Hear now the tale of ancient kings and sages, as recounted in the sacred tradition. Karandhama was born to Trisānu, but the famous king Marutta was not his son. In fact, the Marutta spoken of in earlier times was an entirely different king, not descended from Karandhama at all. This Marutta had no heir, as is well known, and when the time came to choose a successor, all deemed the son of Duṣkṛta, who belonged to the Paurava line, unfit for kingship. Thus it happened, by the curse of Yayāti and through the natural succession of generations, that Turvasu entered the Paurava lineage. Duṣkṛta’s heir was a king named Śarūtha, from whom came Janāpīḍa. Janāpīḍa had four sons: Pāṇḍya, Kerala, Cola, and Kulya. These sons established their own peoples, who became known as the Kulyas, Pāṇḍyas, Colas, and the people of Kerala. Druhyu, another ancient king, had two renowned and valiant sons—Babhru and Setu. Setu’s son was Aruddha, and Babhru’s son was called Ripu. Aruddha, mighty in battle, was eventually slain with great difficulty by Yauvanāśva, after a war that lasted fourteen months. Aruddha’s heir was a king named Gāndhāra, after whom the great region of Gāndhāra was named. The horses bred in that land became famous as the finest steeds. Gāndhāra’s son was Dharma, and Dharma’s son was Ghṛta. Ghṛta’s son was Durdama, and Durdama’s son was Pracetā. Pracetā had a hundred sons, all of whom became kings and ruled over foreign lands, settling in the northern direction. Anu, another illustrious figure, had three great and supremely righteous sons: Sabhānara, Pakṣa, and Parapakṣa. Sabhānara’s son was the wise king Kālānala. In this line was also born a righteous king named Sṛñjaya, whose nature was as virtuous as the fire at the end of time. Sṛñjaya’s son was the heroic king Purañjaya, and to Purañjaya was born Janamejaya, famed for his strength. Janamejaya, the royal sage, had a son named Mahāśāla, who became a mighty king. One among these kings was as glorious as Indra himself, his fame established even in the heavens. His virtuous son, born to Mahāśāla, was Mahāmanā. Mahāmanā, lord of the seven continents and a universal emperor of great renown, begot two illustrious sons: Uśīnara, who was well-versed in righteousness, and Titikṣu, who was also virtuous. Uśīnara’s wives gave birth to five sons, all descended from royal sages. These wives were Mṛgā, Kṛmī, Navā, Darvā, and Dṛṣadvatī. From them were born five sons—each a leader of his clan, each growing strong through great austerity and righteousness. Mṛgā’s son was Mṛga; Navā’s son was Nava; Kṛmī’s son was Kṛmi; Darvā’s son was Suvrata, a virtuous man; and Dṛṣadvatī’s son was Śivi. Śivi’s city became known as Śivapura, while Mṛga’s city was famed as Yaudheya. Nava’s territory was called Navarāṣṭra, Kṛmi’s city was Kṛmilā, and Suvrata’s was Vṛṣṭā. Śivi himself had four sons, renowned throughout the world: Vṛṣadarbha, Suvīra, Kekaya, and Madraka. Their lands flourished, becoming known as the Kekayas, Madrakas, Vṛṣadarbhas, and Sūcidarbhas. Now, hear of the people of Titikṣu. Titikṣu became a famous king ruling in the eastern direction, and his son was the mighty-armed Uśadratha. Hema’s son was Sutapā, and Sutapā’s son was the powerful Sutayaśā, who was born among humans when the lineage was diminished and there was a great desire for offspring. Among these was the great yogi, Bali. Though bound, he was magnanimous, and he produced sons who established the four social orders on earth. He begot Aṅga, Vaṅga, Suhla, Puṇḍra, Kaliṅga, and Bāleya—these are known as the Kṣatriya clans. The Bāleyas and the Brāhmaṇas were his descendants. To Bali, the wise, Brahmā granted boons out of affection: great yogic power, a long life measured by a kalpa, invincibility in battle, and eminence in righteousness. He was granted the vision of the three worlds, preeminence in progeny, unmatched strength, and insight into the essence and meaning of righteousness. Brahmā said to him, “You shall establish the four fixed classes.” Thus addressed, King Bali attained supreme peace and, in due course, the wise one reached his own place. The lands of his sons flourished—Vanga, Anga, Suhila, Pundras, and Kalingas. All his sons were born of the field, descended from sages, begotten in Sudenna by the great sage Dirghatamas. The sages then inquired, “How were five sons of Bali born of the field, O Lord, by the sage Dirghatamas? Tell us, as we ask.” The Suta replied: There was once a renowned and wise sage named Ashija. His wife was Mamata, a woman of great soul. The youngest of Ashija’s lineage, who was the priest of the gods, was Brihaspati, a sage of great brilliance. Brihaspati approached Mamata, but Mamata, unwilling, spoke to him, “I am already pregnant with your elder brother’s child, eight months along. This great embryo pleases me greatly, O Brihaspati. Ashija, uttering the six-limbed Veda, is Brahma incarnate. Your seed is unfailing, yet you should not unite with me; let it be as you wish, when the time comes.” Thus addressed by her, Brihaspati, driven by desire, did not restrain himself.