The Garuda Purana

by Manmatha Nath Dutt | 1908 | 245,256 words | ISBN-13: 9788183150736

The English translation of the Garuda Purana: contents include a creation theory, description of vratas (religious observances), sacred holidays, sacred places dedicated to the sun, but also prayers from the Tantrika ritual, addressed to the sun, to Shiva, and to Vishnu. The Garuda Purana also contains treatises on astrology, palmistry, and preci...

Chapter V - Creation of the Prajapatis

The progeny of Daksha described

Hari said:—Having created the world and all orders of beings the Lord created his mind-begotten sons for multiplying his creation; namely Dharma, Rudra, Manu, Sanaka, Sanatana, Bhrigu, Sanatkumara, Ruchi, Shuddha, Marichi, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Narada and the Patris Varhisadas.

The Lotus-sprung deity, from his right thumb, created Daksha endued with four forms and his wife from his left thigh. Daksha begat on her beautiful daughters.. He gave them away unto the sons of Brahma and conferred Sati on Rudra. Numberless, highly powerful sons were born unto Rudra. He conferred the auspicious Khyati, matchless in beauty, on Bhrigu. Bhrigu begat on her Dhata and Vidhata. He also begat Shri who was Narayana’s wife. Hari begat on her himself Bala and Ukshmadi. Ayati and Niyati were the two daughters of the high-souled Manu. They were the wives of Dhata and Vidhata. They gave birth to two sons, Prana and Mrikandu. Markandeya was the son Mrikandu. Marichi’s wife Sambuti gave birth to Pournamasa. Viraja and Sarvaga were the two sons of that high-fouled one. Angiras begat on Smriti sons and daughters namely Sinivalee, Kuhu, Raka and Anumati. Atri begat on Anasuya sinless sons, Soma, Durvasa and the yogin Dattatreya. Pulastya begat on Priti Dottoli. Three sons, Karman, Arthavira and Sahishnu were begotten by the patriarch Pulaha on his wife Kshama. Krati begat on his wife Sumati the sixty thousand Rishis of controlled passions by name Valakhilyas. They were all of the height of a thumb and effulgent like the burning sun. Vashistha begat on Urjja seven sons, viz, Rajo, Gatra, Urdhavahu, Sharana, Anagha, Sutapa, Sukra. These are the seven Rishis.

Daksha conferred Svaha on the fire-god who had assumed a body. O Hara, from him Svaha obtained three highly effulgent sons viz Pavaka, Pavamana and Shuchi, all eaters of water. Svadha gave birth to Mena and Vaitarani. They were both Brahmavadinis.[1] Mena was married to Himachala (mount Himalaya).

O Hara! the Lord appointed Manu Swayambhu (self-create) formerly sprung from Brahma’s self and resembling himself to rule creatures. Swayanbhuva Manu accepted as his wife Shatarupa(a?) who had destroyed all her sins by ascetic penances. And to that person Satarupa bore Pryavrata and Uttanapada; and daughters named Prasuti, Akuti and Devahuti; of them Manu conferred Akuti on Ruchi, Prasuti on Daksha and Devahuti on Kardama. To Ruchi were born Yajna2 and Dakshina3. Again Yajna begat on Dakshina twelve highly powerful sons by name Yamas.

The most excellent Daksha begat twenty four daughters. They were

  1. Sraddha,
  2. Lakshmi,
  3. Dhriti,
  4. Tushti,
  5. Pushti,
  6. Medha,
  7. Kriya,
  8. Buddhi,
  9. Lajja,
  10. Vapu,
  11. Santi,
  12. Riddhi,
  13. Kriti.

These thirteen daughters of Daksha were wedded by Dharma for procreating sons.

  1. Khyati,
  2. Sati,
  3. Sambhuti,
  4. Smriti, 
  5. Priti,
  6. Kshama,
  7. Saunati,
  8. Anasuya,
  9. Urjja,
  10. Svaha
  11. and Svadha

[were the remaining ones]. The foremost of asceties Bhrigu, Bhava, Marichi, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Atri, Vasistha and the Pitris duly married all these daughters beginning with Khyati. And then Sraddha brought forth Kama,1 Chala,2 Darpa,3 Niyama4 and Dhriti5 as her sons, and Tushti Santosha6 and Pushti Lobha.7 Medha8 brought forth Shruta9 and Kriya,10 Dandam11, Laya12 and Vinaya13 and Buddhi,14 Bodh15 and Lajja, Vinaya Vapu16 and Vyavasaya17 as her sons. And Shanti brought forth Kshema and Riddhi, Sukham18 and Kirti Yashas.19 These are the offspring of Dharma.

Kama’s wife was Rati whose son was Harsha. Daksha once undertook the celebration of a horse sacrifice at which all his sons-in-law were invited. They all went there accompanied with their wives except Rudra and Sati. But Sati went there uninvited and was insulted by Daksha. Having renounced her body she was again begotten on Mena by Himavan. Gouri became Shambhu’s wife whose sons were Vinayaka and Kumara. Rudra, the powerful master of Bhringi, was by nature wrathful. He destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice and imprecated a curse on him, saying “You will be born as a man, in the family of Dhruva.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Female interpreters of the divine Science.

1 Having an hundred forms. 2 Sacrifice. 3 Gifts in sacrifice 4 Veneration. 5 The goddess of wealth. 6 Patience. 7 Satisfaction. 8 Nourishment. 9 Intelligence. 10 Act. 11 Intellect. 12 Bashfulness. 13 Body. 14 Suceess. 15 Fame. 16 Righteousness. 17 Renown. 18 Chastity. 19 Birth. 20 Memory. 21 Gratification. 22 Forgiveness. 23 Reverence. 24 Good-natured. 23 Energy, 26

This and the last words are uttered while offering oblations to fire.

I Sexual desire. 2 Lakshmi. 3 Pride. 4 Restraint. 5 Nourishment. 6 Contentment. 7 Avarice. 8 Intellect. 9 Knowledge or what is heard. 10 Action. 11 Punishment. 12 Justice. 13 Humilation. 14 Intellect. 15 Apprehension. 16 Body. 17 Exertion. 18 Felicity. 19 Fame.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: