foremost of birds, grew immensely powerful by his own action (109). Surasā gave birth to a thousand highly powerful serpents and high-souled sky-rangers of many heads (110). Powerful, and many headed Nagas endued with immeasurable energy, the offspring of Kadru, were born as being subject to Suparna (111). Amongst them Sesha, Vāsuki, Takshaka, Airavata, Mahāpadma, Kamvala, Aswatara, Ekapatra, Shankha, Karko taka, Dhananjāya, Mohāneela, Mahākarna, Dhritarashtra, Valāhaka, Kuhara, Pushpapangstra, Durmukha, Sumukha, Shankhapala, Kapilā, Vāmana, Nahusha, Sangkaroma and Manu were the heads. Fourteen thousand sons and grand sons of these dreadful serpents were devoured by Garuda, living on serpents. Know this class to be full of anger. All animals having teeth, those born on land, birds and those produced by water are the offspring of Dhara. Surabhi gave birth to kine and buffaloes (112-117). Ira produced trees, creepers, groves and all kinds of grasses and Khasa gave birth to Yakshas, Rakshas, Munis and Apsarās (118). Aristha gave birth to the powerful Gandharvas of unmitigated prowess and the mobile and immobile creation is said to have originated from Kaçyapa (119). Hundreds and thousands of sons and grandsons have been born to them. Such was the creation, O my child, in Swarochisha Manwantara (120). I shall now describe to you the creation of the Patriarch Brahmā who offered oblation to fire at the long-extending sacrifice of Varuna in Vaivaswata Manwantara (121). Formerly when seven Rishis were procreated by his mind the grand-father considered them as his sons (122). O descendant of Bharata, when the conflict between the gods and demons raged on, Diti, who had her sons slain, began to propitiate Kaçyapa (123). Being duly adored by her and propitiated, Kaçyapa pleased her by giving a boon. She too prayed for a highly powerful son for killing Indra. That great ascetic, when thus begged, conferred on her the same boon (124-125). Having conferred on her the boon without the least anxiety the son of Marichi said:—"If being pure and observant of vows you can hold your conception for one hundred years you will give birth to such a son as will slay Indra (126–127)." O monarch, saying so be it and being pure Diti obtained her conception from her that great ascetic husband (128). Thinking of one of the leadings gods of immeasurable power and infusing energy which the immortals even can not destroy he knew Diti. Then that one of great vows repaired to a hilly region for carrying on penances (129-130). From that day the slayer of Pāka (Indra) began to seek her fault. One day before hundred years were complete Diti, without washing her feet, lay down on her bed. Beholding her impure state the king of gods entered into her abdomen and made her asleep (131-132).