All these doings I have now (elaborately) sung; now hear attentively what followed. The great enlightened sage Vishvamitra lived in a forest, deeming it a sacred retreat.

There he practised japa (muttering of sacred formulas) and yoga (contemplation) and performed sacrifices; but he was much afraid of the demons Maricha and Subahu, for as soon as these demons saw a sacrifice, they would rush to desecrate it to the great chagrin of the sage, who felt grieved in his mind-

-and reflected anxiously that the wicked demons could not be slain without the help of Hari. The great sage then said to himself, “The Lord was already become incarnate to relieve the earth of its burden.

Let me make the outrage of the demons an excuse to go and see his feet and after due entreaty bring away the two brothers here. Thus shall I regale my eyes with the sight of him who is the abode of all knowledge, dispassion and virtue.

His manifold longing brooked no delay on the journey, and after bathing in Sarayu’s stream he proceeded to the royal court.

When the king heard of the sage’s visit, he went to meet him with a company of Brahmans. He fell prostrate before him and greeted him and reverently brought him in and seated him on his own throne.

Then he washed the sage’s feet and paid him great honours, saying , “No one else is so blessed as I this day!” the king next entertained him with all kinds of food, and the great sage was highly pleased