Having spoken the words, “So it shall be,” Indra, the lord of the three worlds, was joined by Dharma and Viśvāmitra, son of Gādhi. Their hearts were filled with joy and satisfaction. Then, departing from the earth, they soared to the heavenly realms, riding upon the peaks of aerial chariots. From these heights, they addressed the people of Ayodhyā, calling out, “Ascend to heaven!” Upon hearing Indra’s proclamation, Viśvāmitra, the great ascetic, was filled with happiness. He brought Rohitāśva to the king. In the splendid city of Ayodhyā, amidst the presence of gods, sages, and perfected beings, the prince was anointed as king, installed as the lord of men. With the king, all the people—joyful, prosperous, and accompanied by their friends, sons, servants, and wives—ascended to heaven. Step by step, from one aerial chariot to another, they rose upward, and great joy filled the heavens, with King Hariścandra ascending as well. Having attained incomparable prosperity through these celestial vehicles, Hariścandra established dwellings within the city, surrounded by ramparts and walls. Witnessing this prosperity, Uśanas—also known as Śukra, the great and blessed preceptor of the Daityas, knower of all scriptural truths—spoke these words: “There has never been, nor will there ever be, a king equal to Hariścandra. Whoever hears this tale, even if afflicted by sorrow, will obtain great happiness. One desiring heaven will attain heaven; one desiring a son will obtain a son; one desiring a wife will gain a wife; one desiring a kingdom will obtain a kingdom. O, the greatness of forbearance! O, the great fruit of giving! By these virtues, Hariścandra has arrived here and attained the kingship of Indra’s city.” The birds then said, “All this, the deeds of Hariścandra, have been told to you. Now, O best of sages, listen to the remainder of the tale. The results of the rājasūya sacrifice, the cause of the earth’s destruction, and the great war called the battle of the Āḍibakas—these are yet to be heard.” The birds continued: When Hariścandra was deprived of his kingdom and had gone to the abode of the gods, the illustrious priest emerged from his watery dwelling. Vasiṣṭha, the sage, who had dwelt by the Ganges for twelve years, learned all that Viśvāmitra had done. He heard of the destruction of Hariścandra, the generous king, his association with outcastes, and the sale of his wife and son. Upon hearing these events, the exceedingly fortunate king was pleased, but the radiant sage, Vasiṣṭha, became deeply angry with Viśvāmitra. Vasiṣṭha declared, “My hundred sons were slain by Viśvāmitra, yet even then my anger was not as fierce as it is today. Upon hearing that this noble king—great-souled, devoted to the worship of gods and Brahmins—had been deprived of his sovereignty, though he was truthful, peaceful, free from envy even toward enemies, sinless, righteous, vigilant, and self-controlled, and that he, along with his wives, servants, and sons, was brought to the lowest state and repeatedly humiliated, I am filled with wrath. Therefore, that wicked soul, enemy of Brahmins, who was cast down by the wise, struck by my curse, will become a crane.” The birds said: Hearing the curse, the mighty Viśvāmitra, descendant of Kusha, cursed Vasiṣṭha in return, saying, “You too shall become a heron.” By cursing each other, these two of great brilliance—Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra—attained the state of animals. Though they had entered other forms, these two, filled with boundless energy and intense wrath, fought fiercely, displaying immense strength and valor. The heron stood two thousand yojanas tall, while the crane measured three thousand and ninety yojanas. With blows from their wings, they struck each other, causing intense fear among all creatures. The crane, shaking its wings and with bloodshot eyes, struck; the heron, with its neck held high, struck the crane with its feet. Driven by the wind from their wings, mountains fell to the earth. Struck by these falling mountains, the earth trembled. The trembling earth caused the oceans to surge, and she leaned to one side, ready to descend into the netherworld. Some perished from falling mountains, some from the waters of the ocean, and some from the shaking of the earth. Thus, everything became terrified, lifeless, and confused; the world was greatly disturbed, and the earth’s sphere was overturned. Cries rang out: “Alas, child! Alas, beloved! O infant, flee, for I am about to perish! Alas, dear one! Beloved! This mountain is falling—run swiftly!” When the world was thus thrown into turmoil and terror, surrounded by all the gods, the Grandfather, Brahmā, arrived. The Lord of all the worlds addressed the two, who were greatly enraged, saying, “Cease this battle, and let the worlds return to their peace.” Though they heard the words of Brahmā, both Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra, overcome by anger and wrath, did not desist but continued to fight. Then Brahmā, seeing the destruction of the worlds and wishing for their welfare, dispelled the hostile state between them. The god Prajāpati, seeing them restored to their former bodies, spoke: “O Vasiṣṭha and Kauśika, you have been freed from the state of darkness. Desist, dear Vasiṣṭha, and you too, noble Kauśika; under the influence of darkness you both sought such a battle. This conflict is the result of the rājasūya sacrifice of King Hariścandra; your quarrel is causing the destruction of the earth.