Chapter XLIX: Section LI

Hearing the narration of the intelligent Vicwamitra, Gautama's eldest son, the exceedingly energetic Satatnanda of rigid austerities, highly effulgent by virtue of his asceticism, with his down standing on end wondered greatly at the sight of Rama. And seeing the king's sons seated at their ease, he said unto that foremost of ascetics, Vicwamitra, -- "O most powerful of anchorets, by thee was my illustrious mother, grown old in asceticism, shown unto the king's son. Did my famous and exalted mother entertain with the produce of the woods Rama worthy of every one's homage? And, O highly energetic one, hath that old story relative to my mother having been wronged by that celestial, been communicated unto Rama? And, O Kaucika, good betide thee, hath my mother, in consequence of beholding Rama, been united with my revered sire? And, O son of Kucika, hath the highly energetic Rama come hither, after having been rendered homage by my high- souled revered sire? And, O Kucika's son, was my revered sire of quiescent soul, saluted by Rama when he arrived there?" Hearing those words of his, the mighty ascetic Vicwamitra, skilled in speech, replied unto Satananda, cognizant of words, saying,--"O best of ascetics, nothing necessary was omitted by me,--but everything hath been done. And the ascetic's wife hath been united with him, even as Renuka with Bhrigu's son."[67] Hearing the speech of the intelligent Vicwamitra, the exceedingly energetic Satananda said unto Rama,--"Art thou well come, O chief of men? It is by our luck that, O descendant of Raghu thou hast come unto us, headed by the respected Maharshi Vicwamitra. This highly energetic Vicwamitra, this Brahmarshi is of prowess measureless; and deeds inconceivable, by virtue of his asceticism. Him thou knowest as the prime way. O Rama, there existeth on this earth not one that is more fortunate than thyself. Thy protector is even Kucika's descendant, by whom mighty austerities have been performed. Do thou listen as I faithfully describe unto thee the ascetic power of the high-souled Kaucika. Do thou listen unto me relating this. This righteous one was for a long time a king, subduing his enemies, cognizant of morality, acomplished, and intent upon the welfare of his subjects. And there was a king named Kuca, the son of Prajapati. And Kuca's son was the powerful and pious Kucanabha. And Kucanabha's son was Gadhi. And Gadhi's son is the highly energetic and mighty ascetic Vicwamitra who ruled the earth. And that king reigned for thousands of years. And it came to pass that once with his four-fold forces marshalled, he set out for ranging the earth. And the king went on by turns ranging cities and kingdoms, rivers and mountains and asylums. And at length that foremost of conquerers, the mighty Vicwamitra, came upon Vasishtha's asylum furnished with various blossoming plants and trees; abounding in animals; inhabited by Siddhas and Charanas; graced by celestials and Danavas and Gandharbas and Kinnaras; and filled with mild deer; frequented by the feathered tribes; crowded with Brahmarshis; with Devarshis inhabiting it; aye teeming with high-souled ones of accomplished ascetic success and resembling fire; like another region of Brahma; graceful; and adorned on all sides with high-soulded saints and Valakhilyas and Vaikhanasas resembling Brahma, feeding on water or air, or living on withered leaves, or subsisting on fruits and roots, and self- controlled, and free from faults, and of vanquished senses, and engaged in reciting _mantras_ and performing homas.

[67] Jamadagni, father of Parusurama.--T.