The chief counselor spoke with gentle gravity: “One must not act rashly, O king. You have already heard the sage’s wise words, and the tale of Vishvamitra serves as a lesson for us all.” He began to recount the ancient story: Long ago, the illustrious Vishvamitra, son of Gadhi and renowned among kings, wandered through the land and came upon the hermitage of the great sage Vashishtha. Vishvamitra, powerful and foremost among rulers, bowed respectfully before Vashishtha, who welcomed him warmly and offered him a seat. Vashishtha, possessed of great soul, invited Vishvamitra to partake of a meal. The king, famed among men, stood there with his entire retinue and army. All manner of sumptuous foods and delicacies appeared, provided by the miraculous cow Nandini. Vishvamitra and his army ate their fill, enjoying every desired dish. Astonished by Nandini’s wondrous powers, Vishvamitra approached Vashishtha and requested the cow. “O sage,” he said, “I will give you a thousand milking cows in exchange—grant me Nandini, I beseech you, O destroyer of foes.” Vashishtha replied calmly, “This cow is my sacrificial companion, O king. I cannot give her away under any circumstance. Even if you possess a thousand cows, this one must remain with me.” Vishvamitra persisted, “I will offer ten thousand, or even a hundred thousand cows—whatever you desire. But if you will not give her, O virtuous one, then I shall take her by force.” Vashishtha answered, “If you must, take her by force today, O king, as you wish. But I will never willingly give Nandini from my house.” Thus rebuffed, Vishvamitra commanded his mighty servants, “Seize Nandini, you who are proud of your strength!” The king’s men rushed forward, and by force they restrained the sacred cow. Trembling and tearful, Surabhi’s daughter Nandini cried out to the sage, “O master, why do you abandon me as they drag me away so harshly?” Vashishtha answered gently, “I do not abandon you, O giver of excellent milk. The king is taking you by force today, though I have honored him. What can I do? In my heart, I do not forsake you.” Hearing these words, Nandini grew furious. She let out a terrible, harsh bellow, and from her body sprang forth fierce, armored demons, shouting, “Stop! Stop!” They fell upon Vishvamitra’s army and destroyed it utterly, freeing Nandini from captivity. Vishvamitra, now alone and deeply distressed, departed in sorrow. He lamented the limitations of the warrior caste’s power and recognized the extraordinary strength of the Brahmin’s spiritual force. Overwhelmed, he resolved to pursue the path of austerity. For many years, Gadhi’s son performed severe penances in the great forest, eventually attaining the status of a sage and renouncing his former warrior ways. The chief counselor concluded, “Therefore, O king, you too should not create unnecessary enmity. Conflict with ascetics only brings ruin to one’s own lineage. Go now to the eminent sage and make your peace with him, the very embodiment of austerity. Let Sudarshana remain here as he wishes. This boy is destitute—what harm can he do you? Your hostility toward this helpless, weak child serves no purpose.” He continued, “Compassion must be shown everywhere, for all in this world are subject to fate. What use is envy, O best of kings? What is destined will surely come to pass. By the workings of destiny, a thunderbolt may become as harmless as straw, and straw may strike with the force of a thunderbolt. Sometimes a hare slays a tiger, and a mosquito fells an elephant. Abandon rashness, O wise one, and heed my beneficial advice.” Vyasa then narrated: Hearing these words, King Yudhajit, the best among rulers, bowed his head to the sage and returned to his own city. Manorama remained safely in the hermitage, caring for her son Sudarshana, who observed vows with devotion. Day by day, the young prince grew in strength and stature. He played joyfully among the children of the sages, fearless and auspicious in every way. One day, a cat wandered into the hermitage. The sage’s son, seeing the animal, called it “impotent.” Sudarshana, hearing this, clearly pronounced the single syllable with a nasal sound, repeating it again and again. In that moment, the boy mentally grasped the seed-mantra known as Kāmarāja. He recited it with great devotion, holding it firmly in his heart. Thus, by the workings of destiny, the wondrous Kāmarāja mantra came naturally to the boy. In his fifth year, Sudarshana obtained this supreme mantra—one lacking the meter of the seers, received without meditation or ritual gesture. From then on, he silently recited the mantra every day, whether at play or in sleep, never forgetting it and knowing its essence within himself. When Sudarshana reached his eleventh year, the sage initiated him and instructed him in the Veda. He studied the Dhanurveda and its branches, the science of polity as prescribed, and all the arts, empowered by the strength of the mantra. One day, Sudarshana beheld the Goddess herself with his own eyes: she was clothed in red, her complexion radiant, and every limb adorned with red ornaments. Seated upon Garuda, manifesting as the wondrous Vaishnavi Shakti, she revealed her gracious face to the prince, who became filled with joy. Dwelling in that forest, learned in all the truths of knowledge, Sudarshana served the Divine Mother and sported happily along the riverbank. There, Ambika bestowed upon him a bow, arrows tipped with iron, a quiver, and shining armor.