e sages Marichi, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha,
Kratu, Vasishtha, Angiras, and the mighty and puissant lord Rudra, and
Prachetas. The last begat Daksha, who in his turn, begat sixty daughters.
All those daughters were taken by regenerate sages for the object of
begetting children upon them. From them sprang all the creatures of the
universe, including the gods, Pitris, Gandharvas, Apsaras, diverse kinds
of Rakshasas, birds and animals and fishes, monkeys, great snakes, and
diverse species of fowl that range the air or sport on the water, and
vegetables, and all beings that are oviparous or viviparous or born of
filth. In this way the whole universe consisting of mobile and immobile
creatures sprang into existence. The universal Grandsire, having thus
evoked into existence all mobile and immobile creatures, then promulgated
the eternal religion laid down in the Vedas. That religion was accepted
by the gods, with their preceptors, priests, the Adityas, the Vasus, the
Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, the Aswins, Bhrigu, Atri, Angiras, the
Siddhas, Kasyapa rich in penances, Vasishtha, Gautama, Agastya, Narada,
Parvata, the Valikhilya Rishis, those other Rishis known under the names
of Prabhasas, the Sikatas, the Ghritapas, the Somavayavyas, the
Vaiswanaras, Marichipas, the Akrishtas, the Hansas, those born of Fire,
the Vanaprasthas, and the Prasnis. All of them lived in obedience to
Brahman. The foremost of the Danavas, however, setting at light the
commands of the Grandsire, and yielding to wrath and covetousness, began
to cause the destruction of righteousness. They were Hiranyakasipu, and
Hiranyaksha, and Virochana, and Samvara, and Viprachitti, and Prahlada,
and Namuchi, and Vali. These and many other Daityas and Danavas,
transcending all restraints of duty and religion, sported and took
delight in all kinds of wicked acts. Regarding themselves equal in point
of birth with the gods, they began to challenge them and the sages of
pure behaviour. They never did any good to the other creatures of the
universe or showed compassion for any of them. Disregarding the three
well-known means, they began to persecute and afflict all creatures by
wielding only the rod of chastisement. Indeed, those foremost of Asuras,
filled with pride, forsook every friendly intercourse with other
creatures. Then the divine Brahman, accompanied by the regenerate sages,
proceeded to a delightful summit of Himavat, extending for a hundred
Yojanas in area, ad