Adhyaya 23

हिन्दी अर्थ

ऋषीणामग्निकल्पानां नेसिषारण्यवासिनाम् ऋषिः श्रुतिधरः प्राज्ः सावर्णिनास नामतः १ तेषां सोप्प्यग्रतो भुत्वा वायुं वाक्यविशारद: । सातत्य॑ तत्र कुर्व॑न्तं प्रियार्थे सत्नयाजिनाम् विनयेनोपसंगम्य पप्रच्छ स सहाद्युतिम्

English

The thirtyfirst Kalpa is known as Pitavasas 1 * * (yellow garmented). Here, god Brahma of great brilliance assumes a yellow complexion. While Brahma, the supreme god, was meditating with a desire for sons, a son of great splendour robed in yellow attire He was a mighty-armed young man with yellow ointment On seeing him engaged in meditation, Brahma mental1 y saluted him who was the supreme lord and the creator of the When god Brahma became absorbed in meditation, e On seeing that great goddess Mahesvari, t e go o immense splendour who was bowed to by Devas, spoke: "Come on. Come on," said he, eulogising her fre- quently by terms such as intellect 5, c memory an mow e ge. ''Enveloping the universe with Yoga, bring the whole world under (your) control. Or you will join with Rudra and become his consort. For the welfare of Brahmanas, you will be the highest truth." Then the lord of the chief of De% as gave the four- footed great goddess (Mahesvari) to Brahma who was meditat¬ ing with a desire to have sons. Then realising by his Yogic meditation that she was the supreme goddess, Brahma who deser¬ ves obeisance from all the world, sought refuge in her. Having- meditated on the Gayatrl pertaining to Rudra, god Brahma be° came self-controlled. When the Kalpa of yellow colour of the self-born deity passed away, another Kalpa called Sita 1 began to function.

हिन्दी अर्थ

विभो पुराणसंबड़ां कथां वे वेदसंसिताम्। श्रोतुमिच्छामहे सम्यकप्रसादात्सवंदशिनः 0७३ हिरण्यगर्भो भगवॉल्ललाटान्नोललोहितम् । कथं तत्तजस देव लब्धवान्पुत्रमात्मनः ४ कथं च भगवाञजज्ञे ब्रह्म कमलसंभव: । रुद्रत्वं चेव शर्वस्थ स्वात्मजस्य कथ्थ पुनः

English

When the universe was turned into a single vast ocean and a thousand divine years had elapsed, the dejected Brahma desirous of creating the subjects began to think. Then he of great splendour saw that a boy of great powers, dark in complexion and shinning with his lustre had appeared. He wore dark garments, an excellent black turban, black sacred thread, black garlands and unguents and had a black head. On seeing the noble-souled, immortal one with terrible mantras, he (Brahma) paid homage to the dark and tawny Lord of the chief of the Devas and the universe. The glorious Brahma was engaged in Prandydma (breath control). With Maliesvara (the great god) in his heart, he men¬ tally sought refuge in the Lord of ascetics absorbed in medita¬ tion. Brahma then contemplated on Brahman as Aghora. While he was thus meditating Lord Rudra burst out in a boisterous laughter. Then from his sides four noble sons emerged. They were black in complexion and had black garlands and ungu¬ ents. ' They wore black garments, turbans, clothes and had black faces. They laughed aloud boisterously. They uttered great hissing sounds. They performed obeisance again and again. Then they worshipped him for a thousand years by means of Yoga and at the end of that period they transferied their activities to their disciples. Verses 20-32 describe the 32nd Kalpa called Sita (black). Complexion and dress suitable to the name of the Kalpa and birth of four sons a a boistrous laugh—all these are common features to other Avataras of biva. The avatdra or form of Siva here is Aghora.

