64 - The Description of Nimi Dynasty.

This chapter corresponds to chapter 89 of Va.P.

Suta said: 

1-2. Understand (the details of) the line of Nimi who was the younger brother of Vikukshi. He built a city well-known by the name Jayanta, comparable to the city of the Devas. (It was) near the hermitage of Gautama. It was in his family that there was born the excellent king Janaka. 

3. Ikshvaku of profound brilliance had a son named Nimi, a highly pious soul who was saluted by all living beings and who became a great king. 

4-5. On account of the curse of Vasishtha, he became Videha (devoid of physical body). His son named Mithi was produced in the course of three Parvans. This king of great fame was born of Arani (the wood from which fire is kindled for sacrificial purpose) while it was being churned. He is well known by the name Mithi. He became Janaka due to the act of Janana (procreation in such a way). 

6. Mithi was indeed a king of great prowess. It is from his name that this capital city became known as Mithila¹ Another name of this king was Janaka and Janaka's successor was Udavasu.

1. Modern Tirhut, also called Janakpur, in Darbhanga Dist Bihar.

7. The virtuous-souled son Nandivardhana was born of Udavasu. The valorous and virtuous son named Suketu was born of Nandivardhana. 

8. The noble-souled son of great strength, Devarata was born of Suketu. The pious-souled son well known as Bruhaduktha was born of Devarata. 

9. Mahavira was the valorous son of Bruhaduktha. Dhrutiman was the son of Mahavirya and Sudhruti was his son. 

10. Dhrushtaketu, the suppressor of his enemies, was the noble-souled son of Sudhruti. The son of Dhrushtaketu was well known by the name Haryashva. 

11. Maru was the son of Haryashva. Pratimbaka² was the son of Maru. It is remembered that the righteous-souled king Kirtiratha was the son of Pratimbaka.

2. Pargiter records Pratindhaka for this (AIHT. p. 147)

12. The son of Kirti-ratha is also known by the name Devamidha. Vibudha was the son of Devamidha. Mahadhruti was the son of Vibudha. 

13. The son of Mahadhruti was the valorous king Kirtirata. The learned son of Kirtirata was well-known by the name Maharoman. 

14. The famous king Svarnaroma was born of Maharoma. The son of Svarnaroma named Hrasvaroma became a king. 

15. The learned son of Hrasvaroma was well-known as Siradhvaja. Sita of great reputation, rose out of the ground when that king ploughed it. 

16-18. She was the chaste queen of Rama. She was a lady of good holy rites and vow of self-restraint.

Vaishampayana enquired: 

How was Sita of great reputation raised up from the ground on being ploughed. What for did the king plough? Where was the field?

Suta replied: 

The site of the sacrificial fire in the horse-sacrifice of the noble-souled king was being ploughed energetically in accordance with the injunction. She rose up from it. The Prince of Mithila named Bhanuman was the younger son of Siradhvaja. 

19. His brother was Kushadhvaja. He was the king and overlord of Kashi. (Samkashya Pradyumna was the valorous son of Bhanuman 

20. Muni was his son. It is remembered that Urjavaha was born of him. Sanadvaja was born of Urjavaha and Shakuni was his son.

21. Svagata was the son of Shakuni.¹ It is proclaimed that Suvarchas was his son. His heir was Sutoya² and his son was Sushruta.

1. It appears our text jumped twelve generations downwards and declared Svagata as the son of Shakuni. AIHT, p. 144.

2. Pargiter records the name Shruta for Sutoya of our text.

22. Jaya was the son of Sushruta. Vijaya was the son of Jaya. Kratu³ was the son of Vijaya. Sunaya is remembered as the son of Kratu.

3. Ruta according to Pargiter-ibid.

23. Vitahavya was born of Sunaya. Dhruti was the son of Vitahavya. Bahulashva was born of Dhruti. Kruti⁴ was the son of Bahulashva.

4. Krutakshana in AIHT, p. 149.

24. The line of the noble-souled scions of the family of Janaka came to a close with him. Thus, the Maithilas have been recounted. Understand the line of Soma now.