Aja was born of Raghu and Aja’s son was Dasharatha whose son was the virtuous-souled and illustrious Rāma (26). Rāma’s son passed by the name of Kusha whose son was Atithi and whose son was Nishadha (27). Nishadhas son was Nala whose son was Nabha. Nabha’s son was Pundarika whose son passed by the name of Kshemadhanwā (28). Kshemadhanwā’s son was the powerful Devānika whose son was the great Ahinagu (29). Ahinagu’s good son was the king Sudhanwā, as whose son was born the king Anala (30). Anala’s son was the virtuous Uktha, the son of which high souled (king) was Vajranābha (31). His son Shankha was celebrated for his great learning and passed by the name of Dhyushitāshwa. His son was the learned Pushpa, whose son was Arthasiddhi (32). His son was Sudarshana, whose son was Shighra and whose son was Maru (33). Maru practised Yoga in the island of Kala. His son was the illustrious king Vrihadvala (34). O foremost of Bharatas, in Purāna, there are two kings celebrated by the name of Nala. Of them one was the son of Veerasena and the other was a descendant of Ikshwāku (35). I have thus described (to you) in order of precedence the leading members of the Ikshwāku race. These kings, of immeasurable energy, belonged to the solar dynasty (36). By reading the account of creation by the illustrious Srādhadeva Adityā who confers nourishment upon creatures a man gets offspring, attains to the same status with the sun, is freed from sins and haughtiness and obtains longevity (37-38). CHAPTER XVI. THE ORIGIN OF PITRIS AND FRUITS OF SRADDHAS. Janamejaya said:—How did the illustrious Aditya become the (presiding) deity of Srāddhas? What is the most excellent mode of performing them? I wish to hear all this, O Vipra. (1). What is the origin of the Pitris and who are they? We have heard from the conversation of the Brāhmanas that the Pitris (ancestral manes), stationed in heaven, are even the gods of the gods. This is said by those well read in the Vedas. I therefore wish to know this (2-3). I wish to hear of the most excellent creation of Pitris, their various orders, their great strength, how are they propitiated by the Srāddhas performed by us, and how they, delighted, shower benedictions on us (4-5). Vaishampāyana said:—I will now describe to you the most excellent creation of the Pitris; how they are propitiated by Srāddhas performed by us and how they, being pleased, pour blessings on us. Mārkandeya described this when he was accosted by Bhishma. The question, that you have asked me, was put to Bhishma by the pious king (Yudhisthira) when the former was lying on the bed of arrows (5-9). Yudhisthira said:—O you conversant with virtue, how people, seeking nourishment, get it? By doing what do they not grieve I wish to hear this (9).