हिन्दी अर्थ

कथं च॒ विष्णो रुद्रेण साथ्थ प्रीतिरनुत्तमा। सर्वे विष्णुमया देवा सर्वे विष्णुमया गणाः ६

English

Other Brahmanas too well-versed in the injunctions who meditate upon Rudra by means of Yoga attain the eternal lord. When that terrible black Kalpa elapsed, another Kalpa named Visvarupa 1 began to function. After the period of dissolution was over when the mobile and immobile beings were created and when Brahma desirous of sons began to meditate, the omnipresent Sarasvati of great sound manifested (herself). Brahma who had a Yogic communion with his Atman mentally meditated on Isana, the lord of all, the omnipresent, who was clad in universal garlands and robes and who wore universal sacred thread and universal turban and who had applied universal scents, who had mighty arms and had universe as his abode. Brahma bowed to the lord. To him who was thus meditating and saluting, with the words Otii to Isana, O Mahadeva, obeisance be to you," the Lord Isa (Siva) said, "I am pleased with you. Ask what you desire." Then, bowing and eulogising the lord with words, the delighted Brahma replied with a contented mind: O lord I wish to know your universal form that per¬ vades and rules over the universe. I wish to know who is this supreme god. Listen precisely to this holy and nourishing secret of all mantras. It is the great secret of the first creation. The Kalpa that is current now is known as Visvarupa, wherein Devas, Bhava and others and twenty-six Manus (are said to have existed). O Lord, this is the thirty-third Kalpa since you have occupied the position of Brahma.

हिन्दी अर्थ

सूतज्ी बोल्लेे--नैमिषारण्य में रहने वाले अग्नितुल्य ऋषियों के बीच सावर्णि नाम के एक वेदज्ञ पण्डित ऋषि थे बोलने में चतुर होने के कारण सब ऋषियों से आगे बढ़ कर उन्होंने विनयपूर्ण, अत्यन्त कान्तिवाले वायु से सत्रयाज्ञिकों के कल्याण के लिये पूछा

English

It should be known that Ananda (is your predecessor). In Ananda you will be ultimately dissolved. You are of the spiritual lineage of Galavya. By virtue of penance you have be¬ come my son. In you are firmly established Yoga, Sankhya, pen¬ ance, learning, sacred precepts, rites, order, truth, Brahman, non-violence, series of generations, meditation, the body for meditation, quiescence, Vidya and Avidya, mind, fortitude, splendour, calmness, memory, intellect, modesty, purity, speech, contentment; nourishment, rituals, shyness and forbearance. Know, O Brahma, that this great goddess is Prakrti, your mother. She possesses twenty-six attributes. She is called "thirty- two syllabled' 5. This venerable goddess is the mother of the self-born god. She has four faces. She is the origin of the universe. She is glorified as Prakrti, the cow whom the meditators of the reality call Prakrti and Pradhana. This unborn (Goddess) is red, white and black in complexion. She is beautiful in form and creator of the universe. While I, the unborn, am intelligent knower that, the universal-formed (all-pervading) Gayatrl, is the universal-formed cow." After saying thus, the great lord laughed boisterously. Moving clapping his hands loudly he produced 'Kahakaha' sound. Then from his sides divine sons of various forms were born, some with matted hair, some with shaven heads, some with tufts and some with half-shaven heads. Those sons of great prowess worshipped the lord for a thousand divine years by means of Yoga as mentioned (before), instructed decent pupils in righteousness and Yogic practice and restraint. Thereafter, they entered Lord Rudra. Then Brahma, the grandfather of the world was struck with wonder. He resorted to the great god (Mahadeva) with heart full of devotion. He spoke the words, "O Lord! How is this entire whiteness of yours?" When it was Svetakalpa, I became wholly white. I had white turban, white garlands and white garments, and was known as the auspicious. My bones, flesh, hair and skin were white. My blood too was white. Hence this Kalpa came to be known as Sveta.

हिन्दी अर्थ

सावर्णि बोले--प्रभो ! आप सबवंदर्शी हैं। आपके प्रमाद से हम वेदतुल्य पौराणिक कथा को अच्छी तरह से सुनना चाहते हैं। भगव,न् हिरण्यगर्भ ने अपने ललाट से अत्यन्त तेजस्वी नीललोहित देव को किस प्रकार पुत्र रूप में प्राप्त किया ? ।३-४ कमलयोति ब्रह्मा किस प्रकार उत्पन्न हुये ? बअ्रह्मनन्दन नीललोहित को रुद्रत्व किस प्रकार प्राप्त हुआ ? रुद्र के साथ विष्णु की उत्तम प्रीति किस प्रकार हुई ? 'सभी देवता

