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Bhīṣma said.
O king, upon hearing that sweet speech, Gautama was astonished and, filled with curiosity, observed the royal duties.
The kingly duty spoke.
O, I am the son of Kaśyapa and my mother is Dākṣāyaṇī. O virtuous guest, welcome to you, O best of Brāhmaṇas.
Bhīṣma said.
He honored him as prescribed by the rules and arranged a divine mat made of śāla flowers for him.
He imagined as his own those lands traversed by Bhagīratha's chariot and frequented by the Gaṅgā, where great fishes move about.
Kashyapa offered well-kindled fire and very fat fishes to Gautama, who was his guest.
After the brāhmaṇa had eaten, the great-minded one, pleased at heart, fanned him with his wings to relieve his fatigue.
Then, after resting and sitting down, he asked about the lineage. He replied, "I am Gautama," O Brāhmaṇa, and said nothing further.
He gave him a divine bed made of leaves, perfumed with celestial flowers and rich in fragrance; he lay there comfortably.
Then, eloquent Kashyapa, the king of cranes, saw Gautama seated on the bed and asked, "What brings you here?"
Then Gautama said to him, "O great-minded one, I am poor and wish to go to the ocean to seek wealth," O Bhārata.
Kashyapa, pleased, said to him: "Do not feel longing. O best of the twice-born, your task is accomplished; you will return home with wealth."
O lord, according to the doctrine of Bṛhaspati, there are four means of attaining an object: tradition, fate, action, and friendship.
I have appeared to you as a friend, and my friendship is with you. Therefore, I shall act in such a way that you will become a person of truth.
Then, at dawn, after asking kindly, he said: "Go, dear one, by this path; you will achieve your purpose."
From here, after traveling three yojanas, there is the great lord of the rākṣasas, Virūpākṣa, who is well-known and is my friend of great strength.
Go to him, O foremost of the twice-born, as directed by my words. The giver will surely grant you the wishes you desire; there is no doubt about this.
O king, thus addressed, Gautama departed, his fatigue gone, eating fruits like nectar as he wished.
The great king quickly proceeded along that path, passing through forests of sandalwood, aloeswood, and other principal trees with bark and leaves.
Then there was the city called Meruvraja, with a stone archway, stone ramparts, and also a stone mechanical bolt.
O king, it became known to the wise king of the rākṣasas; the dear guest was sent by his friend with affection indeed.
Then the king of the rākṣasas instructed his messengers, "Yudhiṣṭhira, have Gautama quickly brought from the city gate."
Then, men dressed in white garments came from the chief city, addressing him as "O Gautama", and approached the city gate.
The messengers of the lord of the Rākṣasas said to the Brāhmaṇa, "O great king, hurry and come quickly; the king wishes to see you."
The heroic lord of the demons, Virūpākṣa, as he is called, has been mentioned. He is eager to see you; therefore, make arrangements quickly.
Then the Brāhmaṇa, Gautama, ran forward, his fatigue gone due to astonishment; seeing her and the city's prosperity, he was utterly amazed.
Then the brāhmaṇa, accompanied by those very ones, quickly approached the king's palace, desiring an audience with the king of the rākṣasas.
