In ancient times, there lived a noble soul whose daughter was Draviḍā, the mother of Viśravas, and whose son was Viśāla, a king renowned for his supreme righteousness. From Viśāla was born Viśālā, who came into being through his father's vision. Viśālā's son was the mighty king Hemacandra, whose strength and virtue were widely praised. After Hemacandra, the lineage continued with Sucandra, who became famous in his own right. Sucandra's son, Dhūmrāśva, ruled as king, and from him was born Sṛñjaya, a man learned in the scriptures. Sṛñjaya's son was Sahadeva, illustrious and powerful, who carried forward the family’s noble legacy. Sahadeva’s son was Kṛśāśva, a paragon of righteousness, and Kṛśāśva’s son was the mighty and radiant Somadatta. Somadatta, a royal sage, had a son named Janamejaya, and Janamejaya’s son was the renowned Pramati. By the favor of the great Tṛṇabindu, all the kings of Vaiśālī enjoyed long life, great strength, and true righteousness, their souls magnanimous and their rule just. Elsewhere, Śaryāti had twins: a famous son named Ānarta and a daughter, Sukanyā, who became the devoted wife of Cyavana. Ānarta’s heir was the valiant Reva, and the land of Ānarta, with its capital Kuśasthalī, flourished under his rule. Reva’s son was Raivata, a righteous man known also as Kakudhmī. He was the eldest among a hundred brothers and, upon becoming king, inherited the city of Kuśasthalī. One day, Raivata, accompanied by his daughter, went to the presence of Brahmā and heard the celestial Gandharvas perform. Yet, in the realm of the Lord of gods, a single moment spanned many ages for mortals. When Raivata and his daughter returned, they found themselves still youthful, though countless years had passed on earth. Their city had changed, now filled with Yādavas and transformed into the delightful Dvāravatī, a city of many gates. Guarded by the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, and Andhakas, with Vasudeva at their head, Raivata learned the story of his people as it truly unfolded. He gave his virtuous daughter Revati in marriage to Baladeva, the mighty Rāma, and then withdrew to the summit of Mount Meru to practice austerities. Rāma, the righteous one, enjoyed happiness together with Revati. Hearing this wondrous tale, the sages present asked, “O son of Sūta, after so many ages, how did Revati remain young and not turn gray-haired? And how is it that the lineage of Raivata, son of Śaryāti who went to Meru, still endures on earth to this day? We wish to hear the truth of this. Also, tell us about the hosts of gods and Gandharvas, for Raivata experienced ages as but a moment in their presence.” In response, Sūta said, “There, in Brahmaloka, there is no old age, hunger, thirst, or fear of death, nor does disease touch those who arrive in that realm. Regarding the Gandharva realm you asked about, O virtuous sages, listen as I explain its truths. “There are seven musical notes, three primary scales, and twenty-one modes, with fifty-one rhythms forming the system of celestial music. The notes are Ṣaḍja, Ṛṣabha, Gāndhāra, Madhyama, Pañcama, Dhaivata, and Niṣāda. The Madhyama scale comprises Sauvīrī, Hariṇāsyā, and the pure Madhyamā, which is endowed with time and strength. The Madhyamagrāma modes are Śārṅgī, Pāvanī, and Dṛṣṭākā. Now hear of the Ṣaḍjagrāma: Uttaramandrā, Rajanī, Uttarāyatā, pure Ṣaḍjā, and the seventh mode. “There are other Gāndhāra scales as well: Āgniṣṭomika, Vājapeyika, Pauṇḍraka, Āśvamedhika, Rājasūya, Cakrasuvarṇaka, Gosava, Mahāvṛṣṭika, Brahmadāna, and Prājāpatya. Also know of Nāgapakṣāśraya, Gotara, Hayakrānta, Mṛgakrānta, and the delightful Viṣṇukrānta; Sūryakrānta, Vareṇya, the one sung by the intoxicated cuckoo, Sāvitra, half-Sāvitra, and Madrama in all directions. “There are also Suvarṇa, Sutandra, Viṣṇu, Vaiṣṇuvara, Sāgara, and Vijaya, all enchanting to living beings. Haṃsa, Jyeṣṭha, and Tumburu’s favorite, the delightful Madhātrya, and the one accompanied by Gandharvas; the one dear to Alambuṣā, the one favored by Nārada; as told by Bhīmasena, the one beloved of the Nāgas; Karopanīta, Vinatā, Śrīrākhya, dear to Bhṛgu—twenty of these belong to the Madhyamagrāma, and fourteen to the Ṣaḍjagrāma. “Fifteen are cherished in the Gandhara villages; Gandhari, with Sauvira, is praised by Brahma. Of the northern tone, Brahma is the deity; it was born in the land of Hari, produced from Hari’s mouth, with Indra as its presiding deity. This music, spread by the Maruts in the realm of sound, is brought forth in the ages, with Marut as its deity. “In the land of Manu, the modulation is pure Madhyama, with the Gandharva as its deity. It moves with deer, guiding the Siddhas, and so it is called Margi, with Mrigendra as its presiding deity. Associated with hermitages and many Pauravas and Ravas, this modulation is the union, and thus, night is mingled with dust.” Thus did Sūta reveal the mysteries of time, music, and celestial realms, answering the sages’ questions and illuminating the wondrous interplay of mortal and divine.