Long ago, Lord Viṣṇu spoke of a noble Brāhmaṇa named Devaśarman, mighty-armed and deeply learned in the Vedas. Ever devoted to study and the performance of agnihotra rituals, Devaśarman faithfully observed the six duties of a Brāhmaṇa. Honored by people of all castes, he lived surrounded by sons, cattle, and relatives. As the month of Bhādrapada arrived, on the fifth day of its bright fortnight, Devaśarman’s household provisions grew exhausted. His father had passed away, yet Devaśarman remained self-controlled and master of his senses. That night, he invited Brāhmaṇas—those who bring happiness and good fortune—to his home. When the pure morning dawned, Devaśarman, with his wife, arranged various vessels and prepared food in every pot. They made dishes with eighteen flavors, pleasing to the ancestors, and after making the proper offerings, served these dishes separately to the Brāhmaṇas. At midday, all the Brāhmaṇas, reciters of the Vedas, arrived. The excellent twice-born performed the arghya, pādya, and other rites according to tradition. Dusty from the śrāddha, they washed themselves properly, entered the house, and sat in their assigned places. Devaśarman served them food, especially sweet rice, and performed the śrāddha rite, beginning with the offering of rice-balls. He gave betel, gifts, and various garments to the Brāhmaṇas, ever devoted to meditation on his ancestors. After the Brāhmaṇas were dismissed, intent on giving blessings, Devaśarman fed his relatives and all others who were hungry, giving food to everyone according to the rite. That night, as Devaśarman sat at the door of his hut, his wife brought water and washed his feet. Nearby, a she-dog and a bull began to speak to each other. The she-dog said, “Listen, dear one, to what the lady has done to me; I will tell you exactly as it happened. Once, by fate’s will, I went to the house of the son. There, as I stood, I saw the daughter-in-law drinking milk—but not again after that. The milk was actually drunk by a snake, and I saw it; afterwards, I saw the daughter-in-law drink the milk properly. Because of that contact, my hip has always been broken. From that pain, O master, I am afflicted and do not enjoy food.” The bull replied, “Listen, O she-dog, I will tell you the cause of my suffering. Today, when the Brāhmaṇas were fed, my son performed the rites but did not think of me. Neither water nor even a blade of grass was offered to me by anyone. I am sinful and unfed, bound here by the force of sin; because of a particular misdeed in the past, I have been born as a dog—there is no doubt.” At that moment, Devaśarman overheard their conversation. He realized, “This is indeed my father, who has been born as an animal in my own house. And this is indeed my mother, now a female dog by fate. What can I do? This is certain.” Troubled by these thoughts, Devaśarman could not sleep. Throughout the night, absorbed in worry, he remembered the supreme Lord of all. “I am devoted to many kinds of dharma, yet how can there be good for me in this way?” After considering thus, he finally slept again. When the pure morning arrived, Devaśarman went before the sages. Among them, Vasiṣṭha welcomed him warmly and asked, “Tell us, best of Brahmins, the reason for your coming.” Devaśarman offered his respects and said, “Today my birth is fruitful, today my actions are fruitful, and today my ancestors are satisfied, for I have gained your rare audience. As prescribed, the śrāddha has been performed, the twice-born have been well fed, and all the householders have likewise received food.” After the meal was finished, the female dog spoke, “In our house, there is one bull. Hear, husband, what I say: 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, all the Brahmins here will die from eating that food. Thinking thus, I, the mistress, drank the milk myself. 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, “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 offered to me; because of that sorrow, my suffering became even greater.” Having heard this story, Devaśarman could not sleep at night; his mind was troubled. He thought, “I am devoted to Vedic study and skilled in Vedic rituals, yet thinking of the great suffering of these two, I wonder what I should do.” He approached the sages and pleaded, “Please relieve my distress.” The sage spoke: “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 because he was performing his father’s śrāddha and related rites.