O best of the twice-born, listen to the tale of ancient kings and noble lineages. The city of Pratiṣṭhā was once ruled by the righteous king Sudyumna. Having gained the kingdom, this illustrious monarch did not hold tightly to power; instead, he bestowed his realm upon Purūravas. This Sudyumna, descended from Manu, was unique, for he bore the characteristics of both woman and man. As Ilā, he is remembered, but he is also famed as Sudyumna, a figure of dual nature and great renown. In those days, the Śakas, born of Nāriṣyantā, did not become kṣatriyas. Among the sons of Nābhāga, Ambarīṣa shone brightest, a royal bull among kings. From Dhṛṣṭa sprang the valiant Dhārṣṭaka kṣatriyas, proud and fierce in battle, while the Kārūṣa kṣatriyas, descended from Karūṣa, were equally formidable and arrogant in war. The sons of Nābhāga and Dhṛṣṭa, though born kṣatriyas, eventually attained the status of vaiśyas. Among their line, a son of Prāṃśu became renowned as Prajāpati. The lineage of Nariṣyanta continued through his heir, the king Daṇḍadhara, also known as Yama. Śaryāti, another illustrious scion, had two children, one of whom was the celebrated Ānarta. Ānarta had both a son and a daughter; his daughter, Sukanyā, became the devoted wife of the sage Cyavana. Ānarta’s heir was Raiva, famed for his virtue. The realm of Ānarta was centered around the city of Kuśasthalī, and Raiva’s son was the righteous Kakudmī. Kakudmī, the eldest, inherited the kingdom of Kuśasthalī. Accompanied by his daughter, he traveled to the abode of Brahmā, where they listened to the enchanting music of the Gandharvas. Though their visit seemed but a moment to Brahmā, many ages passed on earth. When they returned, they found their city occupied by the Yādavas. It was there that the splendid city of Dvāravatī was built, adorned with many gates and protected by the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, and Andhakas, with Vasudeva as their chief. Understanding the truth of the times, Raivata gave his daughter Revati, also called Subhadrā, in marriage to Baladeva. Having fulfilled his duty, Raivata ascended to the summit of Mount Meru to practice austerities, while Rāma, righteous in soul, rejoiced happily with Revati. But a question arises: How, after so many ages had passed, did old age not overtake Revati and Raivata Kakudmin? And how did the lineage of Śaryāti persist on earth when Raivata had departed to Meru? The truth is this: in Brahmā’s world, where the sinless Kakudmin resided, there is neither old age, nor hunger, nor thirst, nor death. The cycle of seasons does not prevail there, and so Raivata endured, later ascending to the heavenly world. Kuśasthalī itself was seized in turn by the virtuous and by Rākṣasas. Raivata, the great soul, had a hundred brothers. When the Rākṣasas attacked, these unconquered ones fled in all directions, and the hundred brothers were scattered across the land. Their noble lineage continued here and there, and thus arose the renowned Śaryātas, celebrated for their virtues and energy, spreading their fame in every region. Among other lineages, the two sons of Nābhāga and Ariṣṭa, though born as vaiśyas, attained the status of brāhmaṇas. The Kāruṣas, descendants of Karūṣa, remained fierce kṣatriyas. Pṛṣadhra, however, having unwittingly slain his teacher’s cow, was cursed and became a śūdra. Thus are recounted these nine lineages. Now hear further: Vaivasvata Manu had a daughter, and from Manu’s sneeze was born a son, Ikṣvāku. Ikṣvāku had a hundred sons, renowned for their generosity. Among them, Vikukshi was the eldest, so named for an act of eating. Ikṣvāku, well-versed in dharma, ruled Ayodhyā, and his sons, led by Shakuni, numbered five hundred. Of these, forty-eight protected the northern regions, and an equal number guarded the south. Others, headed by Vashati, served as protectors elsewhere. Ikṣvāku once commanded Vikukshi to bring meat for the śrāddha sacrifice, instructing him to hunt. Before the rite was performed, Vikukshi ate a hare and, because of this act, was called Shashada. On the advice of Vasiṣṭha, Ikṣvāku cast him out. When Ikṣvāku passed away, Shashada became king, and his heir was the mighty Kakutstha. From Anenas came Kakutstha, and from Anenas, Prithu was born. Prithu’s son was Vishtrarashva, whose son was Ardra. Ardra’s son was Yuvanāśva, and his son was Shravasta, who founded the city of Shravasti. Shravasta’s heir, the great king Brihadashva, begot Kuvalāshva, a sovereign of supreme righteousness. Kuvalāshva earned the name ‘Dhundhumāra’ after slaying the demon Dhundhu. The sages now long to hear the truth of that feat and how Kuvalāshva gained his title. Kuvalāshva had a hundred sons, all exceptional archers, skilled in every science, strong, and difficult to defeat. They were righteous, performed sacrifices, and gave generously. When Brihadashva installed his son Kuvalāshva as king, he renounced his royal fortune and prepared to enter the forest. But as he departed, the sage Uttanka stopped him. “O king,” said Uttanka, “you must undertake the duty of protection, for you are fit for it. I cannot practice austerities without anxiety, for near my hermitage, in the Marudhanva region, lies a sand-filled sea known as Uddālaka.” Thus, the tale unfolds, weaving the destinies of kings, sages, and lineages, all guided by duty, virtue, and the mysterious workings of time.