Vasishtha, steadfast in his resolve, did not restrain Parashara from his vow to destroy the Rakshasas. Vasishtha himself was determined to bear the second share of this vow. During the sacrificial ritual, the great sage Parashara manifested among the three blazing sacred fires, appearing as though he were a fourth fire at the forefront. The power and purity of his sacrifice illuminated the sky, shining with brilliance like the sun emerging after the clouds have passed. All the assembled sages, led by Vasishtha, beheld Parashara, radiant with energy, and regarded him as a second sun. Then, Atri, the sage of unwavering resolve and difficult for others to approach, arrived to complete the sacrifice. Alongside him came Pulastya, Pulaha, and the venerable Kratu, intent on preserving the lives of the Rakshasas. Pulastya addressed Parashara, the subduer of enemies, concerning the slaughter of the Rakshasas. He said, “My child, does this destruction not distress you? Are you not troubled by the killing of all the Rakshasas, who are ignorant and without fault? You should not bring about the destruction of my lineage; such conduct is not the duty of ascetics among the twice-born, my son. Restraint is the highest duty—practice that, O Parashara. You, best among men, are acting in a most unrighteous way. You should not overstep Shakti, who was righteous, nor bring about the destruction of my descendants in this manner. It was by Shakti’s curse, O Vasishtha, that these events transpired; through his own fault, your son Shakti was taken to heaven. No Rakshasa was able to devour him, O sage; Vasishtha’s son was consumed by Rakshasas released by Kaushika. At that time, they neither uttered a curse nor sought protection. Those patient ones burned their own bodies, declaring, ‘Let another body be formed.’ Thus, by their own actions, death was witnessed at that time. Vishwamitra became the cause, O Parashara, and King Kalmashapada, having ascended to heaven, rejoices. And the sons of Vasishtha, who were inferior to Shakti, together with the gods, rejoice, filled with happiness. All this is known to the great sage Vasishtha; this is the destruction of the Rakshasas by the ascetics, O dear one. You too have become the cause in this sacrifice, O son of Vasishtha; therefore, release this sacrifice—may good be yours, may it be completed for you.” Thus addressed by Pulastya and the wise Vasishtha, Parashara, the great ascetic and son of Shakti, brought the sacrifice to completion. The fire, gathered for the destruction of all the Rakshasas, was released on the northern side of the Himavat, in a vast forest. Even today, that fire is seen there, continually consuming Rakshasas, trees, and stones, especially during festival times. Once again, with great energy, Parashara, son of Shakti, desiring to destroy Vishwamitra, gathered a terrible fire, empowered by immense austerity. Yet, the fire gathered by Vasishtha, wishing for Vishwamitra’s welfare, was consumed by the wise Skanda, whose brilliance was like fire. Now, a question arises: by what reason did King Kalmashapada, best among knowers of Brahman, assign his wife to his guru? And knowing the highest dharma, why did the great-souled Vasishtha commit the act of approaching one who should not be approached? Vasishtha once performed a most unrighteous deed, O friend; please dispel this doubt of mine. Listen, Dhananjaya, to what you have asked regarding Vasishtha, who is difficult to overcome, and King Mitrasaha. I have told you everything—how that king was cursed by Shakti, the great-souled son of Vasishtha. Overcome by the force of the curse, his eyes agitated with anger, the king departed from the city with his wife. He wandered into a deserted forest with his wife, a place filled with many kinds of beasts and crowded with various creatures. The forest, covered with thickets and creepers and filled with diverse trees, echoed with dreadful noises as the king wandered, afflicted by the curse. One day, afflicted by hunger and seeking food, he, greatly distressed, saw something in a lonely part of the forest. A brahmin and his wife approached together; seeing the king, both became very frightened and fled in haste, their purpose unfulfilled. As they fled, the king seized the brahmin by force. Seeing her husband captured, the brahmin woman spoke: “Hear my words, O king, which I will speak to you, O steadfast one; you are renowned in the world as sprung from the solar dynasty. You are vigilant in righteousness, devoted to serving elders; afflicted by a curse, O difficult-to-overcome one, you should not commit sin. Now, at the proper season, tormented by my husband’s misfortune, I have come together with him for the purpose of conception, yet my desire remains unfulfilled. Have mercy, O best of kings, release my husband.” Though she cried out thus, the king did not act compassionately. The tiger within him devoured her husband as a tiger devours its chosen prey. Overcome by anger, her tears fell to the ground.