In the celestial realms, Śaṅkara, Mahādeva, Īśāna—the great lord of the world—stood in reverence alongside the Ādityas led by Indra, the Rudras, and the Vasus. They were attended by Gandharvas, masters of dance and song, and all the gods dwelling in every world, skilled in singing and playing instruments. Together, they paid homage, their music and devotion filling the heavens. Among the Gandharvas, Haṃsa was the eldest, with another as the youngest; between them were Hahā and Huhū. Dhiṣaṇa and Vāsiruci followed, and then Tumburu and Viśvāvasu were remembered. These were the divine Apsarases, radiant and endowed with auspicious qualities. Eight great and most excellent Apsarases were born, worshipped by the gods: Anavadya, Anavaśā, Anvatī, Madanapriyā, Arūṣā, Subhagā, Bhāsī, and Mariṣṭā. Manovatī and Sukeśā, daughters of Tumburu, joined them, making ten divine Apsarases of celestial origin. Among the renowned were Menakā, Sahajanyā, Parṇinī, Puñjikasthalā, Ghṛtasthalā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Pūrvacī, Pramlocā, and Anumlocantī. Urvaśī, the eleventh, was born from the thigh of the beginningless and endless Nārāyaṇa, her limbs flawless and her beauty unmatched. Menakā, daughter of Menā who delighted Brahmā’s mind, along with the others, were known as speakers of Brahman and as great yoginīs. The Apsarases were grouped into fourteen virtuous hosts, and when summoned, they brought splendor wherever they appeared. The mind-born daughters of Brahmā, radiant and swift, became daughters of Manu. There were the swift ones of Tvaritā, the energetic ones of Ūrjjā, and those born from Agni. The long-lived daughters of Sūrya, born from his rays, shone melodiously, while those arising from water and nectar were called Amṛtā. Those born from Vāyu were known as Mudā; from the earth, Bhavā; from lightning, Rucā; and from Mṛtyu, the Bhairavās. These radiant beings, endowed with the qualities of desire, formed fourteen groups, each created with forms surpassing beauty, and they lived in harmony with Indra, Upendra, and the hosts of gods. Among them, Tilottamā, of auspicious form and great fortune, was a celestial woman; Prabhāvatī, born from Brahmā’s fire-altar, was famed throughout the worlds for her beauty and youth. Vedavatī, of great radiance, was born from the Vedic altar of the four-faced sage. Hemā, daughter of Yama, adorned with gold and endowed with beauty and youth, was another celestial woman with lovely eyes. Thus, these shining hosts of Apsarases, numbering in the thousands, were wives and mothers of gods and sages. All Apsarases were fragrant and beautiful, equal among themselves; when united with their beloved, they became intoxicated without wine, and their touch brought joy and delight. On the sacred mountain, the seed of Prajāpati was shed, from which Parvata and Nārada were born. Their younger sister was remembered as Arundhatī. The daughters of Yavīyasī, thirty-six in number, were known as sisters; Vinatā bore two sons, Aruṇa and Garuḍa, and those sisters were remembered as the younger ones. The metres beginning with Gāyatrī, the Suparṇeya birds, and all the days were established in every direction. Kadrū gave birth to a thousand serpents, both moving and unmoving, with many heads and great souls who traversed the sky, bearing many names. Among them, the principal serpents were Śeṣa, Vāsuki, Takṣaka, Sakaṇīra, Jambha, Añjana, and Vāmana. Others included Airāvata, Mahāpajha, Kambala, Aśvatara, Ailapatra, Śaṅkha, Karkoṭaka, and Dhanañjaya; Mahākarṇa, Mahānīla, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Balāhaka, Kumāra, Puṣpadanta, Sumukha, and Durmukha; Śilīmukha, Dadhimukha, Kāliya, Śālipiṇḍaka, Bindupāda, Puṇḍarīka, and Āpūraṇa; Kapila, Ambarīṣa, Dhṛtapāda, Kacchapa, Prahlāda, Pajhacitra, the Gandharva, and Namasvika; Nahuṣa, Khararomā, and Maṇi—these were the renowned Kādraveyas. From Khasha were born two sons, both renowned as devourers of men. The elder belonged to the western line, and the younger among the people of the east. The first son, Vilohita Vikarṇa, had four arms, four legs, two heads, and moved in two ways. His body was covered in hair, with massive limbs, a prominent nose, huge belly, large head, great ears, hair like munja grass, and a mind full of desires. His lips were like an elephant’s, his thighs long, fangs like a horse, great jaw, red tongue, matted eyes, broad mouth, and long nose. He was a guhyaka, with sharp ears, exceedingly joyful, and a huge mouth—a terrifying form. Khasha then gave birth to a second son, his younger brother, who had three heads, three legs, three arms, and dark eyes. His hair stood upright, he had a tawny beard, a jaw as hard as stone, a short body, strong arms, a huge frame, and great strength. His mouth was torn up to the ears, brows drooping, broad nose, thick lips, eight fangs, two tongues, and ears shaped like conch shells. With tawny, protruding eyes, matted and tawny hair, great ears, a broad chest, lacking hips, a thin belly, clawed hands, and a red neck, he was the youngest son she bore. As soon as they were born, they grew to full size, their bodies fit for enjoyment, and they stood ready, their limbs matured instantly as they surrounded their mother. The elder, fierce and hungry, seized his mother, saying, "Come, mother, I am tormented by hunger and wish to eat." But the younger restrained his brother again and again, saying, "Let us protect our mother Khasha." Embracing him with his arms, he freed their mother, ensuring her safety. Thus unfolded the wondrous lineage of the gods, serpents, and celestial beings, each with their own splendor and story, illuminating the worlds with their presence.