In the ancient days, those learned in sacred lore praised Pṛthuśravā as the foremost among men. From him sprang noble sons, and chief among them was Uśanā, renowned as a tormentor of foes. Uśanā’s son was Śineyu, celebrated as the best of men, and Śineyu’s son was known as Rukmakavaca. Rukmakavaca, skilled in the art of warfare, was slain in battle by a mighty archer, who claimed the earth as his own. At the aśvamedha sacrifice, the king honored the brāhmaṇas with generous gifts. From Rukmakavaca was born Parāvṛt, a destroyer of enemy heroes. Parāvṛt had five sons, all endowed with great strength and valor: Rukmeshu, Prithurukma, Jyamagha, Parigha, and Hari. Their father settled Parigha and Hari in the land of Videha, while Rukmeshu became king, supported faithfully by Prithurukma. Jyamagha, however, was exiled from the kingdom by Rukmeshu and Prithurukma. He found refuge in an ashram, living peacefully and receiving wisdom from a Brahmin. Eventually, taking up his bow, Jyamagha—alone and worn by hardship—journeyed to another land. Bearing a banner and riding his chariot, he reached the banks of the sacred Narmada. He settled at Mount Rikshavat, a place abandoned by others, but his faithful wife Shaibya remained steadfastly by his side. Though a king, Jyamagha had no son and began to contemplate marrying again. In battle, he gained victory and obtained a maiden. Out of concern, he told his wife, “O pure-smiling one, let this maiden be your daughter-in-law.” Shaibya asked, “Whose daughter-in-law is she?” The king replied, “She will be the wife of the son who will be born to you.” Through Shaibya’s intense austerity, a daughter was born to the maiden, while Shaibya herself bore a son named Vidarbha. The royal maiden’s daughters became the learned Kratha and Kaushika, who were married into the family. Vidarbha’s third son was Lomapada, a supremely righteous soul. Vidarbha himself begot a heroic son skilled in battle. Lomapada’s son was Babhrur, whose own son was Dhriti. Kaushika’s son was Chedi, from whom the kings of Chedi descended. Vidarbha’s son Kratha had a son named Kunti, and from Kunti came Dhrishta, followed by the mighty Srishta. Srishta’s son was the righteous Nivritti, destroyer of enemies; Nivritti’s son was Dasharha, also known as Viduratha. Dasharha’s son was Bhima, and from Bhima came Jimuta. Jimuta’s son was Vikriti, whose son was Bhimaratha. Bhimaratha’s son was Navaratha, followed by Dasharatha, whose son was Shakuni. From Shakuni came Karambha, and then Devarata, from whom the renowned king Devakshatra was born. Devakshatra’s son, equal to the gods, was Madhur, of great splendor. Madhur’s son Madhu is known as belonging to the Kuru lineage. From this lineage was born the mighty Puruhotra. From Puruhotra and his wife Dravanti of Vidarbha, a son named Anshu was born. Vetrakī became the wife of Anshu, and from her was born Sātvata, endowed with great virtue, who enhanced the fame of the Sātvatas. Thus, the lineage of the great-souled Jyāmagha flourished, and he, blessed with many descendants, ultimately attained union with the wise king Soma. Kausalyā gave birth to virtuous sons for Sātvata. Now listen to the details of their four lineages. To Bhajamāna, a son named Bhājana was born from Sṛṃjaya, and from Sṛṃjaya’s daughter came the Bhājakas. Bhājana had two wives, both of whom bore him many sons: Nemi, Cakṛkaṇa, Vṛṣṇi, and Parapuraṃjaya. Those born from Bhajamāna are known as the Bhājakas; from them descended Devāvṛdha, Pṛthu, and Mitravarddhana among the Madhus. The king, being without a son, performed intense austerity, desiring, “May I have a son endowed with all virtues.” Then, joining with Kṛṣṇa and touching water in the leaf-hut, the river approached him by the touch of that water. As he engaged in auspicious acts, the river grieved for him and, filled with concern, resolved, “I shall become a woman and go to him, so that such a son may be born. Today, I shall become the giver of a son to him.” Having become a maiden of surpassing beauty, the river revealed herself to the king, who desired her. She, the best among maidens, gave birth to a son endowed with all virtues—Babhru, superior even to Devāvṛdha. In this lineage, those who know the ancient tales are renowned for recounting the virtues of the great-souled Devāvṛdha. Babhru was the best among men, and Devāvṛdha was equal to the gods. He had one hundred and sixty thousand sons, who attained immortality, surpassing even Babhru and Devāvṛdha. They were devoted to sacrifice, charity, austerity, wisdom, the Brahman, and steadfast in their vows. Handsome and brilliant, Bhoja married Mṛtakāvatī, the daughter of Śarakānta, who bore him four sons: Kukura, Bhajamāna, Śyāma, and Kaṃbalabarhiṣa. Kukura’s son was Vṛṣṭi, and Vṛṣṭi’s son was Dhṛti. Kapotaromā was Dhṛti’s son, and Tittiri was his son. Among Tittiri’s many sons was a wise son named Nari. Thus, the noble lineage flourished, blessed with virtue, wisdom, and unwavering devotion, their fame echoing through the ages.