“Samvarana begat upon his wife, Tapati, the daughter of Surya, a son named Kuru.  This Kuru was exceedingly virtuous, and therefore, he was installed on the throne by his people.  It is after his name that the field called Kuru-jangala has become so famous in the world.  Devoted to asceticism, he made that field (Kurukshetra) sacred by practising asceticism there.  And it has been heard by us that Kuru’s highly intelligent wife, Vahini, brought forth five sons, viz., Avikshit, Bhavishyanta, Chaitraratha, Muni and the celebrated Janamejaya.  And Avikshit begat Parikshit the powerful, Savalaswa, Adhiraja, Viraja, Salmali of great physical strength, Uchaihsravas, Bhangakara and Jitari the eighth.  In the race of these were born, as the fruit of their pious acts seven mighty car-warriors with Janamejaya at their head.  And unto Parikshit were born sons who were all acquainted with (the secrets of) religion and profit.  And they were named Kakshasena and Ugrasena, and Chitrasena endued with great energy, and Indrasena and Sushena and Bhimasena.  And the sons of Janamejaya were all endued with great strength and became celebrated all over the world.  And they were Dhritarashtra who was the eldest, and Pandu and Valhika, and Nishadha endued with great energy, and then the mighty Jamvunada, and then Kundodara and Padati and then Vasati the eighth.  And they were all proficient in morality and profit and were kind to all creatures.  Among them Dhritarashtra became king.  And Dhritarashtra had eight sons, viz., Kundika, Hasti, Vitarka, Kratha the fifth, Havihsravas, Indrabha, and Bhumanyu the invincible, and Dhritarashtra had many grandsons, of whom three only were famous.  They were, O king, Pratipa, Dharmanetra, Sunetra.  Among these three, Pratipa became unrivalled on earth.  And, O bull in Bharata’s race, Pratipa begat three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu, and the mighty car-warrior Valhika.  The eldest Devapi adopted the ascetic course of life, impelled thereto by the desire of benefiting his brothers.  And the kingdom was obtained by Santanu and the mighty car-warrior Valhika.

“O monarch, besides, there were born in the race of Bharata numberless other excellent monarchs endued with great energy and like unto the celestial Rishis themselves in virtue and ascetic power.  And so also in the race of Manu were born many mighty car-warriors like unto the celestials themselves, who by their number swelled the Aila dynasty into gigantic proportions.’”

SECTION XCV

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Janamejaya said, ’O Brahmana, I have now heard from thee this great history of my ancestors.  I had also heard from thee about the great monarchs that were born in this line.  But I have not been gratified, this charming account being so short.  Therefore, be pleased, O Brahmana, to recite the delightful narrative just in detail commencing from Manu, the lord of creation.  Who is there that will not be charmed with such an account, as it is sacred?  The fame of these monarchs increased by their wisdom, virtue, accomplishments, and high character, hath so swelled as to cover the three worlds.  Having listened to the history, sweet as nectar, of their liberality, prowess, physical strength, mental vigour, energy, and perseverance, I have not been satiated!’