With a heart full of sorrow and devotion, the wife cried out, “My husband alone is my supreme kin, the very breath of my life. O lord of people, protect me, for I am bereft of family, a childless woman with no one to call my own. I am the daughter of the blessed one—save me by granting my husband’s life. The wise have declared that to grant me this is to bestow the very gift of life.” Yet, though she pleaded thus, the cruel demon paid no heed. Like a tiger seizing a helpless black antelope calf, he devoured the twice-born sage before her eyes. Overwhelmed by rage and grief, the sage’s wife cursed the king, already suffering under the weight of a previous curse. “Because you have united with a woman, you too shall certainly meet your death in the same way. Since my husband was devoured, may you surely attain the state of a demon!” At that moment, Pramanyu, filled with burning anger, unleashed a shower of embers in his wrath. But then, restraining herself, she declared, “For a single offense, only one curse from me is fitting. Now, together with your son, go at once to be born among the spirits.” Tormented, hungry, and with a dreadful voice, she wailed terribly, her children gathered around her, and they wandered to a forest on the banks of the sacred Narmada, a place frequented by demons. There, in that wild and sorrowful land, dwelled one who was tormented by grief and acted contrary to the ways of the world—a brahma-rakshasa, full of rage, who stood beneath a great banyan tree. He spoke out in anguish, “By what sin, tell me truly, have such as these been born to me?” After hearing all that had transpired, another replied, “Out of great affection for my friend, you should tell me everything.” The brahma-rakshasa continued, “He who commits a sinful act endures torment for ten thousand ages. Therefore, a wise man should never deceive his friends.” At that moment, the sage Narada, pleased, spoke words of righteousness. “I am known as Somadatta, devoted to righteousness. Because I once showed indifference to my teacher, I have fallen to this state. In my delusion, I have devoured Brahmins by the hundreds and thousands. He who constantly causes fear in the world and is devoted to eating flesh—such a one suffers as I do. This has been my experience; therefore, O illustrious one, none should act in this way. In the same manner, Sarave, tell me everything, for I am filled with curiosity.” Sarave responded, “I have come; I will tell you—listen attentively, O friend. One who expounds scripture, who teaches righteousness, and who instructs in the science of ethics; one who teaches vows, who protects from fear, and who gives food; one who initiates, who performs consecrations, who conducts sacraments—these are all declared to be gurus, worthy of honor and respectful salutations. All these are indeed equal, O Sarave; tell me if this is proper. Narrating the greatness of the guru, listening to it, and giving approval—all these are always worthy of equal honor; there is no doubt about this. Those who teach the Vedas and those who explain the mantras likewise, and the learned one who recites the Purāṇas imbued with righteousness, all are worthy of respect.” He continued, “The acts worthy of worshipping the gods, and the fruits of such worship, are taught in the Purāṇas, O king, which are the very essence of the meanings of all the Vedas. The person who strives to cross the ocean of worldly existence finds guidance and refuge in these teachings.