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Library: Story of Vashishtha's grandson.
The gandharva said.
Seeing the hermitage deserted by his sons, the sage, overwhelmed with grief, once again left the hermitage.
He saw, O Pārtha, the river filled with fresh water in the rainy season, carrying many kinds of trees, many of which had grown on the bank.
Then the descendant of Paurava again became lost in thought, filled with sorrow, thinking, 'I might sink in this water.'
Then the great sage, having tightly bound himself with those bonds, very sorrowful, sank into the water of her great river.
Then, having cut the river fetters, the destroyer of enemy's strength completely placed the sage and released him at the Vipāśā river.
Freed from the bonds, the great sage rose up and named this river 'Vipāśā'.
Overcome by grief, he resolved in his mind, but could not stay in one place; so he wandered among the mountains, rivers, and lakes.
Then, the sage once again, seeing the Haimavati river filled with fierce crocodiles, fell into its current.
The best of rivers, having considered the sage who was equal to fire, split herself into a hundred streams; therefore, she is known as 'Śatadru'.
Then, seeing that he had gone to land, and perceiving himself there as well, he said, "It is not possible to die," and again he went back to the hermitage.
As he proceeded towards the hermitage, following the unseen bride, he then heard from behind, in company, the sound of Vedic recitation, perfectly adorned with the six limbs and full of meaning.
He asked, "Who is this following me?" Thus he spoke. I, named Tvadṛśyatī, his daughter-in-law, addressed him. She is the wife of Śakti, most fortunate, endowed with austerity, an ascetic woman.
Vasiṣṭha said.
O daughter, whose is this sound of study of the sāṅga Veda? In earlier times, I heard the sound of study of the sāṅga Veda like the sound of power.
He said to those who were not seen.
O sage, this embryo of Śakti, your son, arose in the womb and here studied the Vedas for twelve years.
The gandharva said.
Thus addressed, the delighted sage Vasiṣṭha, having declared "There is progeny," caused Death to turn back, O Pārtha.
Then, O sinless one, he returned with the bride and saw Kalmashapada sitting alone in the forest.
But as soon as he saw him, the king, enraged, rose up, O Bhārata, possessed by the fierce demon, and then indeed sought to kill him.
But, remaining unseen, upon seeing him performing cruel deeds ahead, she, with a voice trembling with fear, spoke these words to Vasiṣṭha.
O venerable one, that terrible demon, like death with a fierce staff, approaches here, having seized a stick.
O greatly fortunate one, best among all knowers of the Vedas, today, except for you, there is no one else on earth who is able to restrain him.
O Lord, protect me from sin and from this terrible sight. The demon surely wishes to devour both of us here.
