After Nikumbha uttered his curse upon the city, he led it before Mahādeva, the Great Lord. Mahādeva, the Supreme Self, responded by making the city empty, bereft of its inhabitants. Yet, in that very place, a goddess of divine splendor—equal in radiance to the great-souled goddess herself—took delight, as did Maheśvara, whenever she rejoiced. However, the goddess found no true pleasure there, her heart unsettled by the marvel of the empty house. Observing her restlessness and for the sake of her play, the Lord addressed her gently. Smiling, he declared, “I will not leave this house, for Avimukta is my home.” With affection, he repeated, “Avimukta is indeed my home. I shall not go, O goddess; you may depart if you wish, but I shall remain here and delight.” Thus, that sacred place came to be known as Avimukta, as proclaimed by the Lord himself. So it was that Vārāṇasī, once cursed, became Avimukta, the dwelling of the god who is honored by all the gods throughout the three ages, Maheśvara abiding there with the goddess. Yet, in the age of Kali, that city of the great-souled one becomes invisible; when it disappears, it manifests elsewhere. In time, Varanasi, having borne the curse, was resettled. A hundred valiant archers, the sons of Bhadrasrenya, arrived there. King Divodasa slew them and established his own settlement, thus seizing the kingdom of Bhadrasrenya by force. Bhadrasrenya’s son, Durdama, was but a child, and out of compassion, Divodasa spared his life. From Divodasa and Rishadvati was born a heroic son named Pratardana. Even as a youth, Pratardana attacked the kingdom once more. At that time, the great king Divodasa brought an end to their enmity. Pratardana went on to have two illustrious sons, Vatsa and Garga. Vatsa’s son was Alarka, and Alarka’s own son was Sannati. Of Alarka, the royal sage composed two ancient verses, for Alarka, the foremost among the Kashi, remained youthful in appearance for sixty thousand and sixty hundred years. By the grace of Lopamudra, he attained the longest span of life. When the curse had run its course, the mighty-armed king, after defeating the demon Kṣemakara, made the delightful city of Varanasi his abode. Sannati too had a virtuous heir named Sunitha, whose own heir was Suketu, also righteous. Suketu’s son was known as Dharmaketu, and his heir was Satyaketu, a mighty charioteer. Satyaketu’s son was Vibhu, lord of the people; Vibhu’s son was Suvibhu, and from him came Sukumara. Sukumara’s son was Dhṛṣṭaketu, a righteous ruler, and his heir was Veṇuhotra, lord of the people. Veṇuhotra’s son was the renowned Gārgya; Gārgya’s son was Gargabhūmi, and Vātsya was the wise son of Vatsa. From these two lines were born sons who became both Brahmins and Kshatriyas—exceedingly righteous, valiant, powerful, and as courageous as lions. Thus the Kāśyapas have been described. Now, hear of Raji. Raji had five hundred mighty sons upon the earth, a Kshatriya line known as the Rājeyas, whose power struck fear even in Indra, king of the gods. It came to pass that a fierce battle arose between the gods and the demons. Both parties approached the Grandsire, Brahma, and asked, “O Lord of all worlds, tell us: in the battle between us, who will be the victor? We wish to know.” Brahma replied, “Whomever the mighty Rajī supports in battle—without doubt, they will conquer the three worlds. Where Rajī is, there is fortune; where fortune is, there is steadfastness; where steadfastness is, there is righteousness; and where righteousness is, there is victory.” Upon hearing of Rajī’s destined victory, all the gods and demons, hearts gladdened, approached and honored the best of kings. They said to him, “For our victory, take up your excellent bow.” Rajī declared, “I will defeat the gods, led by Indra, in battle; then, being righteous, I shall become Indra and fight in the war.” The demons said, “Prahlāda is our Indra; for his sake we seek victory. At this time, O king, remain on our side, not with Aditi’s son.” Rajī agreed, saying, “So be it.” The gods also urged him, saying, “You will become Indra after victory.” Rajī then struck down all the demons before the wielder of the thunderbolt, Indra, and restored to the gods the supreme splendor they had lost. Having slain all the demons, the mighty Rajī spoke, and Indra, together with the gods, addressed him. Claiming, “I am Rajī’s son,” Indra said, “You are Indra, king of the gods, without doubt; since I am your son, O slayer of foes, I will attain fame.” But Rajī, deceived by Indra’s illusion, was pleased and replied, “So be it.” When Rajī, equal to the gods, ascended to heaven, his sons took from Indra his share of the inheritance and his position. Those hundreds of sons, and the seat of Śacī’s lord, entered the heavenly world in many ways, joining the realm of the gods. After a long time had passed, mighty Indra, deprived of his kingdom and share, spoke to Bṛhaspati, his priest: “Prepare for me an offering the size of a jujube fruit, O Brahmarṣi, so that, nourished by its energy, I may endure.