The Sun, radiant and powerful, addressed the king with a request: “O best of givers, grant me all immovable things as my food. Only by this offering will I be satisfied—nothing else will appease my hunger, O king.” In humility, the king replied, “O foremost of the burning ones, it is not within human power to burn all that is immovable. I bow to you alone in reverence.” Pleased by the king’s devotion, the Sun spoke again: “I am satisfied with you. Take these arrows—unfailing and delightful in every way. When you release them, they will blaze, empowered by my own energy. By my command, your strength will dry up the ocean of clouds. I shall make the land dry and turn it to ashes—such is my favor to you, O king.” With these words, the Sun bestowed the divine arrows upon Arjuna. Receiving these weapons, Arjuna unleashed their power and destroyed all that was immovable upon the earth. Hermitages, villages, cowherd settlements, cities, sacred groves, forests, and gardens—everything was consumed in the conflagration. Beginning in the east and circling the Sun, the earth was scorched by the Sun’s energy, left barren and bereft of trees or grass. At that very time, a great sage was immersed in the waters, having dwelt there for ten thousand years in the pursuit of his vow. When his austerities were complete, the radiant ascetic emerged, only to witness his hermitage reduced to ashes by Arjuna’s deed. Angered, the sage pronounced a curse upon the royal sage, as has been recounted in tradition. Now, listen to the noble lineage of that royal sage, who descended from Kroṣṭṛ. From Kroṣṭṛ’s line was born Vṛṣṇi, the foremost among the Vṛṣṇi clan. Kroṣṭṛ’s son was the illustrious Vṛjinīvat, and those seeking the best among the Svāhi and Svāhova lineages looked to Vārjinīvat. From Svāhā came a son, King Raśādu, renowned as the best of givers, and those who desired the foremost son of Raśādu, born of clarified butter, sought him. Consecrated with great and generous sacrifices, Raśādu’s son was Citraratha, whose remarkable deeds set him apart. Citraratha, valiant and generous, performed abundant sacrifices, and among royal sages, Śaśabindu was renowned for his conduct. Śaśabindu was a universal monarch, strong, valorous, and blessed with many sons. Of him, the sages of old sang ancestral verses. Śaśabindu had a hundred sons, all wise and richly endowed with wealth and brilliance. Among them, six were especially mighty and powerful: Pṛthuṣāṭka, Pṛthuśravā, Pṛthuyaśā, Pṛthudharma, and Pṛthuñjaya. Pṛthukīrtti and Pṛthundāta were also kings among the Śaśibindus. The ancient texts further recount that, apart from Pārthaśravas, Antara was a son born of sacrifice. Uśanā, righteous in nature, having obtained the earth, performed a hundred excellent horse sacrifices. His son was Marutta, renowned among royal sages, and Marutta’s son was the heroic Kambalabarhi. The wise Rukmakavaca was Kambalabarhi’s son, who, in ancient times, slew the Kavacins in battle. With sharp arrows, Rukmakavaca gained supreme wealth and was famed for his horse sacrifice, bestowing riches upon the Brahmins. After turning away from the killing of heroes, King Rukmakavaca had five sons of great strength and valor: Rukmeṣu, Pṛthurukma, Jyāmagha, Parigha, and Hari. Their father established Parigha and Hari in Videha. Brahmeṣu became king with the support of Pṛthurukma, while Jyāmagha, renouncing the throne, dwelt in a hermitage. Jyāmagha, calm in the dreadful forest and instructed by a Brahmin, took up his bow and, with chariot and banner, journeyed to the central region. Alone, he traveled by the banks of the Narmada River, through the region of Mekala, to the mountain Ṛkṣavanta, and entered Śuktiman. Jyāmagha’s wife was Śaibhyā, exceedingly strong. Though the king was childless, he remained devoted to her and took no other wife. After a victorious battle, Jyāmagha obtained a maiden and said to his wife, “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.” By the power of intense austerity, Śaibhyā bore a son, Vidarbha, and as she matured, she gave birth to him. The learned Vidarbha begot two sons, Krathu and Kaushika, both renowned warriors, through his daughter-in-law. Later, a third son, the righteous Lomapada, was born. Lomapada’s son was Avastura, whose son was Ahrita. Kaushika’s son was Cidi, from whom the kings known as the Caidyas descended. Krathu’s son by Vidarbha was Kunti, and Kunti’s son was also named Kunti. From Kunti was born the valiant Dhrishta, known as Purodhrishta, whose son was Nirvriti, righteous and a destroyer of enemy heroes. His son was Dasharha, of great strength and valor; Dasharha’s son was Vyoma, from whom Jīmūta descended. Jīmūta’s son was Vikriti, whose son was Bhīmaratha; Bhīmaratha’s son was Rathavara. Rathavara was ever generous, devoted to righteousness, steadfast in character and truth. His son was Navaratha, from whom came Dasharatha. From Dasharatha came Ekadasharatha, whose son was Shakuni. Shakuni’s son was Karambhaka, an archer, and from him was born Devarata. Devarata, the illustrious king, was also known as Devakshatra; Devakshatra’s son was Devanā, the joy of the Kshatra lineage. Thus flows the noble line, illustrious in virtue and valor.