Chapter CLXXXV: Section CX

Knowing that Rama was wroth, Vasishtha said, "Javali knoweth the departure of creatures to the next world and their return thence. Anxious of making thee turn back, he had spoken thus. Do thou now, O lord of the world, learn the genesis of creatures from me. Water was everywhere. The earth was constructed therein. Then sprang the self-create Brahma along with all the celestials. Having become a boar, he raised up the earth, and along with his sons of subdued souls created everything. Brahma eternal, existing through all time and incapable of decay, sprang from the sky. From him Marichi came into being, and Kacyapa is Marichi's son. Vivaswat drew his birth from Kacyapa, and Manu from Vivaswat. Manu was formerly known as Prajapati. Ikshwaku is son unto Manu; and this world was first conferred upon Ikshwaku by Manu. Do thou know Ikshwaku as the first king in Ayodhya. The graceful Kukshi is known as the son of Ikshwaku. And, O hero, Kukshi's son was Vikukshi. Vikukshi had the powerful Vana possessed of exceeding energy for his son. Vana had the mighty-armed Anaranya of high austerities for his son. During the time of that foremost of righteous persons, the monarch Anaranya, drouth or famine did not occur (in Ayodhya); nor were there any thieves at that time. O mighty king, from Anaranya sprang king Prithu. From Prithu sprang Trisanku of mighty energy. This hero by virtue of his truth telling went to heaven in person. Trisanku had the famous Dhundumara for his son; and from Dhundumara Juvanasya was born. Juvanasya's son was the handsome Mandhata; and from Mandhata Susandhi came into being. Susandhi had two sons; Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. Dhruvasandhi had the illustrious Bharata, destroyer of foes (for his son) From Bharata sprang Asita--to whom sprang these hostile kings as foes, Harhayas, Talajanghas and Sasavindus--heroes all. Having engaged with them in battle, the king was excited (by them). And on the romantic Himavat, he became engaged in asceticism. It is said that at the time, his two wives were gone with child. There one of the exalted ladies having eyes resembling lotus petals saluted Bhrigu's son furnished with the splendour of a celestial, desirous of having an excellent son. Another administered poison unto the other for destroying her foetus. Bhrigu's son named Chyavana was at that time staying in Himavat. Appearing before the sage, Kalindi saluted him. Thereupon he returned the greeting that had been made by that lady anxious to secure a boon for the birth of a son. "Thou, shalt, O lady get a son of mighty soul, who shall be celebrated among men; and who shall be pious and powerful--the perpetuator of his race and destroyer of enemies" Hearing this, that noble lady having gone round him and paid in respect unto the ascetic went to her home and gave birth to a son furnished with eyes resembling lotus-petals, and of sheen like that of the inside of a lotus. And because her co wife, had given her poison for destroying her foetus, and as in consequence of this, he had come in contact with poison, he came to be called _Sagara_. The name of that king is Sagara, who having been initiated in a sacrifice excavated the ocean, frightening the people with the vehemence of his operations. Asamanja is known to have been the son of Sagara. This wicked man while yet in life, was banished by his father. Asamanja's son was the puissant Ancumat. Dilipa is the son of Ancumat and Dilipa's son is Bhagirtha. From Bhagiratha sprang Kakustha; from whom the Kakusthas came to be well known. Kakutstha had Raghu for his son; after whom have been named the Raghavas. Raghu's son is the energetic Pravirda, who ate human beings. He is known on earth under such names as Kalmashapada, Saudasa. We have heard that Kalmashapada's son was Sankhana, who having been endowed with prowess, found destruction along with his forces. Sankhana's son was the beautiful and heroic Sudarcana. Sudarcana's son was Agnivarna and Agnivarna's, Sighraga; Sighraga's son was Maru, and Maru's Pracucruva's. Pracucruva's son was the magnanimous Amvarisha. Amvarisha's son was Nahusha having truth for his prowess. Nahusha's son was the exceedingly Virtuous Nabhaga. Nabhaga had two sons,--Aja and Suvrata. Aja's son was the virtuous king Dacaratha. His eldest son art thou celebrated under the name of Rama. Do thou receive thy own kingdom and look after the world. Among the Ikshwakus, the first born becomes the sovereign. The first born existing, an inferior son cannot be installed in the kingdom. It therefore doth not today behove thee to depart from the ever existing morality of the descendants of Raghu. Do thou rule this earth filled with gems, and furnished with high fame, do thou like unto a father govern her containing many kingdoms."