Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 6 Chapter 6:20-36

Book 6: Chapter 6

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 6: Chapter 6: Verses 20-36 The posterity of Daksa through his sixty daughters Krtaswa begot (a son named) Dhumrakesa through his (first) wife Arci, and (four more sons, viz.,) Vedasira, Devala, Vayuna and Manu through (his second wife) Dhisana. Vinata, Kadru, Patangi and Yamini were the (four other) wives of the sage Kasyapa (who was also known as Tarksya because of his father, the sage Marici, who bore the title of Trksa). (Of these) Patangi gave birth to birds, whileYamini brought forth moths. Vinata (also called Suparna) bore Garuda, who carries (on his back) Bhagavan Visnu (the Lord of sacrifices) Himself as well as Aruna (who is thighless), the charioteer of the sun-god; while Kadru brought forth the numerous varieties of Nagas (serpent-demons). Again, (the deities presiding over) the (twenty-seven) lunar mansions, Krttika and so on, are the wives of Soma (the moon-god), O Pariksit (a scion of Bharata) ! Plagued with the devilish disease of consumption due to the curse of Daksa (who got enraged with his son-in-law because of his partiality and excessive fondness for one of his twenty-seven wives, viz., Rohini, and consequent neglect of others) however, the moon-god got no issue by (any of) them. Propitiating Daksa again, Soma secured (from him the boon of regaining) the digits (of light) intercepted (from the lunar orb) during the waning (dark) fortnight (but no issues even then). Now hear the auspicious names of Kasyapa's wives, the mothers of (all species of) living beings, by whom (the whole of) this universe was brought forth-(viz.,) Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kastha, Arista, Surasa, Ila, Muni, Krodhavasa, Tamra, Surabhi, Sarama and Timi. Of (the last-named,) Timi, were born the (numerous) species of acquatic creatures; while wild animals (the tiger etc.), are the offspring of Sarama. Of Surabhi were born the buffaloes, the bovine race and whatever other (ruminant) beasts with cloven hoofs there are, O king ! of Tamra, were born the hawk, the vulture and other (carnivorous) birds; while the hosts of celestial nymphs were born of Muni. Reptiles such as the snake, O king (Pariksit), are the progeny of Krodhavasa. From (the womb of) Ha appeared the whole vegetable kingdom; while the Raksasas (ogres) are the offspring of Surasa. The Gandharvas (celestial musicians) are the progeny of Arista, and beasts with uncloven hoofs (such as the horse and the donkey), of Kastha. The sons of Danu number sixty-one; hear (the names of) the chief of them. They are Dwimtardha, Sambara, Arista, Hayagriva, Vibhavasu, Ayomukha, Sankusira, Swarbhanu (Rahu), Kapila, Aruna, Puloma, Vrsaparva and Ekacakra, Anutapana, Dhumrakesa, Virupaksa, Vipracitti and Durjaya. Namuci, it is said, married Suprabha, the daughter of Swarbhanu; while the mighty Yayati,son of Nahusa (a human king), wedded Sarmistha, the daughter of Vrsaparva. Now hear (the names) of the four daughters of Vaiswanara (another son of Danu), who were (all) charming to look at, (viz.,) Upadanavi, Hayasira, Puloma and Kalaka. (Of these,) Hiranyaksa espoused Upadanavi; and Kratu, Hayasira, O Pariksit! And urged by Brahma (the creator), the glorious Kasyapa (a lord of created beings) married the other two daughters of Vaiswanara, (viz.,) Puloma and Kalaka. Of these (Puloma and Kalaka), were born sixty thousand Danavas (great grandsons of Danu), (known as) the Paulomas and Kalakeyas, who distinguished themselves in battle. When in heaven (on a friendly visit), your father's father (Arjuna), O Pariksit, slew them (all) single-handed in order to please Indra (the lord of paradise), inasmuch as they wrecked his sacrificial performances.