Sūta continued:
1. In the seventh cycle called Vaivasvata Manvantara, the Devas and the great sages were born of Kaśhyapa, son of Marichi.1
1. Hence the title of the chapter ‘Maricha creation’.
perpetually Chandajas (born according to their own will or born of Vedic chandas?).
2. The eight groups of Devas are remembered as follows: (1) Adityas, (2) Vasus, (3) Rudras, (4) Sådhyas (5) Viśhvedevas (6) Maruts, (7) Bhrugus and (8) Angiras-s.
3. (Among them) Adityas, Maruts and Rudras are to be known as the sons of Kaśhyapa. The three groups, viz. Sädhyas, Vasus and Viśhvedevas are the sons of Dharma.
4. Lord Bhargava was born of Bhrugu and Angira was the son of Angiras. In this Vaivasvata Manvantara, those Devas are
5. The current auspicious creation should be known as that of the descendants of Marichi. Their present brilliant Indra is Mahābala by name.
6. All the Indras in the different Manvantaras whether of the past or future or those who exist now should be known as having equal characteristics.
7. All of them are the lords of past, present and future objects, thousand-eyed and Purandara (destroyers of the cities of enemies). All of them are bountiful, crested (wearers of crowns with crests). They hold thunderbolt in the hand. All performed hundred sacrifices and all possessed hundreds of attributes.
8. They establish themselves after excelling all the living beings in the three worlds, whether weak or mobile, for various reasons such as Dharma (Piety) etc.
9. I shall explain everything as to how they are the lords of the past, present and future by means of splendour, penance, intellect, strength, learning and exploits; how they have become powerful; listen and understand even as I recount.
10. Three worlds have been remembered by the Brāhmaṇas as Bhūta, Bhavya and Bhavishya.1 They are respectively remembered as follows: Bhūrloka or the Earth, Bhuvarloka or the firmament and Bhavya or the heaven. I shall explain how they have been accomplished.
1. Verses 10-18 explain these terms and how the vyährutis originated (v.19).
11-12. This was uttered at the outset by Brahma, who was desirous of sons and who was meditating. The word “Bhūh” was uttered in the beginning and this Bhürloka took shape. The root Bhū is remembered in the sense of Satta (existence) as also Loka Darśhana (visibility to the people). Since it existed and was visible it became Bhürloka, hence this first Loka is remembered as Bhūḥ, because it existed.
13. When this (world) had taken shape, the second word, “Bhavat” was uttered again by Brahma. That which is about to take shape in the immediate future time is indicated by the word “Bhavat”.
14. The word Bhuvarloka is derived from bhavana by those who know Nirukta (Etymology). Hence the firmament is called the second Loka i.e. Bhuvarloka.
15. When Bhuvarloka had taken shape, the third word “Bhavya” was uttered by Brahma and then the Bhavyaloka took shape.
16. The word Bhavya is used in the sense of what has not yet come about (i.e. the future). Hence this future world is remembered by the name Diva (Heaven).
17. Another third word “Svaḥ” was uttered (by Brahma). Then the Bhavyaloka (future world) took shape. The word Bhavya is used in the sense of future time.
18. The Earth is remembered by the word Bhūh; the firmament is remembered as Bhuvaḥ; the heaven is remembered as Bhavya. This is the set of three worlds in a nutshell.
19. By the utterances in combination with the three worlds the three Vyāhrutis (i.e. the mantras Bhūh, Bhuvaḥ, Svah) originated. The root Nath is remembered in the sense of ‘protection’ by those who know the meanings of) roots.
20. Since they are the Lord Protectors of the Bhūta, Bhavya and Bhavat worlds they are the Nathas (Protectors of the three worlds. They are termed as Indras by the Brāhmaṇas.
21. The Devendras who are the chiefs in the Manvantaras as well as those Devas who are their (subordinates) become partakers of shares in the Yajñas.
22. Yakşhas, Gandharvas, Rákşhasas, Piśhāchas, Uragas and Dänavas are all proclaimed as the products of the glory of the Devendras.
23. The Devendras are the elders (preceptors), protectors, kings and parents. Those excellent Devas protect all these subjects righteously.
24. Thus the characteristics of the Devendras have been briefly described. I shall now recount the seven sages who are stationed at present in the heaven.
25-28. They are: (1) Viśhvamitra of great penance, the intelligent son of Gadhi who was born of the family of Kuśhika, (2) Jamadagni, the valorous son of Uru (Aurva) the scion of the family of Bhrugu, (3) Bharadvāja of great penance, the son of Bruhaspati, (4) Sharadván the learned and the virtuous son of Utathya, belonging to the family of Gotama, (5) the fifth one Brahmakośha (otherwise known as) lord Atri, son of Svayambhū (Brahma,) (6) the sixth one, the son of Vasişhtha well known in the world as Vasuman, and (7) Vatsara, son of Kaśhyapa. All these seven are well honoured by good men. These seven sages, all of whom are Siddhas, exist in the present Manvantara.
29-31. Ikşhväku, Nābhāga, Dhrushta, Sharyāti, the famous Narishyanta, Nābha, Uddishta, Karuşha, Pruşhadhra and Vasuman the tenth-these are the ten sons of Vaivasvata Manu glorified by me. The seventh Manvantara has been explained by me. O Brahmaņas, the second Pada has been described by me in detail and in the proper order. What else shall I now explain?