He, steadfast and resolute, lifted me onto his shoulder and set out toward my house; but now, that traveler and the palanquin-bearers who accompanied us have been devoured. Listen, for it was by you that this water was given—let me tell you of its sacred origin: in Indra’s Khāṇḍava forest flows the excellent river Yamunā. Upon its bank lies Hariprastha, the most exalted of holy places; there stands the sacred ford of the teacher of the gods, famed for granting all desires. By drinking the water from that ford, your memory returned, and the knowledge of the Vedas awakened within you. All of this I have recounted, just as you asked of me here. Now, I have a question for you—answer me quickly, O night-wanderer: do you now remember the deeds of your former birth? Tell me, what sin did you commit that led to your birth as a Rākṣasa? The Rākṣasa replied: “In a previous life, I was a brāhmaṇa, born into a virtuous family of Veda-knowers. But my conduct was evil and unrighteous—listen, I will tell you everything. I was always drawn to the game of dice, gambling with those skilled in it. Through my folly, I lost not only my own wealth but even that of my father. My father, distressed by my ways, reported my deeds to the king through others. As a result, I was expelled from the city, penniless, and wandered to the outskirts of the village. There, I found refuge with a friend named Devaka, an excellent brāhmaṇa. He sheltered me in his house and showed me great kindness for a long time. Living there in comfort, I was overcome by desire and, in my friend’s absence, I violated his beautiful wife by force. That virtuous woman, unable to bear the shame, took deadly poison and died instantly. Seeing her lifeless in the darkness at midnight, I fled in terror. But as I ran, the king’s servants seized me, mistaking me for a thief, and struck off my head with a sword. When I died, the servants of Yama placed me in a body of torment, and by Yama’s command, I was cast into the dreadful hell called Raurava. There, for six thousand years, I endured intense suffering, and as a result of that very sin, I was born as a rakshasa. A hundred years have now passed in this demonic form, O lord of men, and I will tell you the means by which I might gain liberation. O virtuous one, I will respectfully tell you the meritorious act by which the water of this supreme pilgrimage entered my mouth. In that very birth, on a day sacred to Hari, I observed a vow; though unwilling, I kept vigil at night in the company of a merchant. Then, on the twelfth day, after bathing and as I was about to eat, a certain Vaishnava arrived at my house, bearing the form of Vishnu. Angered at his arrival, I spoke harshly to him: ‘Where are you going, you wicked, hypocritical man, wandering among the women?’ Thus insulted, that steadfast one—equal in honor and dishonor—silently left my house. But my devoted wife, approaching him, fell at his feet and brought that holy man back into our home. Though I had insulted him, the great soul bore no anger; because of her reverence, he was as joyful as if among friends. She worshipped him properly, seated him, and said: ‘O lord of life, conqueror of the three worlds, please partake of this food.’ Thus addressed by my virtuous wife, I humbled myself before the great soul, my face downcast, while hers shone with brightness: ‘Arise, relieve your hunger,’ I said. That slender-waisted woman herself washed his feet and seated him again. I gave him a vessel filled with food, and, at her urging, I offered him water. Having eaten, that righteous soul, undisturbed and at ease, departed, chanting ‘Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.’ This merit was accomplished not by me, O merchant, but by that woman; by her merit, in this birth, I have obtained the water of the holy place. Śivaśarman continued: After the Rākṣasa finished speaking, Viṣṇuśarman stood before him, and then those travelers—your former palanquin-bearers—appeared in the sky, now in divine bodies, and spoke to you. They said: ‘O lord of men, O noble one, though we met with untimely death, by your grace, after drinking this water, we have attained divinity. Because of greed for wealth, we strayed in your company; but now, even at the moment of death, all desire for wealth has left us. As the water of this king of sacred fords remained within us, at death, by its power, we have gained friendship with the lord of wealth. We bow to you and now go, O lord of wealth, to your city, in aerial chariots brought by his attendants, adorned with jewels. Proceed, do not delay at the sacred ford that reveals the Veda; you, O noble one, cross over together with him, and quickly bring him across as well.’ Śivaśarman said: Having spoken thus, they departed northward, their aerial chariots resounding through the heavens. Then my father, the merchant, spoke to the night-wandering demon: ‘Śarabha said: Arise, quickly take me to the sacred ford that reveals the Veda. Afflicted by fever, I am unable to go there on foot; there is no one but you who can take me to that sacred ford.’ Śivaśarman said: ‘So be it,’ replied the night-wanderer, comforting the merchant. Lifting him onto his shoulder, he swiftly carried him to that holy ford. There, both the lord of men and the demon stayed, performing only the ritual bath at that most excellent of all sacred fords. Then, hearing of my father’s great and severe suffering, I was sent by my mother and left my own house.