Chapter IX

Hearing all about it, the king’s charioteer addressed the monarch in private, saying, Do you listen to what is related in the Purāṇas, and to what I have heard myself!

This horse-sacrifice is enjoined by the family priests; and I have myself heard the following story celebrated in ancient chronicle. And what the worshipful Sanatkumāra had said formerly in the presence of the saints, applies, O king, to the case of your having a son.

Kaśyapa has a son known by the name of Vibhāṇḍaka. He will get a son called Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. And he will grow up and pass his days in the forests.

And that foremost of Brāhmaṇas will not know anything else save following his father. And, O king, it is rumoured abroad, and also always said by the Vipras, that the high-souled one will practise (Those that assume the staff and the kamaṇḍalu are reckoned the first order; while those that continue to live with their wives are considered as next in worth.) the two modes of Brahmacarya life.

And he spent some time in serving the sacrificial fire and his famous sire. At this time, the powerful Romapāda of exceeding strength will be famed as king of the Aṅgas. And in consequence of some default on his part, there will occur in his kingdom a terrible and dreadful drought, capable of striking terror in the all.

And filled with grief on account of this drought, the king will call about him Veda-accomplished Brāhmaṇas, and speak to them, saying, You are conversant with the Vedic ritual and the social duties. Do therefore, tell me how to expiate for this evil

Thus accosted by the king, those excellent Brāhmaṇas versed in the Vedas, will say to the ruler of earth.

Do you, O monarch, by all means, bring Vibhāṇḍaka’s son. And having, O king, brought that Brāhmaṇa versed in the Vedas, Vibhāṇḍaka’s son Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, and duly honoured him, do you, O monarch, with a concentrated mind, perform the betrothal of your daughter Śāntā, with him according to the ordinance.

And hearing those words of theirs, the king will began to think as to how he can bring over that one endowed with energy.

Then in consultation with his counsellors, the prudent king having come to a conclusion will, honouring them duly, desire his priest and his courtiers to set out in quest of Ṛṣyaśṛṅga.

Thereupon hearing the king’s words, with aggrieved hearts, and wiṃ heads hanging down, they will beseech the monarch, saying, Afraid of the saint, Vibhāṇḍaka, we shall not be able to repair thither.

Anon hitting upon the appropriate means, they say, ‘We will search for the Vipra, and no blame shall accrue to us.’

Thus by help of courtesans, the saint’s son was brought by the lord of the Aṅgas. And then the god (Indra) poured down showers; and the king conferred on him Śāntā.

And now your son-in-law Ṛṣyaśṛṅga will help you in obtaining a son. Now I have related to you what Sanatkumāra had communicated.

Thereupon king Daśaratha, well pleased, asked Sumantra, Do you now tell me by what means Ṛṣyaśṛṅga was brought over (by the lord of the Aṅgas).