Once, there was a man named Pṛṣita who, having committed the grave error of harming a cow, incurred great sin in the eyes of his teacher. As a result of his teacher’s curse, Pṛṣita was reborn as a Śūdra, known thereafter as the son of the sage Cyavana. The noble line of Nābhāga continued with his son Diṣṭa, from whom Bhalandana was born. Bhalandana’s own son was the valiant king Ajavāhana. Thus, the lineage of Manu’s sons has been recounted in brief, O mighty-armed ones. Now, listen as I narrate the descendants of Ikshvaku, beginning with his sons and grandsons, and then the line of Ela. Aila, also known as Pururavas, was a devoted follower of Rudra and a man of great prowess. He established his kingdom at Tvakantaka, in a land celebrated as most sacred. On the northern bank of the Yamuna, at holy Prayaga—revered by sages—the illustrious ruler made his home, founding the city of Pratishthana. Pururavas had seven sons, all radiant and renowned among the Gandharvas. These sons, devoted to Bhava and mighty of strength, were Ayu, Mayu, Amayu, Vishvayu, Shrutayu, Shatayu, and the divine offspring of Urvashi. Of these, Ayu had five heroic sons of great energy, born of Prabha, the daughter of Svarbhanu. The eldest among them was Nahusha, famous for his righteousness. Nahusha himself had six sons, each as splendid as Indra. These six—Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati, Andhaka, and Vijati—were born of Viraja, the daughter of the Pitrs. Among them, Yati was the eldest, followed by Yayati. Yati, seeking liberation, renounced the world and became one with Brahman, O lord. Yayati, the next in line, was famed for his great strength and valor. Yayati took as his wife Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas, and also Sharmishtha, the Asura maiden and daughter of Vrishaparvan. Devayani bore him two sons: Yadu and Turvasu, both virtuous and celebrated for their wisdom. Sharmishtha, in turn, gave birth to Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. To Yayati, the illustrious Shukra, delighted by his conduct, gifted a most radiant, golden, divine chariot—well-crafted and inexhaustible. This chariot, yoked with horses as swift as thought, enabled Yayati to conquer the earth in just six months, carrying his maiden with him. Unmatched in battle by gods, demons, or men, Yayati remained ever devoted to Bhava, pure-souled, steadfast in righteousness, and upright in conduct. He performed many sacrifices, subdued his anger, and showed compassion to all beings. Among the Kauravas, Bhavadratha was the foremost. From Yayati’s line, the kingship passed through the generations of Puru, down to the eminent Kaurava king Janamejaya, son of Parikshit. The divine chariot, however, met its end through the curse of the wise sage Garga, after King Janamejaya, in anger, slew Garga’s young son. For this, Janamejaya also harmed Akrura and incurred the grave sin of killing a Brahmin. He became a royal sage marked by the scent of iron, wandering restlessly, shunned by citizens and country folk, finding no peace or solace. Distressed and seeking refuge, Janamejaya approached the noble sage Shaunaka, known as Indreti. Indreti, compassionate and wise, guided Janamejaya to perform the ashvamedha sacrifice for purification, with the foremost Brahmins. Freed from his sin and the scent of iron, Janamejaya, during the ritual bath, ascended a divine and splendid chariot. From this illustrious line, Vasu, king of the Cedis, was once cast out, but later, by Indra’s favor, Brihadratha obtained the kingdom. In time, Bhima slew Jarasandha and, out of affection, gifted that excellent chariot to Vasudeva, O joy of the Kurus. Yayati, the mighty descendant of Nahusha, anointed his youngest son Puru as king. Thus, Puru, the best of Brahmins, repaid his father’s trust. When Yayati wished to anoint Puru, the youngest, as king, the Brahmins, led by their chief, questioned this decision. They asked, “How can the grandson of Shukra, Devayani’s son, be made king over the eldest, Yadu? We urge you, O lord, to uphold righteousness.” Yayati addressed all the Brahmins, saying, “Let all the Brahmins, led by their chief, hear my words: In my case, the kingdom must not go to the eldest. My eldest, Yadu, did not obey my command; his mind was contrary, and he is not regarded as a true son by the virtuous. A son who acts according to his parents’ wishes is praised by the good; he alone is truly a son who honors his mother and father.” “Yadu disregarded me, as did Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu; all of them greatly disrespected me. But Puru fulfilled my words and especially honored me. Though he is the youngest, he is my heir, for in my old age, he sustained me. Shukra instructed me, and for Devayani’s sake, I sought to pass my old age to another; thus, by Puru’s actions, my old age was transferred. Moreover, Shukra himself granted this boon to Kāvya Uśanas: ‘That son of yours who follows you shall be the ruler of your kingdom.’” “Therefore, let all of you agree: the son who is virtuous and always devoted to his mother and father is the one who should be anointed as king.” Thus, the lineages, deeds, and the principles of rightful succession were established among the kings of old, upholding the virtue that true heirship is earned by devotion, obedience, and righteousness.