Into Dhūminī, whose complexion was like smoke, the noble Ajamīḍha entered, and to them was born Ṛkṣa—also called Dhūmavarṇa—the eldest among a hundred sons. From Ṛkṣa came Saṃvaraṇa, and from Saṃvaraṇa was born the illustrious Kuru. It was Kuru who, after crossing Prayāga, established the sacred land of Kurukṣetra. King Kuru, renowned for his greatness, cultivated that land for many years. As he toiled, Indra, the king of the gods, became fearful and granted Kuru a boon. Thus Kurukṣetra became famous as a holy and delightful place, and Kuru’s vast lineage, known as the Kauravas, bore his name. Kuru’s beloved sons were Sudhanvan, Jahnu, the radiant Parīkṣit, and Prajana, the mighty crusher of foes. Sudhanvan’s heir was Cyavana, foremost among the wise, and Cyavana’s son was King Kṛmi, who understood the very essence of dharma and artha. Kṛmi, born of Ṛkṣa, was a great ascetic, and his own son, Vibhu, was renowned for his valor, said to rival Indra himself. Among these descendants was the heroic Caidyoparicara, also called Vasus, who dwelled in the sky. From him came Girikā, who bore seven sons: the famed chariot-warrior and king of Magadha, Bṛhadratha; Pratyaśravā; Kuśa; Harivāhana; Yaju; Matsya; and Kālī. Bṛhadratha’s heir was Kuśāgra, whose name was celebrated. Kuśāgra’s son was mighty Vṛṣabha, and Vṛṣabha’s son was Puṇyavān, a virtuous king. Puṇyavān’s son was Puṇya, known as King Satyadhṛti. Satyadhṛti’s heir was Dhanu, and from Dhanu was born Sarva. Sarva’s son was Sambhava, and from him came King Bṛhadratha. This Bṛhadratha was born in two parts, but was joined together by a being named Jarā. Because of this, he became known as Jarāsaṃdha. Jarāsaṃdha, of immense strength, conquered all the kṣatriyas. Jarāsaṃdha’s son was Sahadeva, famed for his prowess, and Sahadeva’s son was Somavit, a great ascetic. From the line of Somavit, the Māgadhas became celebrated. Meanwhile, Jahnu begot a son named Suratha, who ruled the earth. Suratha’s heir was the valiant Viduratha, whose son was Sarvabhauma. From Sarvabhauma came Jayatsena, and his son was Rucira. Rucira’s son was Bhauma, and from Bhauma came Tvaritayu. Elsewhere, Akrodhana was the son of Ayus, and from Akrodhana came Devatithi. Devatithi’s heir was Daksha, whose son was Bhimasena; Bhimasena’s son was Dilipa, and Dilipa’s son was Pratipa, remembered for his three sons: Devapi, Shantanu, and Vahlika. Vahlika’s heirs became seven kings of Vahli, but Devapi, rejected by the people, became a sage. Why was Devapi, this lord of men, rejected? What fault was spoken of by the people? The prince suffered from leprosy, and so he was not honored as king. Now, let us turn to the story of Shantanu. Shantanu became king, learned and a great healer. Of him, a verse is recited: “Whoever he touched with his hands, whether aged or ill, would become young again.” For this wondrous power, he was called Shantanu, and this quality is praised among the people. Desiring a wife, Shantanu chose Jahnavi, and by her, the illustrious Devavrata was born. Kali bore a son named Vichitravirya to Dashini. To Shantanu was also born a beloved son, pure in mind and free from sin, named Krishna Dvaipayana, in the lineage of Vichitravirya. This Krishna Dvaipayana—Vyasa—begot Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. Dhritarashtra had a hundred sons by Gandhari, of whom Duryodhana was foremost, lord of all the kshatriyas. Pandu had two wives, Madri and Kunti. By divine means, five sons were born to Pandu: Yudhishthira from Dharma, Bhimasena from the Wind-god, and Dhananjaya (Arjuna) from Indra, equal in valor to Indra himself. Nakula and Sahadeva were born to Madri by the Ashvins. From these five Pandavas, sons were born to Draupadi. Draupadi bore Prativindhya to Yudhishthira, Shrutasena to Bhimasena, Shrutakirti to Arjuna, and Shrutakarma to Sahadeva. From Nakula came Śatānīka. The sons of Draupadi were renowned, and besides them, there were six other great chariot-warriors among the sons of the Pandavas. From Bhimasena and the Hiḍimbā woman was born Ghaṭotkaca. By Kāśī, the daughter of Baladhara, Bhima had a son named Sarvaga. Madri bore Suhotra from Sahadeva, and Nakula had Niramitra by Kareṇumatī, princess of Cedi. Arjuna and Subhadrā had the valiant son Abhimanyu, and Devakī bore Yaudheya from Yudhishthira. From Abhimanyu was born Parīkṣit, the conqueror of enemy cities. Parīkṣit’s son Janamejaya was supremely righteous and appointed Vājasaneyaka as his priest. Yet, Vājasaneyaka was cursed by the great sage Vaiśampāyana. Thus, the illustrious line of Kuru and the kings of Magadha flourished, their deeds and descendants remembered in reverence through the ages.