Filled with fear and self-doubt, the Guhyaka gazed upon the beautiful Kratusthalī, despairing, “All beings shrink away from me—how could I ever hope to win such a woman?” Yet, as he pondered, a thought occurred to him. Quickly, he changed his form into that of the esteemed Gandharva Suruci. In this guise, he entered the midst of the Apsarases, and there, seizing his opportunity, the Guhyaka approached Kratusthalī. Kratusthalī, seeing him as Suruci, welcomed him into her heart. Thus united, they were visible to the entire assembly of Apsarases. In that very place, a son was immediately born to them—a child radiant and resplendent, endowed with all the marks of excellence. As soon as he was born, the son spoke to his father, proclaiming, “I am a king.” His father reassured him, saying, “Since you are born here, you need not fear.” It is said that a child takes after the mother in form and the father in vigor; and so, upon his son’s birth, the Guhyaka joyfully returned to his own form. The mighty Yakṣas and Rākṣasas are known for their ability to assume their own natures—whether in death, sleep, anger, fear, or joy. Smiling, the Guhyaka then said to Kratusthalī, “Come to my home, O lovely-hipped one, together with your son, O beautiful woman.” But when the Apsarases saw him resume his true form, they were struck with terror and anger. Bewildered, they fled from his presence. As they departed, Kratusthalī’s son followed her, offering words of comfort. He led her among the Gandharvas and Apsarases and then turned back. Witnessing the birth of the Yakṣa and the gathering of the Apsarases, the assembled ones said to Kratusthalī, “You are the mother of the Yakṣas.” Thereafter, the Yakṣa, together with his son, departed to his own abode, Nyagrodharohiṇa—a sacred banyan tree beloved by all, where the Guhyakas dwell. Among these Yakṣas, Rajatanābha was their progenitor. He took as his wife Bhadrā, the most excellent daughter of the Dānava Anuhrāda. From Bhadrā was born the mighty Maṇivara. From Maṇivara and his wife, Maṇibhadra was born, whose valor rivaled Indra’s. Their wives, virtuous sisters, were both daughters of Kratusthalī; one was named Puṇyajanī, the other Devajanī. Puṇyajanī bore Maṇibhadra many virtuous sons: Siddhārtha, Sūryatejas, Sumanta, Nandana, Kanyaka, Yavik, Maṇidatta, and Vasu; Sarvānubhūta, Śaṅkha, Piṅgākṣa, Bhīru, Mandaraśobhin, Pajha, and Candraprabha; Maghapūrṇa, Subhadra, the mighty Pradyota, Dyutimat, Ketumant, Mitra, Mauli, and Sudarśana. In all, twenty-four virtuous and auspicious sons were born to Maṇibhadra, and their sons and grandsons—Yakṣas all—were likewise virtuous and auspicious. From Devajanī and Maṇivara were born sons as well: Pūrṇabhadra, Hemaratha, Maṇiman, and Nandivardhana; Kustumburu, Piśaṅgābha, Sthūlakarṇa, Mahājaya, Śveta, Vipula, Puṣpavanta, and Bhayāvaha; Padmavarṇa, Sunetra, the Yakṣa Bāla, Baka, Kumuda, Kṣemaka, Vardhamāna, and Dama; Padmanābha, Varāṅga, Suvīra, Vijaya, Kṛti, Pūrṇamāsa, Hiraṇyākṣa, and Surūpa. These were the foremost among them. These sons of Maṇivara, known as Yakṣas and Guhyakas, were of many forms—some handsome, some misshapen, all adorned with garlands and pleasing to behold. Their descendants, sons and grandsons, numbered in the hundreds and thousands. From Khaśāyā, too, were born other sons—Rākṣasas of terrible might, with the power to assume forms at will. Among the chief of these were Lālāvi, Kuthana, Bhīma, Sumālī, Madhura, Visphūrjita, Vidyujjihva, Mātaṅga, and Dhūmrita; Candrārka, Sukara, Budhna, Kapilomā, Prahāsaka, Krīḍa, Paraśunābha, Cakrākṣa, and Niśācara; Triśirā, Śatadaṃṣṭra, Tuṇḍakeśa the Rākṣasa, the Yakṣa Ākampana, Durmukha, and Śilīmukha. These foremost Rākṣasas, mighty and numerous, roamed throughout all the worlds, their strength equal to that of the gods. There were also seven other daughters, each remembered by name: Ālambā, Utkacā, Kṛṣṇā, Nirṛtā, Kapilā, Śivā, and Keśinī. From them arose powerful hosts of Rākṣasas—fierce in battle, destroyers of living beings, created for the consumption of the worlds. Each sister gave rise to her own host: the cruel Ālambeya, the Utkaceya, the excellent Kārṣṇeya, and the Śaiveya Rākṣasas. Likewise, the host called Naiṛta was produced by the follower of Tryambaka and by the attendant of Gaṇeśvara. From these, the mighty and heroic Yakṣa-Rākṣasas called Naiṛtas were born, with Virūpaka as their renowned chief. Hundreds of such hosts, raised up, attend upon Śaṅkara, the Lord of the universe. The Daitya king Kumbha, of immense body and soul, produced mighty and heroic beings of great strength and prowess. From Kapilā were born mighty Daitya-Rākṣasas; from Kampana the Yakṣa, and from Keśinī, other powerful beings. From these unions arose the Yakṣa-Rākṣasas called Mahāvātas, and from Keśinī’s daughter Nīlā came those of weak mind. From Ālambeya, many were born through Surasika—the Nailas, unconquerable and of terrible prowess. Thus, the Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and their vast hosts came forth, each with their own nature and lineage, filling the worlds with their presence and might, ever attendant upon the great Lord Śaṅkara.