Beneath the earth, hidden within the sands and beyond the reach of even the gods, there dwelt a being of immense form and strength. This was Dhundhu, the mighty son of the Rākṣasa Madhu—a great demon who had undertaken fierce austerities with the terrible intent to destroy the worlds. So powerful was his presence that, at the close of each year, when he exhaled, the earth itself would tremble. His breath would raise a vast cloud of dust, obscuring the path of the sun, and for seven days the land would quake. From his lair issued sparks, embers, and smoke, making the region exceedingly dreadful. Because of this turmoil, the sage Uttaṅka could no longer remain in his own hermitage. Turning to the king, Uttaṅka spoke earnestly: “Slay this great-bodied demon for the welfare of all the worlds. If you destroy him today, peace will return. You alone, O lord of earth, possess the power to defeat him. Long ago, Viṣṇu granted me a boon: whoever kills this fierce and mighty demon, to him you shall reveal your energy. Dhundhu, of great brilliance, cannot be subdued by lesser force—not even in a hundred ages. His power is immense, difficult for even the gods to overcome.” Hearing Uttaṅka’s words, the royal sage, noble of heart, offered his own son, Kuvalāśva, to undertake the destruction of Dhundhu. “O venerable one,” he said, “I have laid down my weapons, but this son of mine will, without doubt, become the slayer of Dhundhu.” Having appointed his son to this great task, the king, steadfast in his vows, departed to the mountain. Kuvalāśva, powerful and resolute, set out with a hundred sons, accompanied by Uttaṅka, to destroy the demon. At Uttaṅka’s command, the blessed Lord Viṣṇu entered Kuvalāśva, infusing him with divine energy for the welfare of the worlds. As the unconquerable Kuvalāśva departed, a great sound arose in the heavens: “Today this glorious one, Dhundhumāra, will become invulnerable!” The gods showered him with celestial fragrances and garlands, and the divine drums resounded. With his valiant sons, Kuvalāśva began to dig into the endless sand. As they dug deeper, they discovered the demon Dhundhu, hidden and blocking the western direction. Angered, Dhundhu spewed fire from his mouth, as if to overturn the worlds, and unleashed torrents of water with the force of a rising ocean. In the ensuing chaos of waves and mud, a hundred sons of Kuvalāśva were burned by the demon’s fury—only three survived. Undaunted, Kuvalāśva, radiant and resolute, approached the mighty demon. As a master of yoga, he absorbed the force of the water and subdued the fire with water. By his strength, he slew the great-bodied, water-dwelling demon. His task accomplished, the king presented himself before Uttaṅka. Grateful, Uttaṅka granted Kuvalāśva a boon: inexhaustible wealth, unconquered by enemies. He also bestowed upon him constant delight in righteousness, unending residence in heaven, and for his sons who had perished, eternal worlds in heaven. Of Kuvalāśva’s sons, three remained: Dṛḍhāśva, the eldest, and the younger two, Candrāśva and Kapilāśva. Dṛḍhāśva’s son was Haryaśva, remembered for his devotion to the kṣatriya duties. Haryaśva’s son was Nikumbha, from whom came Saṃhatāśva, skilled in battle. Saṃhatāśva’s sons were Akṛśāśva and Kṛśāśva, and he had a daughter, Dṛṣadvatī, famed among the virtuous in the three worlds. Her son was Prasenajit. Prasenajit married Gaurī, devoted to her husband, but, cursed by him, she became the river Bāhudā. Prasenajit’s great son was Yuvanāśva, lord of men, whose own son was Māndhātṛ, conqueror of the three worlds. Māndhātṛ’s wife was Caitrarathī, daughter of Śaśabindu, a virtuous woman named Bindumatī, unmatched in beauty and eldest among ten thousand brothers. With her, Māndhātṛ begot two sons: Purukutsa, knower of righteousness, and King Mucukunda. Purukutsa’s son was Trasadasyu, lord of the earth. In the Narmadā river was born Saṃbhūta, whose son was Tridhanvan, destroyer of foes. Tridhanvan’s son was the learned and mighty Trayyaruṇa, whose son was the powerful prince Satyavrata. But Satyavrata, driven by desire, childishness, delusion, recklessness, and impulsiveness, committed a grievous act: he obstructed the marriage mantras and abducted the already-wed daughter of a townsman. Because of this sin, the priest of the three Vedas abandoned him, declaring in anger, “Let him be cast out!” Thus abandoned, Satyavrata asked his father repeatedly, “Where shall I go?” And his father replied, “Live among the outcastes.