By the blessings of Indra, Vasu, the illustrious king of the Cedis, performed the grand Indra festival. His lineage was strong, for he had five sons, each mighty and equal in energy. As emperor, Vasu established his sons in various kingdoms. Among the Magadhas, he placed the renowned Bṛhadratha, famed as a chariot-warrior. The others were Pratyagraha, Kuśāmba—also known as Maṇivāhana—Matsyilla, Yadu, and the royal Aparājita. These sons, born to the radiant royal sage, spread their names across regions and ancient cities, leaving enduring legacies. Each of these five Vasava kings founded separate, lasting lineages, and together, they dwelled in Indra's crystal palace in the heavens. The Gandharvas and Apsarases attended upon their noble father, and his fame grew so great that he was celebrated as Rājoparicara. Near his city flowed the river Śuktimatī, and nearby stood the mountain Kolāhala, which, endowed with consciousness, is said to have moved by its own desire. Vasu struck Kolāhala with his foot, and the blow opened a passage through which the river emerged. Upon this river, Parvata himself produced a pair, and the pleased river Śuktimatī reported this occurrence to the king. She declared, “The girl will become your queen, and the boy will be the commander of your army.” Hearing these words and seeing the pair, Vasu, foremost among kings, acted accordingly. The boy, born there, was named Vasuprada, generous and noble; Vasu appointed him as commander of the army, a destroyer of enemies. The king then took the girl as his wife, naming her Girika, and she became Vasur’s spouse. When Girika’s fertile period arrived, she bathed and was purified for conception. On that day, her family advised the king, “Go hunt animals.” Obedient and pleased, the wise king departed for the hunt, leaving Girika behind. Yet as he wandered, his heart was filled with longing for his beautiful wife, whose radiance seemed another embodiment of fortune. The forest he entered was enchanting, filled with ashokas, champakas, mango trees, atimuktas, punnagas, karnikaras, bakulas, and divine patalas. There were jackfruit, coconut, sandalwood, and arjuna trees, all laden with sweet fruits. The air was alive with the calls of cuckoos and the buzzing of intoxicated bees. In spring, the forest resembled Chaitraratha itself. Overwhelmed by love, Vasu wandered, burning with desire, unable to see Girika. He came upon a branch covered in flowers and fresh leaves, hidden among clusters of ashokas, delightful to behold. Seated comfortably beneath its shade, he enjoyed the sweet fragrance of flowers mingled with honey. Stirred by the gentle wind, joy filled him, but as he thought of his wife, the fire of love grew within, and his seed spilled as he wandered in the dense forest. Mindful, Vasu caught the seed with a leaf, saying, “Let my seed not fall in vain.” He protected the white seed with his ring, tying it with red ashokas and tender leaves. He resolved, “Let this spilled seed not be wasted; let my wife’s fertile period not be fruitless.” Thus, he reflected again and again, determined that the seed would not be wasted. Observing the proper time for conception, he consecrated the seed, ready for swift departure. Knowing the subtle truth of righteousness and purpose, he approached a hawk and requested, “For my beloved’s sake, gentle one, carry this seed to my house.” The hawk took the seed and soared swiftly through the sky. As the bird sped along, another hawk saw him approaching. Suspecting flesh, the second hawk attacked, and in the sky, the two engaged in a fierce beak-fight. Amidst their struggle, the seed fell and landed in the waters of the Yamuna. There, a celestial nymph named Adrika, cursed by Brahma, had taken the form of a fish. Adrika, in her fish form, seized the seed with force. Later, fishermen caught her. When the tenth month arrived, from her belly emerged a woman and a man—both human. Amazed by this, the fishermen reported to the king, “O king, from the body of a fish, these two humans have been born.” King Uparicara Vasu took the male child, naming him Matsya, who grew to be righteous and true to his word. The apsara Adrika, freed from her curse, regained her celestial form. As foretold, “Having given birth to two humans, you will be released from the curse.” Thus, after bearing them, she was killed by the fishermen. Abandoning her fish form, she attained her radiant apsara appearance and departed to the realm of the Siddhas, Rishis, and Charanas.