This chapter corresponds to Bd. P. 2.3.64., so from Bd, P. only verse numbers are mentioned.
Sūta said:
1-3. Now (listen to and) understand the race of Nimi3, the younger brother of Vikukshi. It was he who founded a city well known as Jayanta near the hermitage of Gautama. It (the city) was comparable to the city of Devas. In his race a very intelligent son named Nemi was born to Ikşhvāku of great). brilliance. He was extremely pious-souled and revered by all living beings. He was born in the course of a Yajña, the pro creator (Janaka) being an excellent sage.
3. Nimi is a respectable king in Brahmanical, Bauddha and Jaina traditions. As a popular etymology, Videha’ (mod. Tirhut) is traced to his being bodiless due to Vasişhtha’s curse (see v. 4-5 below
4-5. By the curse of Vasişhtha, he became Videha (devoid of body). His son named Mithi was procreated in the course of three Parvans. This king of great fame was born of Arani (a piece of wood from which fire is kindled for sacrificial purpose) while it was being churned. He was well known by the name of Mithi. Since his birth was of this type, he became (known as) Janaka.
6. Mithi was a king of great prowess whereby the capital city became known as) Mithila1and the king was Janaka. Janaka’s son was Udavasu.
1. Also called Janakapur, capital of Videha in the district of Darbhanga (Bihar). It was famous for its Brahmanical University (up to 14th cent. A.D.). Now a new Sanskrit University has been founded there some years back.
7. From Udāvasu was born the extremely pious-souled Nandivardhana. From Nandivardhana was born the heroic and pious Suketu.
8. From Suketu was born the pious-souled Devarāta of great strength. It is heard that the pious-souled Bruhaduccha was Devarata’s son.
9. Bruhaduccha’s son was the valorous Mahavirya. Dhruşhti man was the son of Mahavirya and his son was Sudhruti.
10. The pious-souled Dhruşhtaketu, the oppressor of enemies, was the son of Sudhruti. Dhruşhtaketu’s son was well known by the name of Haryaśhva.
11. Maru was Haryaśhva’s son. Pratitvaka2 was Maru’s son. The pious-souled king Kirtiratha was the son of Pratitvaka.
2. Pratimbaka in Bd.P.v. 11. Pargiter records ‘Pratindhaka’ as his name (AIHT, p. 147).
12. The son of Kirtiratha was well known as Devamidha. and Vibudha was the son of Devamidha and Vibudha’s son was Dhruti.
13. Mahādhruti’s son was Kirtiraja, a king of great valour. Kirtiraja’s son was a scholar well known as Mahāromā.
14. From Maharomă was born the famous Svarnaromā. Svarnaroma’s son was the king Hrasvaromă.
15. It is heard that the son of Hrasvaroma was the scholar Siradhvaja. While this king was ploughing, Sită, of great fame, was born. She became the chaste queen of Rama. She was devoted to her husband and a virtuous wife.
Shaṁshapāyana enquired:
16. How was Sità of great fame born while (the field) was being ploughed. Why did the king plough the field wherein she was born?
Suta replied:
17. While the Agnikşhetra (the field where sacrifice was to be performed) was being ploughed in accordance with the injunction in the course of the horse-sacrifice of the noble soul she was born out of it.
18. From Sīradhvaja was born the Maithila (king of Mithila) named Bhanuman. His brother was Kušhadhvaja, the lord and king of Kāśhi.
19. Bhanuman’s son was the valorous Pradyumna. His son was Muni and from him Urjavaha is remembered (as born).
20. From Urjavaha was born Sutadvāja. Shakuni was his son. Shakuni’s son was Svāgata.1 Suvarchas is remembered as his son.
1. The list in AIHT, p. 144 shows that our text and Bd.P. jumped twelve generations downwards and declared Svägata as the son of Shakuni.
21. Shruta was his successor. Sushruta was his son. Jaya was Suśhruta’s son. Vijaya was the son of Jaya.
22. Vijaya’s son was Ruta and Sunaya was the son of Ruta. From Sunaya was born Vitahavya, and Vitahavya’s son was Dhruti.
23. Dhruti’s son was Bahulāśhva and Bahulāśhva’s son was Kruti.2 It is with him that the race of Janaka is terminated. Thus the Maithilas (kings of Mithila) are enumerated. Understand the race of Soma also.
2. Krutakşhaņa in AIHT, p. 149.