Now, hear of the forms and nature of the rākṣasas, as remembered by the wise. Their appearance is shaped by their very essence: they possess round, tawny eyes, massive bodies, and large bellies. Their mouths are torn up to the ears, with eight formidable fangs and conch-shaped ears. Their hair stands upright, wild like tufts of munja grass or rising smoke. Their heads are large, their complexions pale, and their stature short, yet their arms are long. Their mouths shine copper-red, with tongues and lips that hang down, cheeks that droop, and thick noses. Their limbs are dark, yet their necks glow with a red hue; their deep-set eyes and terrifying countenances inspire dread. Their voices are exceedingly fearsome, and their bodies are misshapen, with thighs bound together. Thick-bodied and strong as rocks, they are of fierce and cruel lineage, most often engaged in harsh and violent deeds. Yet, these beings also adorn themselves: they wear earrings, armlets, diadems, and turbans. Their garments and ornaments are varied, and they delight in garlands and ointments of many kinds. They are known as eaters of food, flesh, and even humans. Such is the remembered form and nature of the rākṣasas. Still, their full strength is veiled, for it is shaped by illusion. The sons of Pulaha are all wild beasts and fanged creatures—spirits, piśācas, serpents, bees, and elephants among them. Vānaras, kinnaras, yama-kimpuruṣas, and other wandering beings, all are subject to illusion and anger. As for Kratu, he is remembered as childless in the age of Vaivasvata; he has neither son nor grandson, and his energy remains diminished. Now, listen to the lineage of Atri, the third among the great progenitors. He had ten beautiful wives, all devoted to their husband. From the apsaras Ghritachi and Bhadrashva came ten sons: Bhadra, Shudra, Madra, Shalada, Malada, Vela, Khala—these seven—along with Gocapala, Manarasa, and Ratnakrita. Their father, Prabhakara, was the founder of the Atreya lineage. From Bhadra, he begot Soma, a son of great renown. It was Soma who, when the sun was struck down by Svarbhanu and fell from the sky, restored its light as darkness overtook the world. As the sun was falling, the great sage addressed him, “May well-being be yours,” and by the words of the Brahmarshi, the sun did not fall to earth. That great ascetic Atri established the foremost lineages; in sacrifices, he was called Atrighana, and was set in motion by the gods. He begot sons among them, equal to himself and bearing his name—ten in all, endowed with great austerity and radiant power. These are known as the Svastyatreyas, sages accomplished in the Vedas. Among them, two were famed for their glory, devoted to Brahman and of immense energy: Dattatreya, the eldest, and Durvasa, his younger brother. The youngest child was a daughter, Ambala, learned in the Brahman. The ancient knowers declare that Dattatreya, tranquil and sinless, was an incarnation of Vishnu. In his lineage were born four renowned on earth: the Shyamas, Mudgalas, Balarakas, and Gavishthiras—mighty branches among men. From Kashyapa, Narada, Parvata, and Arundhati were born. Now hear of those born from Arundhati. Narada gave Arundhati to Vasishtha; Narada, of great energy and with upward-flowing seed, became so due to the curse of a tree. Long ago, during the Tarakamaya battle between gods and demons, when the world was struck by drought and Indra was preoccupied with the gods, Vasishtha, wise and steadfast, sustained all creatures through his austerity. He caused herbs, roots, fruits, and medicinal plants to grow, reviving beings with these medicines. Vasishtha begot Shakti upon Arundhati; Shakti begot Parashara upon Sagarānjanayā. From Kali and Parashara was born Krishna Dvaipayana, the lord; from Dvaipayana and Arani was born Shuka, endowed with virtues. In Pivari, Shuka had six sons: Bhurishrava, Prabhu, Shambhu, Krishna, and Gaura as the fifth. There was also a daughter, Kirtimati, renowned as the mother of yoga and steadfast in vows, mother of Brahmadatta and wife of Sattvaguha. Among the great souls, eight branches of the Parasharas are declared: the Shvetas, Krishnas, Gauras, Shyamas, Dhumras, Samulikas, Ushmapas, and Darakas, as well as the Nilas and Parasharas. Now, hear further of a birth equal to Indra. In Vasishtha, from Kapinjala and Ghritachi, was born Kushitiya, who is called Indra-like. From the daughter of Prithu was born a son, Vasus; his son was Upamanyu, from whom the Upamanyus descend. Among Mitra and Varuna, those known as Kundinas, others called Ekarsheyas, and the renowned Vasishtas—these constitute eleven branches of the Vasishtas. Thus, the eight mind-born sons of Brahma are famed, brothers of great fortune whose lineages are established. These sustain the three worlds, filled with hosts of divine sages; their sons and grandsons number in the hundreds and thousands, pervading the earth like the rays of the sun. Having heard these words of wisdom, the twice-born questioned the charioteer's son further: “How did Bhavani arise a second time, and who was she before? Formerly she was Dakshayani—how did Uma come to be born? Menā, the daughter of the ancestors, became the wife of the mountain lord and bore offspring. Who are these ancestors, of whom Menā is the mind-born daughter?” Mainaka is the grandson, Uma is the granddaughter, and so too are Ekaparna and Ekapatala. Thus are recounted the lineages, the forms, and the origins of these ancient and revered beings.