O King, in the days of old, there lived the illustrious Śibi, whose mind was adorned with immeasurable virtues. In him resided the spirit of giving, the fire of austerity, unwavering truth, and steadfast righteousness. Modesty and prosperity walked hand in hand within him, as did forgiveness, gentleness, and an eager desire to act for the good. All these lofty qualities, rare and precious, were firmly established in the incomparable mind of Śibi. Because of his conduct—marked by modesty and devotion—Śibi surpassed even the greatest among us, advancing like a sovereign upon his chariot, leaving others behind with his noble deeds. It was in this spirit that a question was posed to him: “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 done.” To this, a venerable voice replied, “I am Yayāti, son of Nahusha, father of Puru, lord of the earth. I reveal this secret openly to you—I am your maternal grandfather. I conquered the entire earth and, having given it to the brāhmaṇas, I set out for the forest. I offered a hundred excellent, pure-bred horses, 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 the foremost treasures. I gave a hundred million cows. “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, and so also to Pratardana and Uśadaśvi; all the worlds, sages, and gods are honored by truth—this is my firm conviction. If any among us, the conquerors of heaven, were to report otherwise to the foremost brāhmaṇas, without envy, he would not attain our world.” Thus, that great-souled king, Yayāti, carried across by his grandsons, having renounced the earth and performed supremely noble deeds, ascended to heaven, having filled the earth with his righteous actions. O best of the twice-born, tell me now 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 how, from Janamejaya, son of Dushyanta, the king Bharata was born. Puru, the tiger among kings, was just like his father—ever devoted to righteousness, 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, lotus-eyed protector of the earth bounded on all sides. Manasyu, by the daughter of the Sauvira king, had three sons—Shakta, Samhanana, and Vāgmī—all heroic and great chariot-warriors. Raudrashva, another son, had ten intelligent sons by the Apsaras Misrakeshi, beginning with Anvagbhanu, all great archers. All these sons were sacrificers, heroic, prolific, learned in many branches, skilled in all 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 especially learned and became sole ruler on earth; Richeyu was valiant like Indra among the gods. Anadhṛṣṭi’s son was Matinara, a king 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. Of them, Tamsu, of great might, upheld the Paurava line, won brilliant fame, and conquered the earth. Tamsu, the mighty, begot a son Ilina, who, best among conquerors, subdued the whole earth. Ilina begot five sons, equal to the five elements, upon Rathantara: Dushyanta and other kings. These were Dushyanta, Shurabhima, Pravasu, Vasuman, and one more. 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. Therefore, the great fame of the Bharata lineage spread far and wide. 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. Among the Pauravas, there was a mighty one named Duṣyanta, the protector of the earth with its four quarters, O best of the Bharatas. This lord of men enjoyed a fourth part of the entire earth, and also those lands surrounded by the ocean. He ruled over all lands up to the borders of the Mlecchas, subduing his enemies, and over territories extending to the ocean, inhabited by people of the four varṇas. Under his rule, there was no mixing of castes, no one neglected agriculture, and no one committed evil deeds. People delighted in righteousness and, devoted to duty, attained both virtue and wealth. There was no fear of thieves, nor even the slightest fear of hunger; nor was there any fear of disease in that realm under his rule. The classes rejoiced in their own duties, unattached in their actions ordained by fate; and, taking refuge in that great king, they lived without fear from any quarter. The clouds rained in due season, the crops were full of flavor, the earth was abundant in all gems, and rich in cattle as well. The brāhmaṇas were devoted to their own duties; among them there was no falsehood. And King Duṣyanta himself was of wondrous and great might, youthful, with a body hard as a thunderbolt. So mighty was he that he could lift Mount Mandara with his arms and carry it through forests and groves; in battle at the crossroads, he was skilled with every weapon. Thus, the lineage of Puru flourished, and the fame of Bharata, born of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, spread far and wide, illuminating the world with righteousness, valor, and the glory of their deeds.