By “Vaishampaayana said, ‘Then (Lord) Indra had a consultation with (Lord) Narayana about the latter’s descent on the earth from heaven with all Devas according to their respective parts. Having commanded all the dwellers in heaven, (Lord) Indra returned from the abode of Narayana (Vaikunta). The dwellers in heaven (Devas) gradually became incarnate on earth for the destruction of the Asuras and for the welfare of the three worlds.
“Then, O tiger among kings (Janamejaya), Devas had their births, according as they pleased, in the races of Brahmarishis and Rajarishis (kings). They slew the Danavas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Naagaas, other man-eaters, and many other creatures. O bull in the Bharata race (Janamejaya), the Danavas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Naagaas, could not slay the incarnate Devas even in their infancy – they were so strong.’
“Janamejaya said, ‘I desire to hear from the beginning of the births of Devas, Danavas (Danavas are a clan of Asuras), Gandharvas, Apsaras, men, Yakshas and Rakshasas. Therefore, it is your responsibility to tell me about the births of all creatures.’
“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Indeed, I shall, having bowed down to the Self-create, tell you in detail the origin of Devas and other creatures. It is known that (Lord) Brahman has six spiritual sons (Maanasa Putraas in Sanskrit), viz., Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu.
“Marichi’s son is Kaashyapa, and from Kaashyapa have sprung these creatures.
“To Daksha (one of the Prajapatis) were born thirteen daughters of great good fortune. O tiger among men and prince of the Bharata race (Janamejaya), the daughters of Daksha are Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kaalaa, Danayu, Sinhika, Krodha, Pravaa, Vishwa, Vinata, Kapila, Muni, and Kadru. The sons and grandsons of these, gifted with great energy, are countless.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – ADITI)
“From Aditi have sprung the twelve Adityas who are the lords of the universe. O Bharata (Janamejaya), as they are according to their names, I shall narrate them to you. They are Dhata, Mitra, Aaryama, Shakra, Varuna, Ansha, Baga, Vivaswaan, Usha, Savita, Tvashta, and Vishnu. The youngest (Vishnu), however, is superior to them all in merit.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – DITI)
“Diti had one son called Hiranyakashipu. The illustrious Hiranyakashipu had five sons, all famous throughout the world. The eldest of them all was Prahlada, the next was Sahradha; the third was Anuhrada; and after him were Shibi and Baashkala.
“O Bharata (Janamejaya), it is known everywhere that Prahlada had three sons. They were Virochana, Kumbha, and Nikumbha.
“To Virochana was born a son, Bali, of great skills.
“The son of Bali is known to be the great Asura, Baanaa. Blessed with good fortune, Baanaa was a follower of Rudra, and was known also by the name of Mahakala.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – DANU)
“O Bharata (Janamejaya)! Danu had forty sons. The eldest of them all was Viprachitti of great fame, Sambara, Namuchi, Pauloma, Asilomaa, Keshi, Durjaya, Ayahshiraa, Ashwashiraa, the powerful Ayahshanku, Gaganamoordha, Vegavaan, and he called Ketumaa, Swarbhanu, Ashwa, Ashwapati, Vrishaparvaa, and then Ajaka, Ashwagriva, Sookshama, Tuhunda of great strength, Isrupa, Ekachakra, Virupaksha, Haraahara, Nichandra, Nikumbha, Kupata, then Kaapata; Sharabha, Shalabha, Surya, and then Chandrama – these in the race of Danu are stated to be well-known.
“The Surya and Chandrama (the Sun and the Moon) of Devas are other persons, and not the sons of Danu as mentioned above.
“O king (Janamejaya), the following ten, gifted with great strength and vigour, were also, born in the race of Danu – Ekaksha, Mritapa of heroic courage, Pralamba, Narakaa, Vataapi, Shatrutapana, Shatha – the great Asura; Gavishtha, Danaayu, and the Danava called Dirghajihva.
