Maniman, the majestic lord of mountains with a thousand towering peaks, stood prominent among the great ranges. Alongside him were Parṇamāla, Sukeśa, and the formidable mountain Śataśṛṅga. There was also Kauraja, the five-peaked mountain, and Hemakūṭa, blazing with fierce winds and inhabited by the Pajharāgis. Upon these mighty ranges, noble Garuḍas—mighty bird beings—dwelt in abundance, filling the mountains with their presence. From these Garuḍas came their sons, known as the Bhāsas, Ulūkas, and the Kāka-kukkuṭas. The world of birds flourished with peacocks, the melodious Kalaviṅkas, pigeons, Lāva and Tittira birds, and many others. Among them were the Krauñcī, Vārddhīnas, Śyenī, Kurarās, Sārasas, Bakas, and numerous other flesh-eating birds. There were also the Dhṛtarāṣṭrī, Hamsas, and Kalahaṃsas, each with their own noble lineages. Chakravākas and countless other birds, as well as all water-dwelling twice-born, came into being. Their descendants—sons and grandsons—became innumerable, spreading across the world. These, it is said, are the sons of Garuḍa. Now, listen to the lineage of Irā. Irā bore three daughters, each with eyes like blooming lotuses. These daughters became the mothers of all forest trees, trees, and herbs; they also gave rise to creepers and vines, and all manner of healing plants. The creeper gave birth to forest trees—those without flowers, standing steadfast on riverbanks—and also produced flowering and fruit-bearing trees. The vine, in turn, brought forth bushes, fibrous plants, and grasses; from these, bamboo too emerged. In this way, both the immobile and mobile descendants of Kaśyapa spread throughout the world, with their sons and grandsons filling the earth. Thus, a portion of this wondrous creation has been recounted—the illustrious progeny of Marīci, spoken of in brief. Even in a hundred years, O twice-born, this vast creation cannot be fully described. Each mother among these ancient beings possessed her own distinct nature: Aditi was known for her righteousness, Diti for her strength; Surabhi for her austerity, and Danu for her magical power. Kadru was of a cruel disposition, Krauñcī was learned in the Vedas; Irā was inclined toward acquisition, and Danāyu delighted in eating. Vinata was devoted to bearing burdens, while Tāmrā was skilled in binding. Such were the natural dispositions of the mothers of the worlds. Their natures were shaped by righteousness, conduct, intellect, forbearance, strength, and form. Among them were qualities of passion, goodness, and darkness—both righteous and unrighteous. From mothers of similar nature, the offspring of Kaśyapa were born: gods, asuras, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, serpents, piśācas, cattle, wild animals, birds, and plants. All these, O Dākṣāyaṇī, are born among humans in every manvantara. Thus, humans are considered the best, for they alone are the agents of dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kāma (desire), and mokṣa (liberation). Below them are beings of lesser streams, such as gods and demons, who are also born among humans for the fulfillment of their actions. In this way, the origin of the lineages of ascetics is recounted. This creation encompasses gods and demons, gandharvas and apsarases, yakṣas, rākṣasas, piśācas, suparṇas, nāgas, and birds; wild beasts, peacocks, all plants; worms, insects, small creatures, beings born in water; animals, brāhmaṇas, and those marked by auspicious merit. This lineage is life-giving, prosperous, splendid, and brings benefit and happiness. It should always be heard and received without envy. Whoever recites this lineage of great souls regularly, especially in an assembly of brāhmaṇas and physicians, will obtain abundant offspring, wealth, prosperity, and, after death, an excellent destination. Thus, when all creatures—both immobile and mobile—had been created by the great-souled Kaśyapa and established throughout the world, the chief Prajāpati, having anointed the leaders among them as rulers, began to assign kingdoms in order. He anointed Soma as king over the twice-born, over plants, stars and planets, sacrifices, and asceticism. Bṛhaspati was made lord of all the descendants of Aṅgiras, and Kāvyā was anointed as king over the Bhṛgus. Viṣṇu became king of the Ādityas, Pāvaka of the Vasus, Dakṣa of the Prajāpatis, and Vāsava of the Maruts. Prajāpati made Prahlāda, son of Diti, king of the Daityas; Nārāyaṇa of the Sādhyas; and Rudra, the bull-bannered, as lord of the Rudras. Vipracitti was appointed king of the Dānavas; Varuṇa as king of the waters; and Vaiśravaṇa as lord of kings, yakṣas, rākṣasas, earthly rulers, and wealth. Vaivasvata Yama was anointed king of the Pitṛs, and Girisha, wielder of the trident, was made lord of all beings and piśācas. Himavat was made king of the mountains, the ocean of the rivers, and Citraratha of the gandharvas. Uccaiḥśravas was anointed king of horses, the tiger of beasts, and the bull of quadrupeds. Garuḍa, foremost among flyers, became king of all birds; Mātula was made lord of fragrances and of beings without bodies. Vāyu, best among the strong, was made lord of those whose force is sound and space; Śeṣa became king of all those with fangs, and Vāsuki of the nāgas. Among reptiles, serpents, and nāgas, Takṣaka was made chief; among the oceans, rivers, clouds, and rainfall, Parjanya was anointed among the suns. Of all the hosts of apsarases, and likewise of Kāma, and of the seasons, months, and periods, Prajāpati assigned rulers. Of fortnights and their opposites, of moments and festivals, of measures of time and rays, and of calculation and yoga, the year was made their lord. Finally, Prajāpati, in the eastern direction of the atmosphere, anointed his son Sudhāmā, renowned as king. Thus, the creation and order of the world, with its rulers and lineages, was established by the great progenitors, filling the universe with life and harmony.