Listen now to the lineage of noble kings and the actions of the great souls of old. Among the illustrious descendants of Manu were Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, and Pṛṣadhra—each renowned for their might, shining with the splendor and strength of Indra himself. Ilā, after journeying to the abode of Budha, united with Budha, the son of Soma. It is said that Budha is known as the one who satisfies the ancestors. Through this union, Ilā bore three sons, and, wondrously, she returned again to her womanly form. All of these sons, celebrated as unparalleled among men, approached the lotus-born Brahmā, seeking his blessings. Of the hundred sons born in this line, the eldest and then fifteen more became the progenitors of further generations. From Suyodhana was born the illustrious Pṛthu, and from Pṛthu came Viśvaka. In time, the mighty Yuvanāśva, journeying to Gokarṇa, sought to learn by what actions a person might gain a righteous son. He was taught that one who worships the primordial Lord Kṛṣṇa—the god without beginning or end—will obtain a son blessed with virtue and devotion. By honoring Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of the senses, such a son is attained. Worshipping the great yogi, the eternal Vāsudeva, brings this blessing as well. It was this Vāsudeva who established the great city of Śrāvastī in the land of Gauḍa. In his line, Dhundhumāra arose, who, by his valor, slew the mighty demon Dhundhu and gained lasting renown. From this lineage came Dṛḍhāśva, Daṇḍāśva, and Kapilāśva. Haryaśva's son was Nikumbha, and from Nikumbha sprang Saṃhatāśvaka. Yuvanāśva, the son of Raṇāśva, was famed for his strength in battle, equal to Indra. Māndhātṛ, wise and mighty, excelled among warriors, and Mucukunda, virtuous of soul, was his peer in valor. In the generations that followed, Harita was born to Yuvanāśva, and Hārita was Harita's son. Saṃbhūti, son of Hārita, was born upon the sacred banks of the Narmadā. From Anaraṇya was born Bṛhadaśva, and Haryaśva was his son. By the grace of the divine, Haryaśva received a righteous son, devoted to the Sun, and so was born Tridhanvan, a subduer of enemies, incomparable among men. Tridhanvan was steadfast in study, generous in giving, patient, and ever intent on righteousness. The gods themselves—Vasiṣṭha, Kaśyapa, and Indra at their head—were honored by Tridhanvan, who, having completed the sacred rites, offered due respect to Vasiṣṭha and the foremost Brahmins. Inquiring into the highest path, he asked the wise: "Is sacrifice, austerity, or renunciation the greatest among all?" He was instructed that, having worshipped the Lord of Sacrifice with offerings, a self-controlled person should then proceed to the forest. After properly honoring the gods through sacrifice, one should enter the life of renunciation. By worshipping the thousand-rayed Sun through austerity, liberation is attained. The very seed of worship offered to the Blessed Lord is austerity. Rudra, the fierce one, is pleased not by other sacrifices, but by great austerity alone. He, the Lord of Austerity, whose form encompasses all the deities, is best worshipped through austerity. By undertaking great austerity, the supreme Lord is honored, for he is the eternal God of gods. The supreme yogi is pleased only when worshipped with austerity. Indeed, no dharma is found in the scriptures apart from austerity—such is its exalted place among all paths.