Let me tell you, with reverence, of the wondrous origins and lineages of the Rākṣasas, Yakṣas, and other divine beings as remembered in the ancient tradition. There were seven illustrious sisters—Ālambā, Utkacā, Kṛṣṇā, Nirṛtā, Kapilā, Śivā, and Keśinī—whose names are renowned. From these powerful beings arose formidable hosts of Rākṣasas, fierce in battle and destroyers of living creatures, brought forth for the consumption of the worlds. Among their progeny, the Ālambeya and Utkaceya hosts were especially cruel, while the Kārṣṇeya and Śaiveya Rākṣasas were also counted among the most excellent hosts. In a similar manner, the host known as Naiṛta was produced by the attendant of Tryambaka and by the follower of Gaṇeśvara. From these, the mighty and valorous Yakṣa-Rākṣasas were born, heroic beings renowned as the Naiṛta divine Rākṣasas, whose chief is the famous Virūpaka. Hundreds of such hosts, having arisen, generally serve Śaṅkara, the Lord of the universe. The Daitya king Kumbha, great in body and soul, also brought forth mighty, heroic beings of immense strength and prowess. From Kapilā came the powerful Daitya-Rākṣasas, from Kampana the Yakṣa, and from Keśinī, other notable beings. The mighty Yakṣa-Rākṣasas known as Mahāvātas were produced, and from Keśinī’s daughter Nīlā came those of weak mind. From Ālambeya, through Surasika, many Nailas were born—unconquerable and terrible in their power. These beings of divine origin roam the entire earth, and because of their sheer multitude, it is impossible to describe them all. From Nīlā herself was born a Rākṣasī named Vikacā, her daughter, naturally bloated, dull of mind and weak in strength. Yet, from Vikacā, by Virūpa the Naiṛta, fierce divine beings were produced—let their names be heard: those with distorted fangs, huge ears, and great bellies—the Hārakas, Bhīṣakas, and Krāmakas among them. Also mentioned are the Vainakas, Piśācas, Vāhakas, and Prāśakas—earth-dwelling Rākṣasas, slow and possessing human-like strength. These beings wander in forms never seen before, of many kinds and in great numbers; those of superior strength and energy are remembered as sky-dwellers. In a space measuring a hundred thousand, the smaller ones move only a little; yet, by their presence, this world is pervaded hundreds and thousands of times. Thus, the earth is filled everywhere with Rākṣasas—major and minor, of many varieties, occupying various regions. Just as horses are grouped together, so too there are eight mothers of Rākṣasas, and eight divisions are known in succession. Some among them are called Bhadrakā, whose purpose is to complete sacrifices; these, numbering in hundreds and thousands, roam among mortals. The Pūtanās are common among the mothers, terrifying to beings; among humans, they are known as planetary influences causing harm to children. Skanda-graha and others, as well as Āpaka and Trāsaka, are understood as childhood influences—planetary powers affecting the young. Among these are the special Skanda-grahas, magical beings, Pūtanās, spirits, and leaders of various groups. Numbering in hundreds and thousands, they wander the earth among mortals. Among all these, Yakṣas are considered the most virtuous, as are the Guhyakas; Yakṣas are divine beings, and there are also virtuous people among them. Among the Guhyakas are those of Agastya, and among the Rākṣasas, those of Pulastya and those associated with Viśvāmitra. Among the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, whether of Pulastya or Agastya, their king is Kubera, the great lord of Alaka. The Yakṣas are said to drink the flesh and blood of men openly, the Rākṣasas do so by entering bodies, and the Piśācas torment their victims in their own way. These beings possess all auspicious marks, sharing the same domains as the gods. They are radiant, powerful, lordly, and can assume forms at will. They are unaffected by consumption, courageous, honored by all worlds, subtle, vigorous, pure, bestowers of boons, and fit to participate in sacrifice. The Asuras, whose conduct resembles that of the gods, are remembered as such; the Gandharvas are said to be inferior to the gods by three parts in power. All the Guhyakas are inferior to the Gandharvas by three parts; the Rākṣasas are equal in power to the Yakṣas, while the Piśācas are again inferior to the Yakṣas by three qualities. Thus, in wealth, beauty, lifespan, strength, virtue, sovereignty, intelligence, asceticism, learning, and prowess, the gods and Asuras are mutually inferior by three parts. Gandharvas and others down to Piśācas constitute the four divine lineages. Now, O blessed ones, hear of those whose nature is governed by anger. In anger, a maiden was born, and from her own being came forth twelve daughters. These became the wives of Pulaha; their names are Mṛgī, Mṛgamandā, Haribhadra, Irāvatī, Bhūtā, Kapiśā, Damṣṭrā, Niśā, Tiryā, Śvetā, Svarā, and Surasā. From Mṛgī came the deer; from Mṛgamandā, other deer and hares, as well as Nyaṅkavas, Śarabhas, Rurus, and Pṛṣatas. From Mṛgamandā also was born the king of beasts, along with Gavayas, buffaloes, camels, boars, rhinoceroses, and those with the face of a gaur. From Hari came the Haris, Golāṅgulas, Tarakṣas, monkeys, Kinnaras, tigers, and Kimpuruṣas. From Irāvatī arose other kinds, whose details are to be heard. And it is said that Bhauvana, uniting two halves of the shell of the sun, grasped them with his hands and sang the Rathantara Sāman. Such is the account of the origins and nature of these ancient and divine beings, as preserved in sacred memory.