In the beginning, the wise Lord Mahādeva created, by his mind, a vast array of beings: seers, gods, gandharvas, humans, serpents, rākṣasas, yakṣas, spirits, piśācas, birds, cattle, and wild animals. Yet, though these beings had been brought forth, they did not multiply. Mahādeva, seeing this, reflected deeply upon the matter. Desiring to bring forth more beings through the method of sexual union, Mahādeva arranged for Asiknī, a daughter of great austerity who supported the worlds, to become the wife of Vīraṇa, the lord of creatures. By Asiknī’s strength and virtue, the entire universe—both moving and unmoving—was sustained. Two verses are recited about Prācetasa Daksha, who married Asiknī, the supreme daughter of Vīriṇa. Daksha, the lord, followed after the multitude of wells of serpents, proud and powerful, as they were released into rivers and mountains. The sages, witnessing this, declared, “Here, the beings will be established; first here, then a second time by Daksha, the lord of creatures.” In due course, Daksha, the son of Pracetas, came to the multitude of wells and married Asiknī, the daughter of Vīriṇa. From this union, Daksha, the mighty lord, begot a thousand sons of great vigor with Vairiṇī in the region of Asivān. But when these sons gathered, the great-souled sage Nārada, beloved of all and the son of Brahmā, intervened. Wishing to prevent their multiplication, Nārada spoke words that led to their destruction and brought a curse upon himself. Kaśyapa, the sage, is said to have assumed his role only by convention; out of fear of Daksha’s curse, the Brahmarṣi took on this identity. Then, from the mind of Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā), another son was born as the son of Kaśyapa—again, out of fear of Daksha’s curse, a mind-born son of Kaśyapa appeared. Thus, Nārada became the second mind-born son of Kaśyapa; for Nārada, born earlier from Parameṣṭhin, was so indeed. By Nārada’s actions, all the sons of Daksha, known as the Haryaśvas, were destroyed for the sake of censure; all perished, without a doubt. Daksha, enraged and intent on destruction, was restrained by the Lord, who, accompanied by the Brahmarshis, was entreated by Parameshthin. At Parameshthin’s request, Daksha resolved that Narada should become his son, born from his daughter. Thus, Daksha gave his beloved daughter to Parameshthin, and Narada was born again, a sage calmed by fear. Hearing of these events, the Brahmins, filled with renewed curiosity, questioned the wise Suta, knower of truth and foremost among speakers: “How were the sons of Prajapati, the Pracetas’ descendants, destroyed by the great-souled Narada?” Hearing their truthful and auspicious inquiry, Suta spoke sweet words, endowed with every virtue. Daksha’s sons, the Haryashvas, desiring to increase progeny and endowed with great strength, gathered together. Narada addressed them: “You are young and inexperienced; you do not know the earth below, above, or in between—how then will you create offspring? What is the measure of the earth, and what should be created? Without knowing this, how will you create? Whether little or much, there is fault in that.” Upon hearing these words, the Haryashvas departed in all directions. Reaching the path of Vayu, they met with destruction and, even today, do not return, wandering with the wind. Thus, having entered the path of Vayu, those great sages roam. With his sons lost, Daksha, son of Prachetas, again created a thousand sons from Vairini. Desiring to increase progeny, these Shabalashvas heard the same words previously spoken by Narada. All those mighty youths said to each other, “The great sage has spoken rightly; we must follow the path of our brothers—there is no doubt.” Knowing the measure of the earth, they intended to create offspring, but they too departed in all directions, never to return, like rivers flowing into the sea. From that time, a brother seeking his brother perishes in the same way; one who knows this should not act thus. When the Shabalashvas were lost, Daksha, enraged, cursed Narada: “May you meet destruction and dwell in the womb!” Thus, when even those great souls were lost long ago, Daksha created sixty renowned daughters from Vairini. For the sake of his wife, the lord Kaśyapa accepted them, as did the venerable Dharma, Soma, and other great sages. Whoever truly knows this entire creation of Daksha becomes long-lived, renowned, fortunate, and blessed with offspring. Now, let us hear in detail the origin of all the gods, Dānavas, and Daityas during the period of Vaivasvata Manu. First, the natural origin of Dharma is described: Arundhatī, Vasur Yāmī, Lambā, Bhānu, and Marutvatī; Saṅkalpā, Muhūrtā, Sādhyā, and Viśvā as well—these ten daughters, Dakṣa, son of Pracetas, gave as wives to Dharma. From Sādhyā, Dharma’s sons, the twelve Sādhyas, were born—greatly fortunate, born of chandas, and partakers in sacrifice; the knowers of the gods declare them to be superior among the gods. The Jayas, desiring progeny, were created from the mouth of Brahmā as gods; all of them are considered to be embodied mantras in the various Manvantaras. Among them are Darśa, Paurṇamāsa, Bṛhadyā, Rathantara, Citti, Vicitti, Ākūti, and Kūti. Thus unfolds the sacred story of Daksha’s creation and the origins of the gods and sages, as recited by the wise.