Listen now to the tale of the ancient lineages, the fierce and wondrous beings born in the earliest days. Heti’s son was Lankhu, and from Lankhu came two sons. Praheti too had sons—Malyavan and Sumali—known for their might among the Rākṣasas. Praheti’s own son was Puloma, illustrious and renowned. From Vadha was born Nikumbha, a formidable brahmarākṣasa; Vata’s son was Viraga, and Apo’s son was Jambuka. Nirānanda, son of the tiger, became a bringer of obstacles to living beings. All these were fierce Rākṣasas, feared throughout the worlds. Having spoken of the Yātudhānas, now hear of the Brahmadhānas. Their father was Yajña, their well-being was Dhuni. Among them were Brahmā, who was sinful, and Yajñahā, the slayer of sacrifice. There were others: Svākoṭaka, Kali, Sarpa, and the ten sons of Brahmadhāna. Their sisters, the Brahmarākṣasīs, were exceedingly terrible in nature. Among these sisters were Raktakarṇā, Mahājihvā, Akṣayā, and Upahāriṇī. From their lineage, Brahmarākṣasas were born upon the earth. Most of these Rākṣasas made their abode in the Śleṣmātaka trees, finding shelter among their branches. Thus the Rākṣasas were established. Now, let us turn to the Yakṣas. There was once a Yakṣa who became enamored of the Apsaras named Kratusthalī, she who was of fivefold fullness and radiant beauty. Longing for her, he wandered through the gardens of Nandana, pondering how he might win her. In the midst of Nandana, he saw Vaibhrāja, Surabhi, and Citraratha, all seated with the Apsarases. Searching for a way to approach Kratusthalī, he found none; despairing, he was troubled by his own form and deed. “All beings shrink away from me, filled with fear,” he thought, “so how could I ever hope to attain this beautiful woman?” Then, seeing a way, he swiftly changed his form to that of the esteemed Gandharva. Disguised, he mingled among the Apsarases and seized Kratusthalī. She, believing him to be Suruci, accepted him in her heart, and he was united with her in the very presence of the Apsarases. There, a son was immediately born, endowed with all marks of excellence, radiant in beauty. The child spoke to his father, declaring, “I am a king.” His father replied, “Since you are born here, you need not fear.” Thus, one is born resembling the mother in form and the father in vigor. With the birth of his son, the Yakṣa joyfully returned to his own form. The mighty Yakṣas and Rākṣasas can assume their own natures, whether in death, sleep, anger, fear, or delight. Smiling, the Guhyaka said to Kratusthalī, “Come to my house, O lovely-hipped one, together with your son, O beautiful woman.” But when the Apsarases saw him resume his true form, they were terrified and angry; bewildered, they fled. As they departed, Kratusthalī’s son followed, comforting her with gentle words. He led her among the Gandharvas and Apsarases, then turned back. Witnessing the birth of the Yakṣa and the gathering of Apsarases, those present addressed Kratusthalī, saying, “You are the mother of the Yakṣas.” Thereafter, the Yakṣa, together with his son, returned to his own abode, Nyagrodharohiṇa, the dwelling of the Guhyakas beneath the sacred banyan tree, beloved by all Yakṣas. The Yakṣa named Rajatanābha became the progenitor of the Guhyakas. He took Bhadrā, the most excellent daughter of the Dānava Anuhrāda, as his wife. From Bhadrā was born Maṇivara, mighty among Yakṣas. From her also came Maṇibhadra, whose valor equaled that of Indra. Their wives, Puṇyajanī and Devajanī, were sisters, both daughters of Kratusthalī, and virtuous in nature. Maṇibhadra and Puṇyajanī had many sons: Siddhārtha, Sūryatejas, Sumanta, Nandana, Kanyaka, Yavik, Maṇidatta, Vasu, Sarvānubhūta, Śaṅkha, Piṅgākṣa, Bhīru, Mandaraśobhin, Pajha, Candraprabha, Maghapūrṇa, Subhadra, Pradyota the mighty, Dyutimat, Ketumant, Mitra, Mauli, and Sudarśana. In all, twenty-four sons were born to Maṇibhadra, all virtuous and auspicious. Their sons and grandsons, the Yakṣas, were also numerous and noble. Devajanī, wife of Maṇivara, bore sons as well: Pūrṇabhadra, Hemaratha, Maṇiman, Nandivardhana, Kustumburu, Piśaṅgābha, Sthūlakarṇa, Mahājaya, Śveta, Vipula, Puṣpavanta, Bhayāvaha, Padmavarṇa, Sunetra, the Yakṣa Bāla, Baka, Kumuda, Kṣemaka, Vardhamāna, Dama, Padmanābha, Varāṅga, Suvīra, Vijaya, Kṛti, Pūrṇamāsa, Hiraṇyākṣa, and Surūpa. These sons of Maṇivara, known as Yakṣas and Guhyakas, were of varied forms—some handsome, some misshapen, all adorned with garlands and pleasing to behold. Their descendants numbered in the hundreds and thousands. From Khaśāyā were born other sons—Rākṣasas with the power to assume any form at will. Among their chiefs were Lālāvi, Kuthana, Bhīma, Sumālī, Madhura, Visphūrjita, Vidyujjihva, Mātaṅga, Dhūmrita, Candrārka, Sukara, Budhna, Kapilomā, Prahāsaka, Krīḍa, Paraśunābha, Cakrākṣa, Niśācara, Triśirā, Śatadaṃṣṭra, Tuṇḍakeśa the Rākṣasa, the Yakṣa Ākampana, Durmukha, and Śilīmukha. These foremost Rākṣasas, mighty hosts, moved throughout all the worlds, equal to the gods in strength. There are yet seven other daughters, each giving rise to her own host of beings. Their names and the creation that sprang from them shall now be told.