After receiving the words of the blessed one, Dakṣa, filled with humility, bowed deeply to the lord of the gods. With the assembled hosts watching, he departed for his own abode. Meanwhile, the god, stricken with grief for his beloved wife, remained by the banks of the Ganges. His heart ached as he pondered, “Where has Sati, my cherished one, gone?” As sorrow overwhelmed him, the sage Nārada approached, coming into the presence of Bhava himself. Nārada spoke gently: “O lord of gods, Sati, who was your wife and as dear to you as your own life, has taken birth again. She is now the daughter of Himavat, born of Menā. In her new form, she possesses deep knowledge of the Vedas and their meanings.” Hearing these words, the god entered into deep meditation and beheld her in her new birth. Having fulfilled his purpose, he remained absorbed in contemplation. The goddess, having attained her youthful form, was again united in marriage. Thus, O Bhīṣma, is the story of how, in ancient times, the great sacrifice was destroyed. At this point, Bhīṣma respectfully requested, “O revered teacher, please explain to me in detail, and in the proper order, the origins of the gods, the demons, the gandharvas, the serpents, and the rakshasas.” Pulastya replied, “Listen, O Kaurava. In the earliest times, the creation of beings arose from will, sight, and touch. But after Daksha, the son of Prachetas, creation began to occur through sexual union. Now, hear how Daksha brought forth new life. When he set about creating, he produced hosts of gods, sages, and serpents. “In those days, the world did not multiply through sexual union. Daksha generated thousands of sons from his wife Asikni. These sons, noble and fortunate, desired to create various beings. Nārada came to them—the Haryashvas, Daksha’s assembled sons—and said, ‘First, understand the measure of the earth, above and below. Only then, O best of sages, should you create in detail.’ “Heeding these words, they set out in all directions, never to return—just as rivers merge into the ocean and do not come back. When Daksha saw that the Haryashvas were lost, he, the lord of creatures, generated another thousand sons from Virini. These were called the Shabalashvas, and they too gathered for the work of creation. Again, Nārada addressed them as before: ‘Understand the measure of the earth, and of your brothers. Then return and perform creation in detail.’ “But these, too, followed in their brothers’ footsteps and did not return. From that time, the younger brother does not desire to follow the path of the elder. One who seeks after another suffers misery; thus, it is wise to avoid that. When these sons were also lost, Daksha, the lord of creatures, produced sixty daughters. “At that time, Daksha, son of Prachetas, begot these daughters from Virini. He gave ten to Dharma, thirteen to Kashyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, four to Arishtanemi, two to the son of Bhrigu, and two to the wise Krishashva. He also gave two to Angiras. Now, listen as I recount the names of these daughters and the expansion of the progeny of the mothers of the gods from the beginning. “The wives of Dharma were Arundhati, Vasu, Jami, Lamba, Bhanu, Marutvati, Sankalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya, and the radiant Vishva. From Vishva were born the Vishvadevas; from Sadhya, the Sadhyas; from Marutvati, the Maruts; from Vasu, the Vasus; from Bhanu, the Bhanus; from Muhurta, the Muhurtas. In Lambā was born Ghoṣa; in Nāgavīthī, Jāmijā; and from the earth arose Marundhatī. Saṃkalpa gave rise to Saṃkalpa, and the shining gods who pervade all directions were born. “These are the Vasus: Āpa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala, Pratyūṣa, and Prabhāsa. Āpa had four sons: Śrānta, Vaitaṇḍa, Śānta, and the sage Vabhru, chief protector of sacrifice. Kāla was the son of Dhruva; Varcā was born from Soma. Dhara’s sons were Draviṇa and Havyavāha. At the end of the kalpa, Prāṇa, Ramaṇa, and Śiśira were born. Manohara, Dhava, and Śiva were the sons of Hari; Śiva’s son was Manojava, who possessed the power of unknown movement. Anala’s sons, too, were fiery in nature, among them Śākha and Viśākha, self-born and renowned in the Vedas. Kārtikeya is remembered as the child of the Kṛttikās, and Ṛbhu, the sage Devala, is the son of Pratyūṣa. “Viśvakarmā, son of Prabhāsa, became the divine artisan, the great builder of palaces, mansions, gardens, images, ornaments, tanks, parks, and wells for the gods. Among the Rudras are Ajaikapāda, Ahibudhnya, Virūpākṣa, Raivata, Hara, Bahurūpa, Tryaṃbaka, Sureśvara, Sāvittra, Jayaṃta, Pinākī, and Aparājita—eleven in all, bearers of the trident and leaders of hosts. Their sons, numbering eighty-four crores, are considered imperishable and provide protection in all directions. These sons and grandsons were born from the womb of Surabhī. “Now, let me tell you of the sons and grandsons of Kaśyapa, born of his wives: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Surabhī, Vinatā, Tāmrā, Krodhavaśā, and Irā.” Thus, the origins of the gods, sages, Rudras, Vasus, and the many progenitors of the worlds were established, each lineage flowing forth from Daksha’s daughters, spreading life throughout the cosmos.