Dharma himself spoke to the king, offering words of blessing: “Long shall you live, O righteous king. Your lineage will endure for as long as the moon, the sun, and the stars shine in the heavens. May your line multiply by the hundreds and never fade from the earth.” Having bestowed these blessings, Dharma and the others vanished from sight, and the king continued to rule his kingdom with justice. Day after day, this illustrious king would visit Indra, sometimes ascending in a chariot drawn by attendants dressed in garments of the south. On one such occasion, together with the radiant Sun, he witnessed Citralekha and Urvashi being carried through the sky by Keshin, the mighty lord of the Danavas. Desiring fame, the son of Budha rose to the challenge. He engaged Keshin in battle, wielding many weapons, and finally loosed the powerful wind-missile, defeating even Shakra himself in combat. Impressed by his valor, the gods made peace with him and gave Urvashi to Indra. From that time forward, Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, gained the friendship of this king, surpassing all the worlds in strength, vigor, fame, and prosperity. Pleased, Indra granted Urvashi to Bharata for her singing, and out of affection for Pururavas, Urvashi sang of his great deeds. Bharata then established the festival known as Lakshmi’s Swayamvara. There, he instructed Menaka, Urvashi, and Rambha to dance. Urvashi, taking on the form of Lakshmi, danced with exquisite grace. However, as she gazed upon Pururavas, her heart was overcome with longing, and she forgot all the dance gestures Bharata had taught her. Angered by her lapse and separation, Bharata cursed Urvashi, decreeing, “For fifty-five years you shall become a slender creeper, and Pururavas shall suffer the state of a ghost in that place.” Afterward, Urvashi returned to her husband and remained with him for a long time. When Bharata’s curse had run its course, Urvashi bore a son to the descendant of Budha. In fact, she gave birth to eight sons, each possessing divine strength and energy: Ayu, Dirghayu, Ashvayu, Dhanayu, Dhrtiman, Vasu, Shucividya, and Shatayu. From Ayu, Nahusha was born, who had two sons: Vriddhasharma and Raji. Alongside them were Dambha and Vipapma, making five mighty warriors in all. Raji himself fathered a hundred sons, all renowned as royal princes. Raji, devoted to virtue, worshipped the sinless Narayana with great austerity, and Vishnu, pleased with his devotion, granted him boons. Empowered by these blessings, Raji became victorious over gods, asuras, and men alike. Thereafter, a great battle erupted between the gods and the asuras, lasting three hundred years. In the fierce struggle between Prahlada and Shakra, neither side could claim victory. At last, when both gods and asuras sought counsel, the four-faced god Brahma spoke, saying, “Where Raji is present, who among you could hope for victory?” Both sides approached Raji, seeking his alliance. The Daityas said, “If you become our lord, let the asuras accept what the devas accept. Be our leader in battle and destroy our enemies.” With Raji’s help, all those who had been invincible, even to Indra, were defeated. Indra, pleased by Raji’s deeds, accepted him as a son. Raji then returned the kingdom to Indra and withdrew to practice austerities. But Raji’s sons, endowed with the power of asceticism, seized Indra’s splendor, his share of the sacrifices, and his kingdom by force. Deprived of his realm and oppressed by Raji’s sons, Indra was left miserable and afflicted. He approached Brihaspati, saying, “O lord of wisdom, I have lost my share of the sacrifices and my kingdom; I am defeated. Please strive so that I may regain my kingdom.” Brihaspati performed rituals to restore Indra’s pride and strength, pacifying hostile influences and nourishing his spirit. Then, using his great wisdom, Brihaspati went to Raji’s sons and deluded them by teaching the doctrine of the Jinas, which lies outside the Vedas, though Brihaspati himself was learned in the Vedas. He led them away from the three Vedas, causing them to fall into disputatious reasoning and be recognized as outside the Vedic tradition. Thereafter, Indra struck down all those who had abandoned dharma with his thunderbolt. Now, listen to the names of Nahusha’s seven righteous sons: Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Udbhava, Puru, Sharyati, and Meghajati. These seven sons increased the glory of the lineage. Even in his youth, Yati became a yogi and dwelled in the forest, while Yayati, ever devoted to righteousness, ruled the kingdom. Yayati married Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, and also Devayani, the virtuous daughter of the Bhargava. Yayati had five sons: Devayani bore Yadu and Turvasu, while Sharmishtha bore Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. Among them, Yadu and Puru became the foremost in enhancing the lineage. Yayati, son of Nahusha, was a king of true valor. He protected the earth and performed sacrifices according to sacred rule. With great devotion, he always honored the ancestors and gods, and he ruled his subjects with an unconquered spirit. For many ages, Yayati protected his people with righteousness, but at last, he was afflicted by the terrible burden of old age, which destroys beauty. Suffering from the effects of age, the king addressed his sons—Yadu, Puru, Turvasu, Druhyu, and Anu—saying, “Desiring to enjoy pleasures with young women, I wish to regain my youth. My sons, grant me your assistance.