5 - Creation of Progenitors

Hari said: 

1. After mentally creating the order of things here and there at the time of Praja-sarga, the Lord created the mental sons who were the progenitors of praja.

2-3-4-5. The mind-created sons are Dharma, Rudra, Manu, Sanaka, Sanatana, Bhrugu, Sanatkumara, Ruchi, Shraddha Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vasishtha, Narada and the seven types of manes, namely, Barhishads, Agnishvattas, Kravyadas, Ajyapas, Sukalins, Upahutas and Dipyas of whom three are formless and four having forms. The Lotus born Lord created Daksha from his right thumb; from his left thumb he created Daksha's wife. 

6. Daksha begot meritorious daughters on her and gave them in marriage to the sons of Brahma. Sati1 was given to Rudra in marriage.

1. The first wife of Shiva. His second wife was Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya.

7. Rudra's sons were innumerable and very powerful. He gave his daughter Khyati of un-rivalled grace to Bhrugu.2

2. The progenitor of the Bhargava race to which Parashurama belonged.

8. She gave birth to Dhatru and Vidhatru from Bhrugu. She also gave birth to Shri,3 the wife of Narayana.

3. Lakshmi, goddess of wealth.

9. From her Hari himself begot Bala and Unmada. Ayati and Niyati were the daughters of the high-souled Manu.4

4. The progenitor of mankind.

10. They became the wives of Dhatru and Vidhatru of whom two sons were born-Prana and Mrukandu. Markandeya5 was the son of Mrukandu.

5. The author of the Markandeya-Purana.

11. Sambhuti, the wife of Marichi, gave birth to Paurnamasa. Virajas and Sarvaga were his sons. 

12. Angiras begot on Smruti many sons and daughters Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka and Anumati. 

13. Anasuya, the wife of Atri, gave birth to the sinless sons—Soma, Durvasas6 and Dattatreya the yogin. 

6. A well-known sage with a fiery temperament

14-15. Pulastya begot on his wife Priti a son Dattoli, Karmasha, Arthavira and Sahishnu—these three sons were born of Kshama, the wife of Prajapati Pulaha. Sumati, the wife of Kratu, gave birth to Balakhilyas7

7. The authors of the Balakhilya-hymns. 

16. Sixty-thousand in number, resplendent like the blazing sun, though they were of the size of a thumb-They became sages of sublimated vitality. 

17-18. Vasishtha1 begot on Urja seven sons—-Rajas, Gatra, Urdhvabahu, Sharana, Anagha, Sutapas and Shukra. They are known as the sinless Sapta-rushis2. Daksha gave his daughter Svaha in marriage to God fire who had assumed body.

1. The family of the Vasishthas was very illustrious one. The seventh Mandala of the Rugveda is ascribed to them. Vasistha was also the priest of Dasharatha and Ramachandra of Ayodhya.

2. This list of the seven sages varies from the well-known list.

19. From him, O Hara, she got three sons, known as Pavaka, pavamana and Shuchi, who were of exalted virility and habitually consuming water. 

20-21-22-23. Svadha who married the manes gave birth to Mena and Vaitarani both of whom became brahma-Vadinis3 (experts in the discussion of Brahman. From Mena, Himachala got a son Mainaka4 and a daughter5 Gauri who was Sati formerly. O Hara, Lord Brahma appointed his son Svayambhuva Manu, who was really Brahma himself, in the task of preserving the subjects. Then the all-pervasive lord Svayambhuva Manu married lady Shatarupa who had destroyed her sins by ascetic austerities. Shatarupa gave birth to two sons:

3. It proves that the women were not debarred from the Vedic studies. 

4. A famous mountain. Opinions defer regarding its location. (Refer CDHM, p. 94) 

5. Well known as Parvati, the second wife of Shiva.

24. Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters Prasuti, Akuti and Devahuti. Manu gave Akuti in marriage to Ruchi. 

25. Prasuti to Daksha and Devahuti to Kardama, Ruchi’s children were Dakshina and Yajna. 

26. They had twelve sons, the powerful yamas.6 Daksha had twenty-four daughters excellent in all respects. 

6. The reference is to the great moral or religious duties of observances, (SSED, P. 455).

27. They were Shraddha (faith), Lakshmi (wealth), Dhruti, (fortitude), Tushti (satisfaction), Pushti, (Nouishment), Medha, (Retentiveness), Kriya (Action), Buddhi (Intelligence), Lajja (bashfulness), Vapuh (Beauty), Shanti (Peace) Ruddhi (prosperity) and Kirti (fame) the thirteenth. 

28. Dharma married Dakshayani the daughter of Daksha. The eleven other daughters were Khyati (praise), Sati (chastity) Sambhuti (production), Smruti (Memory), Priti (Affection), Kshama (Forgiveness). 

29. Sannati (Obeisance), Anasuya (absence of malice) Urja, (Energy) Svaha1 and Svadha.2 The great sages Bhrugu, Bhava, Marichi, Angiras.

1. Generally an exclamation used in offering oblations to the gods. It also means an oblation or offering made to all gods indiscriminately [Refer STED p. 633).

2. Generally an exclamation uttered when offering an oblation to the manes. It also means the food offered to the manes. (SSED, P. 631). 

30-31. Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Atri, Vasishtha, Vahni and the manes married respectively Khyati and others. Shraddha gave birth to Kama (Desire), cala (Lakshmi) to Darpa (Pride), Dhruhti to Niyama (Restraint). 

32. Tushti to Santosha (Contentment) and (Pushti gave birth to Lobha (Greatness). Medha gave birth to Shruta (knowledge) and Kriya to three sons: Danda, (Punishment) Laya (Adherence) and Vinaya (humanity). 

33. Buddhi to Bodha (enlightenment) and Lajja to Vinaya (Humility). Vapus gave birth to the son Vyavasaya (Effort) and Santi to Kshema (Welfare). 

34. Ruddhi gave birth to Sukha (Happiness) and Kirti to Yashas (Renown). These are the sons of Dharma. Kama's wife was Rati (Love) and their son Harsha (Joy). 

35. Once Daksha performed a horse-sacrifice to which all his sons-in-law were invited. 

36. They were accompanied by their wives. Sati, though not invited, went there, without Rudra, and was disrespected by Daksha. 

37. Sati cast off her body and was born again as the daughter of Mena and Himavan. She was then known as Gauri and she married Shambhu. She gave birth to Vinayaka (Ganesha). 

38. And Kumara, Rudra, the Lord of Bhrungins, (the attendants of Shiva) and most powerful bearer of Pinaka, (the famous bow of Shiva) being infuriated destroyed the sacrifice and cursed Daksha: "You will be born as a man in the line of Dhruva".1 (son of Uttanapada).

1. A son of Uttanapada. A great devotee of Vishnu. The pole-star is known as Dhruva star after him. (Also, CDHM, p. 91).