From Śatānanda was born a son named Satyadhṛti, who became a master of the science of archery, knowing its deepest secrets. One day, Satyadhṛti beheld the celestial apsaras Urvaśī, whose beauty was unparalleled. Overcome by passion at the sight of her, he emitted his seed, which fell upon a shaft of reed. That reed split into two, and from it emerged two children—a boy and a girl. These twins, abandoned in the wild, were found in the forest by the noble king Śaṃtanu. Moved by compassion, he took them in and raised them as his own. The son came to be known as Kṛpa, and the daughter as Kṛpī. In time, Kṛpī became the wife of Droṇa, the illustrious preceptor of princes, and she became the mother of the mighty Aśvatthāman. Meanwhile, the lineage of Divodāsa continued: his son was Mitrāyu, who in turn fathered Cyavana, a king. From Cyavana was born Sudāsa, who begot Saudāsa, and from Saudāsa came Sahadeva. Sahadeva’s son was Somaka, whose eldest among a hundred sons was Jantu. Among these sons, the youngest was Pṛṣata, from whom descended Drupada. Drupada’s line continued with Dhṛṣṭadyumna, then Dhṛṣṭaketu, and another son of Ajamīḍha was named Ṛkṣa. Ṛkṣa’s son was Saṃvaraṇa, and from Saṃvaraṇa was born the renowned Kuru. It was Kuru who established the sacred and righteous field known as Kurukṣetra, which would become the stage for great events. Kuru’s sons were Sudhanu, Jahnu, Parīkṣit, and others. Sudhanu’s son was Suhotra; from Suhotra came Cyavana; from Cyavana, Kṛtaka; and then Uparicara Vasu. Uparicara Vasu had seven sons: Bṛhadratha, Pratyagra, Kuśāmba, Kuśela, Mātsya, and others. From Bṛhadratha came Kuśāgra; from Kuśāgra, Vṛṣabha; from Vṛṣabha, Puṣpavān; from Puṣpavān, Satyahita; from Satyahita, Sudhanvā; and from Sudhanvā, Jatu. Bṛhadratha also had another remarkable son, born from two halves joined by a she-demon; he was named Jarāsandha. From Jarāsandha came Sahadeva, from Sahadeva, Somapi, and then Śrutiśravā. Thus were recounted the kings of Magadha. Now, Parīkṣit had four sons: Janamejaya, Śrutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhīmasena. Jahnu’s son was Suratha, whose son was Viduratha. From Viduratha came Sārvabhauma, then Jayasena, followed by Ārādhita, then Āyutāyu, and from him, Akrodhana. Akrodhana’s son was Devātithi, whose son was Ṛkṣa. Ṛkṣa fathered Bhīmasena, who begot Dilīpa. From Dilīpa came Pratīpa, who had three sons: Devāpi, Śantanu, and Bāhlīka. Devāpi, while still a boy, left for the forest, renouncing worldly life. Thus, Śantanu became king. Of Śantanu, this verse is sung on earth: “Whomever he touches with his hands attains youth; and by his supreme action, Śantanu attains peace.” Yet, during Śantanu’s reign, for twelve years, the gods withheld rain from his kingdom. Witnessing the devastation of his land, the king humbly approached the Brāhmaṇas and asked, “Why does the god not rain in our land? What is my fault?” The Brāhmaṇas replied, “O king, you are enjoying the land that belongs to your elder brother; thus, you are a usurper.” Hearing this, Śantanu asked them, “What should I do in this matter?” The Brāhmaṇas then spoke again, ready to guide the king in restoring righteousness and harmony to his realm.