He served with purity and diligence, always attentive and free from fault, fulfilling his duties at the proper time. Yet, among men, can there be any true happiness except for those who perform virtuous deeds? Even so, all worldly merit is quickly lost when one offers service to the great souls. For even the smallest portion of cold ashes, if received by Śambhu himself, brings great blessing. Thus, O lord of obstacles, it is the virtuous who are most worthy of reverence, both in this world and the next. In time, Gara, worn and weary, entered the womb, and after three months, something most astonishing occurred. The birth rites were performed, and the child was given the name Sagara. The sage then conducted the sacred rituals—first the shaving, then the investiture with the sacred thread—marking Sagara’s passage through the stages of life. Even while traces of childhood remained, Sagara’s abilities became evident to all. Recognizing this, the venerable sage Aurva took it upon himself to instruct Sagara properly. Every day, Sagara brought darbha grass, flowers, and other offerings, approaching his teacher with joined palms and deep humility. “Tell me all of this,” he implored, his heart eager to learn. He spoke with sorrow and yearning: “Those who lose their father in this world, though they may still live, are like the dead. One who has neither mother nor father knows no happiness. The birth of a man without a son, or one weighed down by debt, is in vain. Just as a woman without a husband, so is a child without a father; just as a merchant without cattle, so is a fatherless child. Austerity without compassion, a horse without a bridle—so too is a son bereft of his father. Such a one is afflicted with deep sorrow.” When Sagara asked, everything was reported to him exactly as it had happened. Then, stirred by grief and resolve, he made a vow to destroy his enemies. With the sage’s guidance, he set out, and together they approached Vasiṣṭha, the family preceptor, for counsel and blessing. Sagara presented everything before Vasiṣṭha, who, endowed with the vision of knowledge, understood it all. The sage then bestowed upon Sagara a sword, hard as a thunderbolt, and a mighty bow. Honored with blessings, Sagara bowed and departed at once. With resolve, he struck down his enemies, sending them—along with their sons, grandsons, and followers—to heaven. Some were destroyed outright, terrified by his might; others fled in fear. Some, in desperation, ate grass to survive, while others entered the city of the people, seeking safety. Hoping to save their lives, many hurried to seek refuge with Vasiṣṭha. Through his spies, Sagara soon learned of this and went to his preceptor’s presence. In that very moment, he forbade both the act of protection and the words spoken by the disciples on behalf of his enemies. He looked upon those who were blind, bearded, shaven-headed, and excluded from the Vedas. Then Sagara laughed and spoke to his teacher, the very embodiment of austerity: “By every means, I will destroy those who have usurped my father’s domain. He alone is the root of total destruction—of this there can be no doubt. If those same ones, though weak, now display great virtue, it is only because their strength has not yet been overcome. They act only so long as their power remains.