Śvaphalka, a noble man, was given the daughter of the king of Kāśi in marriage. Her name was Gāndinī, and she was cherished as his wife. Yet, the story of Gāndinī’s birth was unusual: while she dwelled in her mother’s womb for many years, she did not emerge into the world. Her father, perplexed by her delay, spoke gently to her, urging, “Be born quickly, good fortune to you! Why do you delay?” Astonishingly, from within the womb, Gāndinī herself replied, “If, for three years, you give a cow each day to a Brāhmaṇa, then, father, I will come forth from the womb.” Her father, generous and wise, agreed and fulfilled her wish, giving cows daily as promised. From this auspicious union, Gāndinī bore a son to Śvaphalka—Akrūra, renowned for his generosity. Akrūra later married Ratnā, the daughter of Śaiva. Together, they had several sons: Upamanyu, Māṅgura, Vṛta, and Janamejaya; also Girirakṣa, Upekṣa, Śatrughna the destroyer of foes, Dharmabhṛt, Vṛṣṭadharma, Godhana, Vara, Āvāha, Prativāha, and Sudhārā, a noble lady. By Ugrasenī, Akrūra had two sons, Devavān and Upadeva, both esteemed by the gods. Sumitra’s son was Citraka, famed among men, whose sons included Vipṛthu, Pṛthu, Aśvagrīva, Subāhu, Sudhā, Sūka, and Gavekṣaṇa. Ariṣṭanemi, Aśva, Dharma, Dharmabhṛt, Subhūmi, Bahubhūmi, and the two women Śraviṣṭhā and Śravaṇā were also born in this illustrious line. From Andhaka, the daughter of Kāśi bore four sons: Kukura, Bhajamāna, Śuci, and Kambalabarhiṣa. Kukura’s son was Vṛṣṇi, from whom came Śūra. Śūra begot Kapotaroma, a man of great strength, whose son was Vilomaka. Vilomaka’s son was Nala, renowned for wisdom and friendship with Tumburu; he was known as Candanānaka Dundubhi. Nala’s son was Abhijit, and from Abhijit came Punarvasu, who performed the great Aśvamedha sacrifice seeking a son. From the midst of this Atirātra sacrifice arose Punarvasu himself, wise, all-knowing, generous, and a performer of sacrifices. Punarvasu had two children, Āhuka and Āhukī, celebrated among the noble. From Āhuka and the daughter of Kāśya were born two sons: Devaka and Ugrasena, both from a divine womb. King Devaka’s sons were Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva, and Devarakṣita, all equal to the gods. Their seven sisters were given in marriage to Vasudeva: Vṛṣadevī, Upadevā, Devarakṣitā, Śrīdevā, Śāntidevā, Sahadevā, and Devakī, the most distinguished and noble among them. Ugrasena had nine sons, with Kaṃsa as the eldest; their descendants numbered in the hundreds and thousands. Devakī, daughter of Devaka, became the wife of the wise Vasudeva, revered by gods and devoted to her husband. Rohiṇī, greatly fortunate, was also Vasudeva’s wife, and Pauravī, daughter of Bāhlika, was honored even by the gods. Rohiṇī gave birth to Rāma, the strongest of men and wielder of the plough, but out of fear of Kaṃsa, she concealed her radiant self. When Rāma was born and six sons had been slain, Vasudeva begot Hari in Devakī. Hari, the Supreme Self, god of gods, Janārdana, and Halāyudha Ananta, shining like silver, were thus born. By the pretext of Bhṛgu’s curse, Janārdana Vāsudeva honored a human form and was born in Devakī. Yoganidrā, arising from Umā’s body and known as Kauśikī, by the will of the god of gods, became the daughter of Yaśodā. She is Prakṛti herself, worshipped by all the gods, and the blessed Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person, bestower of dharma and liberation. This maiden, with wide eyes and four arms, bearing the mark of Śrīvatsa on her chest, was taken up by Vasudeva to protect his own son from Kaṃsa. Janārdana, bearing the conch, discus, mace, and lotus, was given by Vasudeva to Yaśodā. Entrusting Viṣṇu, the protector of worlds who had assumed a form by his own will, Vasudeva gave him to Nandagopa, saying, “Let him be protected.” By the grace of the brilliant god Śiva, the Supreme Lord was given to Rāma. To relieve the earth’s burden, the preceptor of the world descended; thus, auspiciousness came to the Yādavas. This is the embryo of Devakī, destined to remove afflictions; and then came Kaṃsa, son of Ugrasena and Ānakadundubhi’s wife. The birth of a well-marked girl was announced: “This is the eighth embryo of Devakī, O Kaṃsa of good vows.” It was said she was death itself, as per ancient tradition. Kaṃsa, leaping into the air, attempted to kill her. The eight-armed goddess spoke with a voice deep as thunder, “Protect your own body; your death has already arrived.