When the sacred water touched the bones and ashes of the departed, it granted them passage to heaven. Such was the extraordinary power of the water that flowed from the toe of Lord Vishnu. It was said that not only deliberate bathing and enjoyment in this water brought blessings, but even accidental contact—whether by bones, skin, sinews, hair, or any part of the deceased’s body—immediately elevated the soul to heaven. Having paid his respects, Amshuman took the sacrificial horse and returned to his grandfather’s ritual. With the horse recovered, Sagara completed his sacrifice. Out of deep affection for his son, Sagara envisioned the ocean as his own child. From Sagara’s line came Amshuman’s son, Dilipa. Dilipa’s son was Bhagiratha—the one who brought the celestial Ganges down to earth, bestowing upon her the name Bhagirathi. Bhagiratha’s lineage continued: his son was Suhotra, followed by Śruta, then Nābhāga, whose son was Ambarīṣa. Ambarīṣa’s son was Sindhudvīpa, and Sindhudvīpa’s son was Ayutāyu. Ayutāyu’s son was Ṛtuparṇa, renowned as the companion of Nala and for his expertise in the horse sacrifice. Ṛtuparṇa’s son was Sarvakāma, whose son was Sudāsa. From Sudāsa came Saudāsa, also known as Mitrasaha. One day, while Saudāsa was hunting in the forest, he encountered two tigers. Believing that these two had driven away all other animals, he shot one with an arrow. As it lay dying, the creature transformed into a terrifying, dreadful-faced Rākṣasa. The second tiger, revealing itself as another Rākṣasa, declared, “I will take revenge on you,” and disappeared. Time passed, and Saudāsa performed a sacrifice. After the priest Vasiṣṭha departed, the vengeful Rākṣasa, disguised as Vasiṣṭha, approached at the ritual’s end and demanded, “Give me human flesh to eat,” then left, saying he would return soon. Again, the Rākṣasa took the guise of a cook, and, by the king’s order, prepared human flesh and presented it to Saudāsa. The king placed the meat in a golden vessel and awaited Vasiṣṭha’s arrival. When Vasiṣṭha arrived, Saudāsa informed him. Vasiṣṭha, disturbed, thought, “Alas, what wickedness is this, that the king offers us such meat? What is this substance?” He entered deep meditation and perceived that the meat was indeed human flesh. Angered, the sage cursed the king: “Knowing this is unfit for ascetics, you have given it to me; therefore, you alone shall be afflicted by greed for it.” Saudāsa protested, saying, “It was the Lord himself who instructed me to do this.” Vasiṣṭha, unsure of what had transpired, entered meditation again and, realizing the truth, granted Saudāsa a reprieve: “This restriction on your food will not be permanent; it will last only twelve years.” Saudāsa, his heart burning, took water in his hands, intending to curse the sage in turn. But his wife, Madayantī, intervened, seeking to protect their family preceptor and deity. For the sake of preserving the raincloud, Saudāsa did not cast the water upon earth or sky, but poured it on his own feet. The water, finding no place to go, scorched his feet, turning them dark; thus Saudāsa became known as Kalmāṣapāda, “the one with dark feet.” Because of Vasiṣṭha’s curse, at the end of every sixth period, Saudāsa would assume the nature of a demon, wandering the forests and devouring many humans. Once, he saw a sage united with his wife at her season. Terrified by Saudāsa’s demonic form, the couple fled, but he seized the brāhmaṇa. The brāhmaṇa’s wife pleaded with him repeatedly, “Have mercy, O ornament of the Ikṣvāku line, great king, Mitrasaha—not a demon! You, who know the happiness of a woman’s duty, should not kill my husband, especially while I am unfulfilled.” Yet, like a tiger, Saudāsa devoured the brāhmaṇa as his prey. Filled with anger, the brāhmaṇa’s wife cursed the king: “Because you have devoured my husband while I was unfulfilled, you too shall be overcome by desire for sensual enjoyment.” Having spoken her curse, she entered the fire. After twelve years, when the curse was lifted, Madayantī reminded Saudāsa, who now longed for union with women. From then on, he renounced intercourse with women. Childless, Saudāsa requested Vasiṣṭha for a son. Vasiṣṭha performed the rite of conception with Madayantī, fulfilling the king’s wish.