Between the noble lineages of the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, there lived Satyā’s son, known as Vijaya. Vijaya’s son was Dhṛti, and from him came Dhṛtavrata. Dhṛtavrata’s son was Satyakarma, famed for his great deeds, and Satyakarma’s son was Adhiratha, a charioteer by profession. Adhiratha, though not Karṇa’s biological father, adopted him as his own; thus, Karṇa became known as the son of a charioteer. In this way, the story of Karṇa’s origins has been recounted. Having told you of these kings descended from Anga, I will now relate, in order and detail, the descendants of Pūru. Listen attentively. Pūru’s son was the mighty-armed King Janamejaya, whose son was Aviddha, the conqueror of the eastern lands. From Aviddha was born Pravīra, and Pravīra’s son was Manasyu. Manasyu’s son was King Jayada, and his heir was Dhundhu, a great ruler. Dhundhu’s son was Bahugavi, and Bahugavi’s son was Sañjāti. Now, hear of the descendants of Sañjāti’s son, Raudrāśva. By the celestial nymph Ghṛtācī, Raudrāśva had ten sons: Rajeyu, Kṛteyu, Vakṣeyu, Sthaṇḍileyu, Ghṛteyu, Jaleyu, and Sthaleyu were seven of them. The remaining three were Dharmeyu, Sannateyu, and Vaneyu, making ten in all. There were also others: Rudra, Śūdra, Madra, Śubhā, and Jāmalajā; Talā and Khalā, and the seven known as Gopajalā, as well as Tāmrarasā and Ratnakūṭī, among others. From these lineages arose Ātreya, whose lord was Prabhākara. The royal sage Anādṛṣṭa descended from this line, and his son was Riveyu. Riveyu’s wife was Jvalanā, the daughter of Takṣaka; in this noble lady, the royal sage begot a son named Ranti. Ranti, the son of Nara and Sarasvatī, fathered virtuous sons: Trasū, Pratiratha, and Dhruva, the last being renowned for his righteousness. Gaurī, a celebrated daughter, became the auspicious mother of Māndhātṛ. Dhurya, son of Pratiratha, had a son named Kaṇṭha, and Kaṇṭha’s son was the divine sage Medhātithi. From Kaṇṭha’s line arose the Kāṇṭhāyana brahmins. Thus, in this lineage, a daughter also bore sons. Trasū’s beloved son was Malina, a speaker of Brahman. Malina’s son was Upadāta, and Upadāta had four sons: Suṣmanta, Duṣyanta, Pravīra, and Anagha. Among them, the emperor Dauṣyanti was born, foremost among kings. In Śakuntalā, Duṣyanta begot Bharata, after whom this land came to be called Bhārata. To King Duṣyanta, a bodiless voice proclaimed, “The mother is the bellows, the father is the son; by whom he was born, he is indeed the same. Accept your son, Duṣyanta,” said Śakuntalā, speaking the truth. The voice continued, “The one who deposits the seed leads the son from the realm of Yama; you are the nourisher of the embryo—do not disregard Śakuntalā.” Bharata, in time, begot nine sons from three wives, but the king did not accept them, saying, “They are not suitable for me.” Angered, those mothers sent their sons to the realm of Yama, and thus the king’s lineage was left unfulfilled. At this time, the Maruts brought a son to Bṛhaspati, and Bharadvāja was transferred by the Maruts, powerful through their sacrifices. Here is recounted the noble birth of Bharadvāja and his transfer by the Maruts to Bharata. When the sage’s wife was near to giving birth, the sage was present. Seeing his brother’s wife, Bṛhaspati said to her, “Adorn yourself, O beautiful one, and grant me union.” She replied, “O lord, I am pregnant; the embryo is mature and already utters Brahman with its voice.” She continued, “Your seed is unfailing, yet this act is unrighteous.” Bṛhaspati smiled and replied, instructing her not to teach Vinaya in any way, and, delighted, he forcibly approached her. Then, the embryo, rejoicing, spoke to Bṛhaspati, “Father Bṛhaspati, I was already present here before. Your seed is unfailing, but there is no room for two.” Angered at being hindered at such a time, Bṛhaspati declared, “Because you have prevented me when all beings desire this, you shall enter deep darkness for long.” The mother’s entrance, covered between her feet, was blocked by Bṛhaspati’s seed, and so the child was restrained between the two. When the boy was born, Mamatā said, “I will go to my own house, O Bṛhaspati; this is Bharadvāja.” Having spoken thus, she left, and the son was abandoned at that moment. Being told, “Bear him well,” Bharadvāja thus came to be. Seeing the child abandoned by both mother and father, the compassionate Maruts took Bharadvāja with them. At that time, Bharata performed sacrifices with the Maruts, longing for a son, but did not obtain one. Again, he performed the Marutsoma sacrifice for a son. Pleased by his devotion, the Maruts granted him Bharadvāja, the wise son of Bṛhaspati, as his own. Thus, Bharata, having received Bharadvāja as his son, declared with joy, “Now that my lineage is restored, I am fulfilled by you, O illustrious one.