From Aśvinī were born noble sons: Pṛthu, Vipṛthu, Aśvatthāmā, Subāhu, Supārśvaka, and Gaveṣaṇa. Alongside them came Vṛṣṭinemi, Sudharmā, Śaryāti, Abhūmi, Varjabhūmi, Śramiṣṭha, and Śravaṇa. It is said that whoever understands the story of the false accusation cast aside by Kṛṣṇa will never fall under the curse of a false charge by anyone. Aikṣvākī gave birth to Śūra, a man of great renown, wondrous and praiseworthy. From Śūra, famed for his manliness, ten sons were born to the Bhoja line. Among these was Vasudeva, mighty-armed and once called Ānakadundubhi. After him came Devamārga and Devaśravā. There were also Anādhṛṣṭi, Śini, Nanda, Sṛñjaya, Śyāma, Śamīka, and Saṃyūpa. Five noble women were also born in this line: Śrutakīrti, Pṛthā, Śrutādevī, Śrutaśravā, and Rājādhidevī—each destined to become a mother of heroes. Śrutādevī bore to Kṛta a son named Sugrīva. In Kaikeyī, through Śrutakīrti, was born the righteous king Anuvrata. From Śrutaśravā came Sunītha, the Cedi king, devoted to righteousness and a destroyer of foes. Through friendship, Sunītha gave his daughter to Kuntibhoja, and thus Kuntī, also called Pṛthā, became known as Vasudeva’s sister. Vasudeva gave Kuntī, pure and unblemished, as a wife to Pāṇḍu. By Pāṇḍu’s wish, she bore sons of divine origin: from Dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira; from Vāyu, Bhīma; and from Indra, Dhanaṃjaya, who equaled Śakra in prowess. In Mādravatī, Nakula and Sahadeva were born of the Aśvins, endowed with beauty, virtue, and noble character. Rohiṇī, also called Pauravī and wife of Ānakadundubhi, bore the eldest son Rāma and the beloved Sāraṇa. Durdama, Damana, Subhru, Piṇḍāraka, Mahāhanū, and two lovely maidens, Citrākṣī and another with beautiful eyes, were also born to Rohiṇī. To Devakī and Śauri were born sons: Suṣeṇa, Udāsī, Bhadrasena, Ṛṣivāsa, and Bhadravideha. But Kaṃsa, cruel and fearful, killed them all. Then, on the first new moon of the rainy season, the mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa, lord of all creatures, was born. His younger sister, Kṛṣṇā—known as Subhadrā, auspicious in speech—was born to Devakī, along with the illustrious and mighty Śūra. Sahadeva, finest of his lineage, was born to Tāmra by Śauri. Devarakṣitā bore Upāsaṅgadhara and a fortunate daughter, whom Kaṃsa also killed. Vijaya, Rocamāna, Vardhamāna, and Devala—all great souls—were born to Upadevī. Avagāha, a great soul, was born to Vṛkadevī, and from her also came Nandaka. Devakī bore as her seventh son Madana, a most fortunate and undefeated warrior. Once, while wandering in the forest with Śraddhādevī, Śauri fathered his eldest son Kauśika by a Vaiśyā woman. Sutanū and Ratharājī were also wives of Śauri, and to Vasudeva were born Puṇḍra and Kapila, both strong. Jarā, a Niṣāda skilled with the bow, was born first; Saubhadra and Bhava, both powerful, were also born. Devabhāga’s son was Uddhava, wise and said to be born of Devaśravas. The illustrious daughter of Ikṣvāku, wife of Anādhṛṣṭi, bore Śrāddha, pure in spirit and like Śatrughna. To Karūṣā, who was childless, Kṛṣṇa, pleased, granted a son—Sucandra, greatly fortunate and mighty. To Jāmbavatī were born two sons with noble marks: Cārudeṣṇa and Sāmba, both powerful. Tantipāla and Tanti were sons of Nandana. Four valiant sons of Śamīka—Virāja, Dhanu, Śyāma, and Sṛñjaya—were also born. Śyāmaḥ left no offspring, and Śamīka, disdaining the Bhoja state, retreated to the forest and became a royal sage. Whoever constantly recounts or listens to the glorious birth of Kṛṣṇa is freed from all sins. Long ago, the god Mahādeva, who is also Kṛṣṇa, lord of creatures, took birth among humans for the sake of divine sport. By the austerity of Vasudeva, the lotus-eyed, four-armed, and radiant deity was born to Devakī. Seeing the god marked with Śrīvatsa and other divine signs, Vasudeva humbly said, “Withdraw this form, O Lord. I am afraid of Kaṃsa, for he has slain my sons, mighty warriors all.” Hearing these words, Acyuta withdrew his divine form. After granting permission, he took Śauri to the house of Nandagopa. Giving the child to Nandagopa, he said, “Let him be protected. Thus, all auspiciousness will come to the Yādavas. This child born in Devakī’s womb will slay Kaṃsa.” Who, then, is this Vasudeva? And who is Devakī, famed among women? Who is Nandagopa, and who is Yaśodā, the great vow-holder? He who begot Viṣṇu and called him “son”; she who bore him in her womb; and she who raised him—these are the blessed ones in this sacred tale.