Listen, as I recount the wondrous lineage and hosts of Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, born of ancient beings, their names resounding through the worlds. Among the illustrious sons of Maṇivara are Kustumburu, Piśaṅgābha, Sthūlakarṇa, Mahājaya, Śveta, Vipula, Puṣpavanta, and Bhayāvaha. Alongside them stand Padmavarṇa, Sunetra, the Yakṣa Bāla, Baka, Kumuda, Kṣemaka, Vardhamāna, and Dama. Not to be forgotten are Padmanābha, Varāṅga, Suvīra, Vijaya, Kṛti, Pūrṇamāsa, Hiraṇyākṣa, and Surūpa—each renowned among their kind. These sons of Maṇivara are celebrated as Yakṣas and Guhyakas, some strikingly beautiful, others misshapen, yet all adorned with garlands and pleasing to behold. Their descendants—sons and grandsons—are said to number in the hundreds and thousands. From Khaśāyā sprang another line: Rākṣasas of formidable power, capable of assuming forms at will. Among their chiefs are Lālāvi, Kuthana, Bhīma, Sumālī, Madhura, Visphūrjita, Vidyujjihva, Mātaṅga, and Dhūmrita. Also, Candrārka, Sukara, Budhna, Kapilomā, Prahāsaka, Krīḍa, Paraśunābha, Cakrākṣa, and Niśācara are counted among them. Triśirā, Śatadaṃṣṭra, Tuṇḍakeśa the Rākṣasa, the Yakṣa Ākampana, Durmukha, and Śilīmukha complete this host. These mighty Rākṣasas, moving in great numbers throughout all worlds, are considered equal to the gods in strength. Now, hear of the seven other daughters and the creation of further hosts from them. Their names are Ālambā, Utkacā, Kṛṣṇā, Nirṛtā, Kapilā, Śivā, and Keśinī—seven illustrious sisters, each remembered with reverence. From these daughters arose powerful hosts of Rākṣasas, fierce in battle and destroyers of living beings, produced for the consumption of the worlds. The Ālambeya and Utkaceya hosts are known for their cruelty, as are the Kārṣṇeya and Śaiveya Rākṣasas, each an excellent host in its own right. In the same way, the host called Naiṛta was produced by the followers of Tryambaka and attendants of Gaṇeśvara. From among these, the mighty Yakṣa-Rākṣasas—heroic and full of valor—were born, known as the Naiṛta divine Rākṣasas, with Virūpaka as their renowned chief. Hundreds of these great hosts, raised up in ancient times, generally attend upon Śaṅkara, the Lord of the universe. In the line of Daityas, the mighty king Kumbha, of great body and soul, produced beings of immense strength and prowess. From Kapilā came powerful Daitya-Rākṣasas, from the Yakṣa Kampana came others, and from Keśinī, yet other beings were born. From these lines arose the formidable Yakṣa-Rākṣasas called Mahāvātas, and from Keśinī’s daughter Nīlā came those of weak mind. From Ālambeya, through Surasika, many unconquerable and terribly powerful Nailas were born, roaming the entire earth. So vast is their creation that it is impossible to describe them all. From Nīlā was born the Rākṣasī Vikacā, her daughter, naturally bloated, of dull mind and weak strength. Yet from her, by Virūpa the Naiṛta, were produced fierce divine beings—among them those with distorted fangs, huge ears, great bellies, the Hārakas, Bhīṣakas, and Krāmakas, as well as others. The Vainakas, Piśācas, Vāhakas, and Prāśakas are earth-dwelling Rākṣasas, slow and of human-like strength. These beings wander in countless forms, never seen before, in great numbers; those of superior strength and energy are remembered as sky-dwellers. Within a space of a hundred thousand, the smaller ones move only a little, yet by their multitude, this world is pervaded hundreds and thousands of times. Thus, the earth is occupied everywhere by all these rākṣasas, many minor rākṣasas of various kinds and in various regions. As horses are grouped together, so too are there eight mothers of rākṣasas, giving rise to eight successive divisions. Among these, some are known as Bhadrakā, whose purpose is to complete sacrifices; they number in hundreds and thousands, roaming among mortals. Pūtanās are common among the mothers and terrifying to beings; among humans, they are planetary influences that cause harm to children. Skanda-graha and others, as well as Āpaka and Trāsaka, are especially associated with childhood, their influences affecting the young. Among these are the special Skanda-grahas and magical beings, the Pūtanās, spirits, and leaders among beings. In hundreds and thousands, they roam among mortals, and thus, countless such groups wander this earth. Among all these, Yakṣas are considered the most virtuous, as are the Guhyakas—divine beings and virtuous people alike. Among the Guhyakas, those of Agastya, the rākṣasas of Pulastya, and those remembered as of Viśvāmitra are counted. Among the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, both of Pulastya and Agastya, their king is Kubera, the great lord of Alaka. These Yakṣas, when they see, drink the flesh and blood of men; the rākṣasas enter their victims, while the piśācas torment them. Yet, these beings are adorned with all auspicious marks, sharing the same fields as the gods—radiant, powerful, lords, and possessing forms at will. Unaffected by consumption, courageous, honored by all worlds, subtle, vigorous, pure, bestowers of boons, and fit to be invoked in sacrifice—they are ever present, filling the worlds with their might and mystery.