Having dwelt in the palaces of mighty rulers, the king of the Cedis, adorned with red ochre and accompanied by his queen, rejoiced in those days. Just as he joyfully performed the great Indra festival in honor of Vasu, so too did all the people of the land, following his example and celebrating with devotion. Witnessing this auspicious worship offered to Vasu, Mahendra—Indra himself—mounted his celestial chariot, drawn by tawny horses, and descended from the heavens. With Śacī by his side and attended by hosts of radiant Apsarases, Indra approached Vasu, the foremost of kings, and addressed him with gracious words: “Those who worship with the same joy as the king of the Cedis, and who arrange the festival as he has done, for them prosperity and victory shall arise throughout their realms. Their lands will flourish and be filled with happiness. Their crops will be abundant in every way, O king, and neither Rākṣasas nor Piśācas will ever trouble them.” Thus, the great-souled Mahendra honored Vasu, the illustrious king, with affection, and having bestowed his blessings, returned to his celestial abode. Those who always celebrate the festival of Śakra—honoring him with gifts of land, jewels, boons, and great sacrifices—are likewise blessed. Vasu, lord of the Cedis, thus honored by Maghavat, ruled his kingdom righteously in accordance with dharma. By Indra’s favor, Vasu performed the Indra festival, and he was blessed with five mighty sons, each equal in energy. The emperor installed his sons in various kingdoms: the renowned Bṛhadratha, a great chariot-warrior, among the Magadhas; Pratyagraha; Kuśāmba, also known as Maṇivāhana; Matsyilla; Yadu; and the royal Aparājita. These were the sons of that radiant royal sage, 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. Gandharvas and Apsarases attended upon that great-souled king, and thus his glorious 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 that mountain with his foot, and through the opening created by the blow, the river Śuktimatī emerged. Upon its banks, Parvata himself produced a pair—a boy and a girl—and the pleased river reported this to the king. “The girl will become the queen, and the boy will be the commander of the army,” declared Śuktimatī. Hearing these words and seeing the children, the king, foremost among rulers, made the boy, the eminent Vasur, his commander—generous and a destroyer of enemies. The girl became his wife, and thus Girika became Vasur’s spouse. When Girika’s fertile period arrived, she bathed and was purified for conception. On that day, her fathers instructed the king, “Go hunt animals.” Obedient to his ancestors’ command, the wise and pleased king departed, leaving Girika behind, though his heart remained with her, she who was exceedingly beautiful, like the very embodiment of fortune. Entering the forest, he was surrounded by ashokas, champakas, mango trees, atimuktas, punnagas, karnikaras, bakulas, and divine patalas, as well as jackfruit, coconut, sandalwood, and arjuna trees—all laden with sweet fruits. The air was filled with the calls of cuckoos and the buzzing of intoxicated bees, and the forest, vibrant in spring, resembled the celestial Chaitraratha grove. Overwhelmed by love and longing for Girika, the king wandered, burning with desire, moving about aimlessly. He came upon a branch covered with flowers and fresh leaves, hidden amidst clusters of ashokas, delightful to behold. Seated in its shade, he enjoyed the sweet fragrance of flowers mingled with honey. Stirred by the gentle breeze and thoughts of his beloved, the fire of love grew within him, and his seed spilled as he wandered in the dense forest. Mindful, the king caught the seed with a leaf, saying, “Let my seed not fall in vain.” He protected it with his ring, tying it with red ashokas and tender leaves. Reflecting, he said, “Let this spilled seed not be wasted; let my wife’s fertile period not be fruitless.” Considering again and again, the king realized the seed could yet fulfill its purpose. Observing the proper time for conception, he consecrated the seed, ready to depart swiftly, and approached a hawk. “For my beloved’s sake, gentle one, carry this seed to my house,” he requested. The hawk took the seed and soared swiftly into the sky. But as it flew with utmost speed, another hawk saw it approaching.