In ancient times, the revered city of Vārāṇasī was known as the city of Bhadraśreṇya. It belonged to Bhadraśreṇya’s hundred sons, all of whom were celebrated for their skill in archery. But their reign came to a violent end when King Divodāsa, wielding superior strength, overcame and slew them. Having vanquished the sons of Bhadraśreṇya, Divodāsa claimed the kingdom for himself and settled in Vārāṇasī. Among Bhadraśreṇya’s lineage was his son Durdama. While still a child, Durdama was spared and driven away by Divodāsa, who acted out of compassion. Yet, as Durdama grew, he reclaimed the ancestral domain that Divodāsa had seized, restoring the inheritance of the Haihayas by his own power and thus ending the enmity between their families. From Divodāsa, in the land of Dṛṣadvatī, was born a heroic son named Pratardana, who renewed the vigor and strength of his lineage. Pratardana had two illustrious sons, Vatsabharga and Vatsa. Vatsa’s own son was Alarka, and Alarka’s son was Saṃnati. Alarka, devoted to Brahman and steadfast in truth, became famous as a royal sage. Of him, ancient verses were sung: for sixty thousand and six hundred years, Alarka remained youthful and was the foremost of his line. By the grace of Lopāmudrā, he attained supreme longevity, ruling over a vast kingdom, radiant in beauty and youth. When the period of a curse ended, Alarka, mighty-armed, slew the demon Kṣemakara and once more established the delightful city of Vārāṇasī. Saṃnati, Alarka’s son, had a righteous heir named Sunītha, who was succeeded by Kṣema, famed for his great glory. Kṣema’s son was Ketumān, whose own son was Suketu; Suketu’s son was called Dharmaketu. Dharmaketu’s heir was Satyaketu, a great chariot-warrior, and Satyaketu’s son was Vibhu, lord of the people. Vibhu’s son was Ānarta, followed by his son Sukumāra, and then by Sukumāra’s son Dhṛṣṭaketu, who was known for his righteousness. Dhṛṣṭaketu’s heir was Veṇuhotra, lord of the people, and Veṇuhotra’s son was Bhārga, also a lordly figure. The land of Vatsa became known as Vatsabhumi, and the land of Bhargava as Bhargabhumi, both tracing their lineages to the sons of Angiras, with Bhargava among them. From these lineages descended Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas—thousands of sons, all said to be descendants of Kashyapa. Now, let us turn to the line of Nahusha. From Viraja, daughter of the ancestors, were born the mighty sons of Nahusha, whose brilliance rivaled Indra’s: Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, and Parshvaka. Yati, the eldest, took as his wife Gā, daughter of Kakutstha, but soon renounced worldly life, seeking liberation and union with Brahman. Of the remaining brothers, Yayati, the supremely righteous, conquered the earth and took as his wife Devayani, daughter of Ushanas. He also married Sharmishtha, the Asura maiden and daughter of Vrishaparvan. Through Devayani, Yayati had Yadu and Turvasu; through Sharmishtha, he had Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. Pleased with Yayati, Indra bestowed upon him a radiant chariot, adorned with gold and drawn by swift, celestial white horses, by which Yayati accomplished great deeds. With this divine chariot, Yayati, invincible in battle, conquered the earth, the gods, and the Danavas in just six nights. This same chariot later came into the possession of the Kauravas, beginning with Janamejaya, son of Samvartavasu. Eventually, it passed to King Parikshit, son of Kuru, but was destroyed by the curse of the wise sage Garga. This curse befell Parikshit because King Janamejaya, in time, killed Garga’s child, incurring the grave sin of Brahmin-slaying. Haunted by the smell of iron, Janamejaya wandered without peace, abandoned by his people and his land. Tormented by suffering and unable to find solace, he sought refuge with the wise Brahmin Shaunaka. Shaunaka, full of compassion, guided Janamejaya to perform an Ashvamedha sacrifice to purify himself. After the sacred ritual, the iron smell vanished, and the king’s divine chariot came under the control of the lord of Chedi. Indra, pleased, gave the chariot to Brihadratha, and from him, it passed to King Barhadratha. Later, Bhima, the joy of the Kauravas, slew Jarasandha and, out of affection, gifted the excellent chariot to Vasudeva. Yayati, having conquered the earth with its seven continents and oceans, divided his kingdom among his five sons. He appointed his eldest, Yadu, to rule the eastern lands, and in the center, he enthroned Puru as king. In the southeast, Turvasu was established, and by these sons, the earth with its continents and cities was governed. To this day, the descendants of these noble lineages protect their regions with righteousness. Finally, as age weighed upon him, King Yayati laid down his bow and arrows. With five heroic men by his side, he entrusted his responsibilities to his kinsmen, withdrawing from worldly affairs and thus bringing this chapter of the royal lineage to a close.