In ancient times, there arose noble kings and princes, each remarkable for their virtue and wisdom. Among them, Kundodara, Padati, and Vasati were remembered as the eighth in their line—each skilled in righteousness and the pursuit of prosperity, devoted to the welfare of all beings. After them, Dhritarashtra ascended the throne. His sons were Kundika, Hasti, Vitarka, Kratha, and Kundina. Among these, Havishravas, Indrabha, and the unconquered Bhumanyu became renowned throughout the earth for their strength and fame. Then came Pratipa, Dharmanetra, and Sunetra, O Bharata. Of these, Pratipa shone the brightest, unrivaled among all kings. Pratipa himself fathered three illustrious sons: Devapi, Shantanu, and Bahlika, the mighty chariot-warrior. Devapi, seeking the highest righteousness, withdrew from worldly affairs; Shantanu received the kingdom, while Bahlika became famed for his prowess in battle. These noble souls are the descendants of Bharata—godlike and heroic chariot-warriors. Many other excellent kings, equal in wisdom to Brahma, were born in this line. Such mighty, illustrious warriors increased the lineage of Ila, passing the succession from generation to generation. Janamejaya, one of their descendants, undertook great vows and assembled on the banks of the sacred Ganga. There, he performed thousands of Ashvamedha sacrifices and hundreds of Vajapeya rites, worshipping with grand offerings and bestowing all desired gifts. He celebrated Agnishtoma, Atiratra, Uktha, and Soma rituals in abundance, and, with thousands of perfectly executed Vajapeya and Satra sacrifices, he satisfied the Brahmins with wealth. The illustrious Bharata, too, gave a thousand lotus-flowers of pure Jambunada gold to the sage Kanva. His sacrificial posts were immense—hundred cubits around, made of gold, and raised to a thousand cubits—erected together with Indra and the gods. Adorned with every kind of gem, he gave away gold, elephants, horses, buffaloes, camels, oxen, and cattle. He bestowed maidservants and manservants, wealth, grain, and cows with calves of fine character, as well as land marked by a thousand sacrificial posts—all to Kanva. Having given wealth to many Brahma-like men and performed countless sacrifices, he also gifted villages and splendid houses by the crore. From Bharata arose the fame called Bharati, by whom this lineage was established. In the line of Bharata, many great chariot-warriors, equal to the gods, were born. Among them, the foremost Kshatriyas were like Brahma himself, their names countless. Now, O Bharata, I will recount the chief ones among their line—those greatly fortunate, godlike, and devoted to truth and uprightness. In the illustrious line of Ikshvaku, there was a king, lord of the earth, famed as Mahabhisha. He was truthful in speech and steadfast in virtue. By performing a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices and a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, he pleased the lord of the gods and attained heaven. Once, the gods gathered to worship Brahma, and royal sages assembled with them; among them was King Mahabhisha. At that moment, Ganga, the foremost of rivers, approached the Grandsire. Her garment, stirred by the wind, shone with the radiance of the moon. The hosts of gods turned their faces away, but Mahabhisha, unhesitating, gazed upon her. Brahma, displeased with Mahabhisha, declared, “You shall be born among mortals again; only thereafter will you attain the worlds.” Because Mahabhisha’s mind was captivated by Ganga, Brahma said she would cause him sorrow in the world of men. “When anger arises in you,” Brahma added, “then, by the power of the curse, you will be released.” Ganga, seeing King Mahabhisha radiant as fire but fallen from courage, chose Pratipa, his father, as her desired one. Meditating upon him in her heart, she approached, but afflicted by sorrow, she saw the king. As she journeyed along her path, Ganga encountered the Vasus—the gods dwelling in heaven—appearing in a ruined state. She questioned them, “Why are you in this condition? Is all well with the gods?” The Vasus replied, “O great river, we have been cursed. Because of a small offense, out of anger, the great-souled Vasistha cursed us all, for we foolishly concealed the best of sages. Long ago, we approached Vasistha, seated at twilight; out of wrath, he cursed us: ‘You shall be born in the womb of mortals.’ What has been spoken by the knower of Brahman cannot be undone. Become a woman among mortals and bear us, the Vasus, as sons on earth. O auspicious one, we must not enter the wombs of human women.” Thus addressed, Ganga replied, “So be it,” and spoke further: “The king Pratipa’s son, Shantanu, renowned in the world, will be born among humans; he will be our agent. This is also my view, O sinless ones, just as you have said. I will do what pleases him, if this is your wish. When the sons are born, you should cast them into the waters, so that our release in the three worlds will not be delayed. We, lacking discernment, wished to seize Surabhi and were cursed by the Brahmarshi; therefore, quickly free us from that curse.” “So shall I do,” Ganga promised. “Let a son be begotten for him, so that his union with me for the sake of a son is not in vain.” Thus, the destinies of kings and gods became entwined, setting the stage for the birth of Shantanu and the fulfillment of the Vasus’ release, all under the watchful gaze of the divine.