Among the great Haihayas, there arose a king who fathered a hundred sons, renowned as the Tālavaṅghas. From this noble lineage, five distinguished clans became celebrated: the countless Vīrahotras, the Bhojas, the Avartas, the valiant Tuṇḍikeras, and the Tālavaṅghas themselves. Within the Vīrahotra clan, a king named Ananta was born, and his son Durjaya proved formidable—striking terror into the hearts of his foes. Durjaya, a ruler of inexhaustible wealth, used his power to protect his subjects faithfully. It is said that those who recount the birth of the wise Kārtavīrya here shall not suffer loss of wealth; whatever is lost, shall be regained. In this very world, such a person becomes wealthy and their righteousness increases, honored in heaven as Tvaṣṭṛ and Dātā are. The sages, eager for knowledge, asked, “For what reason did Kārtavīrya, whose might was so great, burn the world—the abode of the noble souls? We have heard he was a protector of the people; how did he, as guardian, destroy that sacred grove?” Sūta replied: “The Sun himself, taking the form of a Brāhmaṇa, approached Kārtavīrya, seeking satisfaction, and asked for food, declaring, ‘I am the Sun, without doubt.’ The king, full of reverence, responded, ‘O blessed one, tell me, O Sun, what offering will satisfy you? What kind of food shall I give? Speak, and I shall provide it.’ The Sun answered, ‘Give me all immovable things as food, O best of givers; only by that will I be satisfied.’ The king humbly replied, ‘It is not within human power to burn all that is immovable. O foremost of the burning ones, I bow to you alone.’ The Sun, pleased, said, ‘I am gratified with you. Shoot arrows—unfailing and delightful in every way. When released, they will blaze, endowed with my energy. By my command, your energy will dry up the ocean of clouds; I shall make it dry and turn it to ashes—thus am I pleased with you, O king.’ The Sun then bestowed blazing arrows upon Arjuna, and with them, he destroyed all that was immovable. Hermitages, villages, cowherd settlements, cities, sacred groves, forests, and gardens—all were burned. Beginning in the east and circling the Sun, the earth was scorched by the Sun’s energy, left barren—without trees or grass. At that time, a great sage, who had dwelt in water for ten thousand years, had taken refuge there. When his vow was complete, the radiant ascetic emerged and saw his hermitage burned by Arjuna. Filled with anger, he cursed the royal sage, as I have recounted. Now, hear of the noble lineage of this royal sage, descended from Kroṣṭṛ. From his line was born Vṛṣṇi, the foremost of the Vṛṣṇi clan. Kroṣṭṛ’s son, Vṛjinīvat, was famed, and those who sought excellence among the Svāhi and Svāhova lineages desired Vārjinīvat. From Svāhā was born the generous king Raśādu, whose son, born of clarified butter, was sought by those desiring the foremost of Raśādu’s line. Raśādu was consecrated by great sacrifices, lavishly endowed with gifts. His son Citraratha was distinguished by remarkable deeds. Citraratha, valiant, performed sacrifices with abundant offerings. Śaśabindu became renowned among royal sages for his exemplary conduct. He was a universal monarch, possessing great strength, valor, and many offspring. Concerning him, the sages of old sang ancestral verses. Śaśabindu had a hundred wise sons, all endowed with wealth and brilliance. Among them, six were foremost in might and power: Pṛthuṣāṭka, Pṛthuśravā, Pṛthuyaśā, Pṛthudharma, and Pṛthuñjaya. Pṛthukīrtti and Pṛthundāta were also kings among the Śaśibindus. The ancient texts recount, apart from Pārthaśravas, that Antara was the son born of the sacrifice. Uśanā, righteous in nature, having obtained the earth, performed a hundred excellent and virtuous horse sacrifices. Marutta, his son, was renowned among royal sages, and Marutta’s son, the heroic Kambalabarhi, was remembered in legend. Kambalabarhi’s son, Rukmakavaca, was wise and, in ancient times, slew the Kavacins in battle. With sharp arrows, the bowman gained supreme wealth and, famed for the horse sacrifice, bestowed riches upon the Brahmins. From King Rukmakavaca, after he turned away from killing heroes, five sons were born, all possessing great strength and valor: Rukmeṣu, Pṛthurukma, Jyāmagha, Parigha, and Hari. Their father established Parigha and Hari in Videha. Brahmeṣu became king, supported by Pṛthurukma, while Jyāmagha, renouncing the kingdom, dwelt in a hermitage. Calm and steadfast in a dreadful forest, instructed by a Brahmin, Jyāmagha took up his bow and, bearing a chariot and banner, journeyed to the central region. Alone by the banks of the Narmada, in the region of Mekala, he traveled to the mountain Ṛkṣavanta and then entered Śuktiman. Jyāmagha’s wife, Śaibhyā, was exceedingly strong. Though the king remained childless, he did not take another wife. After achieving victory in battle, Jyāmagha obtained a maiden and addressed his wife, saying, ‘She is our daughter-in-law.’ Śaibhyā replied, ‘So be it—let her be the daughter-in-law; the son who will be born to you, she shall be his wife.