O Bharata, and the Clouds with rain and lightning, O Yudhishthira!  And the illustrious Vishnu then shot that shaft.  And at this the earth was filled with sounds of thunder, and burning meteors, O Bharata, began to flash through the welkin.  And showers of dust and rain fell upon the surface of the earth.  And whirlwinds and frightful sounds convulsed everything, and the earth herself began to quake.  And shot by the hand of Rama, that shaft, confounding by its energy the other Rama, came back blazing into Rama’s hands.  And Bhargava, who had thus been deprived of his senses, regaining consciousness and life, bowed unto Rama—­that manifestation of Vishnu’s power.  And commanded by Vishnu, he proceeded to the mountains of Mahendra.  And thenceforth that great ascetic began to dwell there, in terror and shame.  And after the expiration of a year, the Pitris, beholding Rama dwelling there deprived of energy, his pride quelled, and himself sunk in affliction, said unto him, “O son, having approached Vishnu, thy behaviour towards him was not proper.  He deserveth for aye worship and respect in the three worlds.  Go, O son, to that sacred river which goeth by name of Vadhusara!  Bathing in all the tirthas of that stream, thou wilt regain thy energy!  There in that river is the tirthas called Diptoda where thy grandsire Bhrigu, O Rama, in the celestial age had practised ascetic penances of great merit.”  Thus addressed by them, Rama, O son of Kunti, did what the Pitris bade him, and obtained back at this tirtha, O son of Pandu, the energy he had lost.  Even this O child, was what befell Rama of spotless deeds in days in of yore, after he had, O king, met Vishnu (in the form of Dasaratha’s son)!’”

SECTION C

“Yudhishthira said, ’O best of regenerate ones, I desire again to hear of the achievements in detail of Agastya—­that illustrious Rishi endued with great intelligence.’

“Lomasa said, ’Listen now, O king, to the excellent and wonderful and extraordinary history of Agastya, as also, O monarch, about the prowess of that Rishi of immeasurable energy.  There were in the Krita age certain tribes of fierce Danavas that were invincible in battle.  And they were known by the name of Kalakeyas and were endued with terrible prowess.  Placing themselves under Vritra and arming themselves with diverse weapons they pursued the celestials with Indra at their head in all directions.  The gods then all resolved upon the destruction of Vritra, and went with Indra at their head to Brahma.  And beholding them standing before him with joined hands, Parameshthi addressed them all and said, “Everything is known to me, ye gods, about what ye seek.  I shall indicate now the means by which ye may slay Vritra.  There is a high-souled and great Rishi known by the name of Dadhicha.  Go ye all together unto him and solicit of him a boon.  With well-pleased heart, that Rishi of virtuous soul will even grant you the