With great force, the mighty one seized the king by his hair, a moment that marked a turning point in the king’s fate. From that time onward, Śambhu—Lord Shiva—no longer favored the king, for he had become impure in his ways. Meanwhile, Āhlāda, accompanied by Kali, made their way to the splendid grove of plantains. There, Kali beheld Rāma’s portion in its fallen state and became filled with joy at the sight. At this juncture, Bali, the king of the Daityas, emerged, leading tens of thousands in his retinue. He declared, “Go forth, O hero, with your forces; during the night you shall be protected by me.” Encouraged by these words, and after sixteen years had passed, he conquered the sons of the king and summoned the great assembly. This king, an ocean of fame, devoted himself to the service of the liṅga. He performed a hundred thousand rites dedicated to Caṇḍī, and through these great austerities, he attained supreme bliss. Embracing the life of an ascetic and abstaining from food, he departed this world and ascended to the city of heaven. Yet, within just seven days and nights, his realm fell under the power of a foreign king. The invader from Sahoda, unchecked in his cruelty, killed with razor and arrow and even burned his foe in fire. This foreigner then seized the garland of lightning and gathered up great wealth. Now, the lineage of the Sun and Moon has been recounted to you. Returning once more to Vishala, Vaitala composed this tale. All that has been told bestows great merit upon Hrishika. When he reaches Naimisharanya, he will surely recite this story. In the age of Kali, these supplementary Puranas will arise, and their essence—the collection of histories—has also been narrated. At the conclusion of Vikrama’s tale, there is the descent of Hari in the form of Kala. That story, the venerable Suta will recount, having settled in Naimisharanya. What I have narrated, O Hrishika, is meant to bring you joy. The residents of Naimisharanya will gather at Suta’s side to listen. Now, I wish to hear, in order, the lineage of those kings. We are filled with curiosity about the four born from fire. Hear, then, in detail the conduct of the kings of the fire lineage. Pramara, the great king, took up the southern direction. Devoted to the Sama Veda and mighty in strength, he established his residence there. He ruled for three years and became the son of Devapi, governing in the manner of his father. Listen, sage, to the reason for this: When Ashoka, the powerful Buddhist king, was slain, within five years the Sun joyfully imparted his rays to Pramara. At that time, Kali became pleased with Shaka, the great-souled one. There, the mighty hero subdued the groups of cowherds and, with arrows, slew the kings, causing their lives to be short. Gandharvasena, a powerful king, was the son of a divine messenger. By Shiva’s command, his own son Vikrama ruled for ten years, but was ultimately destroyed by the wicked Shakas. Shalivahana, too, the son of the devotee of the gods, followed in this line. His son, Shalihotra, reigned for one and a half centuries, ruling as his father had and ultimately becoming the destroyer of the Shakas. After him, ruling in the same manner, came Havirhotra, who succeeded his father and continued the noble lineage.