In ancient times, the lineage of noble kings continued in unbroken succession. After a reign of less than a hundred years, a king left his throne to his son, Śravastha. From sunrise to sunset, these monarchs governed the earth, each fulfilling his duty until Bṛhadaśva ascended the throne, ruling also for less than a hundred years. His successor was Kuvalayāśvaka, who reigned for less than a thousand years, and from him was born Nikuṃbhaka. Nikuṃbhaka too ruled for less than a thousand years, and his son Prasenajit followed. Prasenajit’s reign endured for less than a thousand years before his son, Māṃdhātā, inherited the kingdom. Māṃdhātā ruled for less than a hundred years, and his son Triṃśadaśva succeeded him. From Triṃśadaśva was born Anaraṇya, whose reign was remarkable, lasting twenty-eight thousand years. After Anaraṇya, Pṛṣadaśva became king and ruled for six thousand years. Next in the line was Haryaśva, a king from a family devoted to Viṣṇu, whose reign lasted a thousand years less than his predecessor. His son, Tridhanvā, then ruled the earth. With the completion of Satyapāda, this period marked the second cycle within the Bhārata lineage. After ruling for a thousand years less, Tridhanvā attained heaven. His son, Hariścandra, was born in diminished circumstances by a certain stratagem. Hariścandra’s son, Hārīta, became king and ruled as his father had. Hārīta’s son was Vijaya, who governed the kingdom just as his father before him. Vijaya’s son, Sagara, also became king, ruling in the manner of his ancestors. From Vaivasvata onward, the kingdom was properly governed by these rulers. At that time, O sage, righteousness prevailed on earth during the Satya Yuga. Sagara was devoted to Śiva and upheld the highest conduct; his sons became renowned as the Sāgaras. When the Sāgaras perished, only his son Asamañjasa remained. Asamañjasa’s son, Dilīpa, ruled for a hundred years less, and his son Śrutasena succeeded him, also ruling for a hundred years less. Śrutasena was followed by Ambarīṣa, whose reign lasted a hundred years less as well. Thus, the Satyapāda was completed, marking the third cycle within Bhārata. In the fourth cycle, the king’s reign endured for eighteen thousand years. There followed a period of twenty-nine years, and then thirty more. The kingdom was established, less a hundred, and ten thousand horses were gathered thereafter. Again, the kingdom was established, less a hundred, and the king fulfilled all desires. Once more, the kingdom was established, less a hundred, and Sudāsa’s son then became king. The succession continued, the kingdom established, less a hundred, and Harivarman became king. Due to the curse of his guru, Saudāsa gave up the kingdom to his teacher. Harivarman, born of Śamaka, honored the virtuous like a Vaiśya and ruled the kingdom. From him was born Daśaratha. Daśaratha ruled as his father had, and after him, Viśvāsaha, son of Bhṛpa, ascended the throne. In those days, because of the force of unrighteousness, a great drought afflicted the land. Vasiṣṭha, having performed a sacrifice, was devoted to the queen’s words. With Indra’s assistance, the kingdom endured for thirty thousand years. From Khaṭṭāṅga, Dīrghabāhu ruled for twenty thousand years. These three—famed for their strength—were devoted to Viṣṇu and descended from Daśaratha, upholding the glory of their lineage.