When the time came, the sage was asked to address the very questions of desire that had been put before him, just as they were. Śākalya, learned and keen, then presented a thousand questions, each one complete and thorough in every respect. Śākalya was unmatched in argument, and Yājñavalkya responded to him directly. But in this debate, which was held as a wager, the stakes were grave: for whichever of the two disputants was defeated, death would be his lot. Whether the matter concerned the principal path of the inner self or the way of meditation, the questions delved deep. Śākalya, unable to comprehend the answers, met his end in this way. Thus, among those seekers of wealth and knowledge, a great debate arose. The self-controlled sage, having prevailed, returned to his own pure home, surrounded by his devoted disciples. The wise knower of the Veda then composed five great collections. Among these, Khalīya, Sutapā, Vatsa, and Śaiśireya were counted as the fifth. The best among the twice-born also established Nirukta as the fourth. There were excellent Brāhmaṇas such as Dhīmān, Tabalāka, and Gaja. Three noble disciples, each adorned with great qualities, were especially notable; the third among them was Ārjava. These steadfast souls were devoted to austerity and unwavering in their vows. Thus, these many-versed collections were declared and set forth by them. In total, he proclaimed eighty-six auspicious collections of the Yajur Veda. Of these, one was set aside by Yājñavalkya, the great ascetic. Among all these collections, threefold divisions were described—those from the north, the central region, and the east, each of a different kind. In the central region, Asuri is remembered as the foremost founder of the tradition. These Carakas, as they are called, are twice-born expounders of the Saṃhitā. The question then arose: what was done, and for what reason did they come to be known as Carakas? Having reached the summit of Meru, the sages deliberated together. They made an agreement: one among them would commit the killing of a Brahmin. In seven nights, they gathered at the place where this agreement had been made. Then Vaiśampāyana, assembling his disciples, addressed them, “All of you, speak whatever words are beneficial as you wish. Empowered by my own austerity, I will raise him up by force.” He then said, “Whatever you have learned, return it all to me.” Thus, all that had been stained with blood was vomited up by the disciples, O best knowers of Brahman. That which was produced as Brahman in the Sun, going there, abides. The Sun, satisfied, gave those things to Brahmarāta. The Brāhmaṇas recite those Yajus verses, each according to his own method. Those who performed the act of Brahmin-killing are remembered as Carakas because of their conduct. Thus, the Carakas are described. Now listen of the Vājins. The Madhyandina is the legitimate son, as are the Vaidhya and the Adhabuddhaka. Āvaṭī, Puṇḍra, Vaiṇoya, and Saparāśara are also among them. It should be known that those who made variations of the Yajur Veda numbered one hundred and one. Sumantu, too, once again instructed his own son. The son swiftly mastered a thousand Saṃhitās and became skilled in virtuous deeds.