In ancient times, O best of the twice-born, there was no distinction between youngest and eldest among the beings; only austerity was honored, and brilliance was the cause of their eminence. Maitreya, eager to understand the origins of the gods, demons, gandharvas, serpents, and rakshasas, requested Parashara to narrate these mysteries in detail. Parashara began, explaining that Daksha, once instructed by Svayambhu—the self-born—was given the task of creating living beings. Listen, O great sage, to how Daksha fulfilled this charge. At first, Daksha created beings by his mind alone: the gods, sages, gandharvas, asuras, and serpents. However, these beings did not multiply. Reflecting deeply for the sake of creation, the lord of creatures considered anew. Desiring to create a variety of beings through lawful union, Daksha took Asikni, the daughter of Virana, a prajapati endowed with great austerity, who sustained the worlds. For the purpose of creation, Daksha begot a thousand powerful sons in Asikni. Seeing these sons, Narada, wishing to further increase the progeny, approached them and spoke words that delighted them. He addressed the Haryashvas, mighty in strength, saying, “You will produce offspring; such effort is seen in you. But alas, you are childish; you do not know the nature of the earth. How will you create offspring without knowing what lies within, above, and below? When movement is unobstructed upward, across, and downward, why do you not seek the end of the earth?” Inspired by Narada's words, the Haryashvas departed in all directions to explore, and even now, they have not returned, like rivers that flow ceaselessly to the ocean. When these white-horse sons were lost, Daksha, the son of Prachetas, once again, by Vairuni, produced another thousand sons. These sons, known as the Shabalashvas—those with mottled horses—were born for the purpose of increasing the population. Yet, O Brahman, they did not heed Narada’s earlier words. Instead, they discussed among themselves, and the great sage explained clearly: “The path of your brothers must indeed be followed; there is no doubt about this.” They agreed, saying, “Having understood the measure of the earth, let us then create offspring.” Thus, they too set out in all directions, following the same path as their brothers. Even today, they have not returned, like rivers merging into the ocean. From that time onward, O twice-born, a brother who goes in search of another brother perishes in the same way; thus, one who knows this should not do so. Recognizing the loss of his sons, Daksha, the lord of creatures, became angry and cursed Narada. Still desiring creation, Daksha then produced sixty daughters by Vairuni, as has been heard. He gave ten daughters to Dharma, thirteen to Kashyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, and four to Arishtanemi. He gave two each to Bahuputra, Angiras, and the learned Krishashva. Hear their names from me: Arundhati, Vasu, Jami, Laghna, Bhanu, Marutvati, Sankalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya, and Vishva—these are the ten wives of Dharma. From Vishva were born the Visvedevas; from Sadhya, the Sadhyas; from Marutvati, the Maruts; and from Vasu, the Vasus. The sons of Bhanu are called the Bhanuvas, and those of Muhurta are the Muhurtajas. From Laghna came Ghosha, and from Jami, Nagavithi. All things pertaining to the earth were born from Arundhati; and from Sankalpa, Sankalpa himself, the universal soul, was born. Now, the eight Vasus—gods of many forms and life, led by light—are: Water (Apa), Dhruva, Soma, Dharma, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha, and Prabhasa. The sons of Apa are Vaitanda, Shrama, Shanta, and Adhvani; the son of Dhruva is the illustrious Kala, who reveals the worlds. The son of Soma is the illustrious Varco, from whom brilliance is born. The son of Dharma is Dravina, and Hutahavyavaha; from Manohara are born Shishira, Prana, and Ravana. Śivā is the wife of Anila; their two sons are Manojava and Avijñātagati. The son of Agni is Kumāra, born from a cluster of reeds; his followers are Śākha, Viśākha, and Naigameya, who were born after him. The child of the Kṛttikās is known as Kārttikeya. It is said that Pratyūṣa's son was the sage named Devala; Devala himself had two wise sons, Kṣamāvat and another. Bṛhaspati's sister, a noble woman perfected in yoga, unattached and celibate, wandered the world and became the wife of Prabhāsa, the eighth Vasu. From her was born Viśvakarmā, the illustrious progenitor, maker of a thousand arts, and architect of the gods. He is the foremost among artisans, maker of all ornaments, builder of all the flying palaces of the gods, and humans also live by his great skill. Among the Rudras, Ajaikapāda, Ahibudhnya, Tvaṣṭṛ, and the mighty Rudra are remembered; Tvaṣṭṛ’s own son was Viśvarūpa, great in austerity. Hara, Bahurūpa, Tryambaka, Aparājita, Vṛṣākapi, Śambhu, Kapardī, and Raivata are also known. Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, and Kapālī, O great sage—these eleven are called the Rudras, lords of the three worlds. Thus, O Maitreya, the origins of gods, sages, and all beings were set forth, each with their own place and purpose in the vast creation.