The blessed Brahman, pleased with the devotion and virtues of King Bali, granted him a wondrous boon. Bali received supreme yogic power and was blessed with a lifespan that would endure for a whole kalpa, O twice-born ones. Along with this, he was endowed with unparalleled strength, insight into the very heart of dharma, invincibility in battle, and the highest authority in righteousness. To Bali was also granted the vision to see the three worlds, eminence in progeny, and the right to establish the four fixed castes, including your own. Thus, addressed and blessed by the Lord himself, King Bali found supreme peace. After a long and illustrious reign, O sages, he ultimately returned to his own abode. The lands associated with Bali’s descendants became known as the five regions: Aṅga, Vaṅga with Suhma, Kaliṅga, and Puṇḍra—these are the peoples of Aṅga known today. From Aṅga’s line came the great king Dadhivāhana, whose son was Diviratha. Diviratha fathered Dharmaratha, a hero whose valor rivaled that of Indra himself and who was renowned for his wisdom. Dharmaratha’s son was Citraratha. In time, Dharmaratha, alongside Indra, performed a grand sacrifice upon the Kālañjara mountain, during which the great-souled Soma was consumed. Citraratha’s son was Daśaratha, who became known as Lomapāda. Lomapāda’s daughter was Śāntā. The valiant Daśarathi—so named for his fourfold army—was born through the blessings of the sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, and he further strengthened the dynasty. The line continued: Caturaṅga’s son was Pṛthulākṣa; Pṛthulākṣa’s son was the illustrious king Campo. Campo founded the city of Campā, which was once called Mālinī. By the favor of Pūrnabhadra, Campo had a son named Haryaṅga. For Haryaṅga, the sage Vaibhāṇḍaki brought down the mighty elephant Vāraṇa—Indra’s own elephant—from the heavens to earth by the power of his mantras, making it a magnificent royal mount. Haryaṅga’s son was King Bhadraratha, whose son was Bṛhatkarmā, a lord among men. Bṛhatkarmā’s son was Bṛhaddarbha, and from him was born Bṛhanmanā, who in turn begot a son. This son was Jayadratha, from whom came King Dṛḍharatha. Dṛḍharatha’s sons were Viśvajit and Janamejaya. The line continued with Vaikarṇa and his son Vikarṇa, who had a hundred sons, thus greatly expanding the Aṅga lineage. All these kings of the Aṅga dynasty, O twice-born, were noble-souled, truthful, prolific, and mighty warriors on the battlefield. Thus have I recounted their line. Now, listen as I tell you of the lineage of King Ṛceya, the foremost sage and son of Raudrāśva. Ṛceya’s son was King Matināra, a ruler of the earth. Matināra had three sons: Vasurodha, Pratiratha, and Subāhu—all supremely righteous, learned in the Vedas, devoted to Brahman, and ever speaking the truth. Matināra also had a daughter, Ilā, learned and devoted to Brahman. She was approached by Tāṃsu, who became her husband. Their son was the royal sage Dharmanetra, powerful, heroic, and steadfast in his devotion to Brahman. His wife was Upadānavī, who bore him four virtuous sons: Duṣyanta, Suṣmanta, Pravīra, and Anagha. Among them, Duṣyanta’s heir was the mighty Bharata, known also as Sarvadamana, whose strength was likened to a herd of elephants. Born of Duṣyanta and the illustrious Śakuntalā, Bharata became a universal emperor, and from him, the people came to be known as the Bhāratas. Yet, as I have told before, the sons of Bharata perished, consumed by the wrath of their mothers. At that time, Bṛhaspati, the son of Aṅgiras and a great sage among Brāhmaṇas, caused Bharadvāja to perform grand sacrifices for the continuation of the line. Previously, Vitatha had been born to provide a son for Bharadvāja; thus, Vitatha became his son. After Vitatha’s birth, Bharata ascended to heaven, and Bharadvāja, having consecrated Vitatha as king, departed for the forest. Vitatha fathered five sons: Suhotra, Suhotāra, Gaya, Garga, and the great-souled Kapila. Kapila had two sons, and Suhotra’s sons were Kāśika—famed for truth—and Gṛtsamati, a king. From Gṛtsamati came sons who became Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas. Kāśika’s son was Kāśeya, and likewise, Dīrghatapas. From Dīrghatapas was born the learned Dhanvantari, whose son was Ketumān, renowned by name. Ketumān’s son was the wise Bhīmaratha, and Bhīmaratha’s son became the ruler of Vārāṇasī—Divodāsa, destroyer of all Kṣatriyas. Divodāsa’s son was the valiant Pratardana, who had two sons: Vatsa, of the Bhārgava lineage, and Alarka, a prince and king esteemed throughout the world. The king seized the inheritance of Haihaya, reclaiming his ancestral domain, which Divodāsa had once taken. By the noble Durdamana, son of Bhadraśreṇya, Divodāsa was released out of compassion, though he was known as Bāla. Aṣṭāratha, son of Bhīmaratha, was a king, and his son Bāla took possession of the kingdom, O Brāhmaṇas. Thus flows the illustrious tale of these noble lineages, their kings, and their deeds—upholders of dharma, renowned for their truth and might.