Among the mighty chariot-warriors gathered for the great conflict, O Bharata, were Jaya, Satyavrata, and Purumitra, as well as Yuyutsu, the son of a Vaishya—each counted among the eleven foremost heroes. Abhimanyu, valiant and radiant, was born to Subhadra and Arjuna, making him both the nephew of Vasudeva and the grandson of the noble Pandu. To the Pandavas and Draupadi were born five sons—princes of remarkable beauty and skill, learned in every branch of knowledge. Yudhishthira’s son was Prativindhya; Bhima’s was Sutasoma; Arjuna’s was Shrutakirti; Nakula’s, Shatanika; and Sahadeva’s, Shrutasena, who was full of vigor. In the forest, Bhima and Hidimba brought forth Ghatotkacha, a mighty warrior in his own right. From Drupada was born Shikhandi, who began life as a daughter but, through the compassion of a Yaksha, was transformed into a son. Thus, in the great conflict among the Kurus, countless thousands of kings assembled, all eager to take up arms. Their names are too many to recount, even in tens of thousands of years, but the chief among them have been named—those through whom this narrative is woven. Hearing of these, the listener inquired further: “Of those you have named, O Brahman, and the many others not mentioned, I wish to hear in full—of all the thousands of other kings as well. For what purpose did these mighty chariot-warriors, equal to the gods, arise upon the earth? O blessed one, please tell me everything.” To this, the sage replied, “It is said among us, O King, that this is a secret of the gods. Yet, after bowing to the Self-born, I will reveal it to you. Long ago, the son of Jamadagni—Parashurama—three times seven times rid the earth of Kshatriyas, and then retired to perform austerities on the great mountain Mahendra. At that time, when the world had been emptied of Kshatriyas by Bhargava, the women of the Kshatriya line, longing for sons, approached the Brahmanas. The Brahmanas of firm vows united with these women at the proper season—not out of desire, nor at the wrong time. Thus, from these unions, the Kshatriya women conceived thousands at a time, giving birth to Kshatriyas even more powerful than before. Both sons and daughters were born once more, replenishing the Kshatriya line. Through the Brahmanas’ ascetic discipline, the Kshatriya order was restored among the Kshatriya women. These children, born and raised in righteousness and blessed with long life, gave rise to all four orders, with the Brahmanas foremost. In those days, women approached their husbands only at the proper season, never out of desire at improper times; even animals followed this natural order. Living righteously, they flourished—men and women alike—enjoying lives that spanned hundreds and thousands of years, free from afflictions and diseases. Once again, the Kshatriyas filled the earth, which was bounded by the ocean and adorned with elephants, mountains, forests, and cities. When the Kshatriya order ruled justly, the Brahmanas and all the other orders experienced supreme happiness. Kings, having conquered anger and desire, administered punishment fairly, protecting their subjects and upholding righteousness. While the Kshatriyas were devoted to dharma, Indra, the thousand-eyed, sent rain at the right time and place, nourishing the people. No child died prematurely, nor did anyone approach a woman before she reached youth. Thus, the earth became filled with people of long life. The Kshatriyas performed great sacrifices, giving generously, while the Brahmanas studied the Vedas and Upanishads in their entirety. The Brahmanas did not sell the Vedas, nor did they recite them before Shudras. The Vaishyas tilled the land with oxen, yoking only healthy cows to the plough and caring for the weak. People did not milk cows for froth or calves, and merchants did not cheat with false measures. All actions were imbued with righteousness; everyone was devoted to their own dharma. No order failed in its duties, and righteousness prevailed everywhere. At the proper time, cows calved, women conceived, and trees bore flowers and fruits in their seasons. Thus, as the Krita Yuga proceeded rightly, the earth became abundantly filled with many living beings. In this flourishing world, however, the Asuras—those defeated by the Adityas and cast down from heaven—were born again among the royal lineages. Desiring divinity and ascetic by nature, these Asuras took birth on earth among all creatures: cows, horses, camels, buffaloes, carnivores, elephants, and wild animals. With so many beings being born, the earth herself could not bear the burden. Among these were kings, proud and powerful, sons of Diti and Danu, who had fallen from their celestial realms and were now born upon this world.