English

Due to my grace, the lord of Dcvas possessed white limbs and white blood, The Gayatrl called Brahma Gayatrl 2 was of white complexion. O lord of Devas, I, the eternal Sadyojala, stationed in the secret region, have been realised by you by means of penance. So this secret Brahman is glorified as Sadyojata. In verses 57-74 Lord Siva recapitulates the names of the Kalpas and his appearance as follows: Lohita or Rakta Visvarupa As the importance of the so-called Gayatrl mantra became well-established, the Purana writers (devotees of one of the trinity of gods) had a Gayatrl Mantra pertaining to their own special deity. Thus AP 317. 7 gives the Siva (Rudra) Gayatrl as follows: Hence the Brahmanas who realize me hidden in secret (the heart) will approach me whence the return (tosamsara) is When I next became Lohita (red), theKalpatoo was known as Lohita through the colour assumed by me. Then Gayatri, the cow was glorified as endowed with red flesh, bones, blood, milk, eyes, and udder. Then I became Vamadeva as my colour changed into red. By the excellence of Yoga, I was known as Vamadeva.

हिन्दी अर्थ

विष्णमय हैं, सभी गण विष्णुमय हैं, विष्णु के समान कोई दूसरी गति नहीं है” देवगण सर्देव ऐसा नि:संदिग्ध

English

Still, O Mighty one, I have been known by you of res¬ trained soul as white-coloured that excels all colours. Henceforth I attained fame as Vamadeva. Those twice-born ones who realize my position as Vamadeva and who realise Mother RudranI, Gayatri, are liberated from sins. They become free from passion. They have the splendour of Brahman. They will attain Rudra's region from which the return is rarely possible. When this Kalpa became terribly black in colour through the colour assumed by me, the Kalpa was called There I am like Kala (God of death). I am black and I illuminate the worlds. O Brahma, I have been realised by you as terrible and of terrific exploit. Hence to those on the earth who realise me in this terri¬ ble form, I, the eternal god shall become non-terrible and quies¬ cent. To those on the earth who realize me in universal form, I always become propitious and gentle. Hence this Kalpa too is Vis'varupa. There Savitr! too is These sons of mine art omniformed. They are mention¬ ed to be four. Their feet are indeed worshipped by the worlds. Hence too in my subjects there will be all castes and colours. The subjects shall eat all sorts of foodstuffs. They will be pure according to caste. Salvation, virtue, wealth and love constitute a set ot four 1. Hence the knower and theknown too will become fourfold.

हिन्दी अर्थ

न च विष्णुतमा काचिद्गतिरन्या विवीयते इत्येब॑ सतत देवा गायन्ते नात्र संरायः ॥

English

Verses 75-77 speak of the sets of four (entities) such ttogharma, Artha, Kama and Moksa) and Yugas (Krta, Treta, Dvapar The living beings are of four categories. The stages in life are four. The feet of virtue are four. My sons are four. The universe consisting of the mobile and immobile beings, exists in the four Yugas. Since it is four-fold, it becomes four-footed. Bhxir, Bhuvar, Svar, Mafias, Jana, Tapas and Santa are the seven regions. The region of Rudra is beyond these re¬ gions. Svar is the third and Mafias is the fourth. This region is very extensive. It is the great abode of Yogins. Those alone who practise Yoga, who know about it, who meditate upon it, who are in* communion with it, who are free from the feeling of c my-ness', who are devoid of egotism, lust or anger, can realize it. Since you saw the four-footed Sarasvati, all animals will' be four-footed and will have four teats. Since Soma charged with Mantras exuded from my mouth, O Brahma, the soul of all living beings will drink milk contained in her breasts. Hence (the milk) will be full of Soma and is designated as Amrla (nectar) and hence the quadrupeds have their whiteness therefrom. Since the goddess Savitri, the promoter of the welfare of the world, was seen by you again as two-footed, after per-

हिन्दी अर्थ

एवमुक्ते5थ भगवान्वायु: सावणिमब्रवीत्। अहो साधु त्वया साधो पृष्टः प्रश्नों ह्मनुत्तमः पद

