Entrusting the chariots to the two Brahmins and to his nephew, the king began his journey. They traveled to the hermitage at Badarī, where they beheld the treasure of ascetics—noble sages immersed in their spiritual practices. There, they encountered a young ascetic, supreme in his exertion and sighs, radiant in the prime of youth. The king, moved by the sight, addressed him reverently, “O ascetic, in your youth you have undertaken a terrible and most difficult austerity.” The young ascetic responded with curiosity, “Who are you? Tell me, reveal yourself to me as a friend.” The king replied, “I am a king, O venerable sage, residing in the city of Shakala.” He then recounted all his past deeds to the ascetic, laying bare his story. With affection, he said, “Come, I am going to search for the slender-waisted one; you are my brother.” Swiftly, the king mounted his chariot and informed the two ascetics of his intentions. One of the ascetics replied, “Come here, O King, I will do what pleases you.” The king continued, “The holy place of Saptagodavara was abandoned by me. There, our three daughters, as well as others, will meet us.” With the bird placed in front as their guide, Indradyumna set out with his sons to the sacred place of Saptagodavara, where those maidens had gone. At dawn, a woman wandered about the mountain, searching anxiously for her own daughter. She called out, “Child, did you not see her? O monkey, speak the truth to me.” The monkey replied, “I saw Devavati by name; I left her at the great hermitage. In front of the shrine of Shrakantha, I have truly told you.” Yet another voice said, “Devavati is not known there; let us go, I will show you.” Thus, following behind her, they proceeded along the river Kaushiki, accompanied by the two ascetics in their swift chariots. At that time, Ghritachi, having bathed in the river, arrived bearing fine merchandise. Upon seeing his father and the mighty king, memories stirred within him. He recalled, “Previously, I was bound by force among the roots of the tree.” Taking up his bow and arrows, he declared, “Today, with a single arrow, I shall slay this monkey.” But the great sage addressed the bird with weighty and fitting words: “O prince, death and bondage are governed by former deeds. Come, come, O monkey, you ought to help us.” The monkey replied, “O Brahman, give me your command; instruct me—what should I do?” The sage explained, “By you, my son was bound among the roots of the banyan tree. Then, by this king, the branches of the tree were split into three. For a hundred decades, he carried the branch but did not move.” Hearing the sage’s words, the monkey released the matted locks of Jābāli's son. Delighted, the best of sages, Ṛtadhvaja, became a granter of boons. Hearing Ṛtadhvaja’s words, the one who had been freed requested a boon: “O Brahman, if you wish to grant me a boon, O ascetic, make me the father of Citrāṅgadā, the daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ. And many sins have indeed been committed by me.” Then Ṛtadhvaja spoke with compassion, “The curse shall have an end.