“O Bharata (Janamejaya), the sons and the grandsons of these were known to be countless.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – SINHIKA)
“Sinhika gave birth to Raahu, the persecutor of the Sun and the Moon, and to three others, Suchandra, Chandrahantaara, and Chandravimadana.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – KRODHA)
“The countless children of Krura (Krodha) were as crooked and wicked as herself. The tribe was wrathful, of crooked actions, and persecutors of their enemies.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – DANAYU)
“Danayu also had four sons who were bulls among the Asuras. They were Vikshara, Bala, Veera and Vritra – the great Asura.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – KAALAA)
“The sons of Kala were all like Yama himself and one who strikes of all enemies. They were of great energy, and oppressors of all enemies. The sons of Kala were Vinaashana, Krodha, then Krodhahanta, and Krodhashatru. There were many others among the sons of Kala.
“Shukra, the son of a Rishi, was the chief priest of Asuras. The celebrated Shukra had four sons who were priests of the Asuras. They were Tvashtaavara and Atri, and two others of fierce actions. They were like the Sun himself in energy, and set their hearts on acquiring the regions of (Lord) Brahma (i.e. Brahmaloka).
“Thus has been recited by me, as heard in the Purana, of progeny of Devas and Asuras, both of great strength and energy. I am incapable, O king, of counting the descendants of these, countless as they are, are not much known to fame.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – VINATA)
“The sons of Vinata were Tarkshya, Arishtanemi, Garuda, Aruna, Aaruni and Vaaruni.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – KADRU)
“Sesha, Ananta, Vaasuki, Takshaka, Kurma, and Kulika are known to be the sons of Kadru.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – MUNI)
“Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Suparna, Varuna, Gopati, Dhritarashtra, Suryavarcha the seventh, Patravaan, Arkaparna, Prayuta, Bhima, and Chitraratha known to fame, of great learning, and a controller of his passions, and then Shaalishiraa, and, O king (Janamejaya), Pradyumna, the fourteenth in the list, Kali, the fifteenth, and Narada, the sixteenth — these Devas and Gandharvas are known to be the sons of Muni.
“O Bharata (Janamejaya)! I shall narrate many others.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – PRAAVAA)
“Anavadya Manu, Vashaa, Anunaa, Arunaa, Anupaa, Subhaga, Bhaasi, were the daughters brought forth by Praavaa. Siddha, Purna, Barhi, Purnaasha of great fame, Brahmachaari, Ratiguna, and Suparna who was the seventh; Vishwavasu, Bhanu, and Suchandra who was the tenth, were also the sons of Praavaa. All these were celestial Gandharvas.
“It is also known that this Praavaa of great fortune, through the Devarishi (Kaashyapa, her husband), brought forth the sacred of the Apsaras – Alambusa, Mishrakeshi, Vidyutparna, Tulaanaghaa, Aruna, Rakshita, Rambha, Manoramaa, Keshini, Asitaa, Subahu, Surata, Subhuja, and Supriya were the daughters, and Atibaahu and the celebrated Hahaa and Huhu, and Tumburu were the sons — the best of Gandharvas — of Praavaa.
(FROM THE DAUGHTER OF DAKSHA – KAPILA)
“Amrita, Brahmanas, cows, Gandharvas, and Apsaras, were born of Kapila as stated in the Purana.
“Thus has been recited to you by me the birth of all creatures duly — of Gandharvas and Apsaras, of Snakes (Naagaa in Sanskrit), Suparnas, Rudras, and Maruts; of cows and of Brahmanas blessed with great good fortune, and of sacred actions. This account (if read) extends the span of life, is sacred, worthy of all praise, and gives pleasure to the ear. It should be always heard and recited to others, in a proper frame of mind.
“He who duly reads this account of the birth of all high-souled creatures in the presence of Devas and Brahmanas, obtains large progeny, good fortune, and fame, and attains also to excellent worlds hereafter.’“
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AADI PARVA > SAMBHAVA PARVA > CHAPTER 65 – BIRTH OF LIVING BEINGS
SUMMARY
Vaishampaayana narrates the origin of Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas, Apsaras, men, Yakshas and Rakshasas to King Janamejaya.