English

Since this supreme goddess (Mahesvari) of great pro- O Brahmanas! Thus being addressed by Rudra, Lord Brahma, the grandfather of the world bowed down to Rudra and spoke to him again with humility and restraint. O Lord Mahesvara, O chief of the lords of Devas, O omnipresent Mahadeva, these bodies of yours are revered by the people. O long-armed mighty lord, of universal forms, in what Yuga will the Brahmanas see you? O Mahadeva! By what Toga of Tattvas (contemplation of true principle) or yogic meditation can your bodies be visua¬ lized by Brahmanas? Neither by penance, nor by Yoga, nor as a fruit of religious gifts, nor as a result of pilgrimage to holy places, nor by performance of sacrifices with liberal sacrificial fees, nor through the teaching of the Vedas, nor by dedicating the mind, can I be seen by human beings except through medita¬ tion. • The all-pervading (Visnu) Narayana, the Lord of the three worlds will be famous in this world by the name Varaha. He will have four arms, four feet, four eyes, four faces, The four yugas, Krta, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, will be the four feet. His limbs will be the sacrifices {Kratus). His arms are the four Vedas; the season, the beginnings of conjunc tions; the two faces are the two Ay an as (transits of the sun) an the eyes are four (two per face). The three heads are t e t Parva days in the months of Phalguna, Asaqlha and ar > three seats (in places) are the heaven, the firmament an In Varaha Kalpa when he assumes the form of Kala, lord Visnu, Narayana will become attainable.

हिन्दी अर्थ

भवस्य पुत्रजन्मत्व ब्रह्म गः सोडभवद्यथा । ब्रह्मगः पद्मयोनित्व॑ रुद्रर्वं शंकरस्य च (3

English

" OLord ofDcvas, you will also become four-faced. People residing in Brahmaloka will worship you. When you will see the great sage Purusa, Nara¬ yana, "the Lord of the Devas, lying absorbed in meditation on a float in the vast ocean (of cosmic waters), minds of both, of you will be confounded by my Yogic power. Without recogniz¬ ing each other at night you will be fighting with each other. On seeing the worlds containing mobile and immobile beings stationed in each other's belly, you will be very much surprised and realise the truth through meditation. Then you, the lotus-born Brahma and he.the lotus- navelled ancient Purusa (Visnu) will become very famous in the Kalpa designated as Lotus (Padma) -Kalpa. Then in the seventh Kalpa of the lord, in the Varaha Kalpa, Visnu of great splendour, Kala the annihilator of worlds will be born as your son and known as Vaivasvata Manu. In that Kalpa when the four Yugas have passed, I will be born as a great sage called Sveta having a tuft, at the end of the Yuga. 1 In the beautiful peak of Himavat, on the excellent mountain Chagala, I will be having four disciples who were ex¬ cellent devotees of Siva. The four noble-souled Brahmanas, masters of the There too my sons will be born: Dundubhi, Satarupa, Rclka and Kratuman. Attaining the Yogic power, perfect knowledge and eternal Brahman, they will go to Rudra Loka whence there can be no return (to samsdra ).

हिन्दी अर्थ

(+द्वास्यामपि च संप्रीतिविष्णोश्चेब भवस्य च्। यच्चापि कुरुते नित्य प्रणामं शंकरस्य च..

English

In the third Dvapara age, when Bhargava is the Vyasa, I will be born as Damana at the end of that age. There also four sons will be born to me, viz. Vis'oka, Vikcsa, Visapa and Sapanasana. In the fourth Dvapara age, when Angiras is the Vyasa, I will be born and known as Suhotra. There also four excellent sons will be born to me. They will be great ascetics, excellent Brahmanas, steadfast in holy rites and endowed with Yogic souls. They will be Sumukha, Durmukha, Durdama and Duratikrama. They will attain the subtle goal of Yoga and be¬ come pure. Their sins will be burnt. They too will be going along the same path. In the fifth Dvapara age, when Savitr will be the Vyasa, I shall be born as a great ascetic (called) Kanga (Kaiika?). I, being a Yogic soul, will perform many activities for showering grace on the world. Vyasa is a designation of the 'arranger* of Vedic mantras into Samhitas. He is born at the end of Dvapara. The name of the incumbent of Vydsahood is different. The list of Vyasas is as follows: Four blessed sons, pure in origin, free from passion, will be born to me. They will be Yogic souls, steadfast in their rites. They areSana,Sanandana, Sanatana and RtuSanatku- mara. They will be devoid of egotism and selfishness. They will approach me and cease to return to the world. In the sixth revolution of the cycle of Yugas, when Lord Mrtyu is the Vyasa, I shall be born and will be known as Lokaksi.

