The Protector of Creatures then asked the revered sage, “O venerable one, how did the serpents, destined to be the prey of Garuḍa, come to possess bodies? And why is it that they are crooked in form? Please, tell me all of this.” The great ascetic replied, “When Brahmā set about creating the world, Marīci was the progenitor; first conceived in his mind, his son was the sage Kaśyapa. Kaśyapa’s wife was Kadrū, the pure-smiling daughter of Dakṣa. Upon her, Marīci begot sons of immense might. Among these sons were Ananta, Vāsuki, the mighty Kambala, Karkoṭaka, and the serpent named Padma. There were also Mahāpadma, Śaṅkha, and the unconquered Kulika—these are known as the chief descendants of Kaśyapa. By their birth, the world became filled with serpents—crooked in form, of wicked deeds, with sharp fangs and venomous mouths. Whenever they saw humans, they would bite them, reducing their victims to ashes in an instant. O king, just as sound follows touch, so too did dreadful destruction arise among humans day after day. Seeing their own destruction at the hands of the serpents, all living beings everywhere sought refuge with the Supreme Lord, the ultimate shelter. For this reason, all creatures addressed themselves to the lotus-born Viṣṇu, the ancient one, who is also known as Brahmā. The gods prayed, ‘O Lord of gods, origin of all worlds, Supreme Lord, save us from these great serpents with sharp fangs, O mighty one. O God, every day, whenever the serpents see a human or animal, all are reduced to ashes. You created this world, but now it is being destroyed by the serpents. Knowing this evil, do what must be done, O great-minded one.’ Brahmā replied, ‘I will surely provide protection for you all. Return to your own abodes, O creatures; do not be afraid.’ Having spoken thus, Brahmā—whose form is unmanifest—sent the creatures away. They departed joyfully, having bowed to the self-born one. When the creatures had gone, Brahmā summoned the serpents. Filled with anger, he cursed Vāsuki and the others at their head: ‘Because you, born from me, continually bring destruction to humans, in another age, due to your mother’s terrible curse, there will surely be a dreadful and great destruction in the Svāyambhuva Manvantara.’ Hearing this, the foremost serpents trembled and fell at Brahmā’s feet, pleading, ‘O Lord, you have made our nature crooked; you have endowed us with intense poison, cruelty, and a fearful gaze. O God, you have done this—now, Achyuta, please restrain it.’ Brahmā replied, ‘If indeed I have created you with crooked intent, then why do you not, without fear, devour humans always?’ The serpents answered, ‘O Lord of gods, establish boundaries and separate abodes for humans and for us, and set distinct rules for each.’ Hearing their words, the god said, ‘I will establish an agreement between you serpents and humans; therefore, all of you, with one mind, listen to my command. Pātāla, Vitala, and the third, called Harmya—these delightful abodes are given to you; there you shall go. There, by my command, enjoy many kinds of pleasures; remain there until the seventh night, again and again. Then, at the beginning of Vaivasvata’s era, you, the descendants of Kāśyapa, will become the heirs of all the gods and of the wise Suparṇa. At that time, all your offspring will be consumed by Citrabhānu; for you, there will be no fault in this—of this, there is no doubt. Those serpents who are cruel and unruly—their end will come, it cannot be otherwise. When the time is right, bite and devour, and likewise, if wronged by a human. Those humans who move about protected by mantras, herbs, and Garuḍa-circles, or are bound and seen—toward them, behave with fear; do not think or act otherwise, for if you do, you will perish.’ Thus addressed by Brahmā, all the serpents went to the earth’s surface and, established in Rasātala, enjoyed all pleasures. Having received both curse and favor from the Four-faced One, they dwelt joyfully in their abode in Pātāla, their hearts content. All this occurred on the fifth lunar day. Therefore, this date is blessed, auspicious, and a remover of all sins. Whoever, on this day, restrains himself, avoids sour things, and bathes the serpents with milk, will make them his friends. Then Prajāpāla asked, “How was Kārttikeya born from ego, O best of twice-born? Please resolve this doubt of mine, O great sage.” Mahātapā replied, “The Supreme Person, remembered as the essence of all principles, from him arose the unmanifest, and from that, the threefold principles beginning with the elements. Between the person and the unmanifest arose the great principle, mahat; that is called ahaṃkāra, which is declared as the great one. The person is called Viṣṇu, or by name is remembered as Śiva; the unmanifest is the goddess Umā, or Śrī with lotus-like eyes. From their union arises ego, and he is the commander Guha; I will now tell you of his origin—listen, O king of great wisdom. First was the god Nārāyaṇa; from him came Brahmā; then from him, others such as Svāyambhuva and the Marīcis, born from the sun. From them arose the gods, the demons, the gandharvas, humans, birds, cattle, and all beings—this is declared as creation. When creation expanded, the mighty gods and demons, adopting rivalry, fought each other, each seeking victory. Among the powerful demons were leaders, proud in battle: Hiraṇyakaśipu first, then the mighty Hiraṇyākṣa, Vipracitti, Vicitti, Bhīmākṣa, and also Krauñca.