance, intelligence, might, learning and exploit. I shall explain to you in details why (and how) these mighty ones are the dominant lords and masters of Bhūta, Bhavya and Bhavat, (try to understand me as I recount. It is remembered by the Brāhmaṇas that Bhuta, Bhavya and Bhavat are the three worlds. This Bhürloka (Earth) is remembered as Bhuta; the Antariksha (Atmosphere) is remembered as Bhavat. The Diva (Heaven) is remembered as Bhavya. I shall mention their means (of derivation). 

13. While meditating upon the names (i.e. what names should be given to the worlds), this (name viz. bhuh) was uttered at the outset by god Brahmä. As the word Bhuh was spoken at the outset the Bhurloka (Earth) came into existence. 

14-15. The root Bhu—is remembered as one meaning 'existence'. It also means'appearance of the world'. Hence this first world became Bhürloka because of its 'coming into being', (Bhutatva) as well its being visible (Darśhana). It is remembered by the Brāhmaṇas as 'Bhūr' because of its being bhuta. After this had come into being, the second word Bhavat was uttered by Brahmä. 

16. The word Bhavat is used when something is being produced. Bhuvarloka (atmosphere) is mentioned by this word because of its being produced (Bhavana.) 

17-20. The atmosphere (Antariksha) being bhavat (is the process of being produced). The second world is, therefore, called Bhavat. 

When the second world had been produced the word Bhavya was uttered by Brahma. Therefore, that world became Bhavya world. The word Bhavya is considered in the case of what has not yet come into existence (or happened). Hence this Bhavya is remembered by the name Tridiva (Heaven). The Earth is remembered by the word Bhu. The Antariksha (Atmosphere)is remembered as Bhuvah. The heaven is remembered as Bhavya, this is the decision in regard to the names of the three worlds. Three Vyahrutis (utterances) took place (while) speaking about the three worlds. 

21-22. There is a root viz. Nath--This root is rem embered by persons who know (grammar) in the sense of protection'. Since they are the protectors of the three worlds namely the Bhuta, Bhavya and Bhavat, they are declared as Indras by Brähmaņas. Devendras are the Chief ones and the meritorious ones. 

23a. In the Manvantaras those who are the Devas are participants in (the oblations etc. in) sacrifices are called the protectors of the three worlds by the Brahmaņas. 

23b-25. The Yakșhas, the Gandharvas, the Räkshasas, the Pisachas, the Serpents and the human beings are remenbered as (cffects of the glory of the Devendras. The Devendras are the elders, protectors, kings and the Pits (Manes). The excellent gods protect these subjects righteously. Thus the characteristic features of the Devendras have been succinctly recounted. 

26-29. I shall mention the seven sages who have current ly resorted to the heaven. They are (1) The intelligent sage Vishvämitra of great penance, who was the son of Gadhi and who belonged to the family of Kushika. (2) Jamadagni, the valorous son of Aurva and the scion of the family of Bhrugu. (3) Bharadvāja of great reputation who was the son of Bruhaspati. (4) The righteous and scholarly sage named 'Sharadvān' who was the son of Utathya and who belonged to the family of Gotama. (5) The holy lord Atri son of the Selfborn lord is the fifth one. He is (otherwise known as Brahmakosha (having Brahman as the protective covering). (6) Vasuman the son of Vasișhtha is well known in the world. He is the sixth one (7) Vatsara born of the family of Kaśhyapa. 

These seven sages are honoured by good men. 

30-33. These seven sages enumerated now exist in the present Manvantara. 

The following nine are the righteous sons of Vaivasvata Manu: Ikșhváku, Nruga who was impudent, Sharyati, Narișhyanta, Nabhäga who was famous, Dișhța, Karūsha, Prushadhra and Påmšhu who is remembered as the ninth. They have been glorified as very religious. This present Manvantara is the Seventh one. 

Thus, O Brahmaņas, the Second Pada (quarter) has been recounted by me in detail and the proper order. What more shall I recount?