Chapter 33 - Various Kings are Appointed by Brahma

1. Vaishampayana said:—O Bharata, the Lord appointed Sakra, effulgent like the sun, as the king of the three worlds and of the gods.

2. Jishnu, the wielder of thunder-bolt, clad in a coat of mail, was given birth to by Aditi. That intelligent patron of Srmitis is eulogised by Adhyaryus.

3. As soon as he was born from Aditi the Lord Sakra was covered with Kusha grass and therefore the king of gods passed by the name of Kaushika.

4-7. Having installed the thousand-eyed Purandara as the Lord Paramount Brahma began gradually to distribute other kingdoms. He installed Soma as the king of Yajnas, asceticism, stars, planets, the twice-born and herbs. He appointed Daksha the king of patriarchs, Varuna the lord of waters, the all-destroyer Vaishvanara, the king of the departed manes and Vayu that of smell, bodiless creatures, sound and ether.

8-16. He conferred on Mahadeva the sovereignty over the goblins, Pishacas, Matris, cows, evil portends, diseases, calamities, profuse rain, other disturbances and the evil spirits. He appointed Vaishravana Kuvera as the king of Yakshas, Rakshasas, Guhyakas, all the jewels and wealth. He appointed Sesha as the king of all animals having teeth, Vasuki as that of Nagas and Takshaka as that of serpents. He appointed the ocean as the lord of rivers, rain and waters and Avurya as the lord of Adityas. He appointed Citraratha as the king of Gandharvas and Kama that of Apsaras. He appointed the bull, the carrier of Mahadeva, the king of all quadrupeds. The highly effulgent Hiranyakashipu was appointed the king of Daityas and Hiranyaksha as the heir apparent. The highly powerful and first born Vipracitti was appointed the king of Danavas and Asuras. Prajapati appointed Mahakala as the king of Kalakeyas and Vitra that of the sons of Anayusha the wife of Twastha. He appointed the great Asura Rahu, the son of Sinhika as the king of all portends and evil omens.

17-24. O Bharata, thereupon he appointed Vatsara (year) the king of seasons, months, cycles, fortnights, days, nights, Tithis, Parvas, Kalas, Kasthas, Muhurttas, the two Ayanas, Yoga Sastra and Mathematics. The highly powerful Garuda was elected the king of all birds, Suparnas capable of seeing from a distance and of the Bhogis. Vasava appointed Aruna, Garuda’s younger brother, red like a Java flower, as the king of the Eastern quarter. The highly illustrious Yama, the dispenser of justice and the son of the lord Aditya was appointed by Mahendra as the king of the south. Kashyapa’s own begotten son, who was under water and was celebrated afterwards by the name of Amburaja, became the king of the West. And Pulastya’s son the highly effulgent Kuvera, like unto Mahendra himself, was appointed the king of the north.

25-33. Having thus made out the divisions of the kingdom, the Self-sprung Deity, the creator of the universe conferred on them severally the celestial regions. The regions of some were effulgent like the sun, some were like fire, some were like lightning, and some like the moon. All those regions were of diverse colors, capable of coursing at will, many hundred yojanas in extent, easily accessible unto the pious and hard of attainment for the sinful. The regions, which are beautiful to look at and are lustrous like the stars, are those of the pious. Those who celebrate sacrifices with most excellent presents, those who are faithful to their own wives, forgiving, simple and truthful, those Brahmanas who show kindness towards the poor, those who are freed from covetousness, and the quality of Rajas, and the ascetic sages repair to those regions. Having thus engaged his own sons Prajapati, the grand-father of the world, repaired to the Brahma region called Pushkara. Having been entrusted by the Self-sprung Deity with the work of protection and been looked after by Mahendra the celestials lived happily in their respective regions. Having been duly engaged in the work of protection all the gods, headed by Shakra, enjoyed their portions of sacrificial offerings, heaven, fame and joy.