Once, bound by the power of a curse, the celestial maiden Urvaśī descended to earth and approached Purūravas, the noble son of Budha, upon his return. From their union was born a renowned and mighty son, Āyu, whose own son, Nahusha, shone with the brilliance of Indra himself. In the heavens, Indra, lord of the gods, having hurled his thunderbolt at the demon Vṛtra, became bewildered by the consequences of his act. Yet, by virtue of that deed, he ruled as Indra for one hundred thousand years. Meanwhile, Urvaśī, radiant with beautiful teeth and lovely eyes, dwelled on earth for many years due to the curse. When its term ended, the fair-browed Urvaśī returned to Indra’s celestial abode. Thus concludes the fifty-sixth sarga of the glorious Uttarakāṇḍa in the venerable Rāmāyaṇa, composed by the ancient sage Vālmīki. Upon hearing this wondrous tale, Lakṣmaṇa, his heart delighted and his face radiant, spoke to Rāghava: “O descendant of Kakutstha, how did those two—the twice-born sage and the king—regain their bodies after abandoning them, by the favor of the gods?” Hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s inquiry, Rāma, steadfast in truth and valor, began to recount the story of the great-souled sage Vasiṣṭha. He explained, “O best of the Raghu line, from a vessel filled with the energy of the great ones, two radiant sages emerged, foremost among seers. Previously, the venerable sage Agastya arose from that vessel, declaring, ‘I am not your son,’ and departed from Mitra. That vessel held the energy of Mitra and Urvaśī, and also of Varuṇa. In time, from the union of Mitra and Varuṇa, and endowed with Vasiṣṭha’s energy, the divine Ikṣvāku was born. Mighty Ikṣvāku, flawless from birth, immediately chose a priest for the welfare of his lineage. Thus, O gentle one, I have told you how the great-souled Vasiṣṭha emerged from his previous body. Now hear how it was for Nimi. When King Videha was seen by all the sages, they gathered and initiated him into the sacrificial rite, as wise men do. The eminent Brahmins, along with citizens and attendants, preserved the king’s body with fragrances, garlands, and garments. When the sacrifice was completed, Bhṛgu spoke: ‘I am pleased with you, O king. I will restore your mind.’ All the gods, delighted, offered Nimi a boon: ‘Choose where your mind shall dwell, royal sage.’ Nimi replied, ‘O best of gods, may I reside in the eyes of all beings.’ The gods granted his wish: ‘So be it. You shall move as air within the eyes of all beings. For your sake, O lord of the earth, the eyes will close again and again, as you, wind-like, seek rest.’ Having spoken thus, the gods departed. The great sages gathered Nimi’s body and, placing the arani, performed the churning with vigor, invoking mantras and offerings for the sake of a son. From this churning, a great ascetic appeared; he was called Mithila, and from his birth, Janaka arose. Since he was born from Videha, he was remembered as Vaideha. Thus, Janaka became the predecessor of the Videha kings, and Mithila, radiant, gave rise to the Maithila lineage. Thus ends the fifty-seventh section of the Uttarakāṇḍa in the venerable Rāmāyaṇa, the first epic composed by sage Vālmīki. When Rāma finished his account, Lakṣmaṇa, slayer of mighty foes, replied, his face aglow: “O tiger among kings, you have told a great and wondrous tale of ancient Videha, concerning Vasiṣṭha and Nimi. Nimi was a valiant Kṣatriya, especially consecrated, yet he did not show patience toward the great-souled Vasiṣṭha.” Rāma, best among those who delight, addressed his brother, blazing with energy: “O hero, patience is not found in all men everywhere. Saumitri, unbearable anger was subdued by Yayāti, guided by virtue; listen attentively. Yayāti, son of Nahusha, king and increaser of the Paurava line, had two wives, unmatched in beauty on earth. One, honored by the royal sage Nahusha, was Śarmiṣṭhā, a Daitya and daughter of Vṛṣaparvan. The other was Devayānī, wife of Uśanas, of lovely form, but not dear to the king. From these two, two sons were born, handsome and composed: Śarmiṣṭhā bore Pūru, Devayānī bore Yadu. Pūru was dear to the king, for his virtues and his mother’s deeds. Thus, Yadu, afflicted by sorrow, spoke to his mother: ‘Born in the lineage of Bhṛgu, of the god with flawless deeds, you endure the grief in your heart and the unbearable humiliation. Let us both together, O lady, enter the fire; let the king spend many nights in pleasure with the Daitya’s daughter. Or, if you can endure it, permit me; forgive me, for I will not forgive—without doubt, I shall die.