[28] In Hindu Mythology there are no gods who destroy sacrifices.  It is only the Asuras who do so.  The Burdwan translator renders this passage,—­“fifteen other gods belonging to western nations or Asuras.”  It is noticeable that the beings that were denounced as Asuras by the Hindus were worshipped as Gods (Asuras) by the followers of Zarathustra.

    [29] In connection with the names of these Mitra-gods, it is to
    be remembered that Mitra was the name of the principal god of
    the ancient Persians.

SECTION CCXX

“Markandeya continued, ’The fire called Bharata was bound by severe rules of asceticism.  Pushtimati is another name of his fire; for when he is satisfied he vouchsafes pushti (development) to all creatures, and for this reason he is called Bharata (or the Cherisher).  And that other fire, by name Siva, is devoted to the worship of Sakti (the forces of the presiding deity of the forces of Nature), and because he always relieves the sufferings of all creatures afflicted with misery, he is called Siva (the giver of good).  And on the acquisition of great ascetic wealth by Tapa, an intelligent son named Puranda was born to inherit the same.  Another son named Ushma was also born.  This fire is observed in the vapour of all matter.  A third son Manu was born.  He officiated as Prajapati.  The Brahmanas who are learned in the Vedas, then speak of the exploits of the fire Sambhu.  And after that the bright Avasathya fire of great refulgence is spoken of by the Brahmanas.  Tapa thus created the five Urjaskara fires, all bright as gold.  These all share the Soma drink in sacrifices.  The great sun-god when fatigued (after his day’s labours) is known as the Prasanta fire.  He created the terrible Asuras and various other creatures of the earth.  Angiras, too created the Prajapati Bhanu, the son of Tapa.  He is also called Vrihadbhanu (the great Bhanu) by Brahmanas learned in the Vedas.  Bhanu married Supraja, and Brihadbhanu the daughter of Surya (the sun-god).  They gave birth to six sons; do thou hear of their progeny.  The fire who gives strength to the weak is called Valada (or the giver of strength).  He is the first son of Bhanu, and that other fire who looks terrible when all the elements are in a tranquil state is called the Manjuman fire; he is the second son of Bhanu.  And the fire in whose honour oblations of clarified butter are enjoined to be made here at the Darsa and Paurnamasya sacrifices and who is known as Vishnu in this world, is (the third son of Bhanu) called Angiras, or Dhritiman.  And the fire to whom with Indra, the Agrayana oblation is enjoined to be made is called the Agrayana fire.  He is the (fourth) son of Bhanu.  The fifth son of Bhanu is Agraha who is the source of the oblations which are daily made for the performance of the Chaturmasya