Chapter IX: Section IX

Hearing all about it, the king's charioteer addressed the monarch in private, saying,--"Do thou listen to what is related in ancient history, 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 Sanat Kumara had said formerly in the presence of the saints, applies, O king, the case of thy having a son. "Kacyapa hath a son known by the name of Bibhandaka. He will get a son called Rhishyasringa. And he will grow up and pass his days in the woods. And that foremost of Brahmanas will not know aught else save following his father. And, O king, it is rumoured abroad, and also always said by the Vipras, that that high-souled one will practise the two modes[14] of Brahmacharya life. And he will spend some time in serving the sacrificial fire and his famous sire. At this time, the powerful Romapada of exceeding strength will be famed as king of the Angas. And in consequence of some default on bif part, there will occur in his kingdom a terrible and dreadful drouth, capable of striking terror into all. And filled with grief on account of this drouth, the king will call about him Veda-accomplished Brahmanas, and speak unto them, saying,--"Ye are conversant with the Vedic ritual and the social duties. Do ye, therefore, tell me how to expiate for this evil." And thus accosted by the king, those excellent Brahmanas versed in the Vedas, will say unto that ruler of earth,--"Do thou, O monarch, by all means, bring Bibhandaka's son. And having, O king, brought that Brahmana versed in the Vedas, Bibhandaka's son Rhishyasringa, and duly honored him, do thou, O monarch with a concentrated mind, bestow upon him thy daughter Santa, according to the ordinance." And hearing those words of theirs, the king will begin 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, honoring them duly, desire his priest and his courtiers to set out in quest of Rhishyasriuga. Thereupon hearing the king's words, with aggrieved hearts, and with heads hanging down, they will beseech the monarch, saying,--"Afraid of the saint, Bibhandaka, 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 attach unto us.'--

Thus by help of courtezans, the saint's son was brought by the lord of the Angas. And then the god (Indra) poured down showers; and the king conferred on him Santa. And now thy son-in-law Rhishyasringa will help thee in obtaining a son. Now I have related unto thee what Sanat Kumara had communicated." Thereupon king Dacaratha, well pleased, spoke unto Sumantra,--"Do thou now tell me by what means Rhishyasringa was brought over (by the lord of the Angas)."

[14] Those that assume the staff and the _kamandalu_ are reckoned the
first order; while those that continue to live with their wives
are considered as next in worth--T.