After the sacred rites were completed, all the Brāhmaṇas were respectfully dismissed, their hearts intent on bestowing blessings. The Brahmin host then turned his attention to the relatives of his lineage and to all who were hungry, ensuring that everyone was fed according to the proper rites. As night descended, he seated himself at the door of his humble hut. His wife, ever attentive, brought water and gently washed his feet. Just then, the household’s she-dog and the bull began to converse. The she-dog spoke first, “Listen, dear friend, let me tell you what the lady of the house has done to me. I will recount it exactly as it happened, without falsehood. Once, by fate’s design, I went to the son’s house. As I stood there, I saw the daughter-in-law drinking milk, but never again after that day. The truth is, the milk had been drunk by a snake, and I witnessed this. Only afterwards did I see the daughter-in-law drink the milk properly. Because of contact with that milk, my hip has always been broken. From the pain, O master, I have become one afflicted by suffering, and with my hip broken, I can no longer enjoy food.” The bull replied, “Listen, O she-dog, let me tell you the cause of my suffering. Today, when the Brāhmaṇas were fed and the rites performed by my son, he did not think of me. Neither water nor even a blade of grass was offered to me by anyone, anywhere. I am sinful and unfed, bound here by the force of my own past deeds. Because of a particular misdeed, I have been born as a dog—there is no doubt.” At that very moment, the wise Brahmin son overheard their conversation. A sudden realization struck him: “This is indeed my father, who has been born as an animal in my own house. And this is indeed my mother, there is no doubt; by the force of fate, she has been born as a female dog. What can I do? This is certain.” Troubled by these revelations, the Brahmin could not sleep. Throughout the night, his mind was restless and filled with worry, and he remembered the supreme Lord of all. “I am devoted to so many forms of dharma,” he thought, “yet how can there be good for me in this way?” Eventually, weighed down by these thoughts, he drifted into uneasy sleep. With the arrival of the pure morning, he sought out the sages. Among them, Vasiṣṭha welcomed him warmly. “Tell us, best of Brahmins, the reason for your coming,” the sage invited. The Brahmin, offering his respects, replied, “Today my birth is fruitful, today my actions are fruitful; today my ancestors are satisfied, for I have gained your rare audience. As prescribed, the śrāddha has been performed, and the twice-born have been well fed; all the householders have likewise been given food.” He then recounted what had transpired after the meal: “After the meal was finished, the female dog spoke: ‘In our house, there is one bull. Hear, husband, what I say to you: while at home, I contaminated the milk vessel with poison. I saw this, and great anxiety arose in me—there is no doubt; when food is cooked with this milk, then all the Brahmins here will die from eating that food. Thinking thus, I, the mistress, drank the milk myself. Then, when the wife saw this, she beat me; injured by her, I wander—what can I do, so greatly afflicted?’” “Remembering her suffering, the bull spoke to the female dog: ‘Listen, dog, I will tell you the cause of my suffering. In a previous birth, I was indeed her father; today the Brahmins have been fed, and abundant food has been given. But neither grass nor water was ever offered to me; because of that sorrow, my suffering became even greater.’” The Brahmin concluded, “After hearing this story, I could not sleep at night. My mind was troubled, O best of sages. I am devoted to Vedic study and skilled in Vedic rituals; yet, thinking of the great suffering of these two, I wondered what I should do. I have come to you—please relieve my distress.” The sage replied, “O Ugrajanman, listen to what was done in a previous birth. This excellent Brahmin lived in the auspicious city of Kundana. When the fifth day arrived in the month of Bhādrapada, he did not observe that vow, being occupied with his father’s śrāddha and related rites. His wife, following her duty as a woman, undertook the vow and prepared food for all the Brahmins. Unaware, that sinful and ignorant man performed the rites. On the first day, she became a cāṇḍālī; on the second, a slayer of a Brahmin. On the third day, she was called a washerwoman; on the fourth, she was purified. Because of that sin, she was born as a female dog, roaming her own house, and he became an ox, O virtuous one, due to that action.” Ugrajanman then asked, “Tell me, O virtuous one, what vow, charity, sacrifice, or pilgrimage especially grants liberation to my parents?” The sage answered, “In the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada, the ṛṣipaṃcamī is observed. By performing it, sin caused by impurity is destroyed. It grants sons and grandsons, and gives liberation to ancestors. Whether at a river, well, pond, or in a Brahmin’s house, one should make a circle of cow dung and place a pot there. Upon it, set a vessel filled with grains sacred to the sages. Place the sacred thread, gold, and fruit there. The seven sages, bestowers of happiness and prosperity, should be installed. After invoking them, all should be worshipped by those observing the vow. Offer sacred grains as food for the sages. Worship of the sages should be done with a single meal, with utmost devotion, using the prescribed mantra and proper procedure.” Thus, the sage revealed the means to remove the suffering of his parents and to bring peace to his ancestors.