In those ancient days, the world was filled with many mighty and valiant clans—among them were the Kundikeras and Talajanghas. Vitihotra, a powerful leader, had a son named Anarta, who was renowned for his strength and invincibility; Anarta’s own son was Mitrakarshana, continuing the line of greatness. At this time, Kartavirya Arjuna, the famed king with a thousand arms, ruled his people with true righteousness and unwavering intent. He conquered the earth up to its ocean boundaries with his bow, and it was said that whoever recited his name upon rising would be blessed with good fortune. Such was his virtue that wealth would not be lost by those who remembered him; what was lost would be regained. Those who recounted the story of Kartavirya’s birth with pure devotion would be honored in heaven. But a question arose: why did Kartavirya, after displaying his immense power, burn the forest belonging to the great-souled sage Apava? Though he was known as a protector of the people, how could he have destroyed such a sacred grove? The tale unfolds thus: The Sun, taking the form of a twice-born Brahmin, approached Kartavirya and requested a single satisfaction. Kartavirya, respectful and curious, asked how the Sun might be satisfied and what food he should offer. The Sun replied, “Give me all that is immovable as food; that is my satisfaction.” Kartavirya responded that the immovable things could not be burned up by the Sun’s energy and power, and he bowed in reverence. The Sun, pleased, granted Kartavirya a boon: arrows, inexhaustible and able to blaze in all directions, infused with the Sun’s own energy. Wherever Kartavirya released these arrows, they would burn and dry up immovable things, reducing the dry ones to ashes, thus satisfying the Sun. Kartavirya received these powerful arrows and, with them, burned all immovable things before him. Villages, hermitages, cattle-stations, cities, sacred groves, forests, and gardens—all were consumed by his fiery arrows. He first burned the eastern region and then the entire south, leaving the earth barren, stripped of trees and grass by his terrible energy. At that time, the great sage was immersed in the waters, engaged in deep austerity for ten thousand years. When his vow was fulfilled, the radiant ascetic emerged and found his hermitage destroyed by Kartavirya. In anger, the sage cursed the royal king. Now, let us turn to the illustrious lineage of Kartavirya, descended from Kroṣṭu. In this line was born Viṣṇu, the foremost among the Vṛṣṇis. Kroṣṭu’s son was Vṛjinīvān, a mighty chariot-warrior. Vṛjinīvān’s son was Svāha, of great strength, and Svāha’s son was Ruṣaṅgu, renowned for his wisdom and eloquence. Ruṣaṅgu, desiring offspring, had a gentle-natured son named Citra, whose own son was Citraratha, accomplished in deeds. Then came Caitrarathi, generous and heroic, who became famous as Śaśabindu, a universal monarch. It was sung in old genealogies that Śaśabindu had a hundred sons, and each son had a hundred sons. These descendants were wise, handsome, wealthy, and energetic. Among the hundred, Pṛthusāhva was particularly mighty, as were Pṛthuśravā, Pṛthuyaśā, Pṛthudharmā, Pṛthuṃjaya, Pṛthukīrti, Pṛthumanā, and others called Śaśabindu. The knowers of tradition declare that Pṛthuśravas, the foremost, was born as the son of Suyajña, during the interval between Suyajña’s reigns. Uśanā, son of Suyajña, protected the earth and performed a hundred excellent horse sacrifices, acting righteously. Titikṣu, Uśanā’s son, was known as Śatrutāpana; his own son Marutta was the greatest among royal sages. Among Marutta’s sons was the heroic Kambalabarhiṣa, who wore golden armor and was learned. Rukmakavaca, his son, slew other armored archers with various arrows and conquered the earth. At his horse sacrifice, Rukmakavaca gave gifts to Brahmins and sometimes vanquished enemy heroes. Five sons of great valor and skilled in archery were born to him: Rukmeṣu, Pṛthurukma, Jyāmagha, Parigha, and Hari. Parigha and Hari were established in Videha, Rukmeṣu became king, and Pṛthurukma supported him. Jyāmagha, having renounced the kingdom, dwelt peacefully in their hermitage, instructed by a Brahmin. Seeking livelihood, Jyāmagha took his bow, set out alone, bearing a banner and riding a chariot, and journeyed to the river Narmadā. He reached the mountain Ṛkṣavanta and sat where others had eaten; his wife Caitrā, matured and faithful, was with him. The king lived childless, not seeking another wife. There, he won victory in battle and obtained a maiden. Out of fear, Jyāmagha said to his wife, “Let this pure-smiling girl be your daughter-in-law.” Caitrā asked, “Whose daughter-in-law is she?” Jyāmagha replied, “She will be the wife of the son who will be born to you.” By severe austerity, Caitrā gave birth to a daughter for the maiden. The fortunate Caitrā, matured and faithful, then bore a son named Vidarbha. The learned king begot two sons in the royal maiden: Krathakaiśika and Lomapāda, and a third son, most righteous, completing the noble line.