Genealogies from Yayāti’s Sons to the Yadu Dynasty; Romapāda–Ṛṣyaśṛṅga; Kārtavīryārjuna; and the Rise of Yādava Branches
दुष्मन्त: स पुनर्भेजे स्ववंशं राज्यकामुक: । ययातेर्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य यदोर्वंशं नरर्षभ ॥ १८ ॥ वर्णयामि महापुण्यं सर्वपापहरं नृणाम् । यदोर्वंशं नर: श्रुत्वा सर्वपापै: प्रमुच्यते ॥ १९ ॥
duṣmantaḥ sa punar bheje sva-vaṁśaṁ rājya-kāmukaḥ yayāter jyeṣṭha-putrasya yador vaṁśaṁ nararṣabha
यदुवंशाची ही कथा अत्यंत पुण्यदायी असून मनुष्यांचे सर्व पाप हरण करणारी आहे. जो श्रद्धेने हे श्रवण करतो, तो सर्व पापप्रतिक्रियांपासून मुक्त होतो.
In this verse, Śukadeva introduces the narration of Yadu’s lineage—Yadu being the eldest son of King Yayāti—through which many celebrated kings and, later, the Yādavas are described.
Śukadeva honors Parīkṣit as the best among men, fitting for a listener devoted to hearing Bhāgavata-kathā, especially sacred dynastic histories connected to dharma.
They show how desire for power, duty, and divine providence shape history, encouraging readers to value dharma and devotion over mere ambition.