Among the people of the Cedi kingdom, all the classes faithfully performed their own duties, so thoroughly that nothing in the three worlds was unknown to them. O giver of honor, such was their wisdom and discipline. One day, a wondrous promise was made: a great, celestial chariot—crystal-clear and radiant, fit for the enjoyment of the gods—would descend from the sky, a gift bestowed by a divine being. To you alone among mortals, it was said, would come the privilege of riding in this foremost of heavenly chariots, moving above the earth like a god in embodied form. You were also given the Vaijayanti garland, woven from unfading lotuses. This garland you were to wear in battle, and while adorned with it, no weapon could wound you. This would become your sign in the world, O lord of men: you would be renowned as “Indra among men,” blessed, incomparable, and great. Then, the mighty slayer of Vritra, Indra himself, gave you a bamboo staff—granting wishes and protecting the worthy. Thus, Indra consoled the king, turning him away from severe austerities, and having fulfilled the task of the gods, departed with the other deities. The king of the Cedis, now adorned with Indra’s ornaments, mounted the celestial chariot that Indra had given him and returned to his city. To honor Indra, the lord of the earth arranged a magnificent entry festival, the greatest celebration upon the land. In the month of Margashirsha, during the waxing fortnight, a grand sacrifice was performed. From that time onward, the best of kings have continued the tradition of the staff ceremony. The entry procession is conducted by kings as established by this king, and on the following day, they carry out the great elevation of the staff. The staff—measuring thirty-two cubits in height—is adorned with platforms, fragrant garlands, bands, and ornaments. It is raised upon a platform twelve cubits high, surrounded by splendid cloths of many colors. The foremost Brahmins honor the staff with garments, food, and drink, and after reciting auspicious hymns, the banner is raised. At that moment, the air is filled with the sounds of conches, kettledrums, and mridangas, and blessed Vasava—Indra—is worshipped there in the form of the staff. With devotion, the Yakshas, beginning with Manibhadra, are worshipped together with the gods, out of love for the great-souled Vasava who himself accepted this worship. Gifts of many kinds are distributed to supplicants and friends, and the staff is adorned with garlands, bands, and diverse garments. By the king’s command, everyone, carrying water-filled vessels, joins in playful celebration, honoring the king with conversations filled with humor and joy. All the townspeople and country folk rejoice together, while bards, minstrels, dancers, and actors add to the delight of the festival. Out of sheer happiness, O tiger among kings, all celebrated this grand festival—households and ministers, decked in all their ornaments. Having resided in the abodes of great kings, the king of the Cedis, adorned with red ochre and accompanied by his queen, rejoiced at that time. In this way, all the people of the land performed the Indra festival for Vasu, just as the king of the Cedis joyfully performed it for him. Witnessing this auspicious worship for Vasu, mighty Indra mounted his chariot in the sky, yoked with tawny horses. With Śacī and attended by hosts of Apsarases, he approached Vasu, the foremost of kings, and spoke: “Those who worship with joy as the king of the Cedis did, and who arrange the festival with such gladness, for them prosperity and victory will arise throughout their realms. Their land will flourish and be filled with happiness. Their crops will be abundant, and neither Rākṣasas nor Piśācas will ever harm them.” Thus did Mahendra, the great-souled Indra, honor Vasu, the great king, with affection. Having done so, Indra returned to his own abode. Those men who always celebrate the festival of Śakra, honoring him with gifts of land, jewels, boons, and great sacrifices, and with the festival itself, are blessed indeed. Vasu, lord of the Cedis and honored by Maghavat, ruled the earth in the land of the Cedis in accordance with dharma. By Indra’s favor, Vasu performed the Indra festival, and he had five mighty sons, each equal in energy. This emperor established his sons as rulers in various kingdoms: the renowned Bṛhadratha, a great chariot-warrior, among the Magadhas; Pratyagraha; Kuśāmba—also called Maṇivāhana; Matsyilla; Yadu; and the royal Aparājita. These, O king, were the sons of that royal sage of great splendor, and they established their own names over regions and ancient cities. These five Vasava kings, each founding a separate and enduring lineage, dwelled in Indra’s crystal palace in the sky. The Gandharvas and Apsarases attended upon their great-souled father; thus, his illustrious name became Rājoparicara. Near his city flowed the river Śuktimatī, and the mountain Kolāhala, endowed with consciousness, is said to have moved by its own desire. Vasu struck the mountain Kolāhala with his foot, and through the opening created by that blow, the river emerged. Upon that river, Parvata himself produced a pair, and because of this event, the pleased river reported it to the king. “The girl will become the queen, and the boy will be the commander of the army,” she declared. Hearing the words of Śuktimatī and seeing the pair, the foremost among kings took heed.