In the resplendent city of Prayaga, a noble king performed the sovereignty of the earth, ruling with righteousness and grandeur. To honor the gracious goddess Maya Devi, he undertook a hundred great sacrifices, seeking her pleasure and blessings. In time, a son was born to him—Budha, the illustrious son of Merudeva. This Budha, too, ruled the earth with justice, his reign enduring for a remarkable fourteen thousand years. To Budha was born a son named Ayu, a righteous soul deeply devoted to Lord Vishnu. Ayu’s piety and virtue led him to attain the world of the Gandharvas, where he rejoiced in heavenly realms like a god. On earth, Ayu ruled his kingdom just as his father had before him, and his merit was so great that he ultimately attained the status of Indra, king of the gods. Yet, fate brought a turn: because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, the king was transformed into a serpent. In this illustrious line, two sons, Yadu—the eldest—and Puru—the youngest—attained the status of Arya, distinguished and noble, by the grace of Vishnu. Ultimately, he reached the divine abode of Vaikuntha. From this line descended Vṛjinaghna, who ruled the earth for twenty thousand years. Vṛjinaghna’s son was Citraratha, who governed the kingdom with the same wisdom and justice as his father. Citraratha’s son was Śravās, radiant and devoted to Vishnu, who continued the noble tradition of righteous rule. From Śravās was born Uśanas, who ruled with the same virtue, and from Uśanas came Kamalāṃśu, who also followed in his father’s footsteps. Kamalāṃśu’s son was Pārāvata, and he, too, ruled as his ancestors had. From Pārāvata came Vidarbha, a worthy successor, and from Vidarbha was born Kuntibhoja. Kuntibhoja resided in his city, and from him was born Māyāvidya. Māyāvidya ruled for ten thousand years before ascending to the heavens. His son, Pracinvān, ruled the kingdom as his father had, and from Pracinvān came Nabhasya. Nabhasya’s son continued the line, and from him was born Sudyumna, who likewise ruled in the manner of his forefathers. From Sudyumna came Saṃyāti, and from Saṃyāti, Aindrāśva was born. Aindrāśva’s son was Sutapā, who continued the royal legacy. When Sutapā reached the sacred Himalayas, he set his mind on performing intense austerities. Content with his achievements, the king entrusted the kingdom to Samvarana and departed to behold the radiant Sun. In the wake of these events, the four ancient oceans dried up, and the land of Bharata fell into ruin. By the force of a mighty wind, the oceans were desiccated. Yet, after an interval of five years, the earth revived, becoming covered anew with trees, sacred grass, and other auspicious growths. At this time, the king met with the sage Vashishtha and the chief members of the three varnas, seeking their counsel. Thus begins the account of the kings of the Dvapara era. Lomaharshana, the wise sage, is asked to recount the stories of these illustrious rulers. Samvarana, accompanied by learned sages, assembled at Pratishthana, a magnificent city established with great care, stretching five yojanas in length. In the Yadu lineage, Sātvata became the king of Mathura, while in the Mleccha lineage, Shmashrupala ruled the land of Maru. Samvarana’s reign endured for ten thousand years. After him, his son Surijapi inherited half of his father’s kingdom. Surijapi ruled for less than a hundred years, after which his son Atithyavardhana was born, continuing the ancient and noble line.