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Bhīṣma said.
O Bhārata, when that night had passed and the best among the twice-born had departed, Gautama went out towards the ocean.
He saw the sea-faring merchants standing on the road. Then, together with that caravan, he set out towards the ocean.
But, O great king, that caravan was mostly destroyed by a maddened elephant in a certain mountain cave.
Somehow, the brāhmaṇa, having been released from the caravans, then, fearful and seeking to save his life, ran away towards the northern direction.
He, having been cast out from all sides—his caravan, his country, and his purpose—ran alone into the forest, like a Kimpurusha.
He then, having reached the path leading to the ocean, came upon a beautiful great forest filled with flowering trees.
Adorned with blossoming mango groves that flourish in all seasons, this place resembled the celestial Nandana garden and was frequented by Yakṣas and Kiṃnaras.
The mountain slopes, charming and auspicious, were adorned with groves of śāla, palmyra, dhava, aśvattha, aloeswood bark, and especially sandalwood trees, filling the air with fragrance.
All around, the best of birds sweetly sang there. Some others, known as Bharunda birds with human faces, were famous. Other Bhulingashakuna birds and others became the ocean from all sides.
Gautama, the sage, hearing those exceedingly delightful and divinely charming songs sung by birds, proceeded onward.
Then he saw a beautiful, level, and wonderful region, heaped with golden sand, shining with a splendour equal to that of heaven.
A great banyan tree, circular in shape, endowed with prosperity, adorned with suitable branches, and resembling an umbrella.
Its root was thoroughly moistened with the best sandal-water, adorned with divine flowers, resplendent and comparable to the glorious assembly of Brahmā.
Gautama, upon seeing him, was pleased and beheld the unsurpassed delight of sages—a pure place, like the abode of the gods, surrounded by blossoming trees. Approaching him joyfully, he sat down below him.
There, O Kauravya, as Gautama sat, a pure and auspicious happiness arose. The pure wind, having touched the flowers, blew, delighting all the limbs of Gautama at that time, O king.
But the brāhmaṇa, completely exhausted, touched by the auspicious wind, found comfort and slept well, and the sun set.
Then, as the sun set and twilight approached, the best of birds returned from Brahmaloka to his own home.
Nāḍījaṅgha, thus well-known, was the beloved friend of Brahmā; Bakarāja, a very wise one, was born from Kaśyapa himself.
He became well-known as 'rājadharma', unparalleled on earth; the son of Devakanyā, prosperous, wise, and possessing the splendor of the lord of gods.
Covered with polished gold and adorned with ornaments shining like the sun, the divine-born one was resplendent with splendor on all his limbs.
When Gautama saw the arriving brāhmaṇa, he was astonished; afflicted by hunger and thirst, and also intent on violence, he looked on.
The kingly duty spoke.
Welcome, O brāhmaṇa! By good fortune you have come to my house. The Sun has set and twilight has now arrived.
You have come to my home as a dear and blameless guest; having been honored, you will depart in the morning according to the prescribed rite.
