When a fierce battle broke out between the gods and the demons, both sides, unsure of their fate, approached the Grandsire, Brahma, seeking his counsel. They asked, “O Lord, who will be victorious in this battle? Tell us the truth, O ruler of all beings, for we wish to hear it from you.” Brahma replied, “Whichever side Raji, the mighty one, joins in battle, wielding his weapons, they will surely conquer the three worlds; there is no doubt about this. Where Raji stands, there is unwavering steadfastness; where steadfastness resides, fortune follows; where both steadfastness and fortune are found, righteousness prevails, and thus, victory is assured.” Hearing these words, the gods and demons, pleased and eager for victory, followed Brahma’s instructions and approached Raji, the best among men. They sought to win him over, each desiring triumph. Raji, the grandson of Svarbhanu and son of Prabha, was a king of supreme brilliance who had greatly increased the lunar dynasty. All the gods and demons, their hearts delighted, spoke to Raji, saying, “For our victory, take up the excellent bow.” Raji, discerning their motives and seeking his own advantage, spoke to both sides, making his own fame known. He 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 by his words, were the first to agree, saying, “So be it, O king; may your desire be fulfilled as you wish.” Raji then turned to the chief among the demons, questioning them as he had the gods. The demons, full of pride and thinking only of their own interests, replied arrogantly, “Prahlada is our Indra, for whom we seek victory; but in this battle, O best of kings, you must remain, O king.” The gods, further urging Raji, told him, “Having conquered the demons, you shall become Indra.” Raji agreed, saying, “So be it.” With supreme fortune, Raji struck down all the demons, even those invulnerable to the thunderbolt, restoring the lost glory of the gods. Having slain the demons, the mighty Raji seized the kingdom, and Indra, along with the gods, honored him greatly. Raji proclaimed, “I am the son of Raji,” and spoke again, “You are Indra, dear one, of all the gods; of this there is no doubt. He to whom I am Indra, your son, shall become renowned through his deeds.” But, deceived by Indra’s illusion, Raji accepted these words. Pleased, Raji replied to Indra, “So be it.” When Raji ascended to heaven, he became like the gods themselves. Raji’s sons inherited the kingdom from Indra; he had five hundred sons, and that domain became Indra’s. However, confused in their minds, intoxicated by passion, and unrighteous, these sons entered the heavenly realm in many ways. Becoming haters of Brahman, their strength and valor destroyed, Indra regained his sovereignty and supreme position. Indra slew all the sons of Raji, who were devoted to desire and anger. Whoever hears or recites this account of Śatakratu’s restoration from displacement is spared from misfortune. Rambha was childless, but now the lineage of Anenasa is recounted. Anenasa’s son was the renowned king Pratikṣatra. Pratikṣatra’s son was the famous Saṃjaya; Saṃjaya’s son was Jaya, and Jaya’s son was Vijaya. Vijaya’s son was Kṛti, and Kṛti’s son was Haryatvata; Haryatvata’s son was the mighty king Sahadeva. Sahadeva’s son was the righteous Nadīna, well-known; Nadīna’s son was Jayatsena, and Jayatsena’s son was Saṃkṛti. Saṃkṛti’s son was the righteous and renowned Kṣatravṛddha; these are the descendants of Anenasa, and another of Kṣatravṛddha. Kṣatravṛddha’s son was Sunahotra, of great fame; Sunahotra had three heirs, all supremely righteous: Kāśa, Śala, and the illustrious Gṛtsamada. Gṛtsamada’s son was Śunaka, whose son was Śaunaka. Among Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, Śala’s son was Ārṣṭiseṇa, whose son was Kāśyapa. Kāśa’s son was the king Kāśipa, whose son was Dīrghatapas; Dīrghatapas’s wise son was Dhanvantari. After completing his great austerity, Dhanvantari was born again as the wise Vṛddha; Dhanvantari became a god incarnated among humans. In his house was born the god Dhanvantari, who became the great king of Kāśi, destroyer of all diseases. Having obtained the science of Ayurveda from Bharadvāja, he became a physician and divided it into eight parts, imparting it to his disciples. Dhanvantari’s son was Ketumān, well-known; Ketumān’s son was the heroic Bhīmaratha. Bhīmaratha’s son was Divodāsa, lord of subjects; Divodāsa, righteous in soul, became ruler of Vārāṇasī. At that time, a rakṣasa named Kṣemaka settled in Vārāṇasī, which was empty of twice-born men. She was cursed by the wise and great Nikumbha, and for a thousand years she would remain empty; of this there is no doubt. At the moment of that curse, Divodāsa, lord of people, established a beautiful city at the edge of his domain, on the banks of the Gomati river.