Some among the people ate grass, while others entered the city of their fellows. Driven by the urgent desire to save their lives, they hastened to seek refuge with the sage Vasiṣṭha. Vasiṣṭha, informed of their plight through his spies, immediately went to his preceptor’s presence. Without delay, he forbade both the act of offering protection and the words spoken by his disciples. Among those seeking shelter were individuals who were blind, bearded, shaven-headed, and excluded from the Vedas. Witnessing this, King Sagara laughed and addressed his teacher, who was renowned for his austerity. Sagara declared with resolve, "In every way, I will slay those who have usurped my father's domain. He alone is the cause of total destruction—of this there is no doubt." He continued, "If these same ones, now weak, display extreme virtue, it is only because their strength has not been overpowered. One seeking what is best should never trust the goodness of serpents. When their power is reversed, they quickly reveal their true nature. The weak always speak exceedingly pitiful words. One should never trust the virtue or impartiality of the wicked. A man who trusts an evil wife is as good as dead—there is no doubt. By slaying all these wicked ones, by your grace, I shall enjoy the earth." Vasiṣṭha, touching Sagara’s body with both hands, spoke gently: "Even so, by hearing my words, you will attain supreme peace. Tell me, what fame arises from killing those who are already defeated? Why do you kill them again, though they have already been destroyed by their own sins? The self is indeed invulnerable because it is complete—this is the conclusion of the scriptures. All actions have their root in destiny; this world is under the control of the gods. Then, tell me, what can be accomplished by men who are not their own masters? Knowing this to be the root of evil, how could one set out to destroy it? Therefore, O king, this body is indeed the root of evil—there is no doubt. Having determined what will come to pass, do not harm these, O son, thereafter." Then, the sages, together with Kṛta, touched Sagara and Nandana. They performed the royal consecration with those sages of excellent vows. O best of sages, for the son of Kāśyapa and Vidarbha—coming from the forest, he spoke with the king and then returned to his own hermitage. Aurva, the Bhārgava sage and knower of mantras, granted a boon for the sake of offspring. He spoke words that delighted Keśinī and Sumati: "For the sake of offspring, O highly fortunate ones, choose whatever you desire." Keśinī chose to have one son, for the continuation of the lineage. Her son, O best of sages, was named Samañja. Upon seeing him, all the Sagaras became of wicked disposition. Samañja began to ponder, according to rule, the condemned rite for sons. Just as fire is struck by smiths merely by contact with iron, so too did he act. Samañja was learned in the scriptures, virtuous, righteous, and devoted to the welfare of his ancestors. Yet, obstacles always arise for those who are engaged in observances.