From the noble Devakshatra, a son was born who shone with a brilliance equal to the gods. This radiant child was named Madhur, and from Madhur came Madhu, who was renowned as belonging to the illustrious Kuru lineage. From this Kuru line emerged the mighty Puruhotra, who, with his queen Dravanti of Vidarbha, brought forth a son named Anshu. Anshu took Vetrakī as his wife, and from their union was born Sātvata, a man of great virtue who increased the glory of the Sātvatas. Thus, the lineage of the great-souled Jyāmagha unfolded, and it is known that, blessed with many descendants, Jyāmagha ultimately attained union with the wise King Soma. Sātvata’s wife, the virtuous Kausalyā, bore him sons who were all endowed with noble qualities. Four principal lineages arose from them, each with its own distinction. Bhajamāna, one of Sātvata’s sons, had a son named Bhājana through Sṛṃjaya, and from Sṛṃjaya’s daughter, the Bhājakas were born. Bhājana had two wives, both of whom bore him many sons: Nemi, Cakṛkaṇa, Vṛṣṇi, and Parapuraṃjaya. The descendants of Bhajamāna became known as the Bhājakas, and among them were born Devāvṛdha, Pṛthu, and Mitravarddhana among the Madhus. Now, it happened that one king, being without a son, performed intense austerities, fervently desiring a virtuous heir. In his longing, he joined with Kṛṣṇa and, as part of his ritual, touched the sacred water in his leaf-hut. By the power of this act, the river itself approached him. As the king engaged in auspicious rites, the river, filled with compassion for his plight, resolved to help him. She thought, “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.” Thus, transforming herself into a maiden of surpassing beauty, she revealed herself to the king, who desired her. This maiden, the best among women, bore a son endowed with every virtue—Babhru, who surpassed even the noble Devāvṛdha. In this lineage, those who know the ancient tales are renowned for recounting the virtues of the great-souled Devāvṛdha. Babhru was the foremost among men, and Devāvṛdha was equal to the gods. Devāvṛdha had one hundred and sixty thousand sons, all of whom attained immortality, surpassing even Babhru and Devāvṛdha themselves. They were wholly devoted to sacrifice, charity, austerity, wisdom, and the pursuit of Brahman, steadfast in their vows. In this same line, Bhoja, a man of striking beauty and brilliance, married Mṛtakāvatī, the daughter of Śarakānta. She bore him four sons: Kukura, Bhajamāna, Śyāma, and Kaṃbalabarhiṣa. Kukura’s son was Vṛṣṭi, and Vṛṣṭi’s son was Dhṛti. Dhṛti’s son was Kapotaromā, and his son was Tittiri. Tittiri had many sons, among whom was a wise son named Nari. Nari’s names are celebrated as Candana, Udaka, and Dundubhi. Abhijit, who had previously been childless, was encouraged by the sages to seek a son. Thus, the noble Abhijit performed the great ashvamedha sacrifice. During this sacred rite, from the center of the assembly, Punarvasu arose—a son, though blind, yet learned, righteous, and a generous giver of sacrifices. Punarvasu had twin children: Vasu and Arijita, as well as Ahuka and Ahuki, both renowned among the wise. At this point, the reciters sing verses of extraordinary quality, praising the leaders of the troops and protectors of the ranks. In those days, there were ten thousand chariots, thundering like storm clouds. The Bhojas, it is said, were never speakers of falsehood, nor sacrificers, nor lavish givers. They were neither impure nor ignorant, and none surpassed the Bhojas. Thus is described the lineage of the Ahukas. Ahuka gave his sister Ahuki in marriage in the Avanti region, and Ahuka’s own daughter bore two sons: Devaka and Ugrasena, both born of divine wombs. Devaka’s sons were born, resplendent as the gods themselves: Devavan, Upadeva, Sudeva, and Devarakshita. Devaka also had seven daughters, all of whom were given in marriage to Vasudeva. Their names were Devaki, Shrutadeva, Yashoda, Shrutishrava, Shrideva, Upadeva, and Surupa. Ugrasena had nine sons, with Kamsa as the eldest. The others were Nyagrodha, Sunama, Kanka, Shanku, and Subhu, as well as Rashtrapala, Baddhamushti, and Samushtika. Ugrasena also had five daughters: Kamsa, Kamsavati, Surabhi, Rashtrapali, and Kanka—each a woman of distinction. Thus, Ugrasena and his children are described as descended from Kukura. Bhajamana’s son was the chief of charioteers, Viduratha. From Viduratha came Rajadhideva and Shura. Rajadhideva had two sons, Shonashva and Shvetavahana, both esteemed as heroic warriors. Shonashva had five sons, all skilled in battle: Shami, Rajasharma, Nimurtta, Shatrujit, and Shuchi. Shami’s son was Pratikshatra, whose son was Bhoja. Bhoja’s son was Hridhika, who had ten sons of great valor. Among them, Kṛtavarman was the eldest, and also Śatadhanvan, the most excellent, as well as Devārha, Subhānu, and the mighty Bhīṣaṇa. The others were Ajāta, Vijāta, Karaka, and Karaṃdhama. Devārha’s learned son was Kaṃbalabarhiṣa. Thus unfolds the sacred and illustrious lineage, resplendent with virtue, heroism, and wisdom, as preserved in the ancient tradition.