हिन्दी अर्थ

कियता चेव कालेन कल्पः संभवते कथम् । कि च प्रमाणं कल्पस्य तन्नः प्रति पच्छताम् ११२

English

Four blessed disciples will be born to me. They will be divine Yogic souls, steadfast in the religious rites. Those highly fortunate ones will be highly honoured by the people. They are Sudhaman, Viraja, Sankha and Padrava. All of them will be Yogic souls, great Atmans, with their sins burnt. They too will go along the same path, to be sure. In the seventh revolution of Yugas when Satakratu is the Vyasa, who formerly was lord Satakratu of great brilli¬ ance, I will be born in the Kali age at the end of that Yuga and be known as Jaigisavya. I will be the most excellent of all Yogins. There in that Yuga the four sons will be born to me, viz. Sarasvata, Sumedhas, Vasuvaha and Suvahana. Resorting to meditation these noble souls will go to Rudraloka. In the eighth revolution of the Yuga-cycle when >isthais the Vyasa, Kaoila. Acnn' _i _ i: In the tenth Dvapara when Tridhaman is the Vyasa, I will be born on the peak of Himavan, on the excellent mountain Bhrgutunga. The peak is known so after the name of There also, my sons of steadfast vows will be born. They are Balabandhu, Niramitra, Ketusrnga and Tapodhana. They will be great yogic souls endowed with the Yoga of meditation. With their sins burnt by penance, they will go to Rudraloka. In the eleventh revolution, when Trivjrt is the Vyasa, I shall be born at Gangadvara at the end of the Kali age.

हिन्दी अर्थ

सन्वन्तराणां सप्तानां कालसंख्या(रुयां) यथाक्रमम् । प्रवक्ष्यासि समासेन ब्रुवतों मे निबोधत

English

My sons of loud voice known as Ugras will be born then. Endowed with great power, they will be well-behaved and well-known in the world. In the twelfth revolution (of the jaga-cycle), the great sage Satatejas, most excellent among poets, will be the When the thirteenth revolution has arrived and There too my tom will be born as great ascedcs (ht. who value penance as wealth), viz.: Sudhaman, Kasyapa, Vasistha and Virajas. They will be endowed with Yogic power. They will be unsullied. They will remain celibate sublimating their sexuality. Along with the same Yogic path, they will undoubtedly go (to Rudraloka). In the fourteenth revolution when Suraksana is the Vyasa, I will be born again at the end of the Yuga in the family of Angiras, (and be called) by the name of Gautama, the excellent knower ofYoga. That forest will also become holy and be named Gautama. There also, in the Kali age, my sons will be born, viz. Atri, Ugratapas, Sravana and Sravistaka. They will be great Yogic souls. They will be devoted to the Yoga of meditation. They will go along the same path and become the residents of Rudraloka. When in due course thefifteenth revolution arrives and when in the Dvapara age Aruni is the Vyasa, I shall be a Brahmana named Vedasiras. There Vedas'iras, the miraculous missile of the supreme Lord, will be powerful. The mountain (also) will be known as Vedasiras. I shall be resorting to the Himavan on its excellent peak, the source of the river Sarasvat!. There too my sons will be born, viz., Kuni, Kuijibahu, Kusarlra and Kunetraka. Yogic souls absorbed in Brahman and of sublimated sexuality, they too will go to Rudra¬ loka along the same path.

हिन्दी अर्थ

भाव से कहा करते हैँ । फिर भी वही विष्णु भवदेव को (रुद्र को) क्यों प्रणाम करते हैं ?

English

They will be Utathya, Vamadeva, Mahakala and Mahalaya. They will have hundreds and thousands of disciples all practising meditation. In that Kalpa, all of them will be in communion with Brahman by means of meditation. Ever practising Yoga and keeping the great lord in their heart, they will step onto Mahalaya and enter the eternal Siva. Then at the end of the age, some other noble Atmans too will become unsullied and pure. Attaining the holy Mahalaya, the region of the great lord, they will enable the people ten generations before and ten after, to cross the ocean of worldly existence. After making everyone (of the preceding ten and succeeding ten generations) including themselves as the twenty-first, cross the great ocean (ofworldly existence), they will attain, through my grace, the region of Rudra, free from (worldly) feverishness. VVhen the eighteenth revolution (of the cycle of Yugas) arrives, and Rtanjaya is the Vyasa, I shall be born and known by the name Sikhandin on the holy peak of Himalaya, worshipped by Devas and Danavas, where stands the mountain Sikhandin. The forest known as Sikhandin is resorted to by sages and Siddhas. There too my sons, the ascetics will be born. These are their names: Vacahsravas, Rtlka, Savasa and Drdhavrata. They will be Yogic souls, very powerful and masters of the Vedas. Attaining the Yoga of Lord Siva, they will go to Rudraloka. When the nineteenth revolutation arrives, the great sage Bharadvaja will become Vyasa. There too very powerful sons will be born to me, viz. Hiranyanaman, Kausilya, Kakslva and Kuthumi. All of them will be lords of Yogic holy rites. They will observe celibacy. After attaining the Yoga of the great Lord, they will go to Rudraloka. When in the twentieth revolution (of the cycle of yugas) Vacahsravas is the Vyasa, I shall be born and known as There on the top of Himavat itself, resorted to by

