For seven thousand years thereafter, he remained beyond compare, unmatched in his greatness. In every Manvantara, he was born as a portion of Brahma himself, sharing in that divine essence. At one point, he drank kashyam, a potent liquor known here as an intoxicating drink. The sages remember this kashyam liquor, and among the Kashyapas, it was Kashyapa himself who partook of it. But due to the anger of Daksha, Kashyapa was cursed and thus became as he was. Yet, to him, Prachetas Daksha gave his daughters in marriage. Whoever knows this sacred account of the creation of the sages, known as the Vāruṇa narrative, is truly blessed. By reciting or even merely hearing this story, one is freed from all sins. Now, Daksha himself, at the command of the Self-born Lord, was appointed to create living beings. First, that noble Daksha created beings born from his very mind. He brought forth Yakṣas, Bhūtas, Piśācas, birds, cattle, and wild animals of all kinds. Yet these creations were rejected by the wise Lord Mahādeva. Daksha then took Asiknī, the wife of the lord Vīraṇa, as his own spouse. Through her, all the world—both that which moves and that which does not—is sustained. Long ago, when Daksha married Asiknī, the daughter of Vīraṇa, she followed him faithfully, journeying with him among rivers, mountains, and forests. Here, Daksha, lord of creatures, is regarded as the second; the first is elsewhere. In this account, Daksha, son of Pracetas, married Asiknī, daughter of Vīraṇa, and in her he begot his children. Among the divine sages, Nārada, the son of Brahmā, is renowned for his friendly and wise discourse. From him, the supreme lord, was born the son of Kaśyapa. From him again was born the second mind-born son of Kaśyapa. By his actions, the sons of Vṛkṣa, known as the Haryaśvas, came into being. At one point, Daksha became enraged and prepared to pronounce a curse. Yet he made an agreement with the supreme lord Brahma. From him, Nārada was again born—one who is ever aware of the dangers of curses. O seeker, you may wish to hear in truth about those sons of the Prajāpati. Those mighty sons gathered together, and Nārada spoke to them, asking, “How will you create beings above, below, and in between?” Yet even now, those sons do not return, just as rivers that once reach the ocean do not flow back. Then, the lord Daksha created a thousand sons in Vairiṇī. Nārada again conveyed to them the words he had spoken before, instructing that the path of the brothers must indeed be followed—there could be no doubt. They were properly instructed, their minds clear and steady. Even today, desiring to expand, they do not return. It is said that one who acts carelessly perishes quickly; such conduct is not for the wise. Let Nārada not be destroyed here, but rather let him dwell in the womb. Thus, Daksha created sixty renowned daughters in Vairiṇī. Among those who received these daughters were Dharma, Soma the blessed, and other great sages as well. One who knows and remembers these accounts becomes long-lived, renowned, fortunate, and indeed a progenitor of beings.