tures, both those in existence as well as those coming into existence.

After the manifestation of that cosmic being, mighty- armed one, a divine lotus as radiant as the sun emerged from within Vishnu’s navel. And in that lotus the blessed god Brahma was born, lighting up space in all directions. He is the grandfather of all living beings, my son.*

207.15

After the manifestation of that cosmic being, mightyarmed one, a great demon called Madhu was the first creature to be born from the primeval darkness. But Vishnu, the supreme being, strengthened himself with divine power and killed that terrifying demon, the one devoted to terrifying practices, whose deeds were terrifying. Because he had slain that demon, my son, all the gods, danavas and men called him Madhu·sudana,* the bull of all the Satvats.

Then Brahma created seven sons, one after the other, from his mind. Daksha was one of these seven—the others were Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. Marichi, who was born in the beginning, my son, first engendered his son Kashyapa, who was mind-born and lustrous, a supreme knower of brahman.

207.20

Brahma also created a son from his thumb even before Marichi, splendid Bharata. This was the patriarch called Daksha. In the beginning thirteen daughters were born to this patriarch, Bharata, the eldest of whom was Diti. Kashyapa the son of Marichi became their husband, my son. He was famous and renowned, a master of the specifics of all religious customs.