In the tranquil depths of the forest, the sage Dvaipāyana begot his illustrious son, Śuka. It is known that Upamanyu was born of Pīvarī, and Śuka himself became the father of noble sons. Among them were Bhūriśravā, the lord Śambhu, Kṛṣṇa, and Gaura. The fifth was Kīrtimatī, a daughter steadfast in her vows, renowned as the mother of Yoga. Kīrtimatī became the wife of Brahmadatta, and also of Anuha, and through her were born Śveta, Kṛṣṇa, Gaura, Śyāma, Dhūmra, and Aruṇa, as well as Nīla and Bādarika. All these were celebrated as Parāśaras, eight in number, remembered as the branches of the great-souled Parāśaras. Now, listen further to the lineage that sprang from Indrapramiti. Vasiṣṭha’s son, Kapiñjala, was born from Ghṛtācī. Indrapramiti, known also as Trimūrti, was born of Pṛthu’s daughter; from her came Bhadra, and from Bhadra, Vasu. Upamanyu was born to Vasu, and from Upamanyu came many descendants. The renowned Kauṇḍinyas trace their origin to Mitra and Varuṇa. There are also the Ekārṣeyas and the celebrated Vāsiṣṭhas. These ten lineages are remembered as the branches of the great-souled Vasiṣṭhas. Thus, the mind-born sons of Brahmā became celebrated throughout the earth, and their noble lineages have been recounted. Born into the families of divine sages, they were endowed with the power to uphold the three worlds. Their sons and grandsons numbered in the hundreds and thousands, and by their presence, the three worlds were filled, just as the sun pervades all with its rays. Now, O best of speakers, Sūta, tell us how Śakti, along with his brothers, was devoured by a Rākṣasa. There was a Rākṣasa named Rudhira who, because of Śakti’s curse, devoured Vasiṣṭha’s son Śakti and his brothers. Urged by Viśvāmitra and following the command of King Kalmāṣapāda, Rudhira consumed the offerings that belonged to Vasiṣṭha. When the news reached Vasiṣṭha that his beloved and powerful son Śakti, knower of dharma, had been devoured by the Rākṣasa along with his brothers, the sage was overtaken by overwhelming grief. Again and again, he cried out, “O son, O son, O son!” and, together with his faithful wife Arundhatī, fell to the ground, overcome by sorrow. Hearing that his lineage was destroyed, Vasiṣṭha resolved to give up his life, remembering his hundred sons and especially Śakti, his eldest and most powerful. In his despair, he decided, “I will not live without him.” He climbed to the mountain’s summit, and, wise in all things and knower of the self, he fell to the earth with tearful eyes, his wife beside him. But as he fell, the earth herself supported him. With her lotus hands, she caught the sage, her neck adorned with wondrous ornaments, and wept as she carried the crying Vasiṣṭha, moving gently like a great elephant. At that moment, the wife of Śakti, Vasiṣṭha’s daughter-in-law, approached the grieving sage. Weeping and fearful, she spoke: “O revered one, best of Brāhmaṇas, preserve your blessed body, O lord, so that you may see your grandson, my son. O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, do not abandon this splendid body, for my child, the son of Śakti, who fulfills all purposes, is still in the womb.” Having spoken thus, the righteous, lotus-eyed woman gently raised her father-in-law, bowed to him, and wiped his tear-stained eyes with water. Though herself afflicted with sorrow, she sought to comfort her grieving father-in-law, and also appealed to the virtuous Arundhatī, who was suffering as well. Hearing her words, Vasiṣṭha rose from the ground, regained his senses, and embraced his daughter-in-law, who, overwhelmed with grief, collapsed. Arundhatī, her eyes filled with tears, touched her gently, and Vasiṣṭha, tiger among sages, loving his wife as dearly as a son, wept. Then, just as the four-faced Brahmā sits in Viṣṇu’s navel-lotus, the child lying in the womb recited a Vedic verse. Hearing this, the venerable Vasiṣṭha wondered with reverence who had spoken it, and focused his mind upon it. Suddenly, Hari, the Supreme Lord, appeared standing in the sky, his eyes like lotuses, the soul of the universe and embodiment of compassion. With kindness, he addressed Vasiṣṭha: “O dear child, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, Vasiṣṭha, lover of your son, from the lotus-face of your grandson, this sacred verse has emerged. O sage, this son of Śakti, your grandson, is mine as well as yours, and he is powerful. Therefore, arise, O best of Brahmā’s sons, abandoning your grief. Even while still in the womb, he is a devotee of Rudra, intent on worshipping Rudra; by Rudra’s power, your lineage will be preserved.” Having spoken thus, the compassionate Supreme Person vanished from Vasiṣṭha’s sight. Then Vasiṣṭha, radiant with splendor, bowed his head to the lotus-eyed Lord, and, though the Lord had become invisible, reverently touched the womb. Still, in his sorrow, he cried, “Alas, son, son!” and fell down, overwhelmed with grief. Seeing Arundhatī wailing, the Brāhmaṇas present sought to comfort her. Vasiṣṭha, remembering his son, called out, “Come, come, my child! Behold, O Śakti, your son, the upholder of the lineage. I will go to you, together with your mother, without doubt.” So saying, the Brāhmaṇa, weeping, embraced Arundhatī. She, in her anguish, struck her own belly with her hand, and the noble wife of Śakti vanished, thus destroying the abode of Śakti. Distressed, she lamented on the ground and fell down. At that moment, Arundhatī was filled with fear, and Vasiṣṭha, the great-minded sage, too, was deeply troubled.