O King, near my hermitage, upon the level plains of the desert, there lies a remarkable sea—not of water, but filled with endless sand. Hidden deep beneath this sandy ocean dwells a being of immense stature and strength, one whom even the gods cannot harm. This is Dhundhu, the fierce and terrible son of Manu, who, through dreadful austerities, seeks to bring ruin upon the worlds. Each year, at its end, Dhundhu exhales a mighty breath that causes the very earth and its forests to tremble. The force of his breath raises a vast cloud of dust, veiling the path of the sun, and for seven days the earth shakes with terror. Sparks, flames, and thick smoke rise up, making the scene exceedingly dreadful. Because of this, O King, I am unable to remain in my hermitage. Therefore, mighty-armed one, restrain this being for the welfare of all worlds. Your great strength, like that of Viṣṇu, can overcome his power. When this demon is slain, peace will return to the worlds, and you, O King, are capable of such a deed. Long ago, Viṣṇu granted me a boon: that Dhundhu, of terrible might, cannot be destroyed by any lesser power. Not even in a hundred years could he be burned away here; his strength is such that even the gods struggle to withstand him. Thus did the great-souled sage Uttanka speak. Hearing his words, the royal sage turned to his son Kubalāśva, entrusting him with the task of restraining Dhundhu. The king said, “I have renounced weapons; let my son go. O best of the twice-born, he will surely become the slayer of Dhundhu.” Having thus instructed his son, who was ready for the task, the king retired to the mountains to undertake his own austerities, his vow firmly declared. Kubalāśva, righteous of soul, accepted his father’s command. Accompanied by his twenty-one thousand sons and the sage Uttanka, the king set forth to subdue Dhundhu. At that moment, by his own radiance, the blessed Viṣṇu entered Kubalāśva, at Uttanka’s behest and for the welfare of the worlds. As they departed, a great sound arose in the heavens, difficult to withstand: “From this day forward, this king shall be known as Dhundhumāra—the slayer of Dhundhu.” The gods honored him with divine flowers, wondrous to behold, as this tiger among men, mighty and determined, set out with his sons. Empowered by the energy of Nārāyaṇa, the royal sage began to dig up the inexhaustible ocean of sand. He grew exceedingly powerful, guided by Uttanka, as his sons dug through the sand where Dhundhu lay concealed. There, in the western direction, they encountered Dhundhu, enraged and terrifying, as if he would overturn the worlds with the fire from his mouth. By yogic power, Kubalāśva heard the sound of water, vast as the ocean at its rise, a great tumult of waves. In the ensuing battle, all of his sons, save three, were consumed by the Rākṣasa’s fire. The king, exceedingly powerful, then destroyed Dhundhu’s kin. He drank the rushing water, and by yogic power subdued the fire with water, as a true yogi would. With his strength, he cast down the great-bodied water-demon and, his task accomplished, presented Dhundhu to Uttanka. Pleased, Uttanka granted Kubalāśva a boon: inexhaustible wealth and invincibility even against foes. He also granted him constant delight in righteousness, eternal residence in heaven, and for his sons who had perished in battle, everlasting worlds in heaven. Of Kubalāśva’s sons, three survived: the eldest, Dṛḍhāśva, and his younger brothers Bhadrāśva and Kapilāśva. Dṛḍhāśva, also known as Dhundhumāri, had a son named Haryaśva. Haryaśva’s son was Nikumbha, ever devoted to the warrior’s path. Nikumbha’s son was the renowned and skillful Saṃhatāśva, who had two sons: Kṛśāśva and Akṣayāśva. Saṃhatāśva’s wife was Hemavatī, steadfast in virtue and famed throughout the three worlds. Their son was Prasenajit, whose own son was Yuvanāśva—brilliant beyond compare, supremely righteous, and husband to the devoted Gaurī. Yet, Gaurī, cursed by her husband, became the river Bāhudā; her son Gaurika became a universal monarch. Yuvanāśva’s son was Māndhātā, the king who conquered the three worlds. Of Māndhātā it is said: “As far as the sun rises and as far as it sets, all that is the domain of Yuvanāśva’s son Māndhātā.” Those who know the lineage also recite: “Yuvanāśva, the great-souled sacrificer; and Māndhātā, as the ancients declare, was an incarnation of Viṣṇu.” Māndhātā’s wife was Caitrarathī, also called Bindumatī, the daughter of Śaśabindu—virtuous and unmatched in beauty on earth, devoted to her husband and eldest among ten thousand brothers. From her, Māndhātā begot three sons: Purukutsa, Ambarīṣa, and the renowned Mucukunda. Ambarīṣa’s heir was another Yuvanāśva, whose son was Harita, founder of the heroic Hāritas—brāhmaṇas of Aṅgiras’ line who had taken up the path of kṣatriyas. Purukutsa’s heir was Trasaddasyu, famed and born on the banks of the Narmadā river, and his son was Sambhūta. Thus continues the noble lineage, each generation upholding righteousness and valor.