Brihaspati, renowned for his righteousness, united with his wife. At the very moment he released his seed, the child already present in her womb spoke aloud. The unborn child declared, “A twice-born should not be placed here; two cannot unite in this place. Though your seed is unfailing, I was here first.” Brihaspati, hearing this from the child—his brother’s son, a sage—became angered and uttered a curse. “Because you have spoken to me thus at such a time, when all beings seek birth, and out of delusion, you shall enter into long darkness.” Through this curse, the sage was born as Dirghatamas, enveloped in darkness. Ashija, his brother, was famed and mighty, possessing strength equal to Brihaspati’s. Dirghatamas, holding his seed upward, dwelt in his uncle’s hermitage, where he learned the dharma of cattle from the bull. Ashija built a dwelling for his nephew. While Dirghatamas lived there, a bull happened to arrive. Seeking darbha grass for a ritual, Dirghatamas wandered, accompanied by Surabhi. He seized the bull, which was tossing its horns fiercely. Though Dirghatamas restrained him, the bull did not move a single step. Then the bull spoke: “Release me, O foremost of the strong.” The bull continued, “Never before, O father, have I encountered anyone as powerful as you, who carries Lord Tryambaka, since I was born on earth. Release me, O best of the strong; I am pleased with you—choose a boon.” Dirghatamas replied, “You are my life—where could I go? Therefore, I will not release you; I am another’s property, a four-footed being.” The bull then addressed Dirghatamas, enveloped in darkness, saying, “For us, O father, there is neither sin nor theft; we do not know what is to be eaten or not eaten, nor what is to be drunk or not drunk, in any way. We do not discern what is to be done or not done, nor what is to be approached or avoided; O Brahmin, we are not afflicted by sin—this is the law for cows.” Upon hearing even the name of cows, Dirghatamas became agitated and released the bull. With devotion and reverence, he sought the favor of the cows. When he had gained their favor and departed, he embraced the dharma of cows wholeheartedly, steadfast in his dedication. Later, fate bewildered Dirghatamas’ mind, and he desired the younger wife of Auttathya, who was restless and weeping. Śaradvān, thinking Dirghatamas arrogant, could not tolerate this. Relying on the law of cows as his strength, Śaradvān considered his daughter-in-law as equal. Witnessing this reversal, Śaradvān reflected; knowing what was to come, the great-souled one did not wish for Dirghatamas’ death. With eyes reddened in anger, Śaradvān spoke, “You do not discern what is proper or improper; yet, invoking the law of cows, you desire your daughter-in-law. You are of bad conduct—I now cast you off; go your way according to your own actions. Because you are blind, old, and difficult to maintain, you are abandoned; I consider you wicked.” The Sūta narrated that, in this cruel act, such thoughts arose in Śaradvān’s mind. After rebuking Dirghatamas repeatedly and seizing him, he placed him in a chest and cast him into the waters of the Ganges. The chest floated along the current and for seven days drifted in the ocean. Then Bali, the righteous king and expert in dharma and artha, saw Dirghatamas, together with his wife, as they were sinking near the current. Bali, son of Virocana and righteous in soul, took them up and sheltered them in his palace, nourishing them with food and delicacies. Pleased, Dirghatamas offered Bali a boon of his choice. Bali, the bull among the Dānavas, asked for a boon for the sake of offspring: “O most fortunate one, giver of honor, together with my wife, grant me sons endowed with righteousness and prosperity, for the sake of progeny.” Dirghatamas replied, “So be it.” The king then sent his wife, Sudeṣṇā, to the sage. But seeing that Dirghatamas was blind and old, the queen did not go herself. Instead, she adorned her maidservant and sent her in her place. In that maidservant of Śūdra birth, the self-controlled sage, righteous in soul, begot two sons, Kakṣīvat and Cakṣuṣ, both of great energy. When King Bali saw Kakṣīvat and Cakṣuṣ, he had them properly educated in all rites, and they became masters, learned in the Vedas. They attained perfection, were manifest in righteousness, and excelled in wisdom. Bali, son of Virocana, said to Dirghatamas, “These are mine.” The sage replied, “No,” but Bali insisted, “These are mine.” Though born of a Śūdra woman, these two excellent beings are yours in disguise. “Thinking me blind and old, your queen Sudeṣṇā, out of disdain, sent her Śūdra maidservant to me.” Bali sought to appease the eminent sage again and rebuked his wife Sudeṣṇā. Once more, after adorning her, he gave Sudeṣṇā to Dirghatamas. The sage said to her, “O auspicious one, if you—will lick this mixture of curds and salt, as well as this naked thing, without disgust, from foot to head—then, O queen, you will obtain sons as you desire.” The queen did everything as he instructed. But when it came to the excrement, she was disgusted and avoided it. Then the sage said to her, “O auspicious one, since you avoided that, you will bear your eldest son without excrement.” The queen protested, “O blessed one, you should not give me such a son.” Dirghatamas replied, “This is your fault, O queen, and it cannot be otherwise. Still, O virtuous lady, I will give you a son now.