Listen, O wise one, to the unfolding lineage of the gods and sages as described in the ancient tradition. Dharma, the embodiment of righteousness, was blessed with ten wives: Arundhati, Vasu, Jami, Laghna, Bhanu, Marutvati, Sankalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya, and Vishva. From these noble consorts arose many divine offspring: the Visvedevas sprang from Vishva, the Sadhyas from Sadhya, the mighty Maruts from Marutvati, and the radiant Vasus from Vasu. Bhanu’s sons became known as the Bhanuvas, while the children of Muhurta were called the Muhurtajas. Laghna gave birth to Ghosha, and Jami to Nagavithi. All things pertaining to the earth came forth from Arundhati, and from Sankalpa was born Sankalpa himself, the universal soul. Now, hear of the eight Vasus, gods of many forms and the essence of life, led by light: Water (Apa), Dhruva, Soma, Dharma, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha, and Prabhasa. Each had their own progeny: Apa’s sons were Vaitanda, Shrama, Shanta, and Adhvani; Dhruva’s son was the illustrious Kala, who reveals the worlds; Soma’s son was Varco, from whom brilliance is born. Dharma’s sons were Dravina and Hutahavyavaha, and from Manohara came Shishira, Prana, and Ravana. Anila, with his wife Śivā, had two sons: Manojava and Avijñātagati. Agni’s son was Kumāra, born from a cluster of reeds, followed by his companions Śākha, Viśākha, and Naigameya. The Kṛttikās bore the child Kārttikeya. Pratyūṣa’s son was the sage Devala, who himself had two wise sons, Kṣamāvat and another. Bṛhaspati’s sister, a noble woman perfected in yoga and celibacy, wandered the world unattached and became the wife of Prabhāsa, the eighth Vasu. From her was born Viśvakarmā, the illustrious progenitor, master of innumerable arts and architect of the gods. He fashioned all ornaments and built the flying palaces of the gods; humans, too, live by his skill. Among the divine beings were Ajaikapāda, Ahibudhnya, Tvaṣṭṛ, and the mighty Rudra. Tvaṣṭṛ’s son was Viśvarūpa, renowned for his austerity. The Rudras are remembered as Hara, Bahurūpa, Tryambaka, Aparājita, Vṛṣākapi, Śambhu, Kapardī, and Raivata, as well as Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, and Kapālī—eleven in all, lords of the three worlds. Beyond these, a hundred and one Rudras of immeasurable might are also named. Now hear of Kaśyapa’s wives: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Khasā, Surabhi, Vinatā, Tāmrā, Krodhavaśā, Irā, Kadrū, and Munī. From them sprang many beings. In the previous Manvantara, twelve of the best gods were known as the Tuṣitas. At the close of the Cākṣuṣa Manu period, they gathered and resolved, “Come, let us enter Aditi and be born in the new Manvantara for our welfare.” Thus, all were born from Aditi, daughter of Dakṣa, through Kaśyapa, son of Marīci. Among them, Viṣṇu and Śakra were born again, as well as Aryaman, Dhātṛ, Tvaṣṭṛ, Pūṣan, Vivasvān, Savitṛ, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṃśa, and Bhaga—these twelve are known as the Ādityas. In the Cākṣuṣa era, the Tuṣita gods were present; in the Vaivasvata interval, they are remembered as the twelve Ādityas. Soma, steadfast in virtue, had twenty-seven wives, all associated with the stars; their offspring shone with immeasurable brilliance. Ariṣṭanemi’s wives bore sixteen radiant children. Bahuputra’s four offspring are remembered as Vidyuts, the lightnings. The best among those born from Pratyangiras are the Ṛc verses, honored by the Brahmarṣis. Kṛśāśva, the divine sage, fathered the Devapraharaṇas. At the end of a thousand ages, all these groups of gods are born again; thirty-three arise from the Vedic hymns, and for them, constant cessation and arising is spoken of. Just as the sun rises and sets, so too these divine groups come into being in each age. Diti bore two sons to Kaśyapa: Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa, both difficult to conquer. Siṃhikā became their daughter and was taken as wife by Vipracitti. Hiraṇyakaśipu had four sons, renowned for their strength: Anuhlāda, Hlāda, Prahlāda the wise, and Saṃhlāda—all of great valor, who increased the Daitya lineage. Among them, Prahlāda, greatly fortunate and seeing all with equal vision, spoke supreme devotion to Janārdana, the Lord.