Yugadatta was born to a noble lineage, and from him came Viṣvaksena, whose greatness was widely celebrated. Through the merit of virtuous deeds, Vibhrāja was born again in this world. Viṣvaksena’s son was Udaksena, and Udaksena’s son was Bhallāta. Bhallāta’s son was Janamejaya, and it was for Janamejaya’s sake that the powerful Ugrāyudha destroyed all the Nīpa kings. Curious about this, one might ask: who was Ugrāyudha’s father, and to which lineage did he belong? What prompted him to annihilate so many kings? Ugrāyudha, it is told, was of the illustrious Solar dynasty. He undertook severe austerities at the hermitage of Varāśrama, standing steadfast for eight thousand years. Having received a promise of kingship as a result of his penance, Ugrāyudha set out to claim his rule. He first tried words of reconciliation with the rival kings, but when these were ignored, he turned to force and slew both sides. As he continued to kill those who sought his audience, he declared, “Because my words were not heeded and those who sought refuge were not protected, I now curse you all.” He invoked the power of his austerities, saying, “If my penance has any merit, may Yama, lord of death, take you all away.” Out of compassion, he brought the slain before Yama himself. Deeply moved, Ugrāyudha then spoke to Janamejaya, “These heroes who have departed—protect them for my sake.” Addressing the fallen, he said, “O sinners of evil conduct, you shall become his servants.” Thus challenged, Janamejaya fought Yama for a long time. Afflicted by terrible sufferings and diseases of the netherworld, Janamejaya overcame Yama and his forces by sheer might, reclaiming the fallen and delivering them to the sage. This wondrous event astonished all. Pleased by Janamejaya’s valor and compassion, Yama bestowed upon him the supreme knowledge of liberation. Having fulfilled all duties, those souls attained the imperishable Krishna. It is said that whoever hears of these deeds and dies in battle does not suffer an untimely death; instead, he enjoys unending happiness in this world and the next. Now, to Ajamīḍha and his queen Dhūminī was born the learned Yavīnara. Yavīnara’s son was the steadfast Satyadhṛti, whose son was the mighty Dṛḍhanemi. Dṛḍhanemi’s son was Sudharmā, and Sudharmā’s son was Sārvabhauma, a sovereign of great power. Sārvabhauma became renowned as the sole ruler of the earth, and in his illustrious line was born Mahāpaurava. Mahāpaurava’s son was the king Rukmaratha, and Rukmaratha’s son was Supārśva. Supārśva’s son was Sumati, a king of virtue and righteousness, whose son was the humble and just Saṃnati. To Saṃnatimat was born a great son named Kṛta, who became the disciple of the noble Kauśalya, the illustrious Hiraṇyanābha. Kṛta taught the Sāma Saṃhitās in twenty-four divisions. The Eastern Sāmans were composed by Kṛta, and those who sing them are called Sāmagas. Among these descendants was Ugrāyudha, the enhancer of the Mahāpaurava line; by his valor, he slew the father of Pṛthuka. There was also King Nīla, lord of the Pāñcālas, obedient and the heir of Ugrāyudha, as well as the renowned Kṣema. From Kṣema came Sunītha; from Sunītha, Nṛpaṃjaya; and from Nṛpaṃjaya, Viratha—these are the celebrated Pauravas. From Ajamīḍha and his queen Nīlinī was born King Nīla, and from Nīla, through intense austerity, came Suśānti. Suśānti’s son was Purujānu; Purujānu’s son was Pṛthu; and Pṛthu’s son was Bhadrāśva. Listen now to the sons of Bhadrāśva: Mudgala, Jaya, King Bṛhadiṣu, the valiant Javīnara, and Kapila as the fifth—these five are known as the Pāñcālas, the protectors of their lands. From Mudgala, through Maudgalya, were born twice-borns endowed with kṣatriya qualities; these Kāṇva-Mudgalas took refuge with the lineage of Aṅgiras. Mudgala’s son, famed for his devotion to Brahman, was Indrasena, and Indrasena’s son was Vindhyāśva. From Vindhyāśva, by the grace of Menakā, were born a pair: the royal sage Divodāsa and the illustrious Ahalyā. From Ahalyā, the heir of Śaradvat, was born the eminent sage Śatānanda, known for his great austerity. His son was Satyadhṛti, master of archery; from Satyadhṛti came Śukra, righteous and unfailing. It is told that Satyadhṛti’s seed, having fallen into the water, was seen by an apsaras, and there, in that lake, a pair was conceived. As these two moved in the water, King Śaṃtanu, who came to hunt, saw them and, moved by compassion, took them in. These are the sons of Śaradvat, renowned among the Gautamas. Now, let us return to the descendants of Divodāsa. Divodāsa’s heir was Mitrayu, the righteous king and foremost of the Maitrāyaṇas; from him was born Maitreya. These are the descendants of the sage, and the Bhārgavas who took up kṣatriya duties; and from Maitreya came King Caidyavara. Caidyavara’s son was the learned Sudāsa; and Ajamīḍha was born again. When the line declined, Somaka was born, and Somaka’s son was Jantu. When Jantu was slain, a hundred sons of the great-souled Ajamīḍha and Somaka flourished. Ajamīḍha’s queen, Dhūminī, longed for a son and undertook severe austerities for a hundred years, steadfast in her vow, in the absence of a child. She performed all the prescribed fire offerings and purified her food, sleeping in accordance with the agnihotra procedure, her heart set on fulfilling her great vow.