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Library: Ancient lineage of Devas and Asuras.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Then, Nārāyaṇa and Indra made an agreement to descend from heaven to earth, partially accompanied by the gods.
Indra, having given instructions to all the gods himself, departed once more from the abode of Nārāyaṇa.
The celestial beings descended from heaven to earth gradually for the destruction of the enemies of the gods and for the welfare of all beings.
Then, O tiger among kings, celestial beings were born as desired in the lineages of Brahmarshis and royal families.
They slew numerous creatures, such as demons, ogres, celestial beings, serpents, man-eaters, and others.
O best of the Bharatas, even in their childhood, the demons, rakshasas, celestial musicians, and serpents could not kill those strong ones.
Janamejaya spoke:
The groups of gods, demons, celestial musicians, nymphs, humans, and all beings, including yakshas and rakshasas, were present.
I wish to truly understand the complete origin of all beings from the beginning, as you are the knower of everything in every way.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Alas, I shall tell you, after saluting the self-born, about the true origin and dissolution of the worlds, including those of the gods and others.
The six great sages, known as the mind-born sons of Brahma, are Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu.
Kashyapa, the son of Marichi, had these thirteen illustrious daughters born from him, who were the daughters of Daksha.
Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kālā, Anāyuḥ, Siṃhikā, the sage, Krodhā, Prāvā, Ariṣṭā, and Vinatā, as well as Kapilā.
Kadru and the daughter of Daksha, O tiger among men and descendant of Bharata, had endless progeny endowed with prowess.
In Aditi, twelve Ādityas were born as the lords of the world. O king, I will recount their names to you, O Bhārata.
Dhātā, Mitra, Aryaman, Indra, Varuna, Aṃśa, Bhaga, Vivasvan, Pūṣā, and Savitā are the ten deities mentioned here.
Thus, Tvaṣṭā is the eleventh, and Viṣṇu is considered the twelfth. He is the youngest among all the Ādityas and is superior in qualities.
Hiraṇyakaśipu is remembered as the only son of Diti. His five sons, known by name, are considered great souls.
Prahlada was the eldest among them, followed by Samhrada. Anuhrada was the third, and from him came Shibi and Baskala.
Prahlada had three sons who were famous everywhere, O Bharata: Virocana, Kumbha, and Nikumbha were well-known.
Virocana had a son named Bali, who was mighty. Bali, in turn, had a famous son named Bāṇa, who was a great demon.
O Bharata, the forty sons of Danu are renowned everywhere. Among them, the first-born is the king Vipracitti, who is greatly renowned.
Śambara, Namuci, Pulomā, Asiloma, Keśī, and Durjaya are renowned demons.
The one who is iron-headed, horse-headed, iron-spiked, and powerful; also sky-headed and swift, with a banner.
Svarbhanu, the horse, the lord of horses, Vrishaparva, Ajaka, Ashvagriva, and Tuhunda are all great demons, subtle in nature.
Isripa, Ekacakra, Virupaksha, Hara, Harau, Nicandra, Nikumbha, Kupatha, and Kapatha are mentioned here.
Sharabha, Shalabha, and the Sun and Moon are known as celebrated Danavas in the lineage of Danu. However, the Sun and Moon are also remembered among the gods.
These ten sons of Danu, O great king, are famous in the lineage, endowed with strength and very powerful, being the foremost among the Danavas.
The one-eyed hero, who drinks the dead, along with Pralamba and Naraka, also includes Vātāpi, the scorcher of enemies, deceitful and indeed a great demon.
Gavistha, Danayu, Dirghajihva, and Danava are remembered as having countless sons and grandsons, O Bharata.
Siṃhikā gave birth to her son Rāhu, who tormented the moon and sun, and also to Suchandra, who was known as the moon killer and tormentor.
The group, known for its cruel nature and as the destroyer of the cruel one's descendants, is driven by anger and is named for its ruthless deeds and ability to crush enemies.
Anāyuṣa had four sons who were the foremost among the Asuras: Vikṣara, Balavīra, and Vṛtra, the great Asura.
The renowned sons of Kāla, resembling Kāla in might, are known on earth for their great strength and are feared among the demons as formidable warriors.
The Kāleyas are known as destroyers and embodiments of anger, killers of anger, and enemies of anger, each one distinct in their own right.
Śukra, the son of a sage, became the teacher of the demons. The four sons of Uśanas were renowned as priests of the demons.
Tvaṣṭā, who is excellent, along with three others and two performers of rituals, shine with brilliance like the sun, illuminating the realm of Brahma.
Thus, I have recounted to you the origin of the mighty lineage of both demons and gods, as it has been heard by me in the ancient Purana.
O King, it is not possible to completely enumerate the offspring of these, who are endowed with infinite qualities.
Tārkṣya, Ariṣṭanemi, Garuda, Aruna, Aruni, and Varuni are remembered as the sons of Vinata.
Shesha, Ananta, Vasuki, and Takshaka are serpents. Kurma and Kulika are indeed mighty descendants of Kadru.
Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Suparna, Varuna, the lord of cattle, Dhritarashtra, and Suryavarcha are mentioned as the seventh in the list.
Leafy Arkaparna, along with the famous Bhima and Chitraratha, are renowned and all-knowing.
Thus, O king, the divine Gandharvas named Śāliśira, Pradyumna, Kali, and Nārada are proclaimed as the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth sons of Muni.
Therefore, O Bhārata, I will now praise other beings: Pravā, who is faultless, obedient, not inferior, reddish, dear, beautiful, fortunate, and shining, was born.
The accomplished and complete Barhi, along with Purnasha, who is greatly renowned, celibate, and possesses the quality of delight, is indeed the seventh, Suparna.
Viśvāvasu, Bhānu, and Sucandra are mentioned as the tenth among the divine Gandharvas known as Prāveyas.
In ancient times, the illustrious goddess bore the lineage of the Apsaras, known for its auspicious signs, as revealed by the divine sage.
Alambusa, Miśrakeśī, Vidyutparṇā, Tulānaghā, Aruṇā, Rakṣitā, and Rambhā, as well as Manoramā, are mentioned.
Asita, Subahu, Suvrata, and Subhuja are renowned Gandharvas. Along with Supriya, Atibahu, Haha, Huhu, and Tumburu, they are remembered as the foremost among the Gandharvas.
In the Purana, it is mentioned that nectar, Brahmins, cows, Gandharvas, and Apsaras are the offspring of Kapila.
Thus, I have properly recounted to you the origin of all beings, as well as the enumeration of the Gandharvas and Apsaras.
This verse refers to the various groups such as serpents, Suparnas, Rudras, Maruts, cows, Brahmins, and the illustrious ones who perform virtuous deeds.
Longevity, virtue, and blessedness bring joy to the ears. It should always be heard and be audible without any envy.
Reciting this lineage with discipline in the presence of great souls, Brahmins, and gods, one gains abundant offspring, prosperity, fame, and an auspicious path after death.
