The king, troubled by the counsel he had been receiving, turned to his ministers and said, “O delight of enemies, I find that I have been taking advice only from fools. Therefore, I wish to divide the entire kingdom among the most capable of my ministers.” He continued, “I am inclined to give the kingdom to my two sons, if you all agree.” The ministers, wise in matters of state, replied, “O king, your words are learned and reflect true understanding of governance. Indeed, this is also our opinion—there is no doubt.” With the ministers’ support, the king summoned his two sons to the assembly. These sons, Vīrabhadra and Yaśobhadra, were both noble in character, gentle in speech, and endowed with every virtue. They were ever devoted to their father, peaceful, strong, and firmly established in righteousness. Then, the king—foremost in the art of kingship—divided his entire realm between the two sons, wishing to observe what would come of it. At that very moment, a vulture appeared in the assembly, accompanied by his mate. The birds sat among the gathered company, and their arrival brought joy to all present. The king, curious at this auspicious sign, asked the birds, “For what good reason have you two come here?” The vulture replied, “O protector of the earth, I am a vulture, and this is my mate, O scorcher of foes. We have come joyfully to witness the prosperity of your sons. In their previous birth, they suffered a great calamity, and now, in this life, we have come to see their good fortune.” Hearing these wondrous words, the king was filled with amazement and turned to the sage, saying, “Vulture, your speech is truly marvelous. How do you know the past history of my sons? If you truly know their previous lives, then tell me everything, O best of birds.” The vulture began, “O King, in the age called Dvāpara, there lived two outcastes named Garasaṅgara, the sons of Satyaghoṣa. At the same time, both died in their homes. Then, O King, the fierce servants of Yama arrived—thousands of them, bearing nooses in their hands. They bound those two, proud and intoxicated with arrogance, with leather cords and led them down a most difficult path to the abode of Death. When they arrived, Dharmarāja, the Lord of Righteousness, spoke to Citragupta, ‘Citragupta, examine in detail all the actions of these two.’ By command, Citragupta investigated thoroughly, scrutinizing all their deeds, both good and bad. After his examination, he said to Antaka, ‘It is true, O mighty-armed one, that these two were devoted to virtue and noble in intent. If there was any evil deed, all their actions have been considered. They gave gifts, but never to a twice-born.’ Because of this, O King, these two were destined for hell. Whoever gives but does not give to a twice-born falls into a dreadful hell, terrifying to all beings. The donor should not recall the gift, nor should the recipient ask for it. Both, otherwise, dwell in hell as long as the sun and moon endure. Thus, O Lord, these two are great sinners, thieves of Brahman property. Let the servants lead them quickly to the most terrible hell.’ By Yama’s command, the messengers, lips clenched in anger, hurled those two into the dreadful hell, O King. On that very day, O King, I too, along with my wife, was brought by Yama’s messengers and led to the abode of Yama. The deed that led me there, O King, I will recount to you, for it is astonishing to hear. In a former life, I was a Brahmin named Sarvaga, born of a great lineage in the land of Saurāṣṭra. I was accomplished in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. This woman, Mañjūkaṣā, is my wife—renowned, devoted, fortunate, and born in a pure family. But once, O greatly fortunate one, in the arrogance of my knowledge and youth, I carelessly disrespected my parents in my mind. Though praised in assemblies, accomplished in all duties, living in the forest, wealthy, handsome, wise, and supporting my kin, my own parents were sinful, harsh of speech, without compassion, and greedy for the company of heretics. Because of them, all my manliness, life, wealth, family, learning, fame—everything—was rendered fruitless. Reflecting on this again and again, I abandoned the service of my parents, which is the source of all auspiciousness, out of contempt. Because of this act, O King, I, along with my wife, was cast into hell by Yama’s messengers, where those two greatest of sinners were also taken. Together with those two and my wife, I dwelled in a terrible hell, O King, for thousands and hundreds of crores of ages, enduring great suffering. When our time in hell was complete, O King, I and my beloved wife were born among the race of vultures, eating dead flesh. Likewise, those two, after leaving hell and desiring rebirth, were born in the lineage of moths, to reap the fruits of their actions. Now hear, O King, what those two did in their birth as moths, for it will amaze you. Once, a mighty wind arose and swept them both into the pure waters of the Ganga.