From the noble sage Jamadagni was born Rāma, famed as the destroyer of the Kṣatriyas. Rāma shone with the brilliance of fire, excelling in every branch of knowledge and mastering the science of archery. He was the very embodiment of accomplishment and power. Jamadagni himself was the illustrious son of Aurva and Ṛcīka, born to Satyavatī by the force of their spiritual prowess. Jamadagni was foremost among those who knew Brahman. Among his sons, the middle one was Śunaḥśepha, and the youngest was Śunaḥpuccha. Elsewhere, through the grace of Bhṛgu, the righteous-souled Viśvāmitra—also known as Viśvaratha—was born, furthering the great lineage of the Kauśikas. Śunaḥśepha, renowned as a sage, became the adopted son of Viśvāmitra. During the great sacrifice of King Hariścandra, Śunaḥśepha was bound as the sacrificial victim, but the gods intervened and he was spared, thereafter being known as Devarāta. Among the sons of Viśvāmitra, Śunaḥśepha is remembered as the eldest. Other sons include Madhucchanda, Naya, Kṛtadeva, and Dhruvāṣṭaka. Kacchapa and Pūraṇa were also his sons, and from them sprang many branches of the noble Kauśika line. Numerous lineages arose from Viśvāmitra: the Pārthivas, Devarātas, Yājñavalkyas, Samarṣaṇas, Udumbaras, Udumlānas, Tārakas, and Yamamuñcatas. There were also the Lohinyas, Reṇavas, Kārīṣavas, Babhravas, Pāṇinas, and those devoted to meditation and recitation. From Śālāvatī came the Hiraṇyākṣas, Syaṅkṛtas, and Gālavās, as well as the Devalas, Yāmadūtas, Śālaṅkāyanas, and Bāṣkalas. The lineages of Dadāti, Bādaras, and others also traced their descent from Viśvāmitra. Many other families, known as Śauśikas, arose from various sages. The Kauśikas, Ośrumās, and Saidhavāyanas all descended from the virtuous Paurorava, the Brahmarṣi Kauśika. From Dṛṣadvatī’s son Aṣṭaka, also of Viśvāmitra’s line, came another son who belonged to the lineage of Jahnu. At this, the sages inquired: “By what marks, by what righteousness, by what austerity or learning, did Viśvāmitra and other kings attain the status of Brāhmaṇas? By what means or origin did Kṣatriyas achieve Brāhmaṇahood? We wish to know: is it by austerity, by giving, or by something else?” In response, it was said: “One who performs sacrifice with wealth obtained unjustly, even if desiring righteousness, does not attain the fruit of righteousness. If a wicked soul, lowest among men, gives gifts to Brahmins merely for show before others, or if one, driven by unchecked greed for wealth, performs intense recitations and gives gifts at the end for purification, such gifts are fruitless. For those engaged in unrighteousness, violence, and evil, their gifts bear no result. When wealth is acquired through delusion and then given or sacrificed, the tainted actions render the gift ineffective. But when wealth is obtained lawfully and offered at a sacred place, with no desire for reward, then sacrifice and giving are fruitful. Such a giver attains happiness; through giving, he enjoys pleasures, and through truth, he reaches heaven. By well-performed austerity, he sustains the worlds and gains endless brilliance among them. Giving is greater than sacrifice, and austerity is greater still; renunciation surpasses austerity, and knowledge is supreme among all. There have indeed been ascetics who attained perfection, though born among warriors and twice-born alike: Viśvāmitra the king, Māndhātṛ, Saṃkṛti, Kapi, Purukutsa, Satya, Anṛhava, Ṛthu, Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, Amīḍha, Bhāga, Anyasta, Kakṣīva, Śijaya, Rathītara, Runda, and the kings led by Viṣṇuvṛddha. These, though born as Kṣatriyas, became sages through their austerity and achieved great perfection. Now, let me speak further of the lineage of the great-souled Ayu. Sūta continued: “From Svarbhānu and Prabhā were born five mighty and noble sons, renowned among kings. Among them, Nahuṣa is remembered as the first, followed by Putradharma. Dharmavṛddha’s son was Sutahotra, famed for his greatness. Sutahotra had three supremely righteous heirs: Kāśa, Śala, and the mighty Gṛtsamada. Gṛtsamada’s son was Śunaka, whose son was Śaunaka. From this line descended Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras. In their lineage, diverse Brahmins arose through various deeds. Śala’s son was Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, who continued the wandering of his ancestors. The Śaunakas and Ārṣṭiṣeṇas, both twice-born and accompanied by Kṣatriyas, were prominent, as were Kāśa’s son Kāśa and Dīrghatapās. From the learned and greatly austere Dīrghatapās was born Dharma, and from him came Dhanvantari, radiant with immense ascetic power. The sages then asked Sūta, ‘How did the god Dhanvantari take birth among humans? Please tell us the story in a pleasing manner.’ Sūta replied: ‘Listen, O twice-born, to the origin of Dhanvantari. In ancient times, at the edge of the ocean, when the nectar was being churned, Dhanvantari emerged first, enveloped in splendor from all sides. Seeing his perfect form, the Unborn One was amazed and declared, “You are unborn,” and so he became known as Aja. Aja then spoke to Viṣṇu: “Lord, I am your son. Assign to me a share and a place in the world, O best of gods.” Viṣṇu, having considered him, replied, “The division of the sacrifice has already been made, and the gods have received their shares. The ritual offerings prescribed in the Vedas by the great sages cannot be performed equally here by means of sacrifice at any time.