Druhya, a noble scion of ancient times, was blessed with two valiant sons named Setu and Ketu. Setu’s own son was Sharadvān, and from him was born Gandhāra. It was Gandhāra who lent his name to the famed land of Gandhāra, a region celebrated for its exceptional horses, especially those bred in Āraṭṭa, which were renowned as the finest steeds. Gandhāra’s lineage continued through his son Dharma, and Dharma’s own son was Ghṛta. From Ghṛta was born the wise Pracetā, who too continued the line. Pracetā was remarkable, for he fathered a hundred sons, each of whom became a king. These rulers governed foreign lands and all settled in the northern direction, extending their influence far and wide. Meanwhile, Anu, another noble ancestor, had three heroic and supremely righteous sons: Sabhānara, Kākṣuṣa, and Parameṣu. The line of Sabhānara flourished; his son was the learned king Kolāhala, and Kolāhala’s virtuous son was the renowned Saṃjaya. Saṃjaya’s son was the valiant Puraṃjaya, and from Puraṃjaya came Janamejaya, a great king and royal sage. Janamejaya’s son was Mahāśāla, a king whose fame equaled that of Indra himself. In turn, Mahāśāla’s righteous son was Mahāmanā, who was born to rule as emperor over all seven continents. Mahāmanā fathered two eminent sons: Uśīnara, wise in righteousness, and Titikṣu. Uśīnara took five wives, all descended from royal sages: Bhṛśā, Kṛśā, Navā, Darśā, and the noble Dṛṣadvatī. From these unions, Uśīnara had sons who were distinguished for their lineage and virtue, born through great austerity. Bhṛśā’s son was Nṛga; Navā’s son was Nava; Kṛśā’s son was Kṛśa; Darśā’s son was Suvrata; and Dṛṣadvatī’s son was Śibi, who became king of the Uśīnaras. Śibi himself was renowned, and he had four sons whose fame spread throughout the world: Pṛthudarbha, Suvīra, Kekaya, and Bhadraka. Their realms flourished, giving rise to the peoples known as the Kekayas, Bhadrakas, Sauvīras, and Pauras. It is also said that the Kekayas descended from Nṛga. From Suvrata’s line came the Ambaṣṭhas; from Kṛśa’s, the Vṛṣalas of the city; and from Nava’s, the Navarāṣṭras. Now, let us turn to the descendants of Titikṣu. Titikṣu became a renowned king in the eastern direction. His son was Bṛhadratha, who fathered Sena, and Sena’s son was Sutapā. Sutapā’s son was Bali, who was born in human form when the lineage was dwindling, in answer to prayers for progeny. Bali, a great yogin, though bound in fetters, by his immense spiritual power produced five sons from his own body, all of royal lineage. These sons were Anga, Vanga, Suhma, Pundra, and Kalinga. The land came to be called Baleya in his honor, and the Brahmins of Baleya are known as his descendants. Brahma, pleased with Bali’s wisdom and devotion, granted him supreme yogic power and a lifespan equal to a kalpa. Bali was also blessed with invincibility in battle, the highest wisdom in righteousness, the vision of past, present, and future, and preeminence in progeny. He received unmatched victory in war, insight into the true meaning of dharma, and the authority to establish the four social orders. The five heirs—Vangas, Angas, Suhmas, Pundras, and Kalingas—prospered. Now, let us hear more of Anga in particular. How were Bali’s five sons born? Who was his queen, and which sage was their progenitor? How did this come to pass? Let us recount their greatness and power. Once, there was a renowned sage named Ushija, whose wife was Mamata, a woman of great virtue. The younger Ushija, desiring his brother’s wife, was approached by the mighty sage Brihaspati, who, moved by desire, came to Mamata. Mamata, of excellent complexion, said to her brother-in-law, “I am already pregnant by your elder brother; restrain yourself. The child in my womb, son of Ushija, recites the Veda even now and may be angered, Brihaspati. You, whose seed is never in vain, ought not to approach me. In this situation, act as you think proper, lord.” Despite her words, the radiant Brihaspati, though a great soul, did not restrain his mind, driven by desire. With her, though unwilling, Brihaspati united; but as he released his seed, the child in the womb spoke: “O father, lord of speech, there is no place here for two; you whose seed is never in vain, and I, who have come first.” Angered by these words, Brihaspati, the revered sage, cursed the child in his elder brother’s wife’s womb: “Because, though in the womb, you have opposed me at such a time and spoken thus, therefore you shall enter deep darkness for a long time.” Thus, a seer named Dīrghatamas was born as a result of this curse. From Dīrghatamas was born Bṛhatkīrti, powerful as Brihaspati himself. Dīrghatamas, practicing celibacy, dwelled in his brother’s hermitage, where he learned the righteous duties and the Saurabheya teachings from the bull. His paternal uncle, who was also his brother, provided for him at that time. While he lived there, a bull happened to come by. For the sake of sacrifice, the son of Surabhi gathered darbha grass; Dīrghatamas seized the bull by its horns and held the four-footed creature, thus continuing the lineage and the sacred traditions.