At the urging of Soma, the Pracetas relinquished their wrath toward the trees and, guided by righteousness, accepted Māriṣā as their wife. Through the union of Māriṣā and the ten Pracetas was born the mighty Dakṣa, a great lord of creatures, radiant with energy and carrying a portion of Soma’s essence. Dakṣa, endowed with extraordinary power, set about creating the living beings of the world. First, by his mind alone, he brought forth both immobile and mobile beings: bipeds and quadrupeds. Later, he created women, and through them, the process of creation continued. Dakṣa gave ten daughters to Dharma, thirteen to Kaśyapa, and the rest to Soma; to the king Soma, he gave those daughters who became known as the Nakṣatras, the stars. From these unions, the world was populated with gods, birds, cows, serpents, Dānavas and Daityas, Gandharvas, Apsarases, and many other kinds of beings. From that time onward, creatures have been born through sexual union; but in earlier times, beings were said to arise from will, sight, and touch alone. Thus, the origin of the gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, serpents, and Rākṣasas, as well as the story of the great Dakṣa, has been heard. Dakṣa, who observed auspicious vows, was said to be born from Brahmā’s thumb, and his wife from Brahmā’s left thumb. The sages then asked Sūta: “How did that great ascetic regain the state of Prācetasa? And how did the grandson of Soma become his father-in-law?” Sūta replied that the origin and dissolution of beings is eternal, and those with knowledge are not confused by this. In every age, rulers like Dakṣa arise and are dissolved again; the wise remain undisturbed by these cycles. In those times, there was no distinction of seniority or juniority; only austerity was honored, and its power was the cause of creation. Whoever knows the story of Dakṣa’s creation, with all its moving and unmoving beings, is blessed with offspring, long life, and honor in the heavenly realms. The sages then requested Lomaharṣaṇa: “Tell us in detail the origin of the gods, demons, Gandharvas, serpents, and Rākṣasas.” Lomaharṣaṇa began: “Dakṣa, commanded by Svayambhū, once created all beings. Listen to how he produced them. At first, the Lord created beings only by his mind: sages, gods, Gandharvas, Asuras, Yakṣas, and Rākṣasas. But when these mind-born beings did not multiply, Dakṣa, the righteous Prajāpati, reflected on how to further creation. Desiring to create various beings through lawful union, he took Asikni, the wife of Vīraṇa, Prajāpati. With great austerity and sustaining the worlds, Asikni bore thousands of powerful sons in Vairaṇī. Dakṣa himself begot these sons in Asikni. Seeing their eagerness to increase progeny, the divine sage Nārada, fond of conversation, spoke to them words that would lead to their destruction—and to his own curse. Kaśyapa, the supreme lord, begot a distinguished son in Dakṣa’s daughter, fearing Dakṣa’s curse. Previously, Nārada was born from Parameṣṭhin, and again, the best of divine sages was born in Asikni, in Vairaṇī. He was again begotten, like a father, as the foremost among sages. By his actions, Dakṣa’s sons became known as the Haryaśvas. All these sons were destroyed and annihilated by Nārada, without doubt and by proper means. Dakṣa, determined, sought their destruction further. He placed the Brahmarṣis before him and, at the request of Parameṣṭhin, made an agreement with Parameṣṭhin. Nārada was born to me through your beloved daughter, whom Dakṣa gave to the supreme lord at my request, out of fear of a curse. The sages then asked: “Tell us truly, O best of sages, how the sons of Prajāpati were destroyed by the great sage Nārada.” Dakṣa’s sons, the Haryashvas, eager to expand creation, gathered together. Nārada spoke to them: “Alas, you are indeed childish, O sons of Pracetas, desiring to create beings without knowing the true measure of this earth. How will you create beings above, below, and within?” Hearing these words, the Haryashvas departed in all directions, seeking knowledge, and to this day they have not returned, just as rivers do not return from the ocean. When the Haryashvas were lost, Dakṣa, son of Pracetas, created another thousand sons in Vairani, also eager to increase creation. These were the Shabalashvas. Again, Nārada spoke to them as before, and they said to one another, “The great sage has spoken rightly. We must follow the path of our brothers; once we know the measure of the earth, we will happily create beings.” They too departed in all directions and have not returned, just as rivers do not return from the ocean. From that time onward, it is said, a brother who goes in search of his brother quickly perishes; therefore, the wise refrain from such actions. Knowing his sons were lost, Prajapati Daksha then created sixty daughters in Vairani. At that time, Kashyapa, Soma, Dharma, and other great sages accepted them as wives. Daksha gave ten daughters to Dharma, thirteen to Kashyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, and four to Arishtanemi. Thus, the creation of beings continued, filling the world with gods, sages, and all manner of creatures, as ordained by Dakṣa and the divine will.