Assuming countless forms, the Supreme Being creates, preserves, and upholds the universe. As the Puruṣa, He maintains all existence; as Rudra, He sustains the cosmic order. His infinite nature encompasses everything. When it is time for ripening, He becomes fire; as the soul of the earth, He supports the worlds. Taking the forms of Indra and other deities, He protects the universe; as the sun and the moon, He dispels all darkness. He is the very breath of life in all beings; as water and food, He nourishes the world. Firmly established in the maintenance of the cosmos, He manifests as space, granting room for all to exist. He alone creates the creation, protects and watches over it as the divine guardian, is the soul of the universe, and ultimately destroys it. Yet, He remains the imperishable essence underlying all these three aspects. In Him, this world—the foremost of worlds—abides. Even the self-born Brahmā has taken refuge in Him. It is He, O Earth, who is the source of all beings, who has now descended here in a portion of Himself to nourish you, O king. Your splendid city, Kuśasthalī, which once rivaled Amarāvatī in beauty, now exists as Dvārakā. There, a portion of Keśava, known as Baladeva, resides. Therefore, O king, give your daughter in marriage to the illustrious son of your former enemy, for he is worthy of praise and she is a jewel among women—a fitting match. Śrī Parāśara continued: Thus addressed by Brahmā, the lord of the people descended to earth and saw that men had become short, deformed, weak, and lacking discernment and valor. Arriving at the city of Kuśasthalī and seeing how it had changed, the wise king gave his daughter—whose breast was like a crystal mountain—to Śīrāyudha. Observing her towering stature, Tālaketu touched her lightly with the tip of his plough, and instantly she assumed an ordinary human form. Śīrāyudha then duly married Revatī, the daughter of King Raivata. Having given his daughter in marriage, the self-controlled king departed to Hemālaya to undertake ascetic practices. Śrī Parāśara continued: While King Kakudmī Raivata was still away in Brahmaloka, the virtuous city of Kuśasthalī was destroyed by Rākṣasas of the Tamas class. Out of fear of these Rākṣasas, Raivata’s hundred brothers scattered in all directions, and their descendants became Kṣatriyas throughout the regions of the earth. From Vṛṣṭa arose the Vārṣṭaka Kṣatriya lineage. Nābhāga’s son was Nābhāgasaṃtra, whose son was Ambarīṣa. Ambarīṣa’s son was Virūpa, from whom Pṛṣadaśva was born, followed by Rathītara. A verse is remembered: These, born of Kṣatriya lineage, are also known as descendants of Aṅgiras. Among the Rathītaras, the foremost are those twice-born who have adopted the Kṣatriya order. From Manu, who was afflicted by hunger, was born his son Ikṣvāku, emerging from his nose. Ikṣvāku had three principal sons: Vikukṣi, Nimi, and Daṇḍa. Fifty of his sons, led by Śakuni, became protectors of the northern lands, while forty-eight ruled over the southern regions. Once, Ikṣvāku performed the śrāddha for his ancestors and ordered his son Vikukṣi, “Bring meat suitable for the śrāddha.” Accepting the task, Vikukṣi took up his bow, entered the forest, and slew many animals. Weary, extremely hungry, and afflicted, he ate a hare himself, and brought the rest of the meat to his father. Vasiṣṭha, the preceptor of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, was asked to purify the offering. But he declared, “This meat has been defiled by your wicked son, for he has eaten a hare; it is impure.” Thus rebuked by his teacher, Vikukṣi was given the name Śaśāda and was abandoned by his father. Yet, after his father passed away, Śaśāda ruled the earth righteously. Śaśāda’s son was Purañjaya. Now, listen to the story of Purañjaya. Long ago, in the Tretā age, a terrible battle broke out between the gods and the demons. The gods were defeated by the exceedingly powerful demons, and so they worshipped the blessed Viṣṇu. Nārāyaṇa, the eternal refuge of all worlds, who has neither beginning nor end, was pleased and spoke to the gods: “I know your desire. Listen to what must be done. Purañjaya, the son of Śaśāda, a royal sage and foremost among Kṣatriyas, will be my own portion descended into his body. Through him, I will destroy those demons. Therefore, make preparations with Purañjaya for the destruction of your enemies.” Hearing these words, the gods bowed to the blessed Viṣṇu and went to Purañjaya. They addressed him: “O best of Kṣatriyas, we seek your help in destroying our enemies. Since we have come to you, you must not refuse us.” Purañjaya replied, “If Indra, the lord of the three worlds, Śatakratu himself, bears me on his shoulders in battle against your enemies, then I will be your ally.