Ever in their hearts was a craving to see with their own eyes that Supreme Lord who is without attributes, without parts and without beginning or end, whom mystics contemplate,

-whom the Vedas describe in negative terms, such as ‘Not this, not this,’ who is bliss itself, without attribute and equal, from a part of whose being emanate a number of Shivas, Brahmas and Vishnus.

“Even such a mighty Lord,” they thought, “is subordinate to the will of his devotees and for their sake assumes in sport a body. If this be true, as the Vedas have declared, our desire will surely be accomplished.”

Thus passed six thousand years while they lived on water; and then for another seven thousand years they lived only on air.

Next, for ten thousand years they refused to inhale even air and remained, each of them, standing on one leg. Beholding their interminable penance, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came to Manu many times.

They tempted them in many ways, saying, “Ask your boon;” but for all their persuasion they were too steadfast to move. Though their bodies were reduced to mere skeletons, there was not the least pain in their minds.

The omniscient Lord now recognized the king and queen to be his own true servants. The ascetic couple solely depended on him. Then a solemn voice full of ambrosial grace sounded from heaven, “Ask, ask a boon!”