13 - Origin of the Kauravas and Pandavas:

Agni said:

1. Ishall narrate the (story of) Bhårata (which has) the description of the greatness of Krishņa. Vishņu removed heavy oppression on the earth having Pandavas as the instrumental cause. 

2. Brahmå was born of the lotus in the navel of Vishnu. (Sage) Atri was the son of Brahmå. From Atri was born Soma. From Soma, Budha was born. From him (Budha) was born Aila-Purüravas. 

3-4. Ayu (was born) from him. King Nahusha was then (born). Then Yayati, then Puru (were born successsively). In his race (was born) Bharata. Then king Kuru (was born). In that race (was born) Santanu. From him (was born) Bhishma (as) the son of the Ganges. (His) brothers Chiträngada and Vicitra (vīrya) were born to Santanu through Satyavati. 

5-8. After Santanu's death, Bhishma who had no wife, (governed and) protected his brother's kingdom. The young Citrångada was killed by the Gandharva Chitrångada. The two daughters of Käsirāja, Ambika and Ambålikå brought (as captives) by Bhishma, the conqueror of the foes, (becamc) the wives of Vichitravirya. He (Vicitravīrya) died on account of consumption. With the consent of Satyavati, from Vyása, King Dhrutaráshțra was (born) through Ambika and Påņdu through Ambälikä as sons. From Dhrutaráshtra through Gandhåri hundred sons (were born) with Duryodhana as the first. 

9. By the curse of a sage¹ then he (Pandu) died on account of union with his wife at the hermitage of Sataśrunga, then Yudhishthira (was born) to Pandu through Kunti from Dharma (Yama). 

10. (Similarly) Bhima from Vata (God of wind), Arjuna from Sakra (were born) and through Mädri, Nakula and Sahadeva from the Aśvini kumāra. Pāņdu died when (he was) in union with Madri.¹ 

1. The sage Kindama, who was sporting with his wife, both assuming the form of a deer, was hit along with his wife by the arrows of Pandu, who had gonc there for hunting. The sage cursed Påndu that he would also die while copulating with his wife, See M. Bh. I. cxv ii. 5-31. 

11. Karņa, born to Kunti, whenshe was a virgin, became a dependent of Duryodhana. By destiny there was enmity between the Kurus (Kauravas) and Påndavas. 

12. The wicked Duryodhana burnt the Påndavas in the lac house. The Påņdavas escaped from the burnt house along with their mother as the sixth. 

13. Then at (the place) Ekacakra, in the house of a brahmin, they all remained in the attire of an ascetic after killing the demon Baka.² 

2. Baka was a demon living in the city Ekacakrå. Under an agreement the residents were supplying his daily food consisting of a buffalo, a man etc. from each family in turn. When the five Pandavas were staying in that place disguised as ascetics, Bhima killed the demon to relieve a poor brahmin resident, who was lamenting his fate as it was his turn that day, M. Bh. I. clxvi ff. 

14. They went to the fair at Panchala and in the svayamvara (self-choice) of Draupadi. The well adorned Draupadi was obtained by the five Pandavas. 

15. Then they were known to have got half of the kingdom by Duryodhana and others. The divine bow Gåņdiva and the excellent chariot were obtained from the Fire god. 

16. And in the battle, Arjuna got Krishņa as the charioteer and inexhaustible arrows and similarly the missiles (known as) Brahma and other weapons (were obtained) from Droņa. All were proficient in (the use of) arms. 

17-18. (Acting on the words of) Krishņa, Arjuna put out the fire at the Khåndava forest. And the Pandava (Arjuna) having obstructed rains (caused by Indra) with theshower of arrows, conquered the countries in different) directions. Yudhishthira ruled the country along with the (other) Påndavas. (He performed) the Rajasūya (sacrifice) (spending) plenty of gold Suyodhana (Duryodhana) could not bear that. 

19-20. Being directed by brother Duḥsasana and by Karņa. who had been enriched by him, he won over Yudhishthira in dice, (being assisted) by Sakuni in playing the dice. His kingdom was also won by conceit. Those in the court laughed at him. Yudhisthira being won, went to the forest along with the brothers. 

21-24. He spent twelve years in the forest as promised (by him) along with (the sage) Dhaumya and Draupadi as the sixth, feeding 88000 twice-borns as before. Then (he) went to the King of Viräța, with the other names, the king (Yudhisthira) unrecognised as the brahmin Kanka, Bhima as the cook, Arjuna as Bruhannalā, (their) wife (Draupadi) as Sairandhri and the twins. And Bhimasena killed Kicaka¹ in the night as he was desirous of winning over Draupadi. And Arjuna conquered the Kurus, who were engaged in seizing and lifting the cows. (Hence) they were recognised as Pandavas (by the Kurus). 

1. Kicaka was the commander-in-chief and brother-in-law of King of Virsta. M. Bh- Nam. pp. 68-69 

25-28. (Then) Subhadra, the sister of Krishņa, gave birth to Abhimanyu, from Arjuna. And (King) Virāța gave his daughter Uttará to him. Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), the master of seven akshauhiņi², was (ready) for the war. That Krishņa, the messenger, having gone to the intolerant Duryodhana said to that lord of eleven akshauhiņi, “Give half the kingdom or five villages to Yudhishthira. Or else (you) fight (with him).” Hearing (these) words, Suyodhana (Duryodhana) said to Krishņa, “I will not give land (even of the size) of a needle tip. I will fight engaged in seizing it.” 

2. The army consisted of 21,870 chariots, as many elephants, 65,610 horses and 109,330 foot-soldiers. Apte SD. 

Agni said:

29. Havingshown the invincible omnipresent form (and) being honoured by Vidura, (Krishņa) returned to Yudhishthira and said to Yudhishthira, "Fight with this Suyodhana (Duryo-dhana)."