Manu's Lineage and Nine Sons

Suta said

Vaivasvata Manu had nine sons like himself, who later became great, lofty and patient, devoted to the kshatriya dharma. They were Ikshvaku, Shibi, Nabhaga, Dhrishta, Sharyati, Narishyanta, another Nabhaga, Karusha and Priyavrata. Wanting a son, Prajapati Manu performed a sacrifice, bull among sages, but no sons were born from it; instead a famous daughter, Ila, was born, in divine garments and ornaments with a divine form. Manu, the rod-bearer, called her Ida and told her to follow him. Ida answered the son-seeking Prajapati in words full of dharma: best of speakers, I was born as a portion of Mitra and Varuna and will go to them, for no other dharma appeals to me. So saying the virtuous lady went to Mitra and Varuna, folded her hands and said: great sages, I was born through Manu's sacrifice as your portions, so I have come before you; tell me what I should do, and, lords, create other sons so that the lineage can flourish. Mitra and Varuna answered her kindly: knower of dharma, we are both pleased with your humility, self-control and devotion to truth; you will gain our fame and become the son who extends Manu's line, famous in the three worlds as Sudyumna, devoted to dharma and loved by the world. Hearing this, she turned back toward her father. As she went, Budha, Soma's son, invited her to union with him, and from this King Pururava was born, very handsome and lofty, who became Urvashi's husband. Having lovingly borne Pururava there, by Shiva's favour she again became the son Sudyumna.

Brahmanas, Sudyumna had sons Utkala, Gaya and valiant Vinatashva. Utkala was given the region of Utkala, Vinatashva the region to the west, and Gaya the Gaya region and the eastern parts. After this Manu entered the sun's body. Manu had divided the earth into ten regions, and Ikshvaku, as best son, got the central one. By the words of great-souled Vasishtha, Sudyumna installed Pururava in Pratishthana, the kingdom full of dharma, where he gained great fame. Best of sages, Manu's son the lord had the signs of both man and woman. Narishyanta's sons were the Shakas. Nabhaga's son was Ambarisha, who got the region of Bahlaka and was called Bahleya. Sharyati had twins, a son named Anarta and a daughter named Sukanya, who became Chyavana's wife. Anarta had a son Raibhya, also called Raivata. In Anarta's kingdom his city, very divine, is Kushasthali, held to be the seventh in the list of seven cities. He had ten sons, the eldest and best Kakudmi, energetic and very strong, supremely devoted to dharma and protector of brahmanas.

Kakudmi had a daughter, Revati, divine and full of charm, like another Lakshmi. With his daughter King Kakudmi went to Brahma's world to ask Brahma, lord of everything, about a fitting groom for her. The gandharvas were singing then, and he stood waiting for a chance. In Brahma's presence he heard them sing and watched the dancing. Though only a muhurta passed, many yugas had in fact passed, but King Kakudmi did not realise it. He bowed to Brahma, joined his hands and humbly told him his purpose. Hearing it, Brahma laughed and said: king Kakudmi, lord of the earth, Raibhya's son, believe me and I will tell you the truth specifically. All the grooms you have in mind have been taken away by time and their gotras no longer exist; time devours everything. Your city was destroyed by rakshasas and punyajanas. It is now the twenty-eighth dvapara yuga and Krishna has rebuilt it and named it Dvaravati, beautiful with many gates, protected by Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas with Vaasudeva in front. Go there glad of heart and give your daughter to Vasudeva's son; give this daughter of yours to Baladeva. So instructed, the king bowed and went to the city. Realising many yugas had passed, he and his daughter were amazed. Following the excellent rules he quickly gave his youthful daughter Revati to Krishna's brother Bala. The great lord then went to Meru's divine summit, worshipped Shiva there and stayed in austerities.

The rishis said Revata had stayed in Brahma's world for many yugas and returned to the mortals' world as a young man, which raised a great doubt. Suta replied that there is no hunger or thirst there, nor age or faults. In Brahma's presence there is no untimely death, which is why the king and his daughter did not age or die. Having consulted Brahma about a groom, he came back still young. He went to the divine city Dvaravati built by Krishna and arranged his daughter's marriage to Bala. The great lord, devoted to dharma, had a hundred sons, and Krishna through many wives had countless sons. Those who followed those two great-souled ones were also great, kshatriyas devoted to dharma, and spread in all directions. So Sharyati's line is told. Brahmanas, Suta would briefly tell of Manu's other descendants. Nabhaga had a son Dhrishta, who after founding his own kshatriya line took up rites for brahman and became a brahmana. Dhrishta's sons, the Dharshtas, were originally kshatriyas but became brahmanas on earth. Karusha's sons were the Karushas, kshatriyas unconquerable in battle. Nriga, Manu's son, was an especially great giver who gladly gave many cows and much wealth to brahmanas. Through his own sins and wicked judgement he erred in giving a cow and so became a lizard, and was saved by Shri Krishna. He had an excellent son Prayati who knew dharma. Suta said he had heard this from Vyasa and told it briefly. Vrishaghna, Manu's son, was told by his guru to tend the cows. Taking a hero's posture he guarded them at night. Once a powerful tiger entered the pen wishing to attack the cows. Hearing the cows' screams he woke, seized a sword and rushed to kill it. Seeing the lord with the sword, the tiger was frightened and fled, but he, taking it for the tiger, unknowingly killed a brown bull. Thinking he had killed the tiger he went back to his place. He was confused in the night, his judgement upset by rain and storm. When night was over he rose and went back to the spot, and seeing he had killed a brown bull and not a tiger he was miserable. Hearing what had happened and realising the sin was unintended, his guru, in rage, cursed him: "You are not a kshatriya; become a shudra." So the preceptor of his line cursed him. Prishadhra withdrew to a great lonely forest, grew indifferent and detached through his hardships and absorbed himself in yoga. His body was burned in a forest fire and he gained the supreme destination. By Shiva's favour Kavi, Manu's son, was wise, enjoyed happiness in this world and gained divine liberation, which is very hard to gain.