Once, the sage Ṛcīka, a descendant of Bhṛgu, spoke to his wife with great reverence and foresight. He foretold, “He will be unconquered by Kshatriyas in the world, a destroyer of foremost Kshatriyas. And to you, O blessed one, will be born a steadfast son, rich in austerity.” Ṛcīka assured her that the oblation he was preparing would yield a tranquil and excellent Brahmin. Having spoken thus, Ṛcīka, always devoted to austerity, withdrew into the forest to pursue his spiritual practices. Meanwhile, King Gādhi and his wife journeyed to Ṛcīka’s hermitage. When the king visited his daughter Satyavatī during a pilgrimage, Satyavatī received two sacred oblations from the sage. Carefully, she took one oblation and handed it to her mother. But, under divine influence, her mother exchanged the oblations, giving Satyavatī the one intended for herself. Unaware of the exchange, Satyavatī imbibed her mother’s oblation, thus absorbing the offering meant to destroy Kshatriyas. She bore its power, her form blazing and terrible. Witnessing this, Ṛcīka approached her through the power of yoga and explained, “O blessed one, you have been deceived by your mother, through the exchange of the offerings. Now, your son will be of cruel deeds, exceedingly fierce; but his brother will be born as a sage, endowed with the nature of Brahman. Indeed, by my austerity, I have entrusted the entire Brahman into him.” Distressed, Satyavatī pleaded with her husband, “Let my son not be such, a degenerate among Brahmins, from you.” The sage replied, “This was not my intention, O blessed one, but so be it. The son will be fierce in action, due to both father and mother.” Satyavatī persisted, “O sage, if you wish, you could create even worlds—what then of a son? You ought to grant me a son who is peaceful and upright; let such a grandson be mine and yours, O lord.” If otherwise it could not be done, she asked for this favor by the power of her own austerity. Ṛcīka consented: “There is no distinction for me between son and grandson, O beautiful one. As you have spoken, so shall it be, O blessed one.” Thus, Satyavatī gave birth to Jamadagni, a son of the Bhṛgu line, devoted to austerity and self-control, peaceful in nature. In the lineage of Bhṛgu, Jamadagni was born on earth, and Satyavatī, virtuous and devoted to truth and righteousness, was his mother. She became known as Kauśikī, the great river. Meanwhile, there was a king named Reṇu, descendant of the Ikṣvāku line. His illustrious daughter was Kāmalī, also called Reṇukā, endowed with austerity and knowledge. In Reṇukā, Ṛcīka begot Jāmadagnya, exceedingly fierce, supreme knower of all sciences, and master of archery. This was Rāma, destroyer of Kshatriyas, blazing like fire—the illustrious son of Ṛcīka and Satyavatī, of the Aurva line. Jamadagni was born from the power of austerity, foremost among knowers of Brahman. Śunaḥśepha was the middle son, and Śunaḥpuccha the youngest. Gādhi, son of Kuśika, begot Viśvāmitra as his heir, a son endowed with austerity, knowledge, and tranquility. Having attained equality with the Brahmarshis, Viśvāmitra became a Brahmarshi, remembered also as Visvaratha. By the favor of Bhṛgu, a descendant was born from Kaushika, increasing the lineage. The sons of Viśvāmitra, such as Devarata, are remembered. Their names are renowned in the three worlds: Devarata and Kati, from whom the Katyayanas are remembered. In Shalavati, Hiranyaksha was born, then Renu and Renuka; Sankriti, Galava, and Mudgala are also well-known. Madhuchhanda, Jaya, Devala, Ashtaka, Kacchapa, and Harita—these are the sons of Viśvāmitra. The lineages of the great-souled Kaushikas are renowned: Panina, Babhrava, and those devoted to meditation and recitation as well. The Parthivas, Devaratas, Shalankayana, Bashkala, Lohita, Yamaduta, and Karushaka are remembered. Among the descendants of Paurava and the eminent sage Kaushika, the connection of the Brahmakshatra lineage in this family is well-known. Among the sons of Viśvāmitra, Śunaḥśepha is remembered as the eldest; the illustrious Bhargava attained the status of a Kaushika sage. The son of Viśvāmitra was Śunaḥśepha; in the sacrifice of Haridashva, he was appointed as the sacrificial animal. Given by the gods, Śunaḥśepha was again entrusted to Viśvāmitra; since he was given by the gods, he became Devarata. Devarata and others, seven in all, are the sons of Viśvāmitra; also, the sons of Drishadvati and Ashtaka, both are Vaisvamitra. Lauhi is said to be the son of Ashtaka, and the Jahnu clan is mentioned. Thereafter, the lineage of the great-souled Ayo is described. Ayo had five sons, all heroic and great chariot-warriors, born to Prabha, the daughter of Svarbhanu. Nahuṣa was born first, then Vṛddhasharma; next came Rambha, Raji, and Anena, all renowned in the three worlds. Raji fathered five hundred sons, and this royal lineage became famous as the Kshatra that inspires fear even in Indra. Thus, the noble lineages of sages and kings, born of austerity, wisdom, and divine favor, flourished—each name remembered and revered in the three worlds.