In the illustrious lineage of the Ikshvakus, King Kalmashapada, also remembered as Sarvakarma, had a son named Anaranya. Anaranya’s son was Nighna, and Nighna became the father of two renowned sons among the Raghu dynasty: Anamitra and another. Among them, Anamitra, seeking to vanquish his enemies, withdrew into the forest. From the noble Raghu was born Dilipa, whose son was Aja. Aja’s son was Dirghabahu, and from Dirghabahu came Prajapala. In this sacred line was born Dasharatha, the celebrated king, who had four sons—each an embodiment of Narayana himself. Among these divine sons, Rama was the eldest, the destroyer of Ravana and the one who increased the glory of the Raghu dynasty. The sage Valmiki, greatest among the Bhargavas, composed the immortal story of Rama. Rama’s son was Kusha, who further advanced the Ikshvaku lineage. Kusha’s son was Atithi, and from Atithi came Nishadha. Nishadha’s son was Nala, whose son was Nabhaga; from Nabhaga was born Pundarika, and from him, Kshemadhanvan. Kshemadhanvan’s son was the heroic and mighty Devanika, whose son was Ahinagu, and from Ahinagu was born Sahasrashva. The line continued with Chandravaloka, whose son was Tarapida; Tarapida’s son was Chandragiri, and from him came Chandra. From Chandra was born Shrutayu, who met his end in the great Bharata war. In this lineage, two kings named Nala were especially renowned. Virasena’s son was Naisadha, a great lord among men. All these generous and noble kings belonged to the lineage of Vivasvat and descended from the Ikshvaku dynasty, the foremost among royal lines. At this point, Bhishma, ever eager for knowledge, addressed his teacher: “O Lord, I wish to hear about the supreme lineage of the Pitrs—the ancestors—and especially about Ravi, the god of the Sraddha, and Soma.” Pulastya replied, “Well then, listen as I recount the supreme lineage of the Pitrs. In heaven, there are seven groups of Pitrs, of which three are formless, while four possess bodies and immense energy. The formless Pitrs belong to Prajapati Vairaja, and those who worship them are known as the Vairajas. Those who fell from yoga attain these eternal worlds. At the end of a Brahma’s cycle, those who know Brahman are reborn; with their remembrance, they again pursue the supreme paths of Yoga and Sāṃkhya. Through Yoga, they achieve rare perfection, difficult to return from—thus, gifts should be given with faith, especially to yogis. “Among these, Himavat is said to have a mental daughter as his wife. His heir was Maināka, and Krauca was his son. Krauca, steadfast and the fourth in line, gave his name to the land of Kraucadvīpa. Menā bore three daughters to Suṣa, all endowed with deep yoga: Uma, Eka-parṇā, and Parṇā, each devoted to intense vows. One was given to Rudra, one to Bhṛgu, and one to Jaigīṣavya. Himavat bestowed these daughters, surpassing all in austerity, upon their worthy husbands. “Now listen to the account of the ancestor worlds. The Somapatha worlds are the realm of Marīci’s descendants, where the Pitrs reside, honored by the gods. Among them are the Agniṣvāttas, devoted to sacrifice, and among these was a radiant daughter named Acchodā. Long ago, the ancestors created the lake Acchoda there. Acchodā herself performed divine austerity for a thousand years. Pleased with her, the ancestors appeared, adorned in divine forms, celestial garlands, and ointments, shining with the beauty of the god of love. “Among them, Acchodā beheld the ancestor Amāvasu. Overcome by longing, she desired union with him and asked for this boon, but in doing so, she transgressed and fell from her yogic state. Until then, she had never touched the earth, but now she descended to the world’s surface. Amāvasu, for his part, acted according to his own will, not toward her. “Because of her steadfastness, Acchodā became known as Amāvāsyā in the world, beloved of the ancestors and the bestower of inexhaustible merit. Yet, downcast and ashamed by the loss of her austerity, she turned her face downward and prayed to the ancestors for restoration. The ancestors, foreseeing her future and the divine purpose at hand, addressed her kindly and spoke auspicious words: ‘Whatever is done by the wise in heaven with a divine body yields its fruit immediately, whether in divinity or after becoming human. Therefore, by virtuous deeds, you shall gain their fruit after death.’ “They foretold: ‘In the twenty-eighth Dvāpara Yuga, you will be born from the womb of a fish. Because of your transgression against your forefathers, you will suffer hardship in your lineage and become the daughter of King Vasu. In your maidenhood, you will regain those rare celestial worlds, and by union with Parāśara, you will have a son. On the island of Badarī, your son, Bādarāyaṇa, will divide the one Veda into many parts. ‘From the Paurava line, there will be two sons born to Śāntanu, son of Samudrāṃśa: King Citrāṅgada and Vicitravīrya. After producing these sons for the wise one, you will again become Aṣṭakā in the world of the ancestors during the month of Prauṣṭhapada.’ “Thus, O king, I have recounted the noble lineages of kings and ancestors, and the wondrous destinies of their daughters and sons, as they unfolded through time.