When the time came for Gandini, a blessed and virtuous maiden, to be born into the world, her father urged her, saying, “Be born quickly, O blessed one! Why do you remain?” Remarkably, Gandini replied to him each day from within the womb, saying, “If I am given, then I will be born; if I am desired, father, then so be it.” Hearing her words, her father agreed, “So be it,” and fulfilled her wish. In due course, Gandini gave birth to a son renowned for his generosity, learning, and heroism—a great sacrificer and host to all guests. This son was Akrūra, also called Śvaphalka, famous for his abundant gifts. Akrūra’s children were many: Upamaṅgu, Maṅgur, Mṛdura, Arimejaya, Girirakṣa, Yakṣa, Śatrughna, and Vārimardana; also Dharmabhṛt, Śṛṣṭacaya, Vargamoca, Āvāha, Prativāha, and a daughter, Vasudeva, an excellent woman. From Akrūra and Ugrasena were born two sons, Deva and Anupadeva, shining with divine qualities and bringing delight to their lineage. Citraka’s sons were Pṛthu, Vipṛthu, Aśvagrīva, Aśvabāhu, Supārśva, and Kagaveṣaṇa. Among others born were Ariṣṭanemi, Aśva, Suvarmā, Varmacarmabhṛt, Abhūmi, Bahubhūmi, and two daughters, Śraviṣṭhā and Śravaṇā. Satyakā, daughter of Kāśi, bore four sons: Kakuda, Bhajamāna, Śamīka, and Balabarhiṣa. Kakuda’s son was Vṛṣṭi, and Vṛṣṭi’s son was Kapotaromā, whose son was Revata. Revata had a learned son, a friend of the celestial musician Tumburu, famed as Candana-udaka-dundubhi. From him was born Abhijit, and his son was Punarvasu, who, desiring a son, performed the great Aśvamedha sacrifice. During that Atirātra sacrifice, from the very center of the sacrificial hall, the learned, righteous, and generous Punarvasu arose. He too had twin children: Bāhubāṇa and Ajita, and also Āhuka and Āhukī, both celebrated among the wise. Of Āhuka, many verses are sung, describing his followers, mighty banners, and vast armies. He possessed ten thousand chariots that thundered like the heavens. Truthful and steadfast in sacrifice, Āhuka was never impure, unrighteous, ignorant, or weak. His son Dhṛti was renowned for the same virtues. With a white attendant and horses yoked in eighty pairs, swift as young colts, Āhuka advanced in majesty. In the east, twenty-one thousand of Bhoja’s elephants shone, adorned with silver and gold armor. An equal number resounded in the north, their bells ringing out the glory of Bhoja, lord of the earth. Āhuka gave his sister Āhukī in marriage to Āhukāndha, whose daughter bore two sons: Devaka and Ugrasena, both radiant with divine splendor. Devaka’s daughters were heroic and godlike, and among them Sudeva was the foremost, adorned by the gods. Seven sisters were given in marriage to Vasudeva: Vṛkadevā, Upadevā, Devarakṣitā, Śrīdevā, Śāntidevā, Mahādevā, and another. Of these, Devakī was the seventh, famed for her beauty. Ugrasena had nine sons, with Kaṃsa as the eldest, followed by Nyagrodha, Sunāma, Kadva, Śaṃku, Bhūmaya, Sūtanū, Rāṣṭrapāla, Yuddhatuṣṭa, and Supuṣṭimān. Their five sisters were Karmadharmavatī, Śatāṅkrū, Rāṣṭrāpālā, Kaṅvā, and Varāṅganā, an excellent woman. Ugrasena, the great lord, was famous as a descendant of the mighty Kukura lineage. It is said that one who upholds this noble line of the Kukuras finds prosperity in his own family and lineage. Bhajamāna’s son was Vidūratha, foremost among charioteers, whose sons were Rājyādhideva, Śūra, and Vidura. Śūra had sons of great strength: Vāta, Nivāta, Śoṇita, and Śvetavāhana. Śamī, Gadavarmā, Nidāta, and Śakraśakrajit were also his descendants. Śamī’s son was Pratikṣipta, and his son was Svayambhoja, from whom Hṛdika was born. Hṛdika had ten sons of tremendous valor, with Kṛtavarmā as the eldest, followed by Kṛta, Śatadhanvā, Devārha, Vanārha, Bhiṣag, Dvaitaratha, Sudānta, Dhiyānta, Nakavān, and Kanakodbhava. Devārha’s learned son was Kambalabarhiṣa, whose son was Asamaujā, famed for his might. To the childless Asamaujā were given Sudaṃṣṭra and Surūpa, known as the Andhakas, and also Kṛṣṇa. It is proclaimed that whoever recites this lineage of the Andhakas with devotion will surely see his own family flourish. Śūra also begot a son of divine-human nature upon Asmakī, and another illustrious son upon Māṣyā. With Bhāṣyā, Śūra fathered ten men among the Bhojas. Among them was Vasudeva, mighty-armed, who was formerly called Ānakadundubhi. At his birth, celestial drums resounded in the sky, and a great tumult of kettledrums arose in the heavens. A shower of flowers fell upon Śūra’s house, and in all the world, none could match Vasudeva in beauty on this earth.