Hear now the lineage of the noble Pauravas and the sacred fires, as recounted in the ancient tradition. Vivakṣu, a scion of the royal line, departed from his city and took up residence in Kauśāmbī. There, he was blessed with eight sons, all mighty and valiant. His eldest was Bhūri, also known to the world as Citraratha. From Citraratha sprang Śucidrava, and Śucidrava’s line continued with Vṛṣṇimān. In turn, Vṛṣṇimān fathered Suṣeṇa, who became king, and from Suṣeṇa came the ruler Sunītha. King Sunītha was succeeded by his son Nṛcakṣu, famed far and wide for his great deeds. Nṛcakṣu’s heir was Sukhīvala, who in turn fathered Pariṣṇava, destined for kingship. Pariṣṇava’s son was Sutapā, who ruled with wisdom and strength. Sutapā’s heir was Medhāvī, and after him came his son, Puraṃjaya. Puraṃjaya’s son was Urva, fierce of spirit, and from Urva came Tigmātmā. Tigmātmā’s line continued with Bṛhadratha, and from Bṛhadratha was born Vasudāma. Vasudāma’s son was Śatānīka, followed by Udayana, whose son was the noble king Vahīnara. Vahīnara’s son was Daṇḍapāṇi, from whom came Niramitra, and from Niramitra was born Kṣemaka. Of this lineage, the ancient sages have sung: the Brahman-Kṣatriya line, honored by the divine seers, will reach its end with King Kṣemaka in the Kali age. Thus has the Paurava lineage been faithfully recounted, together with the line of Arjuna, the wise and great-souled son of Pandu. Now, O Suta, let us turn to the sacred fires ever worthy of reverence among the twice-born, and hear their lineage as well. In the age of Svayambhu, there was the fire known as Abhimani, the mind-born son of Brahma, from whom, through Svaha, were born the fires Pavaka, Pavamana, and Shuci. Of these, Pavamana is the fire produced by friction, while the electric fire is the son of Pavaka. Shuci is remembered as the solar fire, and the immovable ones are also called by his name. The fire born of Pavamana is known as Havyavaha, the carrier of oblations. Pavaka, together with Saharaksha and Shuci—whose face is Havyavaha—are the foremost among the fires. Among the gods, Havyavaha is the first, the son of Brahma himself. Saharaksha is also among the gods. These three fires, from their line, produced forty sons and grandsons. Let their names be declared. Pavana, the worldly fire, is foremost and is also called the fire of Brahma. His son is Brahmaudanagni, renowned as Bharata. Vaishvanara, the carrier of offerings, received the oblation and then died. After his passing, Atharvana was born, churned from the lotus ocean. Atharva is the worldly fire, known as the southern fire. From Bhrigu came Atharva, and Angiras is remembered as Atharvana; his fire is unworldly and also known as the southern fire. Pavamana, the fire produced by friction, is called the household fire, the first fire of Brahma. Then, from Samshatya, were born Sabhya and Avasathya, his two sons. Afterward, Havyavahana desired the sixteen sacred rivers, and the fire called Ahavaniya is remembered by the twice-born as Abhimani. These sixteen rivers are: Kaveri, Krishna-Veni, Narmada, Yamuna, Godavari, Vitasta, Chandrabhaga, Iravati, Vipasha, Kaushiki, Shatadru, Sarayu, Sita, Manasvini, Hradini, and Pavanā. Dividing himself into sixteen forms, Havyavahana moved among them, desiring the altars. The altars, each bearing the name of a river, produced the Dhiṣṇavas, who are thus remembered because they were born in the altars. Thus, the sons of the rivers entered the altars. Among them are those to be enjoyed and those to be placed: Pravāhaṇa, Agnīdhra, and other Dhiṣṇavas established there. As one moves in the proper place at the beginning of a sacred day, listen to the order of those fires, which are indescribable and unrestrainable. On the second and northern altar is the fire of the Vasus, the blazing fire. The eight sovereign sons of Agni are attended by the twice-born. Parjanya and Pavamāna are the second, though unseen. The fire called Pāvaka, warm and collected, is said to be in the north. The oblation-consuming fire, which cannot be cleansed, is called Śāmitra, and is distinguished. Śatadhāmā, radiant with pure ghee, is said to possess fierce lordship. Brahmajyoti, with the earth as his domain, is called the one established in Brahman. The fire to be approached by Ajaikapād is Śālāmukha, from whom he originates. The indescribable Ahirbudhnya is at the southern end, outside the altars; these are his sons, all to be approached by the twice-born, as remembered. Next are the eight fires to be moved about: the son of the Hotṛ, the fire of the sacrificial grass, the carrier of oblations. Pracetā, the praiseworthy fire and helper, is the second. The son of Agni, Viśvaveda, is called the Brahman’s reciter. The origin of waters is Svāmbhaḥ, known as Setu. The Dhiṣṇya fires, brought forth thus, are worshipped with Soma by the twice-born. Then, the fire called Pāvaka, spoken of by the virtuous as joined, is known as Avabhṛtha and is worshipped together with Varuṇa. The son of Agni in the heart dwells in the belly, cooking for men; this fiery belly is always remembered as the pierced fire. The fire arising from mutual interaction burns beings in this world; the son of Agni, endowed with wrath, is remembered as the fierce Samvartaka. Thus is the sacred genealogy of the Paurava kings and the divine lineage of the holy fires, as preserved in the ancient tradition.