Thus, the countless descendants of Kaśyapa, both immobile and mobile—his sons and grandsons—have filled the world, their lineages spreading far and wide. I have now recounted a portion of this vast creation, especially the progeny of Marīci. Even in a hundred years, O twice-born, this story could never be fully told. Among the mothers of the worlds, each is known for her distinct nature: Aditi is renowned for her righteousness, Diti for her strength. Surabhi is famed for her austerity, while Danu possesses magical power. Kadru is of a cruel disposition, Krauñcī is learned in the Vedas. Irā is inclined toward grasping, and Danāyu delights in eating. Vinata is devoted to bearing burdens, Tāmrā is skilled in binding. These are the natural dispositions of the mothers who gave birth to all beings. Their offspring inherit traits shaped by righteousness, conduct, intellect, forbearance, strength, and form. Some are of passionate nature, others of goodness or darkness, and among them are both righteous and unrighteous beings. From mothers of similar kind, Kaśyapa’s children emerged: gods and asuras, gandharvas and yakṣas, rākṣasas and serpents, piśācas, cattle, wild animals, birds, and plants. O Dākṣāyaṇī, all these beings have been born among humans in every manvantara, and thus, humans are considered the best. Indeed, humans are the agents for dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa; below them, beings of lesser streams are born—such as gods and demons. These are repeatedly born among humans for the fulfillment of actions. Thus, the origins of the lineages of ascetics are enumerated: gods and demons, gandharvas and apsarases, yakṣas, rākṣasas, piśācas, suparṇas, nāgas, and birds; wild beasts, peacocks, all plants; worms, insects, small creatures born in water; animals, brāhmaṇas, and those marked by auspicious merit. This lineage is life-giving, prosperous, splendid, bringing benefit and happiness. It should always be heard and accepted without envy. Whoever recites this lineage of great souls regularly in an assembly of brāhmaṇas and physicians will obtain abundant offspring, wealth, prosperity, and, after death, an excellent destination. When all creatures, both immobile and mobile, had been created by the great-souled Kaśyapa and established everywhere, the chief Prajāpati anointed the leaders among them as rulers, assigning kingdoms in order. Soma was made king over the twice-born, plants, stars and planets, sacrifices, and asceticism. Bṛhaspati was given as lord to all descendants of Aṅgiras, and Kāvyā was anointed king over the Bhṛgus. Viṣṇu was made king of the Ādityas, Pāvaka of the Vasus, Dakṣa of the Prajāpatis, and Vāsava of the Maruts. Prahlāda, son of Diti, was made king of the Daityas; Nārāyaṇa of the Sādhyas; and Rudra, the bull-bannered, of the Rudras. Vipracitti was appointed king of the Dānavas; Varuṇa as king of the waters; 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, as lord of all beings and piśācas. Himavat was made king of the mountains, and the ocean of the rivers; Citraratha was appointed lord of the gandharvas. Uccaiḥśravas was made king of horses; the tiger, king of beasts; the bull, king of quadrupeds. Garuḍa, the foremost of flyers, was made king of all birds. Mātula was 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 was king of all those with fangs, and Vāsuki of the nāgas. Among reptiles, serpents, and nāgas, Takṣaka was appointed; among 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 and months, and also of the periods, Prajāpati assigned lords. For fortnights and their opposites, moments and festivals, measures of time and rays, and likewise calculation and yoga, he made the year their lord. In the eastern direction of the atmosphere, Prajāpati anointed his son Sudhāmā, renowned as king. In the western direction, his son Ketumanta, of great soul, was similarly anointed. Manu, his son, was made lord of mankind; by these rulers, the earth with its seven continents and cities is governed according to its regions and righteousness. In the previous interval of Svāyambhuva, these were anointed by Brahmā; those who become Manus are anointed as kings. In past Manvantaras, these kings have departed; others are anointed when a new Manvantara arrives. All rulers, past and future, are remembered as lords of the Manvantaras. Pṛthu, anointed at the Rājasūya by these foremost men, was made king, powerful, according to the rite seen in the Vedas. Having produced these sons to continue the people, the greatly fortunate lord again became master of the beings. Desiring a lineage, Kaśyapa undertook supreme austerity, thinking, "May I have two sons who will establish a lineage for me." As the great-souled Kaśyapa meditated, two sons, portions of Brahmā and endowed with great energy, appeared. Vatsāra and Asita, both speakers of Brahman, were born. From Vatsāra came Nidhruva, and from Raibhya, the greatly renowned. From Raibhya, the Raibhya lineage is known; from Nidhruva, listen: Sumedha was born to Cyavana and Sukanyā.