Once, a sacrificer who longed for a son but could not obtain one resolved to perform the Marutsoma sacrifice, seeking the blessing of progeny. The powerful Maruts, pleased by his devotion, responded to his rite by bringing Bharadvāja to Bharata, so that Bharata might have a son. Bharadvāja, true-born son of Bṛhaspati and heir to the illustrious Aṅgiras lineage, was thus transferred by the Maruts into the care of Bharata. Receiving Bharadvāja as his son, Bharata expressed his joy, saying, “At first, you were given for my own benefit; now, through you, my purpose is fulfilled.” Yet, because the birth of a son had previously been in vain, Bharadvāja the king came to be known as Vitatha. From this Vitatha, brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas arose upon the earth, known as the Dvyāmuṣyāyaṇa lineages, of two kinds. After Vitatha’s birth, Bharata ascended to heaven. Bharadvāja, having anointed his own son, likewise departed for heaven. Bhuvamanyu, famed for his greatness, became the heir of Vitatha, and his four sons—the Bhuvamanyus—were mighty beings. Among them were Bṛhatkṣatra, renowned for his valor; Nara; and Garga, who was powerful. Saṃkṛti was the son of Nara, and his own son became famous. Gurudhī and Rantideva were honored for their virtue, and Śibi, the wise son of Garga, was born as his heir. From these lines sprang the Śaibyās and Gargās, twice-born with kṣatriya qualities. Urukṣavaḥ, the wise son of Āhārya, was also born. His wife Viśālā bore three sons: Tryuṣaṇa, Puṣkari, and the illustrious Kavi. The Urukṣavas are remembered as attaining brāhmaṇa status, and among the Kāvyas, these three are known as the foremost sages. The Gargās, Saṃkṛtis, and Kāvyas, though twice-born, possessed kṣatriya traits. The Aṅgirasas and Dakṣas gathered, and Bṛhatkṣatra’s land was established. Bṛhatkṣatra’s heir was Hastin, who founded the city called Gajasāhvaya. Hastin had three illustrious sons: Ajamīḍha, Dvimīḍha, and Purumīḍha. Ajamīḍha had three renowned wives from the Kuru lineage: Nīlinī, Dhūminī, and Keśinī. From them, he begot sons of divine qualities, and at the end of his austerities, the great and righteous Vṛddha was born. Through the grace of Bharadvāja, in Keśinī, Ajamīḍha had a son named Kaṇva. Medhātithi was Kaṇva’s son, and from him came the Kāṇvāyana Brāhmaṇas. Ajamīḍha’s son Bṛhadan was born to Bhūminī. From Bṛhadan came Bṛhanta; from Bṛhanta, Bṛhanmanas; and Bṛhanmanas’ son was Bṛhaddhanu. Bṛhaddhanu’s son was Bṛhadiṣu, whose son was Jayadratha. Jayadratha’s son was Aśvajit, and Aśvajit’s son was Senajit. Senajit had four sons, famed across the world: Rucirāśva, Kāvya, King Dṛḍharatha, and Vatsa, also called Avartaka. King Vatsa was the ancestor of the Parivatsakas. Rucirāśva’s heir, Pṛthusena, was renowned for his greatness. Pṛthusena’s son was Pauru, from whom Nīpa was born. Nīpa had a hundred sons, all endowed with immense energy. These kings were known as Nīpas, and among them, the illustrious Kīrtivardhana established their lineage. From Kāvya came a son named Samara, and along with him, Sadeṣṭa and Samara. Samara had two sons, Pārasampa and Sadaśva; thus, there were three. All his sons were virtuous and renowned on earth. Pāra’s son was Pṛthu, and Pṛthu’s son was Sukṛta. Sukṛta’s son was Vibhrāja, who possessed every virtue. Vibhrāja’s heir was Aṇuha, famed for his strength. Aṇuha became the son-in-law of Śuka and the husband of Kṛtvī, renowned for her greatness. Aṇuha’s heir was King Brahmadatta. Brahmadatta’s son was Yugadatta, and then Viṣvaksena, renowned for his greatness. Vibhrāja was born again here through virtuous deeds. Viṣvaksena’s son was Udaksena; Udaksena’s son was Bhallāta, whose son was Janamejaya. For Janamejaya’s sake, all the Nīpas were destroyed by Ugrāyudha. The question arose: of whom was Ugrāyudha the son, and in which lineage was he born? Why did he destroy all those kings? Ugrāyudha, belonging to the Solar dynasty, performed austerities at the hermitage of Varāśrama, standing firm for eight thousand years. Having been promised the kingdom, the lord attacked the kings. He spoke many conciliatory words, but then slew both parties. As he slew those who approached him, he declared, “Because my words were not heeded for the sake of protecting those who sought refuge, I now curse you.” He invoked the merit of his austerities, saying, “If they have any value, may Yama take you all away.” Then, out of compassion, he brought them before Yama. Overcome with great compassion, he said to Janamejaya, “These heroes who have now departed, you ought to protect them for my sake.” He addressed the sinners of evil conduct, saying, “You will become his servants.” Thus addressed, the king fought with Yama for a long time. Afflicted by terrible hellish diseases, he overpowered them by force together with Yama and gave them to the sage; this event was indeed wondrous.