This is the account of the royal lineages as revealed by the wise Parāśara. The illustrious dynasty of the Ikṣvākus, famed through the ages, will find its completion with King Sumitra. When the reign of Sumitra arrives, the Ikṣvāku line will come to an end in the age of Kali. Now, let us turn to the future succession of the Bārhadratha dynasty among the kings of Magadha. In this noble line, many powerful rulers arose, chief among them being the mighty Jarāsandha. From Jarāsandha was born his son Sahadeva, and from Sahadeva came Somāpi. Next in the line was Śrutavān, whose son would be Ayutāyu. After Ayutāyu came Niramitra, whose son was Sukṣatra. Sukṣatra’s son was Bṛhatkarman, followed by Senajit, and then Śrutañjaya. Śrutañjaya’s son was Vipra, and from Vipra came Śuci. The line continued with Kṣemya, then Suvrata, and from Suvrata was born Dharma. Dharma’s son was Suśrama, followed by Dṛḍhasena, then Sumati, and from him, Subala. Subala’s son was Sunīta, who was succeeded by Satyajit. From Satyajit came Viśajit, and his son was Ripuñjaya. These Bārhadratha kings would rule the realm for a thousand years. Ripuñjaya, the last of the Bārhadrathas, would have a minister named Munika. This Munika, driven by ambition, would slay his master and place his own son, Pradyota, upon the throne. Pradyota would be succeeded by his son Bālaka, and after him would come Viśākhayūpa. Viśākhayūpa’s son would be Janaka, whose successor would be Nandivardhana. These five, known as the Pradyotas, would rule the earth for one hundred and thirty-eight years. After the Pradyotas, the Śaiśunābha dynasty would arise, beginning with Śiśunābha himself. His son would be Kākavarṇa, succeeded by Kṣemadharmā, then Kṣataujas, and after him, Vidhisāra. From Vidhisāra would come Ajātaśatru, followed by Arbhaka, then Udayana, then another Nandivardhana, and finally Mahānandin. Thus, these Śaiśunābha kings would reign for three hundred and sixty-two years. In the time that followed, a powerful and ambitious man named Mahāpadma Nanda would be born from the womb of a Shudra woman. Like a second Paraśurāma, he would be the scourge of the Kṣatriyas, bringing about their destruction and seizing the reins of power. From this point onward, kings would arise from the Shudra class. Mahāpadma Nanda, holding undivided sovereignty and unchallenged authority, would rule the earth. He would have eight sons, beginning with Sumalya, and these sons would rule in succession. The sons of Mahāpadma would be kings for one hundred years. Thereafter, a learned Brahmin named Kautilya would overthrow these nine Nandas. In their absence, the Maurya dynasty would rise to power. Kautilya himself would consecrate Chandragupta, born in the Maurya line, as king. Chandragupta’s son would be Bindusāra, and his son would be Ashokavardhana. The line would continue with Suyaśas, then Daśaratha, followed by Samyuta, then Shalishuka, then Somasharma, and from him, Shatadhanvan. After Shatadhanvan, Brihadratha would be born. Thus, these ten Maurya kings would rule for one hundred and thirty-seven years. At the close of the Maurya line, ten Shunga kings would assume the throne. Pushyamitra, the commander, would slay his master and seize the kingdom; his son would be Agnimitra. From Agnimitra would come Sujyestha, then Vasumitra, then Andhaka, then Pulindaka, then Ghoshavasu, then Vajramitra, and then Bhagavata. From Bhagavata would come Devabhuti. In this way, the Shungas would rule the earth for one hundred and twelve years. Thus, the lineages of mighty kings rose and fell, each leaving their mark upon the history of Bhārata, as declared by the venerable Parāśara.