Those who know the ancient lineages have always sung the virtues of Devāvṛdha, a soul of great stature, extolling his noble qualities for all to hear. Like Devāvṛdha, there was Babhrū, foremost among men, whose radiance and strength were said to rival that of the gods. From these two great souls—Babhrū and Devāvṛdha—sixty and seventy thousand men of old, O King, are remembered to have attained immortality. Devāvṛdha was a man of sacrifice and charity, unwavering in his devotion to the Brahmins, steadfast in his vows, handsome, energetic, learned, and renowned for his valor. In the course of time, the daughter of Kaṅka bore four sons: Kukura, Bhajamāna, Śaśi, and Kambalabarhiṣa. From Kukura sprang Vṛṣṇi, followed by Dhṛti, then Kapotaroma, and then Taittiri. Taittiri’s son was Sarpa, whose own son was the learned Nala, and his famous son was known as Daradundubhi. After a great sacrifice was completed, Punarvasu was born—a best among men, who himself performed an Aśvamedha sacrifice to obtain a son. During that Atirātra sacrifice, from the very heart of the assembly, arose Punarvasu, skilled in ritual, learned, generous, and devoted to sacrifice. He had twin children, Avijita and Āhuka, and also a daughter, Āhukī, renowned among mothers. Of Āhuka, the wise recite verses, telling of his attendants, followers, standard-bearers, and troops. His retinue boasted ten thousand chariots, their thunderous sound like clouds, and among them, not one was untruthful, lacking in energy, negligent of sacrifice, or ungenerous. Among the Bhojas who served Āhuka, none was impure or ignorant; all who joined his service were worthy. Āhuka gave his sister Āhukī in marriage in Avantī, and from Āhukā, the daughter of Kāśya, two sons were born: Devaka and Ugrasena, both radiant with divine splendor. Devaka’s daughters, heroic and equal to the gods, were Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva, and Devarakṣita. These four had seven sisters, all of whom were given in marriage to Vasudeva. Their names were Devakī, Śrutadevī, Mitradevī, Yaśodharā, Śrīdevī, Satyadevī, and Sutāpī. Ugrasena, too, had nine sons, the eldest being Kaṃsa, then Nyagrodha, Sunāma, Kaṅka, Śaṅku, Ajabhu, Rashtrapala, Yuddhamuṣṭi, and Sumushṭida. He also had five noble daughters: Kamsa, Kamsavatī, Sutantu, Rashtrapali, and Kaṅka. Thus was the noble lineage of the Kukuras established through Ugrasena and his children. Bhajamāna’s son was Viduratha, a foremost chariot-warrior. Viduratha had two sons: Raja Adhideva and Śūra. Raja Adhideva’s sons, Shonashva and Shvetavahana, were both noble and firm in discipline and vows. Shonashva had five valiant sons, skilled in battle: Shami, Devasharma, Nikunta, Shakra, and Shatrujit. From Shami came Pratikshatra, whose son was Pratikṣetra; Pratikṣetra’s son was Bhoja, and Bhoja’s son was Hridhika. Hridhika had ten sons of great might: Kritavarma, the eldest, Shatadhanva, Devārha, Nabhah, Bhishana, Ajata, Vanajata, and the youngest, Karambhaka. Devārha’s learned son was Kambalabarhisha, followed by Asamanjas and then Tamojata. Ajata had three valiant sons—Sudaṃshtra, Sunabha, and Krishna—who became known as the Andhakas. It is said that anyone who recites the lineage of the Andhakas with devotion will be blessed with a prosperous family and many descendants. In time, Gandhari and Madri became the wives of Vṛṣṇi. Gandhari bore Sumitra, the delight of his friends, and Madri bore Yudhajit. After them came Devamidhuṣa, Anamitra, Shibi, and the fifth, Kritalakshana. Anamitra’s son was Nighna, who had two sons: Prasena, famed for his valor, and Shaktisena. Among Prasena’s possessions was the unrivaled Syamantaka jewel, king among all gems on earth. Though Govinda himself longed for it and often requested it, Prasena kept the jewel close to his heart, and even Govinda, though able, did not seize it. One day, adorned with the Syamantaka jewel, Prasena went hunting and, as fate would have it, entered a cave inhabited by a wild beast. Within, Prasena encountered a bear, and the bear, seeing Prasena, attacked him. Prasena was slain, and the bear took the jewel for himself, disappearing from sight. When Govinda learned of Prasena’s death, he became suspicious, believing that Prasena had been slain for the sake of the jewel. Knowing Prasena had gone to the forest wearing the gem, Govinda declared, “I will slay this wicked one who has become an enemy among the Vṛṣṇis.” After some time, Govinda set out hunting once more and, by chance, came near the entrance of the cave where the fateful encounter had occurred.