From that time onward, the mighty adversaries began to oppress the gods, humans, and all moving beings. They would repeatedly retreat into the waters, afflicting even the sages who dwelled there. Protected by the fortress of the ocean, these powerful beings tormented the three worlds for five and then seven thousand years, causing suffering everywhere. Eventually, the lord of fire and the lord of wind, prompted by Indra, the king of the gods, were commanded: “Let this ocean be dried up now!” Indra declared, “This abode of Varuṇa has become a refuge for our enemies; therefore, I order you both to bring about its destruction today.” But Agni and Vāyu, the gods of fire and wind, replied to Śakra, the slayer of Śambara, “O lord of gods, destroying the ocean is unrighteous. The great multitude of living beings would perish. We should not commit such a sin, O Purandara. Even within a single yojana of this ocean, hundreds of millions of creatures dwell, O best of gods. How can it deserve destruction?” Hearing their protest, Indra’s eyes flared red with anger. He spoke wrathfully, his words burning like fire: “Immortals never attain a mixture of righteousness and unrighteousness; but for you both, who uphold greatness, this must be so. Because you, along with Vāyu, disregarded my command, and, adopting the vow of a sage and nonviolence, have acted thus, O Fire, without regard for the law of righteousness and purpose toward the enemy, therefore, with a single form, you will be born in the world as a human sage, together with Vāyu. And when, even in human form, you dry up the ocean by Agastya, O Fire, then you will regain divinity.” Thus, by Indra’s curse, at that very moment, both Agni and Vāyu fell to the earth. They were born with a single body from a jar, O sage. By the energy of Mitra and Varuṇa, he became the younger brother of Vasiṣṭha; Agastya, of fierce austerity, was born again as a sage. Curious, the question arose: “How did he become the brother of Vasiṣṭha, O destroyer of cities? And how are Mitra and Varuṇa remembered as his fathers? How did Agastya’s birth from a jar occur?” Long ago, the ancient person, Viṣṇu, son of Dharma, was performing great austerities on Mount Gandhamādana. Fearing his intense tapas, Indra sent both Madhava and Ananga, accompanied by groups of apsarases, to create obstacles for him. But Hari was unmoved by songs, music, perfumes, and all sensual allurements; he was not agitated by desire, despite the efforts of Madhava and Ananga. Frustrated, the host of love-stricken women became despondent. To stir them, Hari, the elder brother of men, produced from his own thigh a woman who would enchant the beings of the three worlds. The gods were disturbed by her presence, and in the midst of the apsarases, Hari spoke before all the gods to those two best among them. Hari said, “She is generally an apsaras,” and added, “By the name Urvashi, she will become renowned in the world.” Urvashi was then desired by Mitra, who summoned her and requested, “Delight me.” She replied, “So be it.” As she was traversing the sky, her blue-lotus eyes shining, Varuṇa seized her from behind, but she did not welcome Varuṇa. She said, “I was previously chosen by Mitra; today I am not your wife, O lord.” Varuṇa replied, “Set your mind on me and go.” After Urvashi departed, Mitra, having said “So be it,” cursed her: “Go to the world of men and unite with the son of Soma. Since you have acted according to the way of courtesans, unite with him.” Then Mitra and Varuṇa both deposited their seed in a water jar, and thus two eminent sages were born. Once, a king named Nimi was playing dice with women, when Vasiṣṭha, born of Brahma, arrived. Because the king did not honor him, the sage cursed him, saying, “Become without a body.” In retaliation, the king likewise cursed Vasiṣṭha. Due to their mutual curses, their minds seemed to depart, and they went to Brahma, the lord of the world, seeking release from their afflictions. By Brahma’s command, Nimi’s consciousness entered the eyes, and the blinking of beings became their rest, O Nārada. Vasiṣṭha, meanwhile, was as before, in the water jar. Then, the tranquil sage, illustrious Agastya, white, four-armed, with an eye, thread, and water pot, was born. In one region of the Malaya mountains, following the Vaikhanasa rule, Agastya, accompanied by his wife and surrounded by brahmins, performed very difficult austerities. After a long time, seeing the world greatly afflicted by Tāraka, he, in anger, drank up the ocean, the abode of Varuṇa. All the bestowers of boons, beginning with Śaṅkara, were pleased with him. Brahma and the blessed Viṣṇu came to grant him a boon, saying, “Choose a boon, O sage, whatever you desire.” Agastya requested, “For twenty-five crores of Brahma’s thousand-year cycles, I shall dwell in a celestial vehicle on the southern path. Whoever performs worship for me at the rising of my celestial vehicle shall, in turn, become the lord of the seven worlds.” Having said, “So be it,” the gods departed as they had come. Therefore, the wise should always offer arghya to Agastya. But how should the offering of arghya be made to him, O Lord? Tell me the proper procedure for the worship of Agastya. At dawn, the learned should bathe at sunrise or at night, wearing white garments and garlands, and holding white sesame seeds. He should place a flawless pot adorned with garlands, cloth, and ornaments, filled with five kinds of gems, a vessel of ghee, various foods and fruits, and a copper vessel.