the deities, I shall name those learned Brahmanas
crowned with ascetic merit and success and capable
of cleaning one of every sin. They are Yavakrita
and Raibhya and Kakshivat and Aushija, and Bhrigu
and Angiras and Kanwa, and the puissant Medhatithi,
and Varhi possessed of every accomplishment. These
all belong to the eastern region. Others, viz.,
Unmuchu, Pramuchu, all highly blessed, Swastyatreya
of great energy, Agastya of great prowess, the son
of Mitra and Varuna; Dridhayu and Urdhavahu, those
two foremost and celebrated of Rishis,—these
live in the southern region. Listen now to me
as I name those Rishis that dwell in the western region.
They are Ushango with his uterine brothers, Parivyadha
of great energy, Dirghatamas, Gautama, Kasyapa, Ekata,
Dwita, Trita, the righteous-souled son of Atri (viz.,
Durvasa), and puissant Saraswat. Listen now to
me as I name those Rishis that worship the deities
in sacrifices, dwelling in the northern region.
They are Atri, Vasishtha, Saktri, Parasara’s
son Vyasa of great energy; Viswamitra, Bharadwaja,
Jamadagni, the son of Richika, Rama, Auddalaka, Swetaketu,
Kohala, Vipula, Devala, Devasarman, Dhaumya, Hastikasyapa,
Lomasa, Nachiketa, Lomaharsana, Ugrasravas, and Bhrigu’s
son Chyavana. This is the tale of Rishis possessed
of Vedic lore. They are primeval Rishis, O king,
whose names, if taken, are capable of cleansing one
of every sin. After this I shall recite the names
of the principal kings. They are Nriga, Yayati,
Nahusha, Yadu, Puru of great energy, Sagara, Dhundhumara,
Dilipa of great prowess, Krisaswa, Yauvanaswa, Chitraswa,
Satyavat, Dushmanta, Bharata who became an illustrious
Emperor over many kings, Yavana, Janaka, Dhrishtaratha,
Raghu, that foremost of kings, Dasaratha, the heroic
Rama, that slayer of Rakshasas, Sasavindu. Bhagiratha,
Harischandra, Marutta, Dridharatha, the highly fortunate
Alarka, Aila, Karandhama, that foremost of men, Kasmira,
Daksha, Amvarisha, Kukura, Raivata of great fame,
Kuru, Samvarana, Mandhatri of unbaffled prowess, the
royal sage Muchukunda, Jahnu who was much favoured
by Janhavi (Ganga), the first (in point of time) of
all kings, viz., Prithu the son of Vena, Mitrabhanu,
Priyankara, Trasadasyu, Sweta that foremost of royal
sages, the celebrated Mahabhisha, Nimi Ashtaka, Ayu,
the royal sage Kshupa, Kaksheyu, Pratardana, Devodasa,
Sudasa, Kosaleswara, Aila, Nala, the royal sage Manu,
that lord of all creatures, Havidhara, Prishadhara,
Pratipa, Santanu, Aja, the senior Varhi, Ikshwaku
of great fame, Anaranya, Janujangha, the royal sage
Kakshasena, and many others not named (in history).
That man who rising at early dawn takes the names
of these kings at the two twilights, viz., at
sunset and sunrise, with a pure body and mind and
without distracted attention, acquires great religious
merit. One should hymn the praises of the deities,
the celestial Rishis, and the royal sages and say,
’These lords of the creation will ordain my
growth and long life and fame! Let no calamity
be mine, let no sin defile me, and let there be no
opponents or enemies of mine! Without doubt,
victory will always be mine and an auspicious end
hereafter!’”