Devapi, Shantanu, and Vahlika were the three sons of Pratipa. Vahlika’s line continued through seven kings who ruled the land of Vahli. Devapi, however, was rejected by his people and withdrew from worldly life to become a sage. The reason for Devapi’s rejection was that he suffered from leprosy, and so the people did not honor him as their king. Now, let me tell you of Shantanu, the next in this illustrious line. Shantanu became king, renowned for his wisdom and his remarkable healing abilities. It is said that whoever Shantanu touched with his hands—whether aged or afflicted by illness—would be restored to youth and health. Because of this wondrous power, the people praised him and called him Shantanu. Desiring a wife, Shantanu chose the river goddess Jahnavi, and by her he had a glorious son named Devavrata. Meanwhile, Kali bore a son named Vichitravirya to Dashini. In time, Shantanu also fathered a beloved, sinless son named Krishna Dvaipayana, pure of mind, in the field of Vichitravirya. Krishna Dvaipayana—better known as Vyasa—was the father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. Dhritarashtra, by his wife Gandhari, begot a hundred sons, the foremost among whom was Duryodhana, lord of all the Kshatriyas. Pandu’s wives were Kunti and Madri. By divine grace, Pandu had five sons: Yudhishthira, born of Dharma; Bhimasena, born of the Wind-god; Dhananjaya (Arjuna), born of Indra and equal in valor to that god; and Nakula and Sahadeva, the twin sons of Madri, born of the Ashvins. These five, the Pandavas, married Draupadi, who bore them sons: Prativindhya to Yudhishthira; Shrutasena to Bhimasena; Shrutakirti to Arjuna; Shrutakarma to Sahadeva; and Shatanika to Nakula. These sons of Draupadi were renowned, but there were other great warriors among the Pandava progeny as well. From Bhimasena and the rakshasi Hidimba was born Ghatotkaca, a mighty warrior. Bhima also fathered Sarvaga upon Kashi, the daughter of Baladhara. Sahadeva and Madri had a son named Suhotra, and Nakula, by Karenumati, the princess of Cedi, had a son named Niramitra. Arjuna and Subhadra were the parents of the valiant Abhimanyu. Yudhishthira and Devaki had a son named Yaudheya. From Abhimanyu was born Parikshit, conqueror of enemy cities, and his son was Janamejaya, renowned for his righteousness. Janamejaya appointed Vajasaneyaka as his priest, but Vajasaneyaka was cursed by the great sage Vaishampayana, who declared, “O fool, your words will not endure on earth; as long as you remain in this world, so long will they persist.” From that time, the Kshatriya sacrificers were lost due to the curse, and the tradition of Kshatriya sacrificers disappeared. Some, after offering the full-moon oblation to Prajapati, were prevented from entering by Vaishampayana’s command. Janamejaya of the Paurava line had Vajasaneyaka perform the horse sacrifice for him twice. After all these rites, Vajasaneyaka, having been cursed in a dispute with the Brahmins, retired to the forest. Janamejaya’s son was Shatanika, a mighty man, whom Janamejaya installed as king. By means of the horse sacrifice, Shatanika was blessed with a son named Adhisomakrishna, now greatly renowned. During Adhisomakrishna’s reign, a great and difficult sacrifice was performed: three years at Pushkara, two at Kurukshetra, and at Drishadwati. Now, the sages addressed Lomaharshana: “We wish to hear of the future of the peoples, for you have already recounted the past. In which lineages will the Kshatriyas remain? Which kings will arise? Tell us their names and lifespans. Tell us the measure of the yugas—Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali—their faults and their ends. Describe the happiness and sorrow, the nature of the age, and the faults of the people, as Vyasa once described to me. Tell us how the Kali age and the cycles of Manus will unfold.” Lomaharshana replied, “Listen now to what is yet to come. I will declare the future kings in the lineages of Aida, Ikshvaku, and Puru, and in the auspicious Aida-Ikshvaku clan. From them, other kings will arise—Kshatriyas, Parashavas, Shudras, and others from outside the traditional lines. I will describe the Andhas, Shakas, Pulindas, Chulikas, Yavanas, Kaivartas, Abhiras, Shabaras, and others born from foreigners, and name their kings as well. Among them, Adhisomakrishna will be the first king. I will recount his descendants and the future kings who will follow. Adhisomakrishna’s son, Vivakshu, will become king. When the city called Nagasahvaya is taken by the Ganga, he will rule there.” Thus unfolds the sacred lineage and the destiny of kings, as foretold in the ancient tradition.