Chapter XIII: Section XIV

As he was proceeding to Panchavati, Raghu's son saw a huge-bodied vulture of terrible prowess. And seeing him in the forest, the exalted Rama and Lakshmana, as they were conversing With each other, knowing the bird to be (in reality) a Rakshasa, asked him, saying, "Who art thou?" Thereupon, in soft and sweet words, he, pleasing them, said, "My child, know me for a friend of thy father." Knowing him to be a friend of his sire, Raghava paid him homage, and enquired for his name and lineage. Hearing Rama's words, he mentioned his own lineage, and related the origin of all beings. "O mighty-armed one, I shall describe (unto thee) from the very beginning the (history of) those that were Prajapatis in days of yore. Listen, O Raghava. Of these, the first is Kardama, then Vikrita, and then Sesha, Sancraya, the powerful Vahuputra, Sthanu, Marichi, Atri, the mighty Kratu, Pulastya, Angira, Pracheta, Pulaha, Daksha, Vivaswat, Arishtanemi, O Raghava, and the exceedingly energetic Kacyapa. These had the west. The Prajapati Daksha, it hath been heard by us, O Rama, had sixty famous and illustrious daughters. Of these Kacyapa wed eight, with elegant waists;--Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kalika,[13] Tamra, Krodhavasa, Manu and Anala. Then, well pleased, Kacyapa again said unto those damsels, "Do thou bring forth sons like unto myself, who shall be lords of the three worlds." Thereat, Aditi, O Rama, Diti, Danu, and Kalika, O mighty-armed one, consented,--the rest were of another mind. And of Aditi were born thirty-three deities, O repressor of thy foes, _viz_., the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and the Acwinas, O subduer of enemies. And, my child, Diti gave birth to those sons, the renowned Daityas. Formerly, this earth girt with seas was in the possession of these. And, O vanquisher of thy foes, Danu gave birth to a son, named, Acwagriva. And Kalika brought forth Naraka and Kalaka. And Tamra gave birth to these five daughters celebrated in the world,-- Kraunchi, Bhasi, Syeni, Dhritarshtri, and Suki. And Kraunchi gave birth to the Ulukas, and Bhasi, to Bhasas, and Syeni to hawks and vultures possessed of energy; and Dhritarashtri to swans, all kinds of Kalahansas, and Chakravakas, and that damsel, Suki, to Nata. And Vinata was Nata's daughter. And Krodhavasa, O Rama, brought forth ten daughters, _viz._, Mrigi, Mrigamanda, Hari, Bhadramada, Matangi, Sarduli, Sweta, Surabhi crowned with every (auspicious mark), Surasa and Kadruka. And, thou foremost of the best of men, Mrigi's sons were all the deer, and those of Mrigamanda. were bears, Srimaras and Chamaras. And Bhadramada bore one daughter, Iravati. And Iravati's son is the mighty elephant, who is the lord of the worlds. And Hari's sons are lions and the nimble monkeys. And Sarduli brought forth as her sons, Golangulas, and tigers; and the offspring of Matangi were mad elephants, O best of men. And Sweta, O Kakutstha, gave birth to the elephants of the cardinal points. And, O Rama, Surabhi gave birth unto two daughters--the famous Rohini, and Gandharbi. Rohini produced kine, and the sons of Gandharbi are horses. And Surasa, O Rama, gave birth to Nagas, and Kadru, to Pannagas. And Kacyapa's other wife Manu begot mankind--Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaicyas, and Sudras. From the mouth, it is known, sprang Brahmanas, from the breast, Kshatriyas, from the thighs, Vaicyas, and from the feet, Sudras. And Anala produced all trees bearing sacred fruits. Vinata (was) Suki's grand-daughter, and Kadru, Surasa's aunt. And Kadru gave birth to a thousand Nagas with the holder of the Earth. And Vinata brought forth two sons,--Garuda, and Aruna. And from Aruna sprang myself and my elder brother Sampati. O subduer of enemies, know me for Jatayu, the son of Syeni. If thou will, I shall become thy help during thy abode (in the woods). And, O child, I shall protect Sita when thou shalt go out along with Lakshmana." There Raghava paying homage unto Jatayu, and embracing him joyfully, bent low; and that self-possessed one listened to the story of Jatayu's friendship with his father, as related by him repeatedly. Then consigning unto that bird of exceeding strength, Mithila's daughter, Sita, Rama accompanied by Lakshmana went to Panchavati, destroying his foes and protecting the worlds.

[13] Some texts:--_Kalaka.--T._