Tormented by hunger and, above all, by thirst, the king wandered in great distress. In that realm, the form from his previous birth, which had long ago been burned, appeared before him. Then, once more, the king ascended a celestial chariot and journeyed to the heavens. There, the great-souled sage Vasiṣṭha witnessed the king’s bones being licked, a sight that stirred compassion in him. At that moment, Vasiṣṭha, the noble sage, addressed the king. The king, humbled, replied, “O venerable one, I am hungry. In the past, I have not received food or drink.” Hearing these words, the eminent Vasiṣṭha asked, “O king, you are hungry—what shall I do for you? By giving jewels and gold, a man attains prosperity. Yet you, O lord of men, have not given even a little, thinking it insignificant. Now, having come without giving, tell me—answer as I ask you.” Thus questioned by the sage, the king listened as Vasiṣṭha spoke further: “Hear this, O tiger among men, as I recount it to you, O sinless one. Long ago, the king himself performed the great Sarvamedha sacrifice. But even then, he did not give food, considering it of little importance, just as you have done. “Vinītāśva, the foremost of kings, having performed many meritorious deeds, became sovereign of the earth. Yet, even he, afflicted by hunger, departed in the same way, O king. The king, shining like the sun, ascended a radiant celestial chariot. “There, on the banks of the Jahnavi, he saw his family priest, the officiating priest. He asked, ‘What is the cause of my hunger?’ The priest replied, ‘O king, a cow yielding ghee, a cow, and a cow yielding sweet liquids—these are the offerings. As long as the sun and moon shine, these gifts bear fruit.’ “Vinītāśva then asked, ‘Does he enjoy heaven, O best of Brāhmaṇas? Tell me as I ask you.’ The priest answered, ‘Four kuḍavas make one prastha, so it is declared. It should be made with sixteen parts, and with four, a calf is formed. On the tail, a bell ornament adorned with jewels should be arranged. With a bronze vessel for milking, silver hooves, as previously prescribed for the cow. A cow’s garment made of black antelope skin, delightful and auspicious, should be arranged. It should be endowed with all medicinal herbs and purified by mantras before being given.’ “Let everything be accomplished for us; the sesame cow is offered to the twice-born. O goddess, accept from me the sesame cow; salutations to you. Freed from all sins, one attains the world of Vishnu.” Vasiṣṭha continued, “Now, O king, I will describe the procedure for donating the water-cow, performed according to the prescribed rite on an auspicious day. In the center, a full pot should be placed. The cow should be prepared and scented with fragrant water. A vessel for increase, furnished with mechanical flowers, should be arranged. Five gems should be deposited in that pot, O ruler of men, along with the fruit of the dhatri tree, mustard seeds, and all grains. “One vessel should be filled with ghee, and a second with curds. The cow must have a golden mouth and eyes, with horns black in color. Its back should be copper, with a bronze vessel for milking, and furnished with darbha grass fibers. It should be placed on a blanket, adorned with a garland of flowers, a mouth of jaggery, and teeth made of shells.” Thus, the sage revealed the sacred rites and the significance of giving, showing the king the path to liberation from suffering and the attainment of the world of Vishnu.