In the earliest days of creation, Dakṣa, the great lord of beings, brought forth by the power of his mind four distinct kinds of creatures. Yet, Dakṣa, the progenitor, soon desired to continue creation through the union of male and female. From his wife Vairiṇī, a thousand sons were born to him. However, when these sons of Dakṣa were lost to him, he created yet another thousand to fulfill his purpose. But events took a sorrowful turn. Angered by the loss of his sons, Dakṣa pronounced a curse upon Nārada, declaring, "You shall be born again." When his great sacrifice was destroyed, Dakṣa, burning with fury, fiercely cursed Maheśvara as well. Even in another birth, O Śaṅkara, out of enmity, these beings perished. Thereafter, Dakṣa begot daughters from his queen, Asiknī. He was blessed with sixty beautiful daughters. Of these, two were given to Aṅgiras, fourteen were bestowed upon Kaśyapa, and twenty-eight became the wives of the Moon. The gracious Manoramā, radiant Bhānumatī, noble Viśālā, and many-formed Bahudā were also given in marriage. To Kṛśāśva, Dakṣa bestowed Suprajā and also Jayā. Among his daughters were Saṅkalpā, Muhūrttā, Sādhyā, and Viśvā—ten in all. From Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kāla, Anāyu, Siṃhikā, and Muni, many divine lineages sprang forth. The Viśvedevas were born from Viśvā, and the Sādhyas from Sādhyā. From Bhānu came the Bhānavas, O Rudra; from Muhūrttā, the Muhūrttajas. All that pertains to the earth arose from Marutvatī. From these lineages came water, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, wind, and fire. From Āpa were born Vetundi, Śrama, Śrānta, and Dhvani. From Soma, the blessed Varcā and Varcasvī were born, who are the sources of brilliance. From Manoramā came Śiśira, Prāṇa, and Ramaṇa. The two sons of Anila were Avijñātagati and another, whose branches are Śākha, Viśākha, and Naigameya. It is known that the son of Pratyūṣa is the sage Devala. Among the mighty, Ajaikapāda, Ahirbudhnya, Tvaṣṭṛ, and Rudra were born—powerful indeed. Hara, Bahurūpa, Tryambaka, and Aparājita followed, as did Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, and Kapālī, O great sage. From the union of Aditi and Kaśyapa, twelve radiant sons were born to Sūrya. These are Vivasvat, Savitṛ, Mitra, and Varuṇa. Soma, the Moon, accepted twenty-seven wives, who are known as the Nakṣatras, the stars. Siṃhikā became a daughter, and she was given in marriage to Vipracitti. From this union were born Anuhrāda, Hrāda, and the mighty Prahrāda. Saṃhrāda’s sons were Āyuṣmān, Śivi, and Bāṣkala. Bali, another son, had a hundred sons, with Vāṇa as the eldest, O bull-bannered one! Utkura, Śakuni, and Bhūtasantāpana were also born in this line. Danu’s sons included Dvimūrdhā and Śaṃkara, as well as the strong-armed Ekacakra and the powerful Tāraka. These are the renowned sons of Danu, together with the mighty Vipracitti. Among the noble maidens were Upadānavī and Hayaśirā, who both became the wives of Marīci. From Marīci, Paulomā and Kālakañjā were born, famed as his daughters. Thus, from Dakṣa’s will and progeny, the worlds were filled with gods, sages, stars, and mighty beings, each carrying forth the lineages of creation.