When the greatest of sages sought to bring an end to a long-standing feud, Alarka, the illustrious king of Kāśi, renowned for his devotion to Brahman and steadfastness in truth, took decisive action. By the grace of Lopāmudrā, Alarka was blessed with extraordinary longevity, remaining youthful in appearance for sixty thousand and six hundred years, standing as the foremost among the Kāśi lineage. At the end of his remarkable life, by divine favor, he slew the demon Kṣemakara. It was this noble king who established the beautiful city of Vārāṇasī, and after him, his heir Kṣemaka ruled there. Kṣemaka’s son was Varṣaketu, and Varṣaketu’s heir was Vibhu, who became lord of the people. Vibhu’s son was Ānarta, succeeded by Sukumāra, whose own son was Satyaketu, famed as a great charioteer. After him, a king of great splendor and supreme righteousness arose, and from Vatsa came Vatsabhūmi; Bhargabhūmi descended from Bhārgava. These were the sons of Aṅgiras, born in the Bhārgava lineage, and from them came brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras. Now, another noble lineage is to be heard—the line of Ājamīḍha. Suhotra’s son was Bṛhat, who had three sons: Ājamīḍha, Dvimīḍha, and Purumīḍha, all mighty in strength. Ājamīḍha had three renowned wives: Nīlī, Keśinī, and Dhūminī, each an excellent woman. From Keśinī, Ājamīḍha begot Jahnu, a man of great prowess. Jahnu, as lord, performed the great Sarvamedha sacrifice. During this time, Gaṅgā, out of desire for her husband, was subdued and departed from him. Yet, even as Jahnu did not wish it, Gaṅgā flooded his sacrificial hall, inundating the entire altar. Angered, Jahnu addressed Gaṅgā, declaring he would drink up her waters from all three worlds, so that she might immediately reap the fruit of her arrogance. When the great sages saw that Gaṅgā had been drunk, they, being most fortunate, brought her forth again as a daughter, naming her Jāhnavī. Jahnu then took Kāverī, the daughter of Yuvanāśva, as his wife. By Gaṅgā’s curse, half of Kāverī’s body was later transformed into a river. Jahnu’s beloved son was named Ajaka, who was mighty, and Ajaka’s heir was Balākāśva, lord of the earth. Balākāśva’s son was Kuśika, who was fond of hunting and grew up among the Pahnava people and forest-dwellers. Kuśika performed severe austerities, desiring a son equal to Indra. Fearing this, Śakra himself approached and was born as Kuśika’s son. Thus was born King Gādhi; Maghavān himself was born as a Kauśika. Gādhi’s son was the great sage Viśvāmitra, and from Viśvāmitra came Aṣṭaka. Lauhi, the son of Aṣṭaka, also belonged to the Jahnu lineage. Now, hear further of the lineage of Ājamīḍha. From Ājamīḍha and Nīlī was born Suśānti, from whom came Purujāti, and from Purujāti, Bāhyāśva was born. Bāhyāśva had five renowned and prosperous sons who filled the regions: Mudgala, Sṛñjaya, King Bṛhadiṣu, Yavīnara the valiant, and Kṛmilāśva. These five are famed as protectors, sufficient to safeguard their lands, and thus are known as the Pañcālas. From Mudgala came the illustrious Maudgalya, who, through Indrasenā, received a son named Vadhnya. Sṛñjaya’s son was the great-souled Pañcajana, whose own son was King Somadatta. Somadatta’s heir was the renowned Sahadeva, and Sahadeva’s son was the famous Somaka. When the line was diminished, Somaka was born as the son of Ājamīḍha; Somaka’s son was Jantu, who had a hundred sons. Of these, the youngest was Pṛṣata, lord and father of Drupada. Thus, the great-souled Somakas are remembered as descendants of Ājamīḍha. Ājamīḍha’s chief queen was Dhūminī, eager for sons, devoted to her husband, highly fortunate, and born of a noble family. Longing for a son and devoted to vows, this goddess performed severe austerities for ten thousand years, offering the sacred fire according to rite, living on moderate food, and sleeping upon kusa grass at the fire altar, remaining pure. With Dhūminī, Ājamīḍha begot Ṛkṣa, who was of dusky hue and handsome appearance. Ṛkṣa’s son was Saṃvaraṇa, and Saṃvaraṇa’s son was Kuru. Crossing Prayāga, Kuru established the holy land of Kurukṣetra, a sacred and delightful region frequented by the righteous. There, a great lineage arose, known by his name as the Kauravas. Kuru had four sons: Sudhanvan, Sudhanus, Parīkṣit the mighty-armed, and the eminent Arimejaya. Parīkṣit’s heir was the righteous Janamejaya, and Janamejaya’s sons were Śrutasena, Agrasena, and Bhīmasena. All these were greatly fortunate, valiant, and mighty. Janamejaya’s son was Suratha, wise and discerning, whose own son was Viduratha, a powerful ruler. Viduratha’s heir was Ṛkṣa, a great chariot-warrior, thus continuing this illustrious lineage.