From Krishashva, a noble soul who had performed a hundred Ashvamedha sacrifices, was born the illustrious Somadatta. In time, Somadatta’s line continued with his son, Janamejaya, and from Janamejaya was born Sumati. These noble kings were the rulers of Vaiśālī. It is said in a revered verse that, by the grace of the sage Tṛṇabindu, all the kings of Vaiśālī were long-lived, great-souled, powerful, and supremely righteous. Śaryāti, another celebrated king, had a daughter named Sukanyā, who became the wife of the sage Cyavana. Śaryāti’s son was Ānarta, renowned for his righteousness. Ānarta’s son was Revata, who ruled the land known as Ānarta and resided in the splendid city of Kuśasthalī. Revata, in turn, had a son named Raivata, also called Kakudmin, the eldest among a hundred brothers and a soul of great virtue. Raivata had a daughter, Revatī, a maiden of exceptional qualities. Wishing to find a worthy husband for her, Raivata took Revatī and journeyed to the world of Brahmā, the blessed Lotus-born, to seek his counsel regarding a suitable suitor. While they were in Brahmā’s presence, the Gandharvas named Hāhā and Hūhū sang a divine song called Atitāna. As this celestial music filled the air, ages passed on earth, the cycles of time turned, but to Raivata, entranced by the melody, it seemed but a moment. When the song ended, Raivata bowed before the blessed Brahmā and humbly asked which suitor would be worthy of his daughter. Brahmā, with gentle kindness, invited him to name those he had in mind. Raivata then listed the suitors he considered suitable, asking which one Brahmā would approve for his daughter. Brahmā, smiling softly and with his head slightly bowed, replied, “Those whom you desire—none of them remain on earth with descendants of sons or grandsons. While you listened to the Gandharva song, many ages have passed. The twenty-eighth cycle of Manu has nearly completed its four ages, and the Kali age is near. All your sons, friends, wives, ministers, servants, relatives, armies, and treasures have, in the course of time, completely passed away. This jewel among maidens must now be given by you, alone, to another who is worthy and whom you desire.” Hearing this, the king was seized with fear and bowed to the Blessed One, asking, “O blessed one, in this situation, to whom should this maiden not be given?” The Lotus-born, teacher of all worlds, with head bowed and hands joined, spoke solemnly: “We do not know the beginning, middle, or end of the Unborn, the source of all, who is everything; nor do we know the true form, the supreme nature, or the essence of the Supreme Lord. Time, with its moments and hours, does not bring change to His glory—He is birthless, deathless, ever of one form, without name or shape, eternal. By His grace, I, in the form of Acyuta, create beings and bring about their end; from His wrath arises Rudra, the cause of dissolution; and from Him, in the middle, is the Puruṣa, distinct from the supreme. “He assumes forms to create, preserves as the Puruṣa, and upholds the universe as Rudra—the infinite-bodied One encompasses all. For ripening, He becomes fire; as the earth-formed soul, He supports the worlds; as Indra and others, He protects the universe; as sun and moon, He dispels darkness. He is the breath of life, the water and food that satisfy the world, and as space, He gives all room. He is the creator, protector, and destroyer of the universe—the imperishable essence of these three. “In Him, this world abides; even the self-born has taken refuge in Him. O king, the source of all beings has descended here in a portion of Himself, to nourish you. Your delightful city Kuśasthalī, once like Amarāvatī, now exists as Dvārakā, where that portion of Keśava known as Baladeva abides. To him, O king, give this daughter as wife to the illustrious son of your enemy, who is worthy of praise; this jewel among women is a fitting match.” Thus instructed by Brahmā, Raivata returned to earth. There, he saw that men were now short, deformed, lacking strength, discernment, and valor. Arriving at Kuśasthalī, which had been transformed, the wise king gave his daughter—whose breast was like a crystal mountain—to Śīrāyudha. Observing her great stature, Tālaketu touched her with the tip of his plough, and at once she became a woman of ordinary form, thus fitting her to her new age and destiny.