hese two are regarded as of Varuna. After that the eater
of sacrificial libations, viz., the deity of blazing flames, adopted
Angiras. Hence, all the progeny of Angiras are known as belonging to the
race of Agni. The Grandsire Brahman was, in olden days, gratified by all
the deities who said unto him, "Let these lords of the universe
(referring to Bhrigu and Angiras and Kavi and their descendants) rescue
us all. Let all of them become progenitors of offspring (for peopling the
earth). Let all of them become endued with penances. Through thy grace,
let all these rescue the world (from becoming an uninhabited wilderness).
Let them become procreators and extenders of races and tribes and let
them increase thy energy. Let all of them become thorough masters of the
Vedas and let them be achievers of great deeds. Let all of them be
friends to the cause of the deities. Indeed, let all of them become
endued with auspiciousness. Let them become founders of extensive races
and tribes and let them be great Rishis. Let all of them be endued with
high penances and let all of them be devoted to high Brahmacharya, All of
us, as also all these are thy progeny, O thou of great puissance. Thou, O
Grandsire, art the Creator of both, deities and the Brahmanas. Marichi is
thy first son. All these also that are called Bhargavas are thy progeny.
(Ourselves also are so). Looking at this fact, O Grandsire, we shall all
aid and support one another. All these shall, in this way, multiply their
progeny and establish thyself at the commencement of each creation after
the universal destruction." Thus addressed by them, Brahman, the
Grandsire of all the worlds, said unto them, "So be it! I am gratified
with you all!" Having said so unto the deities he proceeded to the place
he had come from. Even this is what happened in days of old in that
sacrifice of the high-souled Mahadeva, that foremost one of all the
deities, in the beginning of creation, when he for the purposes of his
sacrifice had assumed the form of Varuna. Agni is Brahman. He is
Pasupati. He is Sarva. He is Rudra. He is Prajapati.[393] It is
well-known that gold is the offspring of Agni. When fire is not
obtainable (for the purposes of a sacrifice), gold is used as substitute.
Guided by the indications afforded by the auditions of the Veda, one that
is conversant with authorities and that knows the identity of gold with
fire, acts in this way. Placing a piece of gold on some blades of Kusa