हिन्दी अर्थ

सूतजी बोले--इस प्रकार पूछे जाने पर भगवान् वायु ने सावरणि से कहा--अह्ो ! धन्यवाद है, हे साधु ! आपने उत्तम प्रशइन पूछा ।5। ब्रह्मा के पुत्र रूप में भव का जन्मग्रहण, कमल से ब्रह्मा की उत्तत्ति, शंकर का रुद्वत्व, विष्णु और भव दोनों की परस्पर प्रीति और विष्णु क्यों शंकर को नित्य प्रणाम करते हैं? यह सब हम यथाक्रम से विस्तारपृर्बक कहते हैं, सूनिये ।६-१०३। महात्मा द्विजोत्तम ! छठें कल्प के

English

They will be Sumantu, Varvari, Subandhu and Kusikandhara. After attaining the Yoga of the great Lord Rudra, they will go to Rudraloka. When the twentyfirst revolution arrives indue course and when Vacaspati is the Vyasa, I will be born and known by the name Daruka. And the holy forest will be known as Devadaruvana. There too highly powerful and brilliant sons, namely Plaksa, Daksayani, Ketumalin and Baka, will be born to me. They will be Yogic souls, high-minded (magnanimous), of sublimated sexuality. Resorting to supreme Yoga these sinless ones will attain the region of Rudra. There too, righteous sons will be born to me, viz. Tulyarcis, Madhu, Pingaksa and Svetaketu. They will attain Siva's Yoga. Engrossed in meditation, they will be free from passion. Absorbed in Brahman they will proceed to Rudra- When the'twentyfifth revolution arrives m due course, and Sakti, son of Vasistha becomes the Vyasa, I will be born as the lord Mund'isvara with a staff (a recluse) in the city They will be Chagala, Kumbhakarsasya, Kumbha and Prabahuka. After attaining the Yoga of the great Lord Rudra they will also go along the same path. In the twentysixth revolution of the jv-cycle, "[hen Parasara is the Vyasa, I shall be born and known as Sahisnu in the Kali age at its close, in the holy forest ofRudra. There too, sons of great piety will be born to me, viz. Uluka, Vaidyuta, Sarvaka and Asvalayana. After attaining t c Yoga ofRudra, the great god, they will also go the same way When the twentyseventh revolution has arrive in the course and Jatukarnya becomes the Vyasa, I wi e o

हिन्दी अर्थ

बीत जाने पर मनु के अधिकार काल में सातवाँ पद्म नाम का कल्प था। अभी वाराह कल्प बीत रहा है । यह रहस्य हम विस्तार के साथ कहते हैं

English

There too the sages will be born as my sons, vi. They will be noble Yogic souls, free from sin and p When the twentyeighth revolution has arrive in due course and the glorious Visnu, the great father of the worlds becomes Dvaipayana Vyasa, then Then I will be a yogic soul and assume the bod y religious student to surprise the worlds, by means of Yogic On seeing a forlorn dead body (of a child) left (des¬ erted) in a cremation ground, I, with my power of Yogic Maya, entered (willenter) that body for the welfare of Brahmanas. With you Visnu (as my companion), (I shall stay) in the holycave ofMeru. I shall be known by the nameNakulin O Brahman. Then it will be a centre ofSiddhas called Kayarohana. It will remain famous till the earth lasts (i.e. upto the deluge). There too my sons will be born as the ascetics Kusika. Gargya, Mitraka and Rusta. They will be noble Atmans endowed with Yogic power. They will be Brahmanas, masters of the Vedas. They will be free from dirt (sin) and abslain from sexual intercourse. After attaining the Yoga of Rudra, they will go to Rudraloka and Thus I have mentioned incarnations from Manu to Krsnam the twentyeight cycles ofYugas. This series of traditio¬ nal accounts is very sacred and virtuous.