*SKANDHA IV, CHAP. 30-31.*
The Prachetas brothers left home in order to discover by Tapas the best
mode of enlarging the creation. They went west-ward and had not gone far
when Siva rose from beneath a large lake and addressed them thus: --
"Children, you are sons of Barhishad, I know your good resolve.
Blessings be on you. By the performance of one's duty in life, one
attains the state of Brahma after many births. My abode is still
further, inaccessible even to the virtuous. But the votary of Vishnu
attains His holy state, only when this life is ended. I and the Devas
shall also attain that state after the final break up of our Linga
Sarira. Learn therefore this prayer to Vishnu. (Siva then recited the
prayer to Vishnu, known as Rudra Gita). Concentrate your mind on this
prayer, meditate on it and recite it constantly."
The Prachetas brothers entered the waters of the deep and there prayed
to Vishnu for a thousand years. Vishnu appeared and asked them to chose
a boon and without waiting for a reply addressed them thus: -- "You are
dutiful sons and shall ever be known as such. You shall have a son in no
way inferior to Brahma. All the three Lokas shall be filled with his
progeny. Indra had sent Pramlocha to decoy Kandu Rishi in his penances
and the Apsara succeeded in winning the heart of the Rishi. She had by
him one daughter whom she brought forth from her pores as she brushed
against the tops of the trees. She left her child there and ascended to
heaven. The moon nourished the child by putting his nectar-bearing
forefinger into her mouth. Have that daughter of the trees for your
wife. You are all alike in your virtues and she is like to you all. So
she shall be the wife of all the brothers."
The brothers then rose up from the waters. They found the earth
overgrown with innumerable plants, so high that they almost reached the
high heavens. The Prachetas brothers were angry to find such growth in
plants and they resolved to destroy them. They emitted fire and air from
their mouths, which caused havoc in the vegetable kingdom. Brahma came
and pacified the sons of Barhishad. He advised the surviving plants to
give their adopted daughter Marisha in marriage to the Prachetas
brothers. The offspring of this marriage was Daksha. He is the same as
Prajapati Daksha, son of Brahma. His degradation was owing to his former
disregard of Siva. The Chakshusa Manvantara witnessed his work of
creation.
The Prachetas brothers reigned for 1000 Deva years. They were succeeded
by Daksha.