With tranquil wisdom and ripened spirit, the sage Kausika thus addressed Dharmavyadha: “The approach of good and the decline of evil alike disturb the ignorant mind; the heart sways between elation and sorrow. But the wise perceive both in equal light. They seek remedies to balance the body and calm the spirit. The unlearned grieve at misfortune as though the heavens themselves were falling, thereby multiplying their own distress. Their sorrow smoulders long like fire beneath the ashes. One must not permit grief to master the mind in adversity, nor exultation to unseat composure in success.
The mature dwell not on the past nor tremble for the future; they rest in the present, discerning its worth and shaping their deeds with clarity.
Thus, is born the harmony of thought and the equilibrium of spirit. For sorrow dims the inner and outer radiance, enfeebling all endeavour. Cast away such emotions; engage steadfastly in duty, and the wheel of time shall soon turn to favour you. Let us therefore explore the depths of truth and stand courageous before all change.” Dharmavyadha replied: “O venerable sage, I have shaped my life upon thy counsel, and live content within myself. I trust in the righteous turn of destiny. My heart is fixed in peace.” Kausika answered: “O Dharmavyadha, thou art a cradle of virtue and a vessel of sacred deeds. Thy conduct illumines the path of righteousness. May the Divine ever bestow goodness upon thee. Blessed am I to have met thee in my earthly course; through thee I have discerned the subtle essence of virtue and the hidden workings of truth. Permit me now to take leave.”
Then, circling him with folded hands, the sage departed to his dwelling, where he served his parents with reverence. Markandeya concluded to Dharmaja: “Thus have I told thee the tale of the chaste housewife, the excellence of filial duty, and how lowly birth shines forth through conduct and righteousness.” Dharmaja then inquired: “O holy one, I have heard that Agni once performed penance with great austerity. Why did the Fire-God undertake such hardship? And why was the sage Angirasa appointed in his stead? How many forms of Fire exist?” Then the sage spoke: “In ancient time, Agni, wearied of bearing the ritual offerings, withdrew to the forest to perform penance.
Through long austerities, his form waned and his brilliance faded. Deprived of the divine medium, the sacrifice faltered, for none could bear the offerings heavenward. Realising that his withdrawal imperilled the harmony of worlds, Agni resolved to return, saying within himself, ‘This duty is mine alone; it may not be replaced. Delay is folly.’ Meanwhile, Brahma had entrusted Agni’s charge to Angirasa, who blazed forth with splendour, lighting the three worlds.
When Agni beheld him, he was filled with awe. Then Angirasa addressed him: ‘O purifier of sins, thou art the eternal flame revered in all realms. Resume thy station, for Brahma hath decreed it thine.’ Agni replied humbly: ‘O lord, thy radiance now fills the worlds. This place befits thee more than me. Let thy fire hold the foremost place; I shall remain as the Prajapatya flame.’ Angirasa, moved by grace, answered: ‘He thou the First Fire, and accept me as thy son.’ Thus, Agni embraced him as his firstborn. From Angirasa and his consort Siva were born seven sons—Brihatkirti, Brihajyoti, Brihanmanas, Brihanmantra, Brihadbhanu, and Brihaspati—and seven daughters—Bhanumati, Raga, Sinivali, Kuhū, Archishmati, Mahishmati, and Mahamati. Brihaspati begot Samyu, a noble soul, to whom the first oblation of ghee is offered in every sacrifice.
Samyu and his wife Satyaka begot two sons, Bharata and Bharadwaja. Bharata’s line continued through his son Bharata and daughter Bharati; and Bharadwaja, with his consort Veera, begot Veeru, who begot Bhanu; Bhanu begot Nishchyavanu, who begot Nishkruthi, the Redeemer, so called for releasing men from sin through the worship of Fire. Nishkruthi begot Rujaskara, who begot Krodha, whose brilliance none could match; Krodha begot Rasu, who begot a daughter, Swaha, and a son, Kamuka; Kamuka begot Amogha, and he Ukthundu. Thereafter, Kasyapa, Vasishta, Prana, Angirasa, and Chyavana performed long penance to obtain a divine son.
From their united austerities was born a being of wondrous form: his head blazed like fire, his hands shone like the sun, his eyes sparkled as gold, and his limbs were dark and mighty. Thus, Agni, also known as Panchajanya, is the offspring of five sages. He performed penance for ten thousand years. From his head arose Brihadra and Dhantara; from his face Vishnu; from his navel Shiva; from his seed Indra; from his life-breath Vayu and Agni; and from his limbs all living creatures. The sacred Tapa-fire begot fifteen sons of fierce nature who quarrelled and divided into three bands: the Beemas, the Mithras, and the Suras.
These seized the fruits of sacrifice unlawfully, until the Brahmins, chanting mantras, transformed the ritual fires into winged forms that drove them away. Thereafter, Tapa begot five other sons worthy to receive the offerings—the first, Vaisvanara, worshipped in sacred rites with Megha for four months; the second, Viswapati, ruler of creation; the third, Viswaka, strength of the universe; the fourth, Viswabhuk, who ripens the fruits of the earth; the fifth, Gopati, guardian of righteous deeds. Bhanu and Brihadbhasa begot six sons—Budha, Manyamantha, Druthimantha, Agrayana, Agni, and Soma—and a daughter, Nisha. Purandara begot Manu, who, by divine grace, married Nisha and became a Prajapati. Thus, through sacrifice, the worlds were sustained. In later times, the Vahnis were many, each serving a pious cause.
The southern fire, moved by wind, purified the defilements of households through sacred rites. Apu, the Fire of Waters, and Muditha, the universal grace, begot Agni anew, who bore his burden of service to gods and men. Once, weary of his task, he said to Atharva, ‘Take my place awhile, for I am spent,’ and hid himself within the ocean. The gods, bereft of offerings, sought him anxiously, until a fish revealed his hiding. Angered, Agni cursed the fish, foretelling its destruction by men. The gods entreated him to return, but he, dissolving his form into subtle essence, entered the earth.
From the body he left arose many things—trees, camphor, sulphur, coral, emerald, stone, and coal. After long years of penance beneath the earth, he emerged renewed, but fearing the splendour of the sages, again hid himself in the sea. At last, appeased by the prayers of Atharva and the gods, he resumed his place and shone forth in glory. Thus, though many fires exist, their brilliance is one and indivisible, serving the universe in manifold ways. So spoke Markandeya to Dharmaja, unfolding the divine lineage and sacred service of Fire, the eternal mediator between gods and men.
