Having completed the account of the kings of Magadha, the sage Parāśara continued, revealing the lineage of Parīkṣit, who had four illustrious sons: Janamejaya, Śrutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhīmasena. Turning to another branch, Parāśara spoke of Jahnu’s son, Suratha, whose own son was Viduratha. From Viduratha descended Sārvabhauma, and then Jayasena, followed by Ārādhita. Ārādhita’s son was Āyutāyu, and from Āyutāyu came Akrodhana. Akrodhana’s son was Devātithi, and Devātithi begot Ṛkṣa. Ṛkṣa’s son was Bhīmasena, who was succeeded by Dilīpa. Dilīpa’s son was Pratīpa. Pratīpa had three sons: Devāpi, Śantanu, and Bāhlīka. Devāpi, while still a boy, withdrew to the forest, renouncing worldly life. Śantanu ascended the throne and became king. There is a verse sung on earth about Śantanu: whoever he touched with his hands would regain youth, and by his supreme actions, Śantanu found peace. Yet, during Śantanu’s reign, for twelve years, the rains failed to come. Witnessing the devastation of his kingdom, the troubled king asked the Brāhmaṇas, “Why does the god not rain upon our land? What fault is mine?” The Brāhmaṇas replied, “You are enjoying the land that belongs to your elder brother; thus, you are a usurper.” Śantanu asked them what he should do. They explained that as long as Devāpi remained virtuous and had not fallen from the path, the kingdom rightfully belonged to him. When it was decided that the kingdom should be offered to Devāpi, the chief minister Ashmaravin sent ascetics into the forest, who spoke according to the Vedic doctrine. By their influence, even the upright mind of the prince Devāpi was led astray, causing him to adopt views opposed to the Vedic teachings. Distressed by the words of the Brāhmaṇas and his sorrow, King Śantanu, accompanied by the Brāhmaṇas, went to the forest to offer the kingdom to his elder brother. When they reached Devāpi’s hermitage, the gods themselves approached the bowed son of the king. The Brāhmaṇas, speaking in accordance with the Vedic doctrine, urged Devāpi to accept the kingdom as the rightful elder brother. However, Devāpi replied in many ways, refuting their arguments with reasoning opposed to the Vedic tradition. The Brāhmaṇas then turned to Śantanu and said, “Come, O King, enough of this delay; the drought’s fault has now ceased, having lasted for an endless time because of words opposed to the Vedic doctrine. When the elder brother has fallen from virtue, you do not become the successor.” Thus, Śantanu returned to his city and ruled the kingdom. Even though Devāpi remained, having spoken words contrary to the Vedic doctrine, the Lord Parjanya sent rain, fulfilling the needs of all. Meanwhile, Bāhlīka’s son was Somadatta, who had three sons: Bhuri, Bhurishravas, and Shalya. Śantanu’s own son, Bhishma, renowned and learned in all scriptures, was born from the immortal river Jahnavi. Śantanu also begot two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, on Satyavati. Chitrangada, while still a boy, was slain in battle by the Gandharva named Chitrangada. Vichitravirya married Ambā and Vālika, daughters of the king of Kashi. However, due to excessive enjoyment and distress, he was seized by consumption and passed away. Then, by Satyavati’s command, Krishna Dvaipayana, the sage Vyāsa and son of Parāśara, considering his mother’s word as inviolable, begot Vidura in the field of Vichitravirya, through the maid sent by Dhritarashtra and Pandu. Dhritarashtra, upon Gandhari, begot a hundred sons, with Duryodhana and Duhshasana as the foremost among them.