The youngest and most virtuous among the king’s wives was the daughter of Ariṣṭanemi, whose beauty was unmatched on earth. Seeking progeny, the king’s wives performed intense austerities to please the sage Urva. Moved by their devotion, Urva granted them a boon: one wife would bear a single son, the desired founder of their lineage, while the other would give birth to sixty thousand sons. When the sage’s words were heard, Keśinī, in the assembly of kings, chose to bear the one son who would be the foremost and the cause of the dynasty. Sumati, the sister of Suparṇa, accepted the responsibility of nurturing sixty thousand sons, and King Sagara undertook their care with devotion. In time, Keśinī, the eldest wife, gave birth to her son, Asamañja, the firstborn of Sagara and a scion of the Kakutstha line. Sumati, too, gave birth, but her womb took the form of a great jar. From its center, sixty thousand sons emerged. These embryos were placed in jars filled with clarified butter, and the king appointed a nurse for each, ensuring their proper nourishment. After nine months, the noble sons arose healthy and strong, greatly increasing Sagara’s delight. When they came of age, the sixty thousand sons, followers of the sacrificial horse, entered the forest on their destined path. Among them, Asamañja, the eldest and a tiger among men, stood out, bearing the sacrificial crest and great might. Yet, despite his fitness for ancient tradition, his father expelled him. Asamañja’s own son was Aṃśumān, valorous and renowned. Aṃśumān’s son was Dilīpa, famed for his righteousness. From Dilīpa came Bhagīratha, mighty and heroic, who by his great sacrifice and deeds brought the celestial river Gaṅgā down to earth. For this reason, those who know the lineage call Gaṅgā by the name Bhāgīrathī, honoring the king who brought her forth from the ocean, adorned with celestial vehicles. Bhagīratha’s son was Śruta, and Śruta’s son was Nābhāga, ever devoted to righteousness. Nābhāga’s son was Ambarīṣa, from whom was born Sindhudvīpa. Thus, the ancient lineage continued, celebrated by those who know its history. By the strength of Nābhāga and Ambarīṣa, the earth was well protected and freed from the threefold suffering. Sindhudvīpa’s son was the valorous Ayutāyu, whose own son was Ṛtuparṇa, a king of great fame. Ṛtuparṇa, friend to King Nala and master of divine dice and hearts, is celebrated in the ancient texts. Of the two Nalas, one was the son of Vīrasena, the other the foremost of the Ikṣvāku line. Ṛtuparṇa’s son, fulfilling all desires, became the lord of the people. His son was Sudāsa, a king with the face of a swan, and Sudāsa’s son was Saudāsa, the renowned ruler. Saudāsa was also known as Kalmāṣapāda and Mitrasaha. The great sage Vasiṣṭha, of immense brilliance, begot Aśmaka in the field of Kalmāṣapāda to continue the Ikṣvāku line. Aśmaka’s son was Urakāma, whose son was Mūlaka. About King Mūlaka, it is said that, out of fear of Rāma, he lived surrounded by women and, seeking protection, disguised himself in women’s armor, unclothed. Mūlaka’s son was the righteous King Śataratha, and from him was born the powerful Vaiḍiviḍa, glorious and accomplished. Vaiḍiviḍa’s son was Viśvamahat, son of Putrīka. From him was born Dilīpa, also known as Khaṭvāṅga, who descended from heaven to earth, lived for but a moment, and by his wisdom and truth united the three worlds. Khaṭvāṅga’s son was Dīrghabāhu, from whom Raghū was born. Raghū’s son was Aja, and Aja’s son was the mighty king Daśaratha, the delight of the Ikṣvāku lineage. Daśaratha’s son was Rāma, famed for his heroism and righteousness, known throughout the world. His brothers were Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa, and the powerful Śatrughna. Śatrughna, after slaying Mādhava and Lavaṇa, went to Madhuvana and established the city of Mathurā there. Together with Subāhu and Śūrasena, Śatrughna ruled Mathurā, the city of the sons of Vaidehī. Aṅgada and Candraketu, both sons of Lakṣmaṇa, held prosperous lands near the Himavat mountains. Aṅgada’s city, Aṅgadī, was in the Kārapatha region, while Candraketu’s city, Candravaktā, was the splendid city of the Mallas. Bharata’s sons, the heroic Takṣa and Puṣkara, established their cities in the Gandhāra region. Takṣa’s city, Takṣaśilā, became famous in all directions for its beauty, and Puṣkara’s city, Puṣkarāvatī, was equally renowned. In honor of Rāma, those versed in ancient lore sing songs of his virtue and greatness. Rāma was youthful, dark-complexioned, red-eyed, radiant-faced, sparing in speech, with long arms reaching to his knees, a handsome countenance, lion-like shoulders, and mighty arms. Rāma ruled the kingdom for ten thousand years, during which the sounds of the Rig, Sāma, and Yajur Vedas, and the twang of the bowstring, resounded with great might. There was no interruption in the land; charity and enjoyment prevailed, and, dwelling in Janasthana, he fulfilled the tasks of the gods. That illustrious bull among men, seeking Sītā, slew the transgressor Paulastya, thus upholding dharma and his own greatness.