Sudāsa was blessed with a son named Saudāsa, who became known also as Mitrasaha. One day, while Saudāsa was hunting in the forest, he encountered two tigers. Believing these fierce beasts to be the cause of the forest’s emptiness—its other animals having vanished—Saudāsa shot one of the tigers with his arrow. As the creature lay dying, it transformed before his eyes into a terrifying Rākṣasa, its face dreadful to behold. The second tiger, revealing itself also as a Rākṣasa, declared, “I will take revenge on you,” and then disappeared. Time passed, and Saudāsa undertook the performance of a great sacrifice. When the ritual was completed and the venerable priest Vasiṣṭha had departed, the vengeful Rākṣasa returned, disguising himself in Vasiṣṭha’s form. Approaching at the conclusion of the ceremony, he said, “Give me human flesh to eat,” and, announcing he would return shortly, took his leave. Assuming the guise of a cook, the Rākṣasa, at the king’s command, prepared human flesh and presented it to Saudāsa. The king, placing the meat in a golden vessel, awaited Vasiṣṭha’s return. When the sage arrived, Saudāsa informed him of the offering. Vasiṣṭha, troubled, thought, “Alas, what wickedness is this of the king, that he offers us such meat? What is this substance?” Absorbing himself in meditation, the sage discerned that the meat was indeed human flesh. Overcome by anger, Vasiṣṭha pronounced a curse upon Saudāsa: “Because, even knowing this is unfit for ascetics, you have given it to me, you alone shall be afflicted by an insatiable craving for such food.” Saudāsa protested, “It was the Lord himself who instructed me to do this.” Vasiṣṭha, wondering if he had made a mistake, entered meditation once more, and perceiving the truth, relented: “This restriction on your food shall not be permanent; it will last only twelve years.” In his own anger, Saudāsa was about to curse the sage in return, holding water in his hands for the act. But his devoted wife, Madayantī, intervened, reminding him that Vasiṣṭha was their revered family preceptor and a divine figure. Seeking to safeguard the sage and preserve the blessing of rainclouds, Saudāsa did not cast the water upon earth or sky, but instead poured it upon his own feet. Because the water had no place to go, it burned his feet, turning them dark, and from that day he was known as Kalmāṣapāda—“the one with dark feet.” Because of Vasiṣṭha’s curse, at the end of every sixth period, Saudāsa would take on the nature of a demon. Wandering the forest, he devoured many humans. On one such occasion, he came upon a sage united with his wife at the time of her season. Seeing the king’s dreadful, demonic form, the terrified couple tried to flee, but Saudāsa seized the brāhmaṇa. The sage’s wife pleaded with him again and again: “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 as I am unfulfilled.” Despite her lamentations, the king, like a tiger, devoured the brāhmaṇa as a beast does its prey. Overwhelmed by grief and 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 uttered her curse, she entered the fire. When twelve years had passed and the curse was lifted, Saudāsa’s wife Madayantī reminded him, who now longed for union with women. Yet after that, he renounced intercourse altogether. Longing for a child, Saudāsa beseeched Vasiṣṭha to grant him a son. The sage performed the rite of conception with Madayantī, and she conceived. For seven years, the child remained in her womb, until at last, the queen struck her womb with a stone, and a son was born. He was named Ashmaka. Ashmaka’s son was Mulaka. When the Kshatriya line was being destroyed on earth, Mulaka was protected by women, who surrounded him unclothed, forming a shield about him; thus, he was known as “protected by a shield of women.” Mulaka’s line continued: from him was born Dasharatha, then Ilivila, and then Vishvasaha. From Vishvasaha was born Khatvanga. When a great battle erupted between the gods and demons, the gods called upon Khatvanga, and he slew the demons on their behalf. Pleased by his valor, the gods invited him in heaven to choose a boon. Khatvanga replied, “If a boon must be given, then let my lifespan be declared to me.” The gods answered, “Only one moment of life remains for you.” Hearing this, Khatvanga, steadfast and radiant, descended in his celestial chariot to the world of mortals, and spoke thus.