At the command of the Lord, all the immortals were instructed to perform sacrifices together, and the order was given to carry out this sacred duty without delay. Obedient to this directive, the gods began preparations, gathering cows and other animals for the rituals. To ensure their protection, they entrusted the vigilant Saramā with the task of guarding these animals. While the gods were absent, Saramā watched over the cows on the mountain. However, the cows wandered off and eventually reached the place where the demons resided. Upon seeing the cows, the demons approached their priest, Śukra, and said, “These cows, meant for sacrifice, as well as the gods and Brahman, are now protected only by Saramā in the absence of the gods. What should we do now?” Śukra advised the demons without hesitation, “Take these cows quickly, and do not delay.” Acting on his counsel, the demons seized the cows as they wished. Distressed by the loss, Saramā became determined to trace the path the cows had taken. She discovered that the sons of Diti had taken the cows to a mountain. The demons, noticing Saramā’s movements, observed her closely. When they saw her, they spoke to her with gentle and conciliatory words, “O Saramā, auspicious one, milk these cows and drink their milk.” The leaders of the demons offered her the milk, and Saramā drank it as they had suggested. Then the demons requested her, “Good one, do not inform the king of the gods about these cows,” and they released her into the forest. Freed from their grasp, Saramā hurried to the gods, trembling, and respectfully saluted Indra, the foremost among them. Indra, having appointed the Maruts for protection, sent them forth, accompanied by the powerful divine dog. Acting on their instructions, the Maruts departed swiftly in subtle forms and, upon arrival, bowed to Indra on the mountain. Indra then questioned Saramā, “Where are the cows, Saramā?” When asked, she replied, “I do not know.” Indra, his anger rising, turned to the Maruts and demanded, “Where are the cows prepared for sacrifice?” He questioned the dog as well. Anxiously, the Maruts recounted to Indra all that Saramā had done. Overcome with wrath, Indra rose and struck Saramā with his foot upon the mountain, chastising her, “You foolishly drank the milk, and now the cows have been taken by the demons.” From Indra’s kick, milk flowed from Saramā’s mouth. With that milk streaming, Saramā set out to where the cows were, and Indra, leading his army, followed her there on the mountain. Arriving at the place, Indra saw the cows fiercely guarded by the demons. A great battle ensued, and the powerful armies of the gods swiftly overcame the demons, who, defeated, abandoned the cows and returned to their own forms. Surrounded by his delighted allies, Mahendra, the lord of the gods, recovered the cows and rejoiced greatly. Thereafter, that divine lord performed thousands of various sacrifices, and through these ongoing rituals, Indra’s strength grew ever greater. With his power thus increased, Indra addressed the assembled gods, “Let the gods quickly arm themselves for the destruction of the demons.” Immediately, the gods took up their weapons and, together with Indra, set out to vanquish the asuras. A fierce battle followed, and the gods swiftly overcame the army of asuras. The surviving demons, terrified and bewildered, fled and plunged into the ocean’s depths. Victorious, the king of the gods ascended to heaven with the guardians of the worlds, and Indra once more enjoyed his divine sovereignty as before. It is said that whoever listens daily to this excellent account in its entirety attains the merit of the Gomedha sacrifice. And any king who has lost his kingdom, if he hears this tale with focused mind, will regain his realm just as Indra regained heaven. At this point, the Earth herself inquired, “O god, those noble men who were born among the jewels at that time—what boon did the Blessed One grant them in the Treta Yuga? Who will those kings be, and how will they arise? What deeds did they perform? Tell me their separate names.” Śrī Varāha replied, “O Upholder of Beings, listen as I recount the origin of Suprabha, the jewel-born king of great mind. In the beginning, during the Krita Yuga, there was a mighty-armed king named Śrutakīrti, renowned throughout the three worlds for his strength. O Earth, Suprabha, the jewel-born, became his son; that powerful Śrutakīrti was also known as Prajāpāla. One day, Prajāpāla ventured into the forest to hunt wild beasts. There, he came upon the blessed hermitage of a great sage. In that sacred place dwelled the sage Mahātapas, devoted to higher dharma, practicing severe austerities, fasting, and reciting the eternal Brahman. Intent on entering, the illustrious king Prajāpāla made up his mind and stepped into the hermitage of the great ascetic. The hermitage was a wondrous place, with trees of many kinds springing from the earth, well-trodden paths, and creeper-houses that shone with moonlight. The bees, lords of their hives, moved about effortlessly. There, divine maidens with tender, reddish, lotus-like fingers and nails walked in rows beneath the trees, surpassing even the beauty of Indra’s slayer of Vṛtra. Nearby, delighted birds of many kinds and intoxicated six-legged creatures dwelled among branches rich with flowers of various sizes, all joined together. Within the grove-houses of kadamba, nīpa, arjuna, and śāla trees, sweet-voiced birds sang. The place was filled with beings well-disposed to good people, undisturbed, and steadfast in their duties.