Vasudeva, renowned among the Yādavas, gave his unblemished daughter as wife to Pāṇḍu. By Pāṇḍu’s wish, she bore sons of heroic and divine descent. Yudhiṣṭhira was born from Dharma, Bhīma from Vāyu, and Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) from Indra, equal in prowess to Śakra himself. In Mādravatī, Nakula and Sahadeva, radiant in beauty, character, and virtue, were born of the twin Aśvin gods. Rohiṇī, also called Pauravī and wife of Ānakadundubhi, bore the eldest son Rāma and the beloved Sāraṇa. To Rohiṇī were also born Durdama, Damana, Subhru, Piṇḍāraka, Mahāhanū, and two maidens of beautiful eyes, Citrākṣī and another. Devakī and Śauri had sons: Suṣeṇa, renowned, Udāsī, Bhadrasena, Ṛṣivāsa, and the sixth, Bhadravideha. Tragically, Kaṃsa killed them all. Then, on the first new moon of the rainy season, mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa, lord of creatures, was born. His younger sister was Kṛṣṇā, called Subhadrā, who spoke auspicious words. Devakī also bore the illustrious and mighty Śūra. Sahadeva, the best of his lineage, was born to Tāmra by Śauri. Devarakṣitā bore a son, Upāsaṅgadhara, and a fortunate daughter, whom Kaṃsa killed. Vijaya, Rocamāna, Vardhamāna, and Devala—all great souls—were born to Upadevī. Avagāha, another great soul, was born to Vṛkadevī, and from her came Nandaka. Devakī’s seventh son was Madana, undefeated in battle and most fortunate. 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; Puṇḍra and Kapila, both strong, were sons of Vasudeva. Jarā, a Niṣāda skilled with the bow, was the first; Saubhadra and Bhava, both of great strength, were also born. Devabhāga’s son was Uddhava, the wise firstborn, said to be born of Devaśravas. The illustrious daughter of Ikṣvāku, wife of Anādhṛṣṭi, bore Śrāddha, pure in spirit and like Śatrughna. Karūṣā, who was childless, received a son, Sucandra, from Kṛṣṇa, who was greatly fortunate, powerful, and mighty. Jāmbavatī bore two sons, Cārudeṣṇa and Sāmba, both powerful and noble. Tantipāla and Tanti were sons of Nandana; four valiant sons of Śamīka were Virāja, Dhanu, Śyāma, and Sṛñjaya. Śyāmaḥ had no offspring; Śamīka went to the forest, despising his Bhoja status, and attained royal sagehood. Whoever recounts or listens to the glorious birth of Kṛṣṇa is freed from all sins. Then, Mahādeva, formerly Kṛṣṇa, lord of creatures, for the sake of divine sport, was born among humans. By the austerity of Vasudeva, the lotus-eyed, four-armed, radiant god was born to Devakī. Seeing the divine child marked with Śrīvatsa and other signs, Vasudeva said, “Withdraw this form, O Lord. I am afraid of Kaṃsa, O god; my sons were slain by him, my eldest were mighty warriors.” Hearing Vasudeva’s 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. All auspiciousness will come to the Yādavas. This child born in Devakī’s womb will slay Kaṃsa.” Who was Vasudeva? Who was Devakī, renowned? Who was Nandagopa, and who was Yaśodā, the great vow-holder? Vasudeva was Kaśyapa, and Devakī was Aditi, his beloved; Kaśyapa was a portion of Brahmā, Aditi likewise of the earth. The mighty-armed fulfilled Devakī’s desires for the unborn great soul. That god descended to earth, entered a human body, bewildering all beings by his yogic power and illusion. When righteousness was lost, Viṣṇu was born in the Vṛṣṇi clan to establish dharma and destroy demons. Kṛṣṇa’s wives included Rukmiṇī, Satyabhāmā, Satyā, Nāgnajitī, Subhāmā, Śaibyā, Gāndhārī, Lakṣmaṇā, Mitravindā, Kālindī, Jāmbavatī, Suśīlā, Mādrī, Kauśalyā, Vijayā, and thousands more—sixteen thousand goddesses in all. Rukmiṇī bore sons skilled in battle: Cārudeṣṇa, heroic in war, and Pradyumna, of great strength. She also bore Sucāru, Bhadracāru, Sudeṣṇa, Bhadrā, Paraśu, Cārugupta, Cārubhadra, Sucāruka, Cāruhāsa the youngest, and the daughter Cārumatī. From Satyabhāmā came Bhanu, whose eyes resembled bees, Rohita, radiant, Tamra, Chakra, and Jalandhama, along with four younger sisters. From Jāmbavatī, the son Sāmba was born, who shone in battle. Thus, the divine lineages and births unfolded, each bearing the mark of dharma and the glory of the Lord.