Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/225

Rh all. And the youngest of them all was Vishnu upon whom are the worlds dependent.

"These are the thirty three gods (eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Prajapati, and Vashatkara). And I shall now recount their progeny according to their Pakshas, Kulas, and Ganas. The Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Marutas, the Vasus, the Bhargavas, and the Viswadevas are each reckoned as a Paksha. Gadura the son of Vinata and the mighty Aruna also, and the illustrious Vrihaspati are reckoned among the Adityas. The twin Aswinas, all annual plants, and all inferior animals, are reckoned among the Guhyakas.

"These are the Ganas of the gods recited to thee, O king! This recitation washes men of all sins.

"The illustrious Bhrigu came out, ripping open the breast of Brahma. The learned Sukra is Bhrigu's son. And the learned Sukra becoming a planet and engaged according to the command of the self-existent in pouring and withholding rain, and in despensing [sic] and remitting calamities, for sustaining the lives of all creatures in the three worlds traverses through the skies. And the learned Sukra, of great intelligence and wisdom, of rigid vows, leading the life of a Brahmachari, divided himself in twain by power of asceticism, and became the spiritual guide of both the Daityas and the gods. And after Sukra was thus employed by Brahma in seeking the welfare (of the gods and the Asuras), Bhrigu begat another excellent son. This was Chyavana who was like the blazing sun, of virtuous soul, of great game. And he came out of his mother's womb in anger and became the cause of his mother's release, O king, (from the hands of the Rakshasa.) And Arushi, the daughter of Manu, became the wife of the wise Chyavana. And in her was born Aurva of great reputation. And he came out ripping open the thigh of Arushi. And Aurva begat Richika. And Richika in his boyhood even became possessed of great power and energy, and of every virtue. And Richika begat Jamadagni. And the high-souled Jamadagni had four sons. And the youngest of them all was Rama (Parashurama). And Rama was superior to all his brothers in the possession of good qualities. And he was skilful [sic] in all weapons, and became the