Tvashtri had many sons.  Amongst them were the handsome and famous Viswarupa, Ajaikapat, Ahi, Bradhna, Virupaksha, and Raivata.  Then there were Hara and Vahurupa, Tryamvaka the chief of the Deities, and Savitrya, Jayanta and Pinaki the invincible.  The highly-blessed Vasus, eight in number, have formerly been enumerated by me.  These were reckoned as gods at the time of the Prajapati Manu.  These were at first called the gods and the Pitris.  Amongst the Siddhas and the Sadhyas there were two classes in consequence of conduct and youth.  The deities were formerly considered to be of two classes, viz., the Ribhus and the Maruts.  Thus have the Viswas, the gods and the Aswins, been enumerated.  Amongst them, the Adityas are Kshatriyas, and the Maruts are Vaisyas.  The two Aswins, engaged in severe penances, have been said to be Sudras.  The deities sprung from Angirasa’s line have been said to be Brahmanas.  This is certain.  Thus have I told thee about the fourfold order among the gods.  The person who, after rising from his bed at morn, recites the names of these deities, becomes cleansed of all his sins whether committed by himself intentionally or Unintentionally, or whether born of his intercourse with others.  Yavakriti, Raivya, Arvavasu, Paravasu, Ausija, Kashivat, and Vala have been said to be the sons of Angiras.  These, and Kanwa son of Rishi Medhatithi, and Varhishada, and the well-known seven Rishis who are the progenitors of the three worlds, all reside in the East.  Unmucha, Vimucha, Svastyatreya of great energy, Pramucha, Idhmavaha, and the divine Dridhavrata, and Mitravaruna’s son Agastya of great energy, these regenerate Rishis all reside in the south.  Upangu, Karusha, Dhaumya, Parivyadha of great energy, and those great Rishis called Ekata, Dwita, and Trita, and Atri’s son, viz., the illustrious and puissant Saraswata, these high-souled ones reside in the west.  Atreya, and Vasishtha, and the great Rishi Kasyapa, and Gautama, Bharadwaja, and Viswamitra, the son of Kusika, and the illustrious son of the high-souled Richika, viz., Jamadagni,—­these seven live in the north.  Thus have I told thee about the great Rishis of fiery energy that live in the different points of the compass.  Those high-souled ones are the witnesses of the universe, and are the creators of all the worlds.  Even thus do they dwell in their respective quarters.  By reciting their names one is cleansed of all one’s sins.  A person by repairing to those points becomes cleansed of all his sins and succeeds in returning home in safety’”

SECTION CCIX

“Yudhishthira said, ’O grandsire, O thou of great wisdom and invincible prowess in battle, I wish to hear in detail of Krishna who is immutable and omnipotent.  O bull among men, tell me truly everything about his great energy and the great feats achieved by him in days of old.  Why did that puissant one assume the form of an animal, and for achieving what particular act?  Tell me all this, O mighty warrior!’