Mahabharata – 84

by 

Sankar Mukherjee

&

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                                            Aadivamsavatarana Parva

Vaisampayana said, “Then Indra had a consultation with Narayana on their incarnation on the Earth from Heaven & on their respective roles to play. And, having asked all the residents of  heaven,to gradually become incarnate on earth for the destruction of the asuras & for the benefit of the three worlds, Indra returned from the palace of Narayana.

The celestials had their births, as per their choices, in the races of Brahmarshis and royal sages. And they killed  the Danavas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Snakes & the other man-eaters, and many other creatures. The Danavas, Rakshasas and Gandharvas and Snakes, could not destroy the incarnated celestials. The latter were very strong from their early boyhood”. 

Janamejaya said, “ I am very curious to hear from the very beginning of the births of the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, men, Yakshas and Rakshasas. Therefore please  tell me about the births of all creatures accordingly”.

Vaisampayana said,’Indeed  I shall, having bowed down to the Brahma, tell you in detail the origin of the celestials and other creatures. It is known that Brahma had six spiritual sons, --- Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha & Kratu.

And Marichi's son is Kasyapa, & from Kasyapa originated these creatures.From the thumb of Brahma Daksha took birth. Daksha had thirteen daughters ---- . Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kala, Danayu, Singhika, Krodha, Pradha, Viswa, Vinata, Kapila, Muni, and Kadru. The sons and grandsons of these were of great energy & were countless.

 From Aditi  the twelve Adityas originated who are the lords of the universe.They are Dhata Mitra, Aryama, Sakru, Varuna, Ansa, Vaga, Vivaswan, Pusha,& tenth one Savita, eleventh one Twashtra, and twelveth one Vishnu by name. The youngest one however, is superior to them  all in merit.

Diti had one son called Hiranyakasipu.The high minded Hiranyakasipu had five sons. The eldest of them all was Prahlada, the next was Sanhlad, the third one was Anuhlad, next were Sivi and Vashkala. And that Prahlada had three sons namely Virochana, Kumbha, and Nikumbha. And Virochana had only one son -- Vali, of great prowess. And Vali’s son –Vana.He was known as the great &the fortunate Asura Vana.Vana was a follower of Mahadeva, and was known also by the name of Mahakala.

And Danu had forty sons. The eldest of them was Viprachitti.He  was a great King.Names of other sons of Danu were as follows; Mahayasha,Samvara, Namuchi, Pauloma, Asiloma,  Kesi, Durjaya,Danava, Ayahsiras, Aswasiras, Aswasanku Viryavan, also Gaganamurdha, and Vegavan, Ketuman,Chasa, Swarbhanu, Aswa, Aswapati, Vrishaparva,  Ajaka, Aswagriva, Sukshma, Tuhunda, Ekapada, and Ekachakra, Virupa, Aksha,Aahara, Nichandra,  Nikumbha, Kupata, Kapata; Sarabha,Salabha, Surya, and then Chandrama. The Surya and Chandrama (the Sun and the Moon) of the gods are different from  Surya & Chandrama of theAsura race.These children of Danu became famous in the world.

Other than these, Danu had  ten more sons of great prowess.They also continued the Danava race.  The following are the  ten other sons of Danu--- Ekaksha, Amritapa,Pralamva and Naraka, Vatapi,Satrutapana,Satha,Gavishtha,Vanayu, & Dirghajihva. The sons and the grandsons of these were countless

Sinhika the daughter of Daksha gave birth to four sons. The eldest one was the harasser of  the Sun &the Moon.He is the Rahu.The second one  was Suchandra. third one was Chandrahanta &  the fourth one wasChandrapramardana.

 Krodha the daughter of Daksha had countless sons & grandsons.The names of the principal four were Gana,Krodhavasa,Krukarma,& Arimardana.  And Danayu the daughter of Daksha had four sons namely -- Vikshara, Vala, Vira, and Vritra. And the sons of Kala the daughter of Daksha were all like Yama himself of great valour and killer of all foes.The son of Kala , Kalkeya was famous. Among other sons of Kala Vinasana and Krodha,  Krodhahanta, & Krodhasatru were the famous ones.

And Sukra, the son of Bhrigu  was the preceptor of the Asuras. And the four sons of Sukra  were the priests of the Asuras. And they were Tashtadhara,Atri, Roudra & Karmi.They were like the Sun himself in energy,well versed in the Vedas & Logic