03.097
Lomaśa said.
Ilvala, having recognized those kings along with the great sages who had assembled, together with his minister, honored them at the boundary of his territory. (03-97-1)
Then, O Kauravya, the best of asuras performed hospitality for them at that time, together with his brother Vātāpi, with due refinement indeed. (03-97-2)
Then all the royal sages, disheartened and with spirits lost, saw Vātāpi—the great asura, prepared and transformed into a ram. (03-97-3)
Then Agastya, the foremost among sages, said to those royal sages, "You should not be despondent; I will eat the great demon." (03-97-4)
Then, having approached the special seat, the great sage sat down, and Ilvala, the king of the daityas, served him food with a seeming smile. (03-97-5)
Agastya himself ate all of Vātāpi; then, after he had eaten, the asura Ilvala attempted to call him forth. (03-97-6)
Then the air (breath) emerged from the great sage Agastya, and Ilvala became dejected when he saw that the great asura had been digested. (03-97-7)
With folded hands, together with his ministers, he spoke these words: 'For what purpose have you come? Tell me—what can I do for you?' (03-97-8)
Then Agastya, smiling at Nilvala, replied at that time: "Indeed, asura, we all know you as the lord of wealth." (03-97-9)
These here are not very wealthy and are seeking wealth; my wealth is great. As far as you can, without harming others, bestow a share to us. (03-97-10)
Then, after saluting the sage, Ilvala spoke to him: "If you know what is to be given, then I will give you wealth." (03-97-11)
Agastya said.
O Asura, from each one of the kings ten thousand cows and just as much gold have been given to you, O great Asura. (03-97-12)
Therefore, a chariot made of gold—double in value—with two mind-speeding horses, has indeed been given to me by you, O great Asura. Let the chariot be tested at once; lo, this golden chariot is clearly here. (03-97-13)
Lomaśa said;
O Kaunteya, when the golden chariot was being examined, then the distressed Daitya gave even more wealth. (03-97-14)
Vivāja and Suvāja, the two horses yoked to that chariot, swiftly carried the wealths to Agastya's hermitage. (03-97-15)
O Bhārata, all the kings, along with Agastya, disappeared as though in the blink of an eye. (03-97-15)
When permitted by Agastya, the royal sages departed; and the sage did everything desired by Lopamudra. (03-97-16)
Lopamudra said;
O venerable one, you have fulfilled all that I desired; now, produce for me once an offspring more mighty. (03-97-17)
Agastya said.
O auspicious and beautiful lady, I am pleased with your conduct. But as for your enquiry about offspring, I will tell you about that—listen. (03-97-18)
May you have a thousand sons, or a hundred, or those equal to ten. Or ten who are equal to a hundred, or even one who is like a thousand. (03-97-19)
Lopamudrā said.
O possessor of austerity, let there be one son for me equal to a thousand. Indeed, one wise and virtuous son is better than many unvirtuous ones. (03-97-20)
Lomaśa said.
He, having promised "so be it" to her, the sage associated with her—at the appointed time, with one who had similar character, faithful and endowed with faith. (03-97-21)
Having conceived, she went to the forest. There, while she stayed in the forest, the embryo grew for seven years. (03-97-22)
After seven years had passed, O Bhārata, there was the great poet Prācyavat, named Dṛḍhasyu, who, shining forth with brilliance, was renowned as if reciting the Vedas along with all their limbs and Upaniṣads. (03-97-23)
His son was born of the sage; he was a radiant and great sage. Even as a child, he was radiant in his father's dwelling; he brought loads of firewood and thus became known as the carrier of firewood. (03-97-24)
Seeing him thus endowed, the sage then rejoiced. His ancestors, O king, attained the worlds as they wished. (03-97-25)
The hermitage of Agastya, renowned and adorned with flowers in all seasons. In this way, Vātāpi of the Prāhrādi clan was destroyed by Agastya. (03-97-26)
O king, this hermitage of him is pleasant and endowed with virtues. This holy Bhagirathi (Ganga) may be entered as you desire for bathing. (03-97-27)
