The sages, eager for wisdom, approached the revered sage and humbly asked, “O wise one, in which lineages will the Kṣatriyas endure, and which kings will arise in the future? Please tell us their names, their lifespans, and the families they will belong to. We also wish to know the measure of the Kṛta Yuga, and likewise of the Tretā and Dvāpara yugas. Describe to us the measure of Kali Yuga, its faults, and how it will end. O Lord, having considered the happiness and sorrow of people, the faults of the age, and the nature of the people, please explain all this to us.” The sage replied, “Just as the untroubled Vyāsa once described to me, so too will the Kali age and the cycles of Manus unfold. Listen carefully as I recount what is yet to come. I will declare to you the kings destined to be born in the future. “In the noble lineages of Aida, Ikṣvāku, and Puru, and in those where the auspicious Aida-Ikṣvāku clan will be established, I will recount all the future kings who have been mentioned in the ancient traditions. From these lines, other kings will arise—Kṣatriyas, Pāraśavas, Śūdras, and those who dwell outside the main lines. Among them are the Andhas, Śakas, Pulindas, Cūlikas, Yavanas, Kaivartas, Ābhīras, Śabaras, and others born from foreigners. I will describe these peoples and name their kings as well. “Among these future rulers, Adhisomakṛṣṇa will be the first king. I will tell you of his descendants—those future kings who have been foretold. Adhisomakṛṣṇa’s son, Vivakṣu, will ascend the throne. When the city called Nāgasāhvaya is claimed by the Gaṅgā, Vivakṣu will rule there. Eventually, Vivakṣu will leave the city and reside at Kauśāmbī, where he will have eight sons, all mighty and valiant. “His eldest son will be Bhūri, remembered as Citraratha. From Citraratha will be born Śucidrava, and from Śucidrava, Vṛṣṇimān. Vṛṣṇimān’s successor will be Suṣeṇa, and after him, Śuci will become king. From Suṣeṇa will arise a ruler named Sunītha. King Sunītha’s son will be Nṛcakṣu, renowned for his fame, and Nṛcakṣu’s heir will be Sukhīvala. “Sukhīvala’s son will be the future king Pariṣṇava, and Pariṣṇava’s son will be Sutapā, the ruler. Sutapā’s heir will be Medhāvī, without doubt, and Medhāvī’s son will be Puraṃjaya. Urva will be Puraṃjaya’s son, fierce in spirit; from Urva will come Tigmātmā, and from Tigmātmā, Bṛhadratha; from Bṛhadratha, Vasudāma. “From Vasudāma will come Śatānīka, and then Udayana. From Udayana will be born the king Vahīnara. Vahīnara’s son will be Daṇḍapāṇi, and from Daṇḍapāṇi comes Niramitra, and from Niramitra, Kṣemaka. “An ancient verse of lineage, sung by the sages, declares: ‘The origin of the Brahman-Kṣatriya line, honored by divine sages, will reach its end with King Kṣemaka in the Kali age.’ Thus, the lineage of the Pauravas has been recounted, as well as that of the wise son of Pāṇḍu, the great-souled Arjuna.” The questioner then asked, “O Suta, now please tell me in order about those sacred fires which are always worthy of reverence among the twice-born, and their lineage as well.” The sage continued, “The fire known as Abhimani is remembered from the time of Svayambhu; he was the mind-born son of Brahmā, from whom Svāhā gave birth. Pavaka, Pavamana, and Śuci are the fires to be remembered. Pavamana is the fire produced by friction, and the electric fire is the son of Pavaka. Śuci is known as the solar fire, and even the immovable ones are called by that name. The fire born of Pavamana is called Havyavaha. “Pavaka, together with Saharakṣa, and Śuci, whose face is Havyavaha—among the gods, Havyavaha is the first fire, the son of Brahmā. Saharakṣa is also among the gods. These three are the principal fires, and from them, there are forty sons and grandsons. I will now declare their names, distinguishing them one by one. “Pavana, the worldly fire, is the first and also belongs to Brahmā. Brahmaudanāgni is his son, renowned as Bharata. Vaiśvānara, the carrier of offerings, bore the oblation and passed away. After his death, Atharvana was born, churned from the lotus ocean. Atharva is the worldly fire, known as the southern fire. From Bhrigu was born Atharva, and Angiras is remembered as Atharvana; his fire is unworldly, and also known as the southern fire. “Now, Pavamana is the fire produced by friction, and he is called the household fire, the first fire of Brahmā. Then, Sabhya and Avasathya, the two sons born of Samshatya, appeared. After that, Havyavahana desired sixteen rivers, and the fire called Ahavaniya is remembered by the twice-born as Abhimani. “These rivers are Kaveri, Krishna-Veni, Narmada, Yamuna, Godavari, Vitasta, Chandrabhaga, and Iravati, along with Vipasha, Kaushiki, Shatadru, Sarayu, Sita, Manasvini, Hradini, and Pavanā. Dividing himself into sixteen forms, the fire wandered among these rivers, desiring the altars. “The altars, established by their own names, produced the Dhiṣṇavas; since they were born in the altars, they are remembered as Dhiṣṇavas. Thus, these sons of the rivers entered the altars. Now hear, O mighty one, of those who are to be enjoyed and those who are to be placed: Pravāhaṇa, Agnīdhra, and other Dhiṣṇavas were established there. “As one moves about in the proper place at the beginning of a sacred day, listen to the order of those fires which are indescribable and unrestrainable. The fire of the Vasus, the blazing fire, is on the second and northern altar; the sovereigns, sons of Agni, eight in number, are attended by the twice-born. “Thus have I recounted to you the future lineages of kings and the sacred fires, their origins and their forms, as preserved in the ancient traditions.