When Satyavatī saw the troubling destiny foretold for her son—a fate unworthy of a Brahmin—she sought to appease her husband, the sage Ṛcīka. With gentle words, she pleaded, “Let not my son be such, a degenerate among Brahmins, especially being born from you.” Ṛcīka, hearing her concern, replied, “O blessed one, this was never my intention. Yet, as you wish, so shall it be. The son will be fierce in action, inheriting traits from both his father and his mother.” Yet Satyavatī, wise and steadfast, spoke again: “O sage, if you so desire, you could create even entire worlds—what difficulty is there in shaping a son’s nature?” She entreated him further, “Grant me, O lord, a son who is peaceful and upright. Let such a grandson be born to us, a joy to both our lineages.” Ṛcīka, moved by her devotion, relented. “If it cannot be otherwise, O best of the twice-born, then by the power of your austerity, let it be as you desire.” He assured her, “For me, there is no difference between son and grandson, O beautiful one. As you have spoken, so shall it be.” Thus, in due time, Satyavatī gave birth to a son in the illustrious Bhṛgu line—a child devoted to austerity and self-control, peaceful in nature, and named Jamadagni. He was born on earth as a paragon of virtue, his mother Satyavatī renowned for her truthfulness and righteousness. Satyavatī herself became known as Kauśikī, the great river. In that era, there was a king named Reṇu, descended from the Ikṣvāku line. His illustrious daughter was called Kāmalī, also known as Reṇukā, a woman of great austerity and wisdom. In Reṇukā, Ṛcīka begot Jāmadagnya—a son of tremendous power, supreme in knowledge, and master of the science of archery. This son, famed as Rāma—Parashurāma, destroyer of kṣatriyas—shone like blazing fire, the glorious offspring of Ṛcīka and Satyavatī from the Aurva line. Jamadagni, foremost among knowers of Brahman, was born from the power of austerity, and his brothers were Śunaḥśepha, the middle son, and Śunaḥpuccha, the youngest. Elsewhere, Gādhi, son of Kuśika, begot Viśvāmitra—a son endowed with great austerity, knowledge, and tranquility. Viśvāmitra attained the status of a Brahmarshi, equal among the greatest sages, and was also called Viśvaratha. By the favor of the Bhṛgu lineage, a descendant was born from Kaushika, increasing the family’s splendor. Among Viśvāmitra’s sons, Devarata and others are renowned, their names celebrated throughout the three worlds. Among them, Devarata and Kati are remembered, from whom the Katyayanas trace their descent. In Shalavati, Hiranyaksha was born, followed by Renu and Renuka; Sankriti, Galava, and Mudgala are also well-known. Madhuchhanda, Jaya, Devala, Ashtaka, Kacchapa, and Harita are counted among Viśvāmitra’s sons. The lineages of the great-souled Kaushikas are famous, including Panina, Babhrava, and those devoted to meditation and recitation. The Parthivas, Devaratas, Shalankayana, Bashkala, Lohita, Yamaduta, and Karushaka are all remembered. Within these lineages, the connection between the Pauravas and the sage Kaushika is well-known as the Brahmakṣatra lineage. Among Viśvāmitra’s sons, Śunaḥśepha is remembered as the eldest, while the illustrious Bhargava became a sage among the Kaushikas. Śunaḥśepha, the son of Viśvāmitra, was once offered as the sacrificial animal in the sacrifice of Haridashva. Given by the gods, Śunaḥśepha was entrusted to Viśvāmitra and, because he was given by the gods, he became known as Devarata. Devarata and his six brothers—seven in all—are the sons of Viśvāmitra. The son of Drishadvati and Ashtaka are also counted among the Vaisvamitra. Lauhi is said to be the son of Ashtaka, and the Jahnu clan is also mentioned. Thereafter, the lineage of the great-souled Ayo is described. Ayo had five heroic sons, all great chariot-warriors, born to Prabha, the daughter of Svarbhanu. They were Nahuṣa, the eldest, followed by Vṛddhasharma, Rambha, Raji, and Anena—all renowned across the three worlds. Raji fathered five hundred sons, and his royal lineage became famous as the Kṣatra that even inspired fear in Indra, king of the gods. Once, when a fierce battle arose between the gods and the demons, both parties approached the grandsire, Brahmā, seeking to know who would emerge victorious. They asked, “O Lord, who will win this battle? Tell us the truth, O ruler of all beings.” Brahmā replied, “Those for whose sake Raji, the mighty one, enters battle with weapons in hand—they will conquer the three worlds; of this there is no doubt. Where Raji is, there is steadfastness; where steadfastness is, there is fortune; where both steadfastness and fortune are, there is righteousness, and thus, victory.” Pleased with this answer, the gods and demons, as instructed, approached Raji, the best of men, desiring victory and choosing him as their leader. Raji, the grandson of Svarbhanu and son of Prabha, a king of supreme brilliance who increased the lunar dynasty, was thus approached by all the gods and demons, who said to him with delight, “For our victory, take up the excellent bow.” Raji, discerning their motives and seeking his own advantage, declared, “If, by my strength, I defeat all the hosts of demons, then, by righteousness, I shall become Indra; only then will I fight in battle.” The gods, delighted, were the first to agree, saying, “So be it, O king; may your desire be fulfilled as you wish.