a son born of his energy, named Virajas.  The highly blessed Virajas, however, did not desire sovereignty on earth.  His mind, O son of Pandu, inclined to a life of renunciation.  Virajas had a son named Krittimat.  He too renounced pleasure and enjoyment.[173] Krittimat had a son named Kardama.  Kardama also practised severe austerities.  The lord of creatures, Kardama, begot a son named Ananga.  Ananga became a protector of creatures, pious in behaviour, and fully conversant with the science of chastisement.  Ananga begot a son named Ativala, well versed in policy.  Obtaining extensive empire after the demise of his sire, he became a slave of his passions.  Mrityu, O king, had a daughter born of his mind, named Sunita and celebrated over the three worlds.  She was married to Ativala and gave birth to a son named Vena.  Vena, a slave of wrath and malice, became unrighteous in his conduct towards all creatures.  The Rishis, those utterers of Brahma, slew him with Kusa blades (as their weapon) inspired with mantras.  Uttering mantras the while, those Rishis pierced the right thigh of Vena.  Thereupon, from that thigh, came out a short-limbed person on earth, resembling a charred brand, with blood-red eyes and black hair.  Those utterers of Brahma said unto him, ‘Nishida (sit) here!’ From him have sprung the Nishadas, viz., those wicked tribes that have the hills and the forests for their abode, as also those hundreds and thousands of others called Mlechchhas, residing on the Vindhya mountains.  The great Rishis then pierced the right arm of Vena.  Thence sprang a person who was a second Indra in form.  Clad in mail, armed with scimitars, bows, and arrows, and well-versed in the science of weapons, he was fully acquainted with the Vedas and their branches.  All the ordinances of the science of chastisement, O king, (in their embodied forms) came to that best of men.  The son of Vena then, with joined hands, said unto those great Rishis, ’I have attained an understanding that is very keen and that is observant of righteousness.  Tell me in detail what I shall do with it.  That useful task which you will be pleased to indicate, I shall accomplish without hesitation.’  Thus addressed, the gods that were present there, as also the Rishis, said unto him.  ’Do thou fearlessly accomplish all those tasks in which righteousness even resides.  Disregarding what is dear and what not so, look upon all creatures with an equal eye.  Castoff at a distance Just and wrath and covetousness and honour, and, always observing the dictates of righteousness, do thou punish with thy own hands the man, whoever he may be, that deviates from the path of duty.  Do thou also swear that thou wouldst, in thought, word, and deed, always maintain the religion inculcated on earth by the Vedas.  Do thou further swear that thou wouldst fearlessly maintain the duties laid down in the Vedas with the aid of the science of chastisement, and that thou wouldst never act with caprice.  O puissant one, know that Brahmanas