Mahādeva, the great Lord, appointed Bhṛgu as his own son. Thereafter, as the second, Śukra was offered by the Lord amidst the embers. Witnessing this remarkable birth, Agni approached Brahmā and spoke to him. In response to Agni’s words, Brahmā, the lord of all existence, replied, “So be it.” Then, six more times, Śukra was created by Brahmā, the creator of worlds. Among these, Marīci arose first, emerging from the rays of light known as Marīcis. The sage Atri declared, “I am the third,” and thus he became known as Atri. Another, born from hanging hair, came to be remembered as Pulaha. Those who truly know reality, the speakers of Brahman, call the next sage Vasiṣṭha. These illustrious sages, by whom the progeny of the world was increased, are the creators of offspring. Others among them, revered as Pitṛs—the ancestral fathers—are also counted among these great sages. There are seven groups, unconquerable and renowned throughout the seven worlds: the Paulastyas, the Paulahas, and the Vasiṣṭhas are especially celebrated. These are the main groups, but there are three others as well. Among these, Yama, the sinless god, rules as king over the Yamas. Other great beings include Kashyapa, Kardama, Shesha, Vikranta, and Sushrava; also Prachetasa, Rishtanemi, and Bahula, the lord of creatures. The Valakhilyas, known for their great asceticism, together with exalted sages, were born from heaps of kusha grass. Others, honored among the Brahmarshis, were born from the sacred ashes. Though two were lost, the Ashvins—renowned for their beauty—were born. Other lords of beings came forth from his ears. From him also arose the solstices, the seasons, the months, the half-months, and the junctions of fortnights. What is called ‘Raudra’ is said to be red, and red is remembered as gold. The rays of this being are the Rudras, and likewise, the Adityas arose from him. O Brahma, you are the origin of this world, born from Brahman itself. There, Brahma, the guru of the gods, was worshipped by the thirty-three gods. All the lords of beings and all the ascetics ever enhance your lineage and ever increase your splendor. All, bearing the Vedic mantras, are born from the lord of creatures. Indeed, all of us and all these are your own progeny, O Lord. Having first created Marichi, the gods together with the sages came into being. In that ancient sacrifice, the illustrious gods and sages—whoever they were—by that very form of yours, established all these creatures. Then, the preceptor of the worlds addressed him as ‘supreme’ and spoke: these great sages, born in your lineage, again and again, in detail and in order, from the first progenitor—thus the line continued. Hiraṇyakaśipu had a daughter named Divyā, renowned among all. Divyā bore a son to Bhṛgu, foremost among those who know Brahman. This son is eternally known as Śukra, and also by the name Kāvya. Śukra’s wife, named Gaurī, bore him four sons.