In days of old, the illustrious lineage of the Vrishnis flourished, branching into many noble families. Among them were Shyama, Shamika, Gandusha, and five eminent women: Prithukirti, Pritha, Shrutadeva, Shrutashrava, and Rajadhidevi. These five were mothers of heroes. From Shrutashrava was born the mighty king of the Chedis, Shishupala. Prithukirti gave birth to Hiraṇyakaśipu, once the formidable king of the Daityas, as the son of Vriddhasharman. Dantavakra, the powerful lord of Karusha, adopted Pritha as his daughter. Pritha, known as Kunti, was wed to Pandu. From her were born the righteous Yudhishthira, a knower of dharma; Bhimasena, born of Vayu; and Dhananjaya (Arjuna), born of Indra. Prativrata was a hero in the world, his valor equal to Shakra’s. From Anamitra was born Shani, and from the youngest son of the Vrishni line came Satyaka. From Satyaka was born Yuyudhana, famed as Satyaki. Uddhava, the illustrious son of Devabhaga, was also born in this line. Among the learned, Devasravas was praised as foremost. Anadhṛṣṭi, renowned, received a son from Ashmaka. Nivrittashatru, Shatrughna, and Shrutadeva were born, and from Shrutadeva’s sons came Naishadha, celebrated far and wide. Ekalavya, greatest among sages, was raised among the Nishadas. Vatsavati, who was childless, received from Vasudeva the mighty Shauri as a heroic son, given to Kaushika by means of water rites. Gandusha, also childless, was blessed by Vishvaksena with sons: Charudesna, Sudeshna, and Panchala, all marked with auspicious signs. Charudesna, the youngest and mighty-armed son of Rukmini, never turned back from battle. As he went forth, thousands of crows followed him, proclaiming, “Today we shall feast on those slain by Charudesna.” Tantrija and Tantripala were the sons of Kanavaka; Viru and Ashvahanus, both heroes, were the sons of Grinjima. Shamik, son of Shyama, attained the kingdom. Though he despised the Bhoja lineage, he performed the Rajasuya sacrifice. Ajatashatru was born for the destruction of enemies. Now, the heroic sons of Vasudeva are recounted. The mighty and many-branched lineage of Vrishni is described in threefold manner. Maintaining such a vast family is not desirable for those who seek no purpose. Vasudeva had fourteen wives of excellent beauty: Pauravi, Rohini, Madira, and others of noble form; Vaishakhi, Bhadra, Sunamni as the fifth, Sahadeva, Shantideva, Shrīdevi, and Devarakshita; Vrikadevi, Upadevi, and Devaki as the seventh; Sutanū and Vaḍavā served as attendants. Pauravi, called Rohini, was the daughter of Bahli; she was Vasudeva’s eldest and beloved wife. She bore as her eldest son Rama, the refuge of all, and also Shatha, Durdama, Damana, Shubhra, Pindaraka, and Ushinara. Citrā, Rohini’s daughter, became known as Subhadrā, renowned among the sages. From Vasudeva and Devaki was born Shauri, of great fame. From Rama and Revati came their beloved son, Nishatha. Subhadrā, the charioteer, bore Abhimanyu to Partha (Arjuna). From Akrūra and the princess of Kāśī was born Satyaketu. Among the seven illustrious wives of Vasudeva, the heroic sons born were: Bhoja and Vijaya, both sons of Shantideva; Vrikadeva from Sunāmā, and Gada. Vrikadevī gave birth to Agāvaha, a great soul. The princess of Trigarta was the wife of Shishirāyana. Shishirāyana sought to know manliness, but it did not arise; he was likened to black iron, remaining unchanged in the twelfth year. Gārgyas was falsely accused, his anger excessive. He took the daughter of Ghoṣa and began union. Gopālī, an apsaras disguised as a cowherd woman, bore the difficult, unconquerable embryo of Gārgyas. By the arrangement of Śūlapāṇi, a human child was born to the wife of Garga. He was named Kālayavana, a king of great strength, with a body shaped like a lion, youthful and well-formed. He grew up in the king’s inner chambers, who had no sons. Kālayavana became the Yavana. As he fought, the king questioned the foremost of twice-born, and Narada, the illustrious sage, spoke of the Vrishni-Andhaka clan. With an army of an akṣauhiṇī, Kālayavana marched upon Mathurā. He sent a messenger to the settlement of the Vrishnis and Andhakas. Led by Krishna, the wise one, the Vrishnis and Andhakas gathered and consulted, fearful of the Yavana. They decided unanimously to flee. Leaving beautiful Mathurā, honoring Pinākin, they settled in Kuśasthalī, Dvāravatī. Thus, whoever is pure and self-controlled, and recites this account of Krishna’s birth at festivals, being learned, becomes free from debt and happy. Then Kroṣṭu had a son, Vṛjinīvān, of great fame. They desired Vārjinīvat, the best, created by Svāhā.