Upon hearing that supremely clear, celestial, and delightful voice, a wave of devotion swept over all present, especially toward the Primal Nature, the Great Mother. The twice-born sages, hearts filled with reverence, began to worship Her according to the sacred scriptures, knowing that such worship fulfills all desires. Janamejaya, eager and devoted, spoke: “O revered sage, I have heard in detail of the sacrifice performed by Hari and the glory of the Mother. I wish to hear more—please tell me everything. Inspired by the deeds of the Goddess, I too long to perform a noble sacrifice. By your grace, O best of Brahmins, may I be purified.” Vyasa replied: “Listen well, O King. I shall recount to you the supreme deeds of the Goddess, narrating the ancient history and Purana in full.” He began: “In the land of Kosala, there once lived a foremost king, born of the Solar dynasty—the illustrious son of Pushya—named Dhruvasandhi. Righteous and true to his word, he was ever devoted to the welfare of all social orders and stages of life. He ruled the prosperous city of Ayodhya, upholding pure vows. In his kingdom, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and all twice-born people engaged faithfully in their own duties, living righteously. There were no thieves, no slanderers, no cheats; deceitful, ungrateful, or foolish people found no place among his subjects. While King Dhruvasandhi ruled thus, he had two wives, both beautiful and bestowers of joy. His chief queen, Manorama, was not only lovely but exceedingly wise; his second wife, Lilavati, was also endowed with beauty and virtue. The king delighted in the company of both, spending time with them in palaces, gardens, pleasure hills, ponds, and splendid mansions. In time, at an auspicious hour, Manorama bore him an excellent son, Sudarshana, marked by signs of royalty. Within a month, on another auspicious day in the bright fortnight, Lilavati also gave birth to a handsome son. The king joyfully performed all the birth rites and ceremonies for both children, and, delighted at their arrival, gave generous gifts to the Brahmins. He showed equal affection to both sons, making no distinction in his heart. The cūḍā-karma, or hair-tonsure ceremony, was performed for both with great affection and according to proper rites, befitting the king’s wealth. With these ceremonies complete, the two handsome boys delighted the king’s heart as they played together, charming all who saw them. Of the two, the elder was Sudarshana, Manorama’s auspicious son. Lilavati’s son, sweet-spoken by nature, was named Shatrujit. Both boys were pleasing to the king, gentle in speech, and beautiful in form, beloved by the people and the ministers alike. The king, however, showed special affection to Sudarshana, who was virtuous and fortunate, while Mandabhaga, of lesser fortune, did not receive the same regard. As time passed, King Dhruvasandhi, who was fond of hunting, ventured into the forest. There, he sported, hunting deer, antelopes, boars, wild oxen, hares, buffaloes, sarabhas, and even rhinoceroses. But as he roamed that dreadful and terrifying forest, a furious lion suddenly emerged from a thicket. The king’s arrow struck the lion first, but this only enraged the beast further. With a thunderous roar, the lion, its tail raised and mane bristling, leapt from above, intent on killing the king. Swiftly, the king took up his sword and shield, standing firm like a lion himself. His attendants, filled with anger, shot arrows at the beast from all sides. A great outcry arose as a fierce battle ensued. The dreadful lion leapt upon the king, who struck valiantly with his sword, but the lion, coming close, tore at him with its cruel claws. Struck down, the king fell and died. The soldiers, crying out in grief, then slew the lion with their arrows. Thus, both the king and the lion perished in that place. The chief ministers and soldiers soon arrived and reported the king’s death. Hearing this, they went into the forest and performed his funeral rites. The sage Vasiṣṭha conducted all the ceremonies for the afterlife according to prescribed rules, ensuring happiness for the king in the next world. Afterward, the people, ministers, and the great sage Vasiṣṭha gathered to consult about the succession. They agreed that Sudarshana, the son of the lawful wife, was peaceful, virtuous, and possessed of good qualities—worthy of the royal throne. Vasiṣṭha himself affirmed, “This son of the king, though young, is righteous and deserving of the royal seat.” As the senior ministers made their decision, word reached King Yudhājit, lord of Ujjayinī and father of Lilavati. Hearing of his son-in-law’s death, he hastened to Ayodhya, concerned for the welfare of his own grandson. At the same time, Vīrasena, wishing for Sudarshana’s good, and the king of Kaliṅga, father of Manorama, also arrived, each accompanied by their armies. Both kings, anxious and uncertain, stood with their forces and consulted with the chief ministers about the future of the kingdom. Thus, the fate of Ayodhya hung in the balance, as the elders deliberated over who should ascend the throne.