Aurva, a revered sage, was blessed with a hundred sons, the foremost among them being the illustrious Jamadagni. Among the descendants of Ṛṣyatara, many Bhārgavas are known, though some are regarded as outsiders to the main line. Of these, Mitreyu is counted as the seventh, and thus are the various branches of the Bhārgava lineage understood. From this noble ancestry arose the Bhāradvājas along with the Gautamas, illustrious families of sages. Among their number were Surūpā, Mārīcī, Kārdamī, and Svarāṭ. Born into these families were the heirs of Atharvan, who shone with brilliance and distinction. From Surūpā was born Bṛhaspati, while from Svarāṭ came Gautama. Pathyā bore Dhṛṣṇi, and Mānasa begot Saṃvarta. Ushija, Dirghatamas, Brihaduktha, and the son of Vamadeva were also among these eminent sages. The Ribhus, famed as the divine chariot-makers, are remembered as gods among men for their skill and devotion. Svarāṭ, through Surūpā, begot both Brihaspati and Gautama. Other illustrious names in this lineage include Ādhārya, Ayu, Dhanur, Daksha, Dama, and Prana. The Ayasyas, Utathyas, Vamadevas, and Ushijas were also counted among them, as were the Mudgalas, Vishnuvriddhas, Haritas, and the Kapayas. These together form the fifteen distinguished branches of the Angirasas. Now, let us turn to the supreme division of Marichi. Desiring offspring, Marichi contemplated the waters with deep intent. Disciplined by austerity, he united himself with his own self, his mind fixed unwaveringly upon his purpose. From this profound contemplation, the lord generated a single being, a son born in the waters—such was Marichi’s devotion to tapas. For seven thousand years thereafter, this son was without equal, incomparable in all the worlds. Throughout every Manvantara, he is born as a portion of Brahma himself. In time, he drank kashyam, the intoxicating liquor known to the sages. Among the Kashyapas, Kashyapa himself is remembered for this. It is said that, cursed in anger by Daksha, Kashyapa thus came to be so. To him, Prachetas Daksha gave his daughters in marriage. Whoever knows this sacred account of the creation of the sages, called the Vāruṇa narrative, is truly blessed. By reciting or even hearing it, one is freed from all sins. Now, hear of Dakṣa, who, at the command of the Self-born, was appointed to create beings. At first, Dakṣa created beings born from his mind: Yakṣas, Bhūtas, Piśācas, birds, cattle, and wild animals. Yet these creations were rejected by the wise Lord Mahādeva. Thereafter, Dakṣa took as his spouse Asiknī, the wife of lord Vīraṇa. Through her, all the world—both moving and unmoving—is sustained. Long ago, when Dakṣa married Asiknī, the daughter of Vīraṇa, she followed her lord faithfully as he journeyed among rivers, mountains, and forests. Here, Dakṣa, the lord of creatures, is known as the second; the first exists elsewhere. In this world, Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, married Asiknī, the daughter of Vīraṇa, and in her he begot his offspring. Among the divine sages, Nārada, the son of Brahmā, is renowned for his wise and friendly discourse, ever guiding the paths of the great.