When the sun reaches the eighth part of the day, its brilliance softens, and that sacred moment is known as kutapa. It is then that offerings made to the ancestors become imperishable, never lost to time. In these rites, sesame seeds are used to ward off evil spirits, darbha grass protects from demons, and learned Brahmins safeguard the ancestral line. What is consumed by ascetics at this time is also said to be everlasting. It is taught that gifts must be made to a worthy recipient—one learned, pure, versed in the Veda, and devoted to good vows—at just the proper moment, for no other time is considered right for such acts. After explaining these truths, the wise Yayāti spoke again, urging his companions, “All of you, having completed the concluding bath, hasten now, honoring the importance of this sacred task.” He then said, “O King, mount your chariot and rise to the sky; we too shall follow when the time is right. Now, let us all go together, we who have earned heaven by our deeds. Before us lies the stainless path leading to the abode of the gods.” Thus, Aṣṭaka, Śibi, Kāśeya, Pratardana, and Vasumanas—the noble kings of the Ikṣvāku line—having all performed the concluding bath after sacrifice, journeyed together to heaven. Mounted upon their radiant chariots, these best of kings ascended, their righteousness shining so brightly that the earth and sky were enveloped in their glory. Reflecting on this, one among them wondered, “I thought I alone would go first, accompanied by my friend Indra, the great soul. Yet Śibi, king of the Uśīnaras, surpassed us all, urging his steeds with all his might. For Śibi gave to all who asked, as much wealth as he had. Such was the son of Uśīnara—Śibi is truly the best among us.” It was said of Śibi that giving, austerity, truth, righteousness, modesty, prosperity, forgiveness, gentleness, and the desire to act—these immeasurable virtues—were all firmly rooted in his incomparable mind. Because he lived with such humility and devotion, Śibi surpassed the others, leading the way in his chariot. Then, in reverent inquiry, one king asked another, “Tell me truly, O King: who are you, from where do you come, and whose son are you? For what you have accomplished, no other kṣatriya or brāhmaṇa in the world has matched.” With gentle candor, the reply came: “I am Yayāti, son of Nahusha, father of Puru, and lord of all this earth. I reveal this secret to you openly—I am your maternal grandfather. I conquered the entire earth and, having given it to the brāhmaṇas, departed for the forest. A hundred pure-bred horses I gave, and thus the blessed gods became recipients of merit. I gave the whole earth, filled and entire, to the brāhmaṇas, along with conveyances, cows, gold, and treasures, and then I gave a hundred million cows.” He continued, “By my truthfulness, both heaven and earth, and the fire that burns among men, are upheld. No word of mine is ever spoken in vain, for the virtuous always honor truth. Whatever I declare here, O Aṣṭaka, is truth—as I say also to Pratardana and Uśadaśvi. All the worlds, sages, and gods are honored by truth—this is my firm conviction. Whoever among us, the conquerors of heaven, would say otherwise, without envy, to the foremost brāhmaṇas, would not attain our world.” Thus, that great-souled king, carried across by his own grandsons, having renounced the earth and performed supremely noble deeds, ascended to heaven, leaving the earth filled with the fruits of his actions. At this point, the listener asked, “Tell me of Yayāti’s son Puru, foremost among the righteous, and also, in order, of the others who increased Puru’s lineage. Describe in detail again, O best of twice-born, how from Janamejaya, son of Dushyanta, the king Bharata was born.” It was then recounted that Puru, the tiger among kings, was just like his father—ever devoted to righteousness, firmly established in his kingdom, and equal to Indra in valor. From Puru were born three mighty sons: Pravira, Ishvara, and Raudrashva, all great chariot-warriors, through his queen Paushtya. Pravira became the founder of the line. From Pravira was born Manasyu, the powerful son of Shuraseni, a lotus-eyed protector of the earth. Manasyu, through the daughter of the Sauvira king, had three heroic sons: Shakta, Samhanana, and Vāgmī, all great chariot-warriors. Raudrashva, another son, had ten intelligent sons by the Apsaras Misrakeshi, beginning with Anvagbhanu, all of whom were great archers, sacrificers, heroic, prolific, learned, skilled in weapons, and devoted to righteousness. Their names were Richeyu, Kakshiyu, Krikaneyu the mighty, Sthandileyu, Vaneyu, Jaleyu of great fame, Tejeyu, strong and wise; Satyeyu, of moon-like valor; Dharmeyu, Sannateyu, and the tenth, Devavikrama. Among them, Anadhṛṣṭi was learned and became the sole ruler on earth, while Richeyu was valiant like Indra among the gods. Anadhṛṣṭi’s son was King Matinara, renowned for performing the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices and supreme in righteousness. Matinara had four sons of immeasurable valor: Tamsu, Mahānati, Ratho, and Druhyu of unrivaled splendor. Among them, Tamsu, of great might, upheld the Paurava line, won brilliant fame, and conquered the earth. Tamsu begot a son, Ilina, who, best among conquerors, subdued the whole earth. Ilina, upon Rathantara, fathered five sons, equal to the five elements: Dushyanta and other kings. Among them, Dushyanta became the greatest king, invincible in battle. From Dushyanta and Lakshana was born Janamejaya; from Shakuntala, Bharata, son of Dushyanta, was born. Thus, the great fame of the Bharata lineage spread far and wide. Eager to know more, the listener asked, “O venerable one, I wish to hear in detail about the birth and deeds of the great-souled Bharata, as well as of Suśrūṣa; please recount these to me.