All those assembled gazed in awe at the chariot before them, recognizing the splendid horse named Chandraprabha, belonging to that great soul. Wonder filled their hearts, and they questioned: how had this excellent horse assumed the form of a mare, and for what purpose? Turning to Maitrāvaruṇi, the priest, they sought answers, saying, “What is this strange event? Tell us, O best among those who know yoga.” Vasiṣṭha, perceiving all through the eye of meditation, spoke. He revealed that, long ago at Sharavana, Shiva’s beloved had made a vow: any man who entered there would be transformed into a woman. The horse, too, had become female along with the king, but would soon regain his masculinity, just as he resembled the lord of wealth. Vasiṣṭha explained that to restore their original forms, they must worship Pinākin, Shiva. So, the sons of Manu journeyed to where Maheshvara, the great god, dwelled. There, they offered hymns of praise to Parvati and the supreme lord. The divine couple replied, “This vow cannot be broken; but now, whatever fruit arises from Ikshvaku’s ashvamedha sacrifice shall be granted to both. Then, the valiant kimpurusha will certainly become a man.” Accepting this, the sons of Vaivasvata departed. Through Ikshvaku’s ashvamedha, the kimpurusha was transformed into Cela. For one month, the hero was a man; for another, a woman. Residing in Budha’s house, Nila became pregnant, and a single son, endowed with many virtues, was born. Budha, having fathered this son, then ascended to the heavenly realm. The land was thereafter called Ilavrita, after Ila. At the dawn of the lunar and solar dynasties, Ila, son of Manu, was born. Thus, Pururavas became the progenitor of his lineage among men, and Ikshvaku, of the solar dynasty, was likewise renowned among ascetics. When Ila was a kimpurusha, he was also known as Sudyumna. Later, Sudyumna had three undefeated sons: Utkala, Gaya, and the mighty Haritashva. The descendants of Utkala became known as Utkalas, and those of Gaya as Gayas. Haritashva’s eastern region gained fame, along with the Kurus. In Pratishthana, he anointed a son of Pururavas as king. Ikshvaku, the eldest heir, received the central region, which was covered by the assembly of worlds, and there he enjoyed divine fruits. Nariṣyanta’s son was Shuci, a man of great strength. Ambarisha was the son of Nabhaaga, and Dhrishta had three sons: Dhritaketu, Citranatha, and Ranadhṛṣṭa, who was mighty. Anarta was the son of Sharyati, and Sukanya his daughter. Anarta’s son, Rocamana, was powerful; his land became known as Anarta, and the city was Kushasthali. Rocamana’s son was Reva, also called Raivata, and among his hundred sons, Kakudmi was the eldest. His daughter, Revati, famed throughout the land, became the wife of Rama. Many Karushas, renowned on earth, were born to Karusha. Prishadhra became a Shudra after killing a cow, cursed by his teacher. Now, the lineage of Ikshvaku is recounted. Vikukshi, called Devarat, became Ikshvaku’s son, the eldest among a hundred. He had fifteen sons. These foremost kings were born to the north of Mount Meru; another group of fourteen, making a hundred in total, was also born. To the south of Mount Meru, the named kings included Kakutstha, the eldest, whose son was Suyodhana. Suyodhana’s son was Prithu, followed by Vishvagas, then Indu, and from him Yuvanashva was born. Shravasti, of great energy, was Yuvanashva’s son. Vatsaka was his son, who built the city of Shravasti in the land of Gauda. From Shravasti came Brihadashva, then Kuvalashva, who became known as Dhundhumara after slaying the demon Dhundhu in ancient times. Dhundhumara had three sons: Dridhashva, Danda, and the renowned Kapilashva. Dridhashva’s son was Pramoda; his son was Haryashva, whose son was Nikumbha, and from him came Samhataashva. Akritashva and Ranashva were sons of Samhataashva. Yuvanashva was the son of Ranashva, and from him came Mandhata. Mandhata’s sons were Purukutsa and Dharmasena the king; Muchukunda was also renowned, as was Shatrujit, mighty among men. Purukutsa’s son was Vasuda, lord of the Narmada river. His son was Sambhuti, and from him came Tridhanva. Tridhanva’s son was Trayyaruṇa; from him came Satyavrata, and then Satyaratha. His son was Hariśchandra, whose son was Rohita; Rohita’s son was Vṛka, and from Vṛka came Bāhu. Sagara was Bāhu’s son, a king of supreme righteousness. Sagara had two wives: Prabhā and Bhānumatī. Both worshipped the sage Aurva, a descendant of Agni, desiring sons. Aurva, pleased, granted each an excellent boon as they wished: one would have sixty thousand sons, the other a single son to continue the lineage. Prabhā accepted the many sons, and Bhānumatī bore one son, Asamañjas. Prabhā, the Yādavī, then gave birth to sixty thousand sons.