Among the illustrious Paurava lineage, there lived a mighty king named Duṣyanta. He was renowned as the steadfast protector of the earth and its four quarters, O best of the Bharatas. This lord of men, powerful and just, ruled a fourth part of the entire world, including lands encircled by the vast ocean, O conqueror in battle. His sovereignty extended to the very borders of the Mlecchas, and he subdued his enemies across territories stretching to the ocean, governing lands inhabited by all four varṇas. Under the wise and watchful rule of Duṣyanta, society flourished in harmony. There was no mingling of castes, agriculture was never neglected, and evil deeds found no place in his realm. The people delighted in righteousness and, devoted to their duties, attained both virtue and wealth, O tiger among men. In Duṣyanta’s kingdom, there was no fear of thieves, nor even the slightest anxiety about hunger; disease was unknown among his subjects. Each class rejoiced in its own duties, performing their ordained actions without attachment, and, taking refuge in their great king, they lived free from fear on every side. Nature herself seemed to bless Duṣyanta’s reign. The clouds poured rain in due season, the crops were flavorful and abundant, the earth yielded all kinds of gems, and the land was rich with cattle. The Brahmins were steadfast in their own duties, and among them, falsehood was unheard of. As for Duṣyanta himself, he was of wondrous strength and youthful vigor, his body hard as a thunderbolt. It was said he could lift Mount Mandara with his arms and carry it through forests and groves; in battle, he was skilled with every weapon. He was accomplished both on the backs of elephants and horses, his strength rivaled Viṣṇu’s, and his brilliance was like the sun. In steadfastness, he was like the ocean; in forbearance, like the earth. Esteemed by all, he ruled prosperous cities and realms, and he ever guided his joyful people toward conduct rooted in righteousness. At this point, a listener, eager for the stories of old, expressed his wish: “I long to hear of the birth and great deeds of the wise Bharata, and of the true origin of Śakuntalā. And how Śakuntalā was won by the heroic Duṣyanta—O venerable one, please recount in detail the tale of this lion among men. Tell me everything, O knower of truth, best among the wise.” Thus, the tale continued. Once, Duṣyanta entered a dense and wild forest, surrounded by hundreds of horses and elephants, accompanied by a splendid fourfold army. Heroic warriors attended him, bearing swords and spears, maces, clubs, lances, and javelins, encircled by hundreds of fighters. The air resounded with the lion-like shouts of warriors, the blare of conches and drums, the rumble of chariot wheels, and the trumpeting of noble elephants. The mingled sounds of men with diverse weapons and attire, the neighing of horses, and the clatter of whistling and clapping filled the scene. As the king proceeded, the noise from those standing atop the lofty palace towers, radiant in their royal splendor, echoed all around. Women gazed upon Duṣyanta—valiant and famed, equal to Indra, destroyer of foes, restrainer of hostile elephants. Seeing him, these women thought, “Surely, this is the wielder of the thunderbolt! This is that tiger among men, mighty as Vasu in battle.” They remarked with affection, “Those who encounter the strength of his arms do not remain enemies.” Praising him, they showered flowers upon his head, and everywhere, he was extolled by the foremost of Brahmins. With supreme joy, Duṣyanta set out for the forest, intent on hunting, riding a rutting elephant like the lord of the gods. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras followed him as he departed, offering blessings and wishing him victory. The townspeople and countryfolk accompanied him for a great distance until, with the king’s permission, they turned back. Then the lord of the earth, riding in a chariot like Garuda, filled the land—and even the heavens—with the resounding noise of his progress. As he journeyed, the wise king beheld a forest as beautiful as Nandana, filled with bilva, arka, and khadira trees, and crowded with kapittha and dhava trees. The forest was rugged, covered with mountain slopes and sunbeams, waterless and devoid of people, stretching for many yojanas. This wilderness, teeming with fierce deer, lions, and other wild creatures, was entered by Duṣyanta, the tiger among men, with his servants, troops, and vehicles. There, Duṣyanta roamed, slaying various beasts; many tigers that came within range of his arrows were brought down, and he struck others even from afar. Some animals who drew near he felled with his sword, and, being foremost among those skilled with the spear, he brought down deer with his weapon. Well-versed in the art of the mace, he moved tirelessly, wielding javelins, swords, and shaking maces and clubs. The great king moved among wild animals and birds, accompanied by warriors who delighted in battle. As they hunted, the great forest was thrown into turmoil; the lords of beasts abandoned it, and herds scattered in flight, their leaders slain. The herds of deer, agitated, made sounds here and there; they wandered to dried-up rivers, emaciated for want of water. Exhausted from exertion, their hearts faint, they fell senseless, afflicted by hunger and thirst, and lay collapsed upon the ground. Thus did Duṣyanta, mighty and radiant, range through the wilds, his deeds echoing the greatness of his reign and the power of his arms.