406
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 3, Ch. 10]
TRANSLATION
The creation of the demigods is of eight varieties: (1) the demigods, (2) the forefathers, (3) the asuras or demons, (4) the Gandharvas and Apsaras, or angels, (5) the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, (6) the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Vidyādharas, (7) the Bhūtas, Pretas and Piśācas, and (8) the superhuman beings, celestial singers, etc. All are created by Brahmā, the creator of the universe.
PURPORT
As explained in the Second Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the Siddhas are inhabitants of Siddhaloka, where the residents travel in space without vehicles. At their mere will they can pass from one planet to another without difficulty. Therefore, in the upper planets the inhabitants are far superior to the inhabitants of this planet in all matters of art, culture and science, since they possess brains superior to those of human beings. The spirits and jinn mentioned in this connection are also counted among the demigods because they are able to perform uncommon functions that are not possible for men.
TEXT 30
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि वंशान्मन्वन्तराणि च । एवं रजःप्लुतः स्रष्टा कल्पादिष्वात्मभूहरिः । सृजत्यमोधसङ्कल्प आत्मैवात्मानमात्मना ॥३०॥
ataḥ param pravakṣyāmi vaṁśān manvantarāṇi ca evaṁ rajaḥ-plutaḥ sraṣṭā kalpādiṣv ātmabhūr hariḥ srjaty amogha-saṅkalpa ātmaivātmānam ātmanā
ataḥ—here; param—after; pravakṣyāmi—I shall explain; vaṁśān—descendants; manvantarāṇi—different advents of Manus; ca—and; evam—thus; rajaḥ-plutaḥ—infused with the mode of passion; sraṣṭā—the creator; kalpa-ādiṣu—in different millenniums; ātmabhūḥ—self-advent; hariḥ—the Personality of Godhead; srjati—creates; amogha—unfailing; saṅkalpaḥ—determination; ātmā eva—He Himself; ātmānam—Himself; ātmanā—by His own energy.