Divine Lineages

Discover the origins of Lakshmi, the Balakhilyas, and the 49 sacred fires. 

Maitreya's Request

Maitreya said, "Great sage, you have answered all my questions. Please continue with the account of creation following Bhrigu."

Bhrigu's Lineage

Parashara continued, "Lakshmi, Vishnu's wife, was born to Bhrigu and Khyati. They also had two sons:

1. Dhatri

2. Vidhatri

These brothers married Meru's renowned daughters, Ayati and Niryati. Each couple had a son:

• Dhatri and Ayati's son: Prana

• Vidhatri and Niryati's son: Mrikanda

Mrikanda's son was Markandeya, who fathered Vedashiras. Prana's son was Dyutimat, whose son was Rajavat. After Rajavat, Bhrigu's lineage expanded greatly.

Descendants of Other Sages

Marichi's Line

Marichi's wife, Sambhuti, gave birth to Paurnamasa. Paurnamasa's sons were:

1. Virajas

2. Sarvaga

I will provide more details about Marichi's other descendants later.

Angiras's Line

Angiras's wife, Smriti, bore four daughters:

1. Sinivali

2. Kuhu

3. Raka

4. Anumati

These daughters represent phases of the moon.

Atri's Line

Atri's wife, Anasuya, mothered three virtuous sons:

1. Soma (the moon)

2. Durvasas

3. Dattatreya (an ascetic)

Pulastya's Line

Pulastya and his wife Priti had a son who, in a previous life or during the Svayambhuva Manvantara, was called Dattoli. He is now known as the sage Agastya.

Pulaha's Line

Kshama, wife of the patriarch Pulaha, gave birth to three sons:

1. Karmasa

2. Arvarivat

3. Sahishnu

Kratu's Line

Kratu's wife, Sannati, brought forth the sixty thousand Balakhilyas - tiny sages no larger than a thumb joint, known for their purity, devotion, and radiance like sunbeams.

Vasishtha's Line

Vasishtha had seven sons with his wife Urja:

1. Rajas

2. Gatra

3. Urdhvabahu

4. Savana

5. Anagha

6. Sutapas

7. Shukra

All seven are known as pure sages."

Agni's Lineage

Agni, also known as Abhimani, was the firstborn of Brahma. With his wife Svaha, Agni had three exceptionally brilliant sons:

1. Pavaka

2. Pavamana

3. Suchi (known for drinking up water)

The Forty-Nine Fires

These three sons had forty-five offspring. The total of forty-nine fires consists of:

• Agni (the original son of Brahma)

• Agni's three sons (Pavaka, Pavamana, and Suchi)

• The forty-five offspring of Agni's sons

The Progenitors (Pitrs)

Brahma created two types of progenitors:

1. Agnishvattas: Lacked fires

2. Barhishads: Possessed fires

Svadha's Daughters

Svadha bore two daughters to these progenitors:

1. Mena

2. Dharani

Both daughters were:

• Well-versed in theological truth

• Devoted to religious meditation

• Accomplished in perfect wisdom

• Adorned with all estimable qualities

Conclusion

This concludes the explanation of the progeny of Daksha's daughters. It is said that those who faithfully recite this account shall never lack offspring.

Thus concludes the tenth chapter of the Creation part of the Vishnu Purana.