03.210
Markandeya said.
Kāśyapa, then Vāsiṣṭha, Prāṇa and Prāṇaputraka, Agni the descendant of Aṅgiras, as well as Cyavana and Trisuvarcaka. (03-210-1)
They performed severe austerities for many years for the sake of a son, saying, "May we obtain a righteous son, equal to Brahmā in fame." (03-210-2)
When the five meditated with the great vyāhṛtis, then, by them, there was born a being composed of light, radiant, having five colors, resplendent. (03-210-3)
His head was blazing like fire; his arms shone like the sun; his skin and eyes were golden, and his thighs were dark, O Bhārata. (03-210-4)
He, of five colours, was produced by the austerity of those five people. In the Veda, Pañcajanya is spoken of; he is the creator of five lineages. (03-210-5)
Having performed austerity for ten thousand years, the great ascetic, generating terrible fire for the ancestors, created offspring. (03-210-6)
He created Bṛhadrathantara from the head, Ahir and Rauhiṇa by force from the mouth, Śiva from the navel, Indra by strength, and Vāyu (Wind) and Agni (Fire) from the breath. (03-210-7)
From his two arms, he created (beings) of low status, and all beings as well, indeed. After creating these, then he created five sons of the ancestors. (03-210-8)
Bṛhad-ūrjas was the agent; Kāśyapa was greater. Bhānu, the heroic son of Aṅgiras, and Saubhara, the son of Varcas. (03-210-9)
The five descendants of prāṇa and anudātta have been described; in addition, he created the gods, the thieves of the sacrifice, and other beings exceeding fifteen in number. (03-210-10)
The penance sent forth these five gods—not fearful, very terrible, terrifying, those of terrifying strength and weakness—from the one who consumes sacrifices. (03-210-11)
Through austerity, these gods were sent forth: a good friend, one possessing friends, a knower of friendship, one who increases friendship, and one with the nature of a friend. (03-210-12)
Austerity created these five: the best hero among the gods, a hero, one with beautiful hair, one possessing great splendour, and also a slayer of the gods. (03-210-13)
These which are established threefold, the five (sets) severally, indeed take away here, being present, the rewards from heaven for the performers of sacrifice. (03-210-14)
These carry away and destroy the offerings of those (people) on earth; out of rivalry with the fire-carriers, these both destroy and take away. (03-210-15)
On the sacrificial altar, if the taking (of offering) is properly performed by the skilled, then these (evils) do not approach where the fire is established. (03-210-16)
The fire of the funeral pyre, which carries away the sacrifice and repels them with its wings, is made calm by mantras; indeed, these (beings) do not steal the sacrificial oblation. (03-210-17)
A son, having the great austerity called 'Bṛhaduktha', has indeed taken refuge of the earth. In the Agnihotra ritual, while offerings are made, he is worshipped on earth by the virtuous. (03-210-18)
Rathantara and Agni, son of Tapas, are declared. The Adhvaryus knew that the offering was meant for Mitravinda. Rejoicing, being supremely pleased, the great and renowned one did so together with his sons. (03-210-19)
