The wise and noble king, having made his decision, addressed his beloved queen with gentle assurance. “O queen,” he said, “the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—each according to their own ways—will honor you as a blameless and faithful wife.” With these words, he affirmed her place and dignity in the kingdom. He continued, “This son of yours has been chosen for the throne, and you shall be the chief queen.” Turning to her with kindness, he added, “And whatever harsh words you, with your beautiful eyes, may have spoken to me in anger, dearest, I have forgiven them all. Whether my own words to you were false, improper, harsh, or even exceedingly wrong, O large-eyed one, you too must forgive me. For by patience and forbearance towards her husband, a woman attains the highest status of devotion.” Having spoken thus, the royal sage led the noble and virtuous Shakuntala into the inner chambers, establishing her as his beloved queen. He honored her with fine garments, delicious food, and refreshing drink. After these rites of welcome, he approached his mother, Rathantari, and spoke with joy, “O blessed one, my son has been born in the forest; he will dispel your sorrow. Today, by the birth of your grandson, I am freed from my debt to you.” He presented Shakuntala to his mother, saying, “This is the daughter of Vishvamitra, raised by Kanva; she is your daughter-in-law, O greatly fortunate one. Be gracious to Shakuntala.” Hearing her son’s words, Rathantari embraced her grandson with affection, and when Shakuntala humbly fell at her feet, Rathantari embraced her as well. Holding her tightly, tears of joy streaming down her face, Rathantari spoke these true words: “I see the auspicious signs and marks. Your son, O large-eyed one, will become a universal emperor; your husband will conquer the three worlds. And you, O woman of radiant complexion, will attain divine enjoyments.” Thus blessed, Shakuntala was filled with supreme joy. Then, following the rites prescribed in the scriptures, King Dushyanta made Shakuntala his chief queen, adorning her with every ornament. He distributed wealth generously to Brahmins and soldiers alike, and then installed his son—born of Shakuntala and known as the Dauṣyanti—as the crown prince. He named him Bharata and entrusted him with the kingdom, considering his own duties fulfilled. Having ruled wisely for a hundred years, King Dushyanta finally retired to the forests, where he attained the world of the gods. Upon Dushyanta’s passing, Bharata rightfully inherited the kingdom. The illustrious deeds of this great soul began to shine forth. Brilliant, divine, unconquered, and celebrated throughout the worlds, Bharata subdued all the earth’s rulers, bringing them under his command. He upheld righteous dharma and earned unsurpassed fame, becoming a universal emperor—sovereign and mighty. Bharata performed many grand sacrifices, rivaling Indra himself; the sage Kanva officiated for him, as Daksha had done in ancient times, and Bharata bestowed abundant gifts. He performed the splendid horse sacrifice called Govitata, gifting a thousand golden lotuses to Kanva. Along the banks of the Yamuna, he performed a hundred ashvamedha sacrifices, three hundred along the Sarasvati, and four hundred along the Ganga. Through these sacrifices, the fame of Bharata and his lineage spread far and wide. Bharata had sons from various noble women, but he did not accept them, declaring, “They are not worthy to be called mine.” Angered, the mothers of these sons took them to the abode of Yama, and thus, for that king, the birth of sons proved fruitless. Afterwards, Bharata performed great sacrifices, and from the sage Bharadwaja he obtained a son named Bhumanyu. Overjoyed at having a worthy heir, Bharata installed Bhumanyu as crown prince, ensuring the continuation of the Paurava line. Bhumanyu’s son was Diviratha, and he also had sons named Suhotra, Suhota, Suhavi, and Suyajus. In Pushkarini, Bhumanyu’s sons included Ruchika and others, but Suhotra, the eldest, attained sovereignty over the earth. Suhotra performed many sacrifices, including the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha, and ruled the entire world, girdled by the sea. Under his rule, the earth was filled with elephants, cows, horses, and abundant jewels, weighed down by prosperity. The land teemed with elephants, horses, chariots, and throngs of people, and King Suhotra governed his subjects with righteousness. Everywhere the earth was marked with hundreds of thousands of sacrificial posts, always shining with people and crops. From Suhotra and the princess of the Ikshvaku line were born Ajamidha, Sumidha, and Purumidha. Among them, Ajamidha was the best, and in him the lineage was firmly established. Ajamidha begot six sons from three wives: Riksha, Dhūmin, Nīlī, Duṣyanta, Parameshthin, and Keśin. He also begot Jahnu and two sons named Janarūshi. From Riksha was born the heroic Samvarana, son of Rathantara. The Panchalas are known as descendants of Duṣyanta and Parameshthin, while the Kuśikas trace their line to the mighty Janhu. Among Janarūsha’s sons, Riksha was the eldest and king; from him was born Samvarana, the progenitor of your own line. When Samvarana, son of Riksha, ruled the earth, a great destruction of people occurred, as has been told. The kingdom was shattered by various calamities—famine, death, drought, and diseases afflicted the land. Thus unfolded the story of this noble lineage, marked by both glory and trial, as preserved in the ancient tradition.