Once, Sunīthā, the daughter of the Pitṛs, became the mother of Vena by Aṅga. Vena, however, turned out to be unrighteous. The sages, seeking to restore righteousness, churned Vena’s arm, and from this act arose the mighty Pṛthu. Pṛthu became a great king and fathered two sons. In the next generations, Antardhāna begot Mārīca from Śikhaṇḍinī. Havirdhāna, the daughter of Agni, bore six sons to Dhiṣaṇā: Prācīnabarhiṣa, Sāṅga, Yama, Śukra, Bala, and Śubha. Of these, Prācīnabarhiṣa became a venerable Prajāpati, renowned for producing many offspring known as the Havirdhānas. Prācīnabarhiṣa, with Savarṇā, daughter of the ocean, begot ten sons, all called the Pracetas. These ten brothers became masters in the science of archery. Through their austerities, the trees flourished everywhere across the world. Yet, at the command of the gods, Agni was set to burn the trees. The Pracetas took as wife the renowned Somakanyā named Mārīṣā, and from her was born their foremost son, Dakṣa. After Dakṣa, Somakanyā bore all the trees and herbs, as well as the river Candravatī. From Dakṣa, the son of the lunar portion, sprang forth an immense progeny—eighty crores in number—who became well established throughout the world. Among these beings, some walked on two feet, some on many; some had wrinkled faces, some had conch-shaped ears, while others had ear coverings. There were those with faces like horses or trees, some with lion faces, others resembling dogs, boars, or even camels. This righteous Dakṣa also generated many mlecchas of various forms, creating them by his mind. Then, turning to the creation of women, Dakṣa gave ten daughters to Dharma, thirteen to Kaśyapa, and twenty-seven to Soma, named after the constellations. From these unions arose all the gods, asuras, humans, and other beings—thus, the whole world became populated. At this point, the sages gathered and requested, “O Sūta, narrate in detail and truthfully the origin of the gods, the dānavas, the gandharvas, the serpents, and the rākṣasas.” It is said that the earlier creation arose from resolve, sight, and touch; but after the time of Dakṣa, son of Pracetas, creation came about through sexual union. Dakṣa, having been instructed by Svayambhū, began the creation of beings. First, he attempted to create gods, sages, and serpents, but the world did not increase. Therefore, through sexual union, Dakṣa begot thousands of sons from Pāñcajanī. When these sons, called the Haryaśvas, assembled, the illustrious sage Nārada, wishing to diversify creation, spoke to them: “Knowing the measure of the earth everywhere, above and below, then, O best of sages, create the world in detail.” Hearing these words, the Haryaśvas set out in all directions and, like rivers flowing to the sea, never returned. When the Haryaśvas were lost, Prajāpati Dakṣa begot another thousand sons from Vairiṇī. These sons, known as the Śabalā, gathered together as the causes of creation, were again addressed by Nārada, who spoke as before: “Having understood the measure of the earth everywhere, you brothers, returning again, shall carry out creation in particular.” They too departed along the same path as their elder brothers, and from that time onward, it is said that no younger brother desires the way of the elder—for seeking it brings only suffering, and thus it should be avoided. After these sons were lost, Prajāpati Dakṣa, son of Pracetas, begot sixty daughters in Vairiṇī. He gave ten of them to Dharma, thirteen to Kaśyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, and four to Ariṣṭanemi. Two each he gave to Bhṛgu’s son, to the wise Kṛśāśva, and likewise two to Aṅgiras. Thus, the names and connections of these daughters were set forth. From the beginning, hear of the expansion of the progeny of these divine mothers: Marutvatī, Vasū, Yāmī, Lambā, Bhānu, and Arundhatī, as well as Saṃkalpā, Muhūrtā, Sādhyā, Viśvā, and Bhāminī—all wives of Dharma. Their sons were many: the Viśve Devas from Viśvā, the Sādhyas from Sādhyā, the Marutvants from Marutvatī, and the Vasus from Vasū. Bhānu gave birth to the Bhānavas, Muhūrtā to the Muhūrtakas, Lambā to Ghoṣa, and Yāmī to Nāgavīthī. From Arundhatī was born one sprung from the earth’s surface, and from Saṃkalpā, Saṃkalpa himself. Now, learn of the creation of the Vasus. These gods, who are luminous and pervade all directions, are called Vasus. Their names are: Āpa (Water), Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala, Pratyūṣa, and Prabhāsa. Āpa’s sons were Śānta, Daṇḍa, Śāmba, and Maṇivaktra, who are chiefly responsible for the protection of sacrifice. Dhruva’s son was Kāla; Varcā was born from Soma; Draviṇa and Havyavāha are remembered as the two sons of Dhara. From Kalyāṇinī came Prāṇa, Ramaṇa, and Śiśira; Manoharā received the sons of Dhara, who are the offspring of Hari. Śivā bore Manojava, whose movement is unknown; and from Anala, two sons were born, possessing qualities akin to fire. Kumāra, son of Agni, was born in a cluster of reeds; his followers are Śākha, Viśākha, and Naigameya, who were born from his back. Kārttikeya is remembered as the son of the Kṛttikās. Pratyūṣa had as his sons the sage Vibhu and Devala. Viśvakarmā, the divine craftsman, was the son of Prabhāsa, the Prajāpati. Viśvakarmā is renowned as the celestial architect, the creator of palaces, mansions, gardens, statues, ornaments, reservoirs, parks, and wells—his skill shaping the very beauty and utility of the world. Thus, from Dakṣa and his lineage, the world became filled with gods, sages, humans, trees, herbs, rivers, and all manner of beings, each with their own forms and destinies, establishing the vast tapestry of creation.