In the ancient lineage of noble kings, Samara’s sons—Para, Satvada, and a third—stood out for their exemplary virtues. From Para came Vrisha, and Vrisha’s son was Sukriti, renowned for his righteous deeds. Sukriti begot Vibraja, a prince endowed with every noble quality. Vibraja’s heir was Anuha, a king of great renown, who became the son-in-law of the sage Shuka and the father of the illustrious Rishi. Anuha’s line continued with Brahmadatta, famed for his austerity. Brahmadatta’s son was Yogasunu, and from him descended Vishvaksena, who ascended the throne. In this line, some radiant sons became kings through questionable means, and Vishvaksena’s own son was named Udaksena. Bhallāta succeeded Udaksena, and it was Bhallāta who, in a fateful turn, slew the king before him. Bhallāta’s heir was the king Janamejaya, during whose time the mighty Ugrāyudha destroyed many other kings. Curiosity arose about Ugrāyudha—whose son was he, and in which lineage was he famed? What led him to destroy so many kings? The answer lay in the line of Dvimīḍha, whose son was the learned Yavīnara. Yavīnara’s son was steadfast, and his son was Satyadhṛti. From Satyadhṛti came Dṛḍhanemi, a mighty figure, and Dṛḍhanemi’s son was the king Suvarmā. Suvarmā’s son, Sārvabhauma, grew renowned for his strength and became the sole sovereign of the earth. In this illustrious line, the son of Mahatpaurava was born, known as Rukmaratha. Rukmaratha’s son was Supārśva, a righteous king, and Supārśva’s son was Sumati. From Sumati came the humble and virtuous Sanati, whose son was Kṛta. Kṛta became a devoted disciple of the great Kauthuma Hiraṇyanābha, from whom he learned the Sāma Saṃhitās in twenty-four branches. These teachings became known as the Eastern recensions, cherished by the singers of Sāman. In this same noble line was born Kārti Ugrāyudha, the heroic descendant of Paurava. Kārti Ugrāyudha, displaying great valor, slew the ancestor of Pṛṣata, killing the mighty-armed Nīla, lord of the Pañcālas. Ugrāyudha’s son was the illustrious Kṣema; from Kṣema came Suvīra, then Nṛpañjaya, and from him Vīraratha—all remembered as the Pauravas. Elsewhere, from Ajamīḍha and his queen Nīlinī was born King Nīla, whose intense austerities produced Suśānti. Suśānti’s son was Purujānu, whose son was Rikṣa. From Rikṣa sprang five sons and their lines: Mudgala, Sṛñjaya, Bṛhadiṣu, the valiant younger Yavīyān, and Kampilya. For their protection, their father advised them, and these five, each ruling prosperous realms, became renowned as the Pañcālas. From Mudgala descended the Maudgalyas, twice-born with kṣatriya heritage. These Angirasas, taking refuge in this region, became known as the Mudghalas of the Kaṇṭha clan. Mudgala’s eldest son was supremely learned in the Vedas and famed throughout the land. From Indrasenā, Badhyaśva was born, and from Badhyaśva, twins known as Menakā. Among them was Divodāsa, the royal sage, and the illustrious Ahalyā. Ahalyā bore a son to Śāradvat, named Śatānanda, foremost among sages. Śatānanda’s son, steadfast in truth and a master of archery, was named Satyadhṛti. Once, as Satyadhṛti beheld an apsaras, his seed fell upon a clump of reeds, and there a child was born. Out of compassion, Śantanu, while hunting, found and raised this child, who became known as Kṛpa. From him also came Gautamī, called Kṛpī. These descendants of Śāradvat were called Ṛtathyas, belonging to the Gautama lineage. Turning again to Divodāsa’s line, his heir was King Mitrayu, supremely learned in the Vedas. From Maitreya came Smṛta, who too belonged to this line. These, taking refuge in their lineage, became Bhārgavas with kṣatriya affiliation. From them was born the learned king Cyavana, from whom Pratiratha descended. Cyavana’s line continued with the wise Sudāsa, whose sons were Saudāsa, Sahadeva, and Somaka. When the lineage had dwindled, Ajamīḍha was reborn. His son was Somaka, and to that noble king were born a hundred sons. Among Ajamīḍha’s sons, the youngest was Pṛṣata, grandfather of Drupada. Pṛṣata’s son was Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Dhṛṣṭaketu was his son. Ajamīḍha’s chief queen, Dhūminī, was the mother of sons. In her next birth, Dhūminī performed severe austerities for a hundred years, remaining pure, subsisting on little food, and ever wakeful by the sacrificial fire. She slept only on kuśa grass, day and night. In her, as Dhūmravarṇā, the mighty Ajamīḍha was born. He begot Ṛkṣa, elder brother of Sitā, upon Dhūmravarṇā. From Ṛkṣa came Saṃvaraṇa, and from Saṃvaraṇa, Kuru was born. Kuru journeyed to Prayāga and established the sacred land of Kurukṣetra. With great energy, he ploughed the land for many years. As he did so, Indra appeared and granted him a boon, and that land became holy, delightful, and a place frequented by the virtuous.