In ancient times, the earth flourished under the rule of a mighty king. The land teemed with elephants, cows, and horses, and its soil brimmed with precious jewels. Yet, so great was the abundance that the very earth groaned under the weight of her prosperity. Everywhere, elephants, horses, chariots, and vast multitudes of people crowded the land, and at this time, King Suhotra governed his subjects with righteousness. Under his reign, the earth was adorned with countless sacrificial posts, for sacrifices were performed in great numbers. The land shone with thriving people and abundant crops, a testament to the king’s virtuous rule. From King Suhotra and an Ikshvaku princess were born three sons: Ajamidha, Sumidha, and Purumidha. Of these, Ajamidha was the greatest, and in him the royal lineage found its firm foundation. Ajamidha had six sons by three wives: Riksha, Dhūmin, Nīlī, Duṣyanta, Parameshthin, and Keśin. He also begot Jahnu and two sons called Janarūshi. From Riksha was born the heroic Samvarana, son of Rathantara. The mighty Panchalas trace their descent from Duṣyanta and Parameshthin, while the renowned Kuśikas descend from the powerful Janhu. Among Janarūsha’s sons, Riksha was the eldest and became king; from him was born Samvarana, the progenitor of the Bharata line. In the days when Samvarana, son of Riksha, ruled the earth, a great calamity befell the people. The kingdom was struck by famine, death, drought, and disease, wreaking havoc among the Bharatas and their rivals alike, shaking the earth with the turmoil of their fourfold armies. During this time, a powerful princess of the Panchalas, having conquered the earth by force, advanced with ten divisions of troops and defeated Samvarana in battle. Overwhelmed by fear, King Samvarana fled with his wife, ministers, sons, and friends. The defeated Bharatas sought refuge in the west, settling in a dense thicket near the great river Sindhu, at the river’s edge and close to the mountains. There, in that difficult and remote place, the Bharatas dwelled for many years—indeed, for a thousand years. It was then that the venerable sage Vasishtha came to the exiled Bharatas. They welcomed him with all due care, offering him water and hospitality, and respectfully told him of all that had transpired. When Vasishtha was seated, King Samvarana himself requested, “Be our priest, so that we may strive for the kingdom.” Vasishtha agreed, uttering “Om,” and accepted the Bharatas. He anointed the Paurava as emperor over all the Kshatriyas. Once again, from the foremost city—like a horn upon the earth, once inhabited by Bharata—Samvarana ruled. He subdued all the kings who paid tribute and, having regained the earth, performed great sacrifices. Ajamidha, too, performed many grand rituals, bestowing abundant gifts. In time, from Samvarana and Tapati, the radiant daughter of the Sun, was born Kuru. Recognizing his righteousness, all the people chose Kuru as king. Through his greatness, the Kurus gained strength and confidence, and the land known as Kurujangala became famous by his name. With his austerity, the great ascetic Kuru sanctified Kurukshetra, making it a holy place, and also consecrated Ashvavat and the hermitage of the sage Chaitraratha. Kuru’s fame spread further through his illustrious sons, born of a noble lady—Janamejaya and four others: Avikṣita, Parikṣit, the powerful Śabalāśva, Ādirāja, Virāja, and the mighty Śālmali. Among their descendants were Uccaiḥśravā, Bhaṅgakāra, and Jitāri, making eight in all. From them descended Janamejaya and six others, renowned chariot-warriors, whose deeds brought honor to their line. All the sons of Parikṣit were skilled in righteousness and the art of wealth: Kakṣasena, Ugrasena, and the mighty Citraseṇa; Indrasena, Sushena, and Bhimasena—these sons of Janamejaya were famed for their strength across the earth. Among them, Dhritarashtra was the eldest, with Pandu and Bahlika, as well as Nishadha of great energy, Jambunada the powerful, Kundodara, Padati, and Vasati as the eighth—all skilled in righteousness and devoted to the welfare of all beings. Afterwards, Dhritarashtra became king. His sons were Kundika, Hasti, Vitarka, Kratha, and Kundina. Havishravas, Indrabha, and the unconquered Bhumanyu were his other sons, who all became renowned. Pratipa, Dharmanetra, and Sunetra were born among them, with Pratipa becoming the foremost, unrivaled on earth. Pratipa had three sons: Devapi, Shantanu, and Bahlika, the great chariot-warrior. Devapi withdrew from the world, seeking the path of righteousness; Shantanu inherited the kingdom, and Bahlika became a mighty chariot-warrior. Thus, these were the descendants of Bharata—godlike, great chariot-warriors—along with many other noble kings, equal in virtue to Brahma, who were born in the illustrious line of Ila. Among them, Janamejaya, having taken up sacred vows, assembled at the banks of the Ganga and performed thousands of Ashvamedha sacrifices and hundreds of Vajapeya rites. Again he worshipped with great sacrifices, bestowing all manner of gifts, and performed the Agnishtoma, Atiratra, Uktha, and Soma rites in abundance, upholding the glory of his line and the dharma of the kings.