From the noble line of Anu was born Ānakadundubhi, and after him came Abhijit and Abhijita, followed by Punarvasu. Punarvasu had two children: a son named Āhuka and a daughter named Āhukī. Āhuka’s lineage continued through his two sons, Devaka and Ugrasena. Devaka became the father of four sons—Devavān, Upadeva, Sahadeva, and Devarakṣitā—and seven daughters: Vṛkadevā, Upadevā, Devarakṣitā, Śrīdevā, Śāntidevā, Sahadevā, and Devakī. All these daughters were wedded to Vasudeva. Ugrasena, the other son of Āhuka, had many sons, among whom Kaṃsa was prominent, along with Nyagrodha, Sunāma, Nakāhva, Śaṅku, Subhūmi, Rāṣṭrapāla, Yuddhatuṣṭi, Sutuṣṭi, and Matsa. Ugrasena’s daughters were Kaṃsā, Kaṃsavatī, Sutanū, and Rāṣṭrapalikā. Meanwhile, from Bhajamāna was born Vidūratha, who begot Śūra. Śūra’s son was Śamī, from whom came Pratikṣatra, then Svayaṃbhoja, and then Hṛdika. Hṛdika’s sons were Kṛtavarmā, Śatadhanvan, Davārha, Devagarbha, and others. Devagarbha too had a son named Śūra. This Śūra took Mārīṣā as his wife, and together they had ten sons, among whom Vasudeva and Ūrva were notable. When Vasudeva was born in their house, the gods, perceiving the descent of a divine portion, sounded celestial drums and dundubhis in celebration. Because of this wondrous event, the child came to be known as Ānakadundubhi. Vasudeva had nine brothers: Devabhāga, Devaśravā, Aṣṭaka, Kakud, Cakravata, Sadhāraka, Sṛṃjaya, Śyāma, and Śamikagañjūṣa. Vasudeva and his brothers had five sisters: Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravā, and Rājādhidevī. Śūra had a dear friend named Kuntir, who was without children. Out of affection and in accordance with custom, Śūra gave his daughter Pṛthā to Kuntir. Later, Pṛthā became the wife of Pandur. In her, through the blessings of Dharma, Vayu, and Indra, were born three sons: Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, and Arjuna. Even before her marriage, by the grace of a radiant divine being, she bore a son named Karna, known as a Kānīna. Pṛthā’s co-wife was Madri. In Madri, through the twin Ashvins, were born Nakula and Sahadeva, the sons of Pandu. Śrutadevā, one of the sisters, was married to Vriddhadharma, king of Karusha. She bore a son who was a great asura named Dantavakra. Śrutakīrti became the wife of the king of Kekaya and was blessed with five sons, beginning with Santardana. From Rājādhidevī were born the Avanti princes, Vindya and Anuvindya. Śrutaśravā was wedded to Damaghosha, the king of Chedi, and their son was Shishupala. This Shishupala, in a previous birth, was the mighty and noble Hiranyakashipu, the foremost among the Daityas. He was slain by the Lord Himself, the teacher of all worlds, in the form of Narasimha. Again, endowed with great strength, heroism, prosperity, and the combined power of all the lords of the three worlds, he was born as Dashanana. After enjoying many ages, he met his end at the hands of the Lord in the form of Raghava, and thus attained the fruits of his merits. Once more, he was born as Shishupala, the son of Damaghosha, king of Chedi. Even in this birth, Shishupala developed intense enmity toward the Lord, who had descended as Pundarikanayana to relieve the earth’s burden. Ultimately, by the Blessed Lord’s hand, Shishupala met his end, and through single-pointed concentration upon the Supreme Self, he attained union with Him. Thus, when the Blessed Lord is pleased, He grants whatever is desired; and even to those who confront Him as enemies and are slain by Him, He bestows a divine and incomparable state.