Hear now the unfolding of destiny as revealed in the sacred verses. In a future age, Yudhishthira, noble and steadfast, will be born as the son of King Vatsaraja. Bhima, transformed by the harshness of words and circumstance, will take birth among the mlecchas, those outside the ancient fold. A portion of Arjuna, ever devoted to me and endowed with great intelligence, will also descend to earth, his wisdom undimmed. Nakula, mighty in strength, will be born in the land of Kanyakubja, while Sahadeva, powerful and of keen intellect, too will take birth, his presence gracing the world once more. From the line of Dhritarashtra, a portion will be born in the land of Ajameru. Tāraka, famed by the name Velā, will indeed be known as Karṇa. The Kauravas, skilled in the mysterious arts of magical warfare, will arise, and to protect the Pandavas in this age, I myself will descend as Shakti, ensuring their safety. Know also that there exists a great and beautiful city, wondrously created by the goddess Maya. You, born in the womb of Devaki, are remembered as Simha, the lion among men. After slaying the kings descended from the Agni lineage, I will establish the age of Kali, the time of transformation and trial. When the great war had ended and the funeral rites were performed, the survivors approached the wise Bhishma. There, the duties of kings, the paths to liberation, and the virtues of charity were explained in detail. Having ruled justly for thirty-six years, the Pandavas departed for the city of heaven, their earthly journey complete. Then, the divine voice spoke: "Go forth, all you sages, for I now enter the deep repose of yogic sleep." Hearing these words, the sages residing in the Naimisha forest waited. When twelve hundred years had passed, those led by Shaunaka arose from their sacred pit, performing their ablutions and meditations as prescribed. "O Lord," they inquired, "tell us of those kings who walked humbly upon the earth in those days." Suta, the wise narrator, replied: "After the noble Vikramaditya ascended to heaven, many kings arose. They ruled at the western bank of the Sindhu river and at the southern bridge, and from among them, eighteen kingdoms came into being." He continued, "Travel to Antarvedi, Vraja, Ajamera, and the land of Marudhanva, and also to Avanti, Odra, Vanga, Gauda, and Magadha. In these lands dwelled people of many tongues and many faiths. When the destruction of dharma was heard of, accompanied by many groups, they came by the snowy mountain path and by the Sindhu route. Taking the women of those lands, they found great delight." In the midst of this upheaval, the grandson of Vikramaditya reclaimed his father’s kingdom. The Bāhlikas, Kāmarūpas, Romans, Khurajas, and Shathas—peoples from many regions—were set within boundaries by this great soul, each mleccha leader given his domain. For the mlecchas, a place beyond the Sindhu was established. Amidst the land of the Hūṇas, a virtuous man dwelt in the mountains. When asked, "Who are you?" he answered joyfully, for he was a speaker of the mleccha dharma, devoted to truth and steadfast in his vows. Hearing this, the great king spoke, for the decline of truth had arrived, and a terrifying ruler of robbers arose among them. "Among the mlecchas," the king declared, "I have established dharma. Hear this, O king: by adopting the recitation of the traders, one should recite the pure and supreme." Thus, even in times of turmoil and change, the thread of righteousness was preserved, and the supreme teachings continued, carried forth by those devoted to truth.