So long as a maiden remains unmarried, her parents are considered to fall into a lower state; thus, it is essential for them to give her in marriage at the proper time. The son is truly the very form of the father—indeed, the father and son are one. Who, after all, would not wish to make their own child happy in this world? Whatever a father does for his daughter—be it giving, honoring, or caring for her—should be regarded as an act complete in itself, and what is given to her is imperishable. Such gifts to maidens are said to bring endless merit. Who would not seek happiness for their sons and grandsons? Whoever brings joy to maidens becomes the recipient of prosperity. In this manner, Bhāskara addressed his daughter, the argumentative maiden Viṣṭi. He said, “What can I do? No one accepts you, for you have a terrifying appearance. O auspicious one, in matters of marriage, whether among women or men, qualities such as lineage, beauty, age, wealth, learning, conduct, and good character are present in us all—except in you. Where shall I give you? You reproach me in vain—why?” Having spoken thus, Bhāskara again addressed Viṣṭi, saying, “To whomever you are to be given, if you consent, you shall be given by me today, O Viṣṭi. Approve me for that.” Viṣṭi replied to her father, “A husband, sons, wealth, happiness, lifespan, beauty, and affection—all these arise according to one’s previous actions. Whatever actions a living being has performed in the past, whether good or bad, their results will certainly be experienced, even in another existence. The father must carefully avoid his own faults, for the fruit will be in accordance with previous conduct. Therefore, the father should establish the connection of giving in accordance with his own lineage; the rest is determined by fate—whatever is destined will occur.” Hearing his daughter's words, Tvaṣṭṛ gave the terrifying Viṣṭi, who caused fear in the world, to his son Viśvarūpa. Viśvarūpa too was terrifying and possessed a frightening appearance. Thus, as husband and wife, their character and form were alike. Sometimes affection arose between them, sometimes discord. Their sons were named Gaṇḍa and Ati-gaṇḍa. Among them, the youngest was named Dharṣaṇa, who, though red-eyed, wrathful, wasteful, and ill-tempered, was a recipient of merit. One son, virtuous, fortunate, peaceful, pure-minded, and clean, once went to visit his maternal uncle in Yama’s abode. There, he saw many beings—some suffering, some as if enjoying heavenly pleasures. After bowing, he questioned his maternal uncle, the lord of dharma, about the eternal law: “Father, who are those happy ones, and who are those being cooked in hell?” Thus questioned, Dharmarāja explained everything truthfully, revealing the entire course of actions without omission. “Those who never transgress what is ordained never see hell, not even once, O humans. But those who do not respect scripture, proper conduct, or the learned, and who commit forbidden acts, are destined for hell.” Having heard these words of dharma, Harṣaṇa (the son) joyfully spoke again: “The father is Tvaṣṭṛ, fierce; the mother is Viṣṭi, also formidable; and the brothers are great-souled, by whom your mind has been pacified. They will become beautiful, faultless, and bestowers of auspiciousness. Tell me now, O best of gods, what action I should perform, for I will do it. Otherwise, I would not be able to reach them.” Thus addressed, the king of dharma replied, “Harṣaṇa, your mind is pure; you are indeed Harṣaṇa, without doubt. There may be many sons, but not all sustain the family line; it is only one son by whom the family is truly upheld. He who is the foundation of the family, who acts lovingly toward his parents, who uplifts his ancestors—he is a son; the other is merely a burden. Because you have spoken appropriately and pleasingly to me, O maternal grandfather, therefore, go to Gautamī after bathing, with a disciplined mind. Praise Viṣṇu, the source of the universe, peaceful, with a joyful heart. If he is pleased, he will grant all that is desired.” Having heard these words of dharma, Harṣaṇa went to Gautamī, pure, and praised the lord of gods, Hari. Hari was pleased. Then Hari granted Harṣaṇa the welfare of his family and, after dispelling all misfortune, said, “May welfare be yours.” Thus, Viṣṭi is called auspicious, the father is auspicious, and so are the sons; from that time, that sacred place became known as Bhadratīrtha. There, Hari, the lord of auspiciousness, grants all blessings to men; for those who worship at that sacred place, he bestows all accomplishments, being the sole repository of auspiciousness, manifest as Janārdana, god of gods. Nearby is the Patatri Tīrtha, renowned for destroying disease and sin; merely by hearing of it, a person becomes fulfilled. In that lineage, two divine sons of Kaśyapa were born: Saṃpāti and Jaṭāyu. The sons of Tārkṣya Prajāpati are Aruṇa and Garuḍa; and in their lineage, Saṃpāti, the best of birds, was born. Another, named Jaṭāyu, was renowned as the younger brother; both were filled with mutual rivalry, intoxicated by their own strength. These two excellent birds soared into the sky to bow to the sun, and as they approached the vicinity of the sun, their story continued.