From the noble lineage arose Pṛthukarmā, whose son was Pṛthujaya. In turn, Pṛthuśravās was born, the foremost among the Pṛthus, renowned for his golden armor, though he was shunned by the noble ones. From Pṛthuśravās came Vidarbha, and from Vidarbha descended Kratha and Kaishika. Dhriti was born to this line, and his son was Samsta, who was wise and noble. Samsta’s son was Sumantu, and from Sumantu came Anala. Among their descendants, Jyotishman stood out as the greatest, and his son was Vapushman. Vapushman fathered Vitaratha, a mighty devotee of Rudra, strong in body and spirit. From Vrishni was born Nivritti, and from him, Dasharha, O twice-born sages. In this line appeared Jaimuti, a heroic soul, and Vikriti, who was a destroyer of enemy heroes. Vikriti was ever devoted to charity and righteousness, steadfast in virtuous conduct. Yet, in a time of turmoil, the eminent sages fled in great haste, seized by fear. Duryodhana, blazing like fire and wielding a mighty spear, entered the scene. He discovered the supreme place, well concealed by the goddess Sarasvati herself. Upon beholding the goddess directly, Duryodhana bowed his head in deep reverence, falling prostrate before her and declaring, “I have come to you for refuge.” He sought the protection of the goddess of speech, the sovereign without beginning or end, the celibate consort of Hiranyagarbha, three-eyed and adorned with the moon. “Protect me, O supreme lady, for I am frightened and seek your refuge,” he pleaded. Duryodhana had come to slay at the very place where the goddess Sarasvati dwelled. That sacred abode of the Mother of the three worlds shone with the radiance of the moon and the sun. In a fierce encounter, Duryodhana pierced his foe in the chest with his spear, casting him down upon the ground. With the demon slain at that holy site, Duryodhana became fearless and swift. He journeyed on to a splendid city, O best of Brahmins, one that rivaled the city of Purandara. There, Duryodhana worshipped the goddess Sarasvati with many sacrifices and offerings of gold. His son, Shakuni, was devoted to the goddess and possessed great brilliance. Shakuni’s son, Devakshatra, performed the grand Ashvamedha sacrifice. Devakshatra had two sons: Sutrama and Anura. Among them, Sutrama was a great soul, devoted to charity and the foremost in the science of archery. He established the revered teachings he had heard from Kundagola and others, thus founding a great treatise beneficial to the Kundas and many more. This pious and illustrious king firmly established these teachings. Of his sons, the eldest was Bhajamana, who excelled in archery above all others. The lord prayed, “May my son be endowed with all virtues”—and so it was. Bhajamana was righteous, handsome, and ever devoted to true knowledge. Among this lineage, Nimi and Krikana were renowned as the foremost. From Vrishni’s descendants came Sumitra, strong and valiant, as were Anamitra and Shini. Prasena, greatly fortunate, and Satrajit, the excellent one, also adorned this line. Satyavān, endowed with truth, had a son named Satyaka, whose wise son was Kuṇi, and from Kuṇi came Yugandhara. Thus unfolded the illustrious lineage, each generation shining with virtue, strength, and devotion.