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Library: King Kalmashapada is released from the curse
Vasiṣṭha said.
Do not be afraid, my daughter; you have nothing to fear from this demon in any way. What you see before you is not a danger from the demon.
This is King Kalmāṣapāda, powerful and renowned on earth; he, very terrifying, dwells in this forest region.
The gandharva said.
O Bhārata, seeing him approaching, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha, powerful as he was, restrained him by a mere roar.
Then, having sprinkled him again with water purified by mantra, he truly freed the best of kings from the dreadful demon.
For twelve years, he was completely subdued by the brilliance of Vasiṣṭha, just as the sun is hidden by a house during a festival.
Then, having been completely released from the demon, the king illuminated that great forest with his brilliance, just as the sun lights up the twilight clouds.
After receiving the message, the king, with joined palms, respectfully greeted and at the proper time spoke to Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of sages.
I am Saudāsa, O greatly fortunate one, worthy of your sacrifice, O best of Brāhmaṇas. At this time, tell me whatever you desire—what shall I do for you?
Vasiṣṭha said.
O king of men, proceed with this event at the proper time, govern the kingdom, and never despise the Brāhmaṇas at any time.
The king said.
O Brahman, I will never disrespect the foremost among Brāhmaṇas; always, remaining under your command, I will honor the twice-born.
O best of Brāhmaṇas, I wish to obtain from you that boon by which I may be free from debt to the Ikṣvāku-s, O foremost among the knowers of the Veda.
You are worthy to become my desired queen for the sake of progeny, endowed with character, beauty, and virtues, for the growth of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
The gandharva said.
Vasiṣṭha, the supreme archer, truthful and best among the twice-born, replied to the king there, saying, "I shall give."
Then, O sinless one, the lord of men, accompanied by Vasiṣṭha, set out at the appointed time for Ayodhyā, the renowned and excellent city among all the worlds.
All the subjects, rejoicing, then approached him—the sinless, great-souled one—like the dwellers of heaven approach their lord.
Soon after, the king entered the city of the virtuous, accompanied by the great sage Vasiṣṭha.
O king, then the people of Ayodhya saw him, who had appeared at the auspicious time with Puṣya, like the rising sun.
He, the best among the prosperous, filled Ayodhya with prosperity, just as the cool-rayed moon rises in the sky during the autumn season.
The path, which was sprinkled and cleaned and adorned with raised flags, delighted his mind; that excellent city brought him joy.
O Kurunandana, that city, crowded with contented and prosperous people, at that time shone by him just as Amaravati shines by Indra.
Then, after the king had entered that city, by the command of the king, the queen approached Vasiṣṭha.
In due season, the great sage Vasiṣṭha was born together with her, by the goddess and by a divine method, as the sage of the highest share.
Then, after the embryo had arisen in her, the best of sages, having been respectfully greeted by the king, returned again to his hermitage.
When she could not deliver the long-carried embryo, the queen then split open her own abdomen with a stone.
Then, in the twelfth year, that bull among men, the royal sage named Aśmaka, was born; he established the city called Potana.
