When Manu, the wise king, approached Janārdana—the Supreme Lord who had taken the form of a fish—he asked a profound question: “O mighty one, how was the six-faced god born in Śaravaṇa?” Hearing this inquiry from Manu, the blessed son of Brahmā, pleased and full of wisdom, began to narrate the wondrous tale. He spoke: “Once, there was a powerful demon named Vajrāṅga, whose son was Tāraka. Tāraka grew so mighty that he drove the gods from their celestial cities, plunging the heavens into chaos. Afflicted by fear, the gods fled to Brahmā, seeking his protection. Seeing their terror, Brahmā reassured them: ‘Abandon your fear, O gods. The son of Śaṅkara, a child born as the grandson of the snowy mountain, will be the one to slay this demon.’ In due course, Śiva, seeing the daughter of the mountain, emitted his seed into the mouth of Agni, the fire god, for a purpose beyond the gods’ understanding. Agni received this powerful seed, but it burned with such intensity that the gods themselves were scorched by its presence. Unable to contain it, the seed split open their bellies and emerged, undigested. This potent seed then fell into the sacred river and was carried to a forest of reeds. There, from the reeds, was born Guha—radiant as the sun. When this remarkable child was but seven days old, he slew the demon Tāraka, fulfilling the prophecy. Hearing this marvelous story, the greatest of sages, filled with wonder, implored, ‘This tale is wondrous and delightful, a destroyer of sin. Tell us in detail, and speak truthfully as we listen. Who was the progenitor of the demon king Vajrāṅga of old? From whose lineage did he arise, and whose son was Tāraka, the mighty oppressor of the gods? Who created him, and for what reason was that lord of demons slain? Tell us fully the story of Guha’s birth.’ The wise one continued: ‘Dakṣa, the mind-born son of Brahmā and lord of creatures, begot sixty daughters, as has been heard from Vairiṇī. Ten of these daughters he gave to Dharma, thirteen to Kaśyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, and four to Ariṣṭanemi. Two daughters each he gave to Bāhuka’s son, to Aṅgiras, and to the wise Kṛśāśva. Among these daughters were Aditi, Diti, Danu, Viśvā, Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Surabhi, Vinatā, Tāmrā, Krodhavaśā, and Irā. Kadru and the sage Kadrū are known as mothers of the world; among cows, the mothers are so as well. From them arise all beings, both moving and unmoving. From these divine mothers are born the various kinds of beings; all embodied creatures trace their origin to them. The gods—including Indra, Upendra, Pūṣan, and others—are considered the children of Diti. From Diti were born powerful beings like Hiraṇyakaśipu; the Dānavas are the sons of Danu, and cows are the offspring of Surabhi. Birds, led by Garuḍa, are the sons of Vinatā; serpents are the children of Kadru, and many other creatures arose as well. Hiraṇyakaśipu, of immense might, conquered and defeated Indra, the lord of the three worlds and master of all immortals, and seized the kingdom. In time, however, Hiraṇyakaśipu and his kin were slain by Viṣṇu in battle, and the remaining Dānavas were destroyed by Indra. Grieving over her slain sons, Diti approached her husband Kaśyapa, the god, and sought a boon: another son of great strength. Kaśyapa granted her wish, promising a son who would be the slayer of Indra in battle. He said, ‘O goddess, if you observe a vow of purity in mind for a thousand years, you shall obtain such a son.’ Diti undertook this arduous vow as instructed. During her penance, Indra, ever watchful, served her, and she accepted his service. When only ten years remained of the thousand, Diti, pleased and steadfast in her austerity, spoke to Indra: ‘Know me, O slayer of Vṛtra, as one who has nearly completed the vow for a son. Your brother will be born, and together you will share prosperity. Enjoy, dear child, the three worlds as you wish, now that their thorns are removed.’ Having said this, she, overcome by sleep, lay with her hair at Indra’s feet. Unprotected and deep in slumber, Diti became vulnerable. Indra seized this opportunity, entered her womb, and with his thunderbolt, split the embryo into seven parts. Then, out of anger, each of the seven parts was divided again into seven. Diti awoke and, seeing what had happened, cried out, ‘Do not, O Indra, destroy my offspring!’ Hearing her plea, Indra emerged, stood before her with joined palms, and, fearful, spoke words as if uttered by his own mother: ‘Mother, you were absorbed in daydreams, your hair pressed under your feet. With seven times seven blows, I have divided your embryo. But I will grant your sons places in heaven, revered by the gods, for those who were slain by my thunderbolt fifty-four times.’ Thus addressed, the goddess replied, ‘So be it,’ and, her eyes dark as night, she again spoke to her husband: ‘Grant me, O Lord of creatures, a son—powerful, conqueror of Indra—who cannot be slain by any weapon or missile of the gods dwelling in heaven.’ Kaśyapa, seeing her deep grief, replied, ‘By performing austerities for ten thousand years, you shall obtain such a son. His limbs will be made of adamant, unbreakable and strong as iron, and he shall be named Vajrāṅga.’ Receiving this boon, the goddess went to the forest, where she practiced severe penance for ten thousand years, determined and unwavering in her devotion.