Varchas, therefore, go thither, but let him not stay there long.  Nara, whose companion is Narayana, will be born as Indra’s son and indeed, will be known as Arjuna, the mighty son of Pandu.  This boy of mine shall be his son and become a mighty car-warrior in his boyhood.  And let him, ye best of immortals, stay on earth for sixteen years.  And when he attaineth to his sixteenth year, the battle shall take place in which all who are born of your portions shall achieve the destruction of mighty warriors.  But a certain encounter shall take place without both Nara and Narayana (taking any part in it).  And, indeed, your portions, ye celestials, shall fight, having made that disposition of the forces which is known by the name of the Chakra-vyuha.  And my son shall compel all foes to retreat before him.  The boy of mighty arms having penetrated the impenetrable array, shall range within it fearlessly and send a fourth part of the hostile force, in course of half a day, unto the regions of the king of the dead.  Then when numberless heroes and mighty car-warriors will return to the charge towards the close of the day, my boy of mighty arms, shall reappear before me.  And he shall beget one heroic son in his line, who shall continue the almost extinct Bharata race.’  Hearing these words of Soma, the dwellers in heaven replied, ‘So be it.’  And then all together applauded and worshipped (Soma) the king of stars.  Thus, O king, have I recited to thee the (particulars of the) birth of thy father’s father.

“Know also, O monarch, that the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna was a portion of Agni.  And know also that Sikhandin, who was at first a female, was (the incarnation of) a Rakshasa.  And, O bull in Bharata’s race, they who became the five sons of Draupadi, those bulls amongst the Bharata princes, were the celestials known as the Viswas.  Their names were Pritivindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika, Nakula, and Srutasena, endued with mighty energy.

“Sura, the foremost of the Yadus, was the father of Vasudeva.  He had a daughter called Pritha, who for her beauty, was unrivalled on earth.  And Sura, having promised in the presence of fire that he would give his firstborn child to Kuntibhoja, the son of his paternal aunt, who was without offspring, gave his daughter unto the monarch in expectation of his favours.  Kuntibhoja thereupon made her his daughter.  And she became, thenceforth, in the house of her (adoptive) father, engaged in attending upon Brahmanas and guests.  One day she had to wait upon the wrathful ascetic of rigid vows, Durvasa by name, acquainted with truth and fully conversant with the mysteries of religion.  And Pritha with all possible care gratified the wrathful Rishi with soul under complete control.  The holy one, gratified with the attentions bestowed on him by the maiden, told her, ’I am satisfied, O fortunate one, with thee!  By this mantra (that I am about to give thee), thou shall be able to summon (to thy side)