“What you have to do now,” continued Vashishtha, “is pray to Vishnu. It is Vishnu alone who can improve your lot and grant you a son.”

Somasharma and Sumana went to the banks of the river Reva, to a tirtha named kapilasangama. They started to pray to Vishnu there. They chanted a mantra (incantation) that was earmarked for praying to Vishnu. There were many distractions that almost made Somasharma deviate from the path of meditation. He saw poisonous snakes, wild animals, ghosts and demons by his side. But he paid no attention to them and continued with his meditation. The heat, the cold and the rains made him suffer. But he was unmoved.

Vishnu eventually appeared before Somasharma. His complexion was blue and he was dressed in yellow clothing. His eyes were like lotuses and he held many weapons in his hands.

“I am pleased with your prayers,” said Vishnu. “What can I do for you? Would you like a boon?”

“Yes indeed, I would,” replied Somasharma. “Please grant me the boon that I may be devoted to you. Please ensure that I am no longer poor. And please grant me the boon that I may have a son who will be devoted to you.”

Vishnu granted these boons.

A son named Suvrata was born to Somasharma and Sumana.

Suvrata

Many years ago, a king named Ritadhvaja used to rule in the city of Vidisha. Ritadhvaja’s son was Vali and Vali’s son was Rukmangada.

Rukmangada had wife named Sandhyavali and Sandhyavali gave birth to Dharmangada. Dharmangada was devoted to Vishnu and, after he died, went straight to Vishnuloka. He spent one thousand yugas in heaven and was thereafter born as Suvrata.

Right from his childhood, Suvrata used to pray to Vishnu. He named all his friends after Vishnu’s various names. He would forget hunger and thirst in the course of his meditations. When he grew up, Suvrata went to Mount Vaidurya on the banks of the river Narmada. For a hundred years he meditated there. Vishnu granted him the boon that Suvrata and his parents would go to Vishnuloka and live there for a very long time.