In the illustrious lineage of kings, Sambhuti had a son named Tridhanvan, and from Tridhanvan was born Trayyaruna. Trayyaruna’s son was Satyavrata, who in turn fathered Satyaratha. From Satyaratha came Harishchandra, and Rohita was born to Harishchandra. Rohita’s son was Vrka, and from Vrka came Bahu. Bahu’s son was the celebrated Sagara, a supremely righteous king. Sagara had two wives, Prabha and Bhanumati. Both longed for sons and so, with great devotion, worshipped the sage Aurva. Pleased with their austerities, Aurva granted them boons according to their wishes: one would bear sixty thousand sons, and the other, a single son. Prabha chose to bear the progenitor of the line, while Bhanumati wished for many sons and gave birth to Asamanjasa. In time, Prabha, who belonged to the Yadava line, gave birth to sixty thousand sons. These sons, while digging the earth in search of the sacrificial horse, were burned by Vishnu. Asamanjasa, Bhanumati’s son, became the father of the famed Amshuman. Amshuman’s son was Dilipa, and from Dilipa was born Bhagiratha. It was Bhagiratha, through his intense austerity, who brought the sacred Bhagirathi Ganga down to earth. His son, renowned as Nabhaga, continued the lineage. Nabhaga’s son was Ambarisha, from whom descended Sindhudvipa. Sindhudvipa’s son was Ayutayu, and his son was Rituparna. Rituparna’s son was Kalmashapada, also remembered as Sarvakarma. His son was Anaranya, whose son was Nighna. Nighna had two sons, both renowned in the Raghu line: Anamitra and another. Anamitra entered the forest, determined to destroy his enemies. From Raghu was born Dilipa, and from him came Aja. Aja’s son was Dirghabahu, whose son was Prajapala. Then was born Dasharatha, who had four sons, all manifestations of Narayana. Of these, Rama was the eldest, the destroyer of Ravana and the one who increased the glory of the Raghu lineage. The sage Valmiki, greatest among the Bhargavas, composed the story of Rama. Rama’s son was Kusha, who furthered the Ikshvaku line. Kusha’s son was Atithi, and from Atithi came Nishadha. Nishadha’s son was Nala, and from Nala was born Nabhaga. Nabhaga’s son was Pundarika, and then came Kshemadhanvan. Kshemadhanvan’s son was the heroic Devanika; his son was Ahinagu, and from Ahinagu came Sahasrashva. Sahasrashva’s son was Chandravaloka, whose son was Tarapida. Tarapida’s son was Chandragiri, and from him was born Chandra. From Chandra was born Shrutayu, who met his end in the great Bharata war. In this lineage, two kings named Nala became especially renowned. The son of Virasena was likewise Naisadha, a lord among men. All these generous kings belonged to the lineage of Vivasvat and were foremost among those originating from the Ikshvaku line. At this point, Bhishma spoke, “O Lord, I wish to hear of the supreme lineage of the Pitrs—especially about Ravi, the god of the Sraddha, and Soma.” Pulastya replied, “Listen, O king, as I recount the supreme lineage of the Pitrs. In heaven, there are seven groups of Pitrs; three are formless and four are embodied, all possessing immense energy. The formless Pitrs arise from Prajapati Vairaja, and the gods who worship them are known as Vairajas. Those who fell from the path of yoga attain these eternal worlds. At the end of another Brahma cycle, the knowers of Brahman are born again; upon regaining their memory, they pursue the supreme paths of Yoga and Sāṃkhya. Through Yoga, they attain a rare perfection, seldom relinquished. Therefore, gifts should be given faithfully to yogis by those who seek merit. Among these, Himavat is regarded as having a mental daughter as his wife. Maināka was his heir, and Krauca became his son. Krauca, the steadfast fourth, gave his name to the island of Kraucadvīpa. Menā bore three daughters to Suṣa, all devoted to yoga: Uma, Eka-parṇā, and Parṇā. One was given to Rudra, one to Bhṛgu, and one to Jaigīṣavya. Himavat gave these daughters, whose austerity surpassed all worlds. Now, listen to the account of the worlds of the ancestors. There are the worlds called Somapatha, where the descendants of Marīci reside—ancestors greatly honored by the gods. Among them are the Agniṣvāttas, devoted to sacrifice. Among these, a radiant daughter named Acchodā was born. Once, the ancestors created the sacred lake Acchoda, and Acchodā performed divine austerity for a thousand years. Pleased, the ancestors appeared before her, bearing divine forms, adorned with celestial garlands and ointments, all chief and powerful like the god of love. Acchodā beheld among them the ancestor Amāvasu. Overcome by desire, she asked for union with him. But due to this transgression, she fell from the path of Yoga. Until then, Acchodā had never touched the earth, but now she descended to the world, while Amāvasu acted according to his own will. By her steadfastness, she became known as Amāvāsyā in the world, beloved of the ancestors and the bestower of inexhaustible merit.