“While engaged in this vocation, Satyavati was seen one day by the great Rishi Parasara, in course of his wanderings.  As she was gifted with great beauty, an object of desire even with an anchorite, and of graceful smiles, the wise sage, as soon as he beheld her, desired to have her.  And that bull amongst Munis addressed the daughter of Vasu of celestial beauty and tapering thighs, saying, ‘Accept my embraces, O blessed one!’ Satyavati replied, ’O holy one, behold the Rishis standing on either bank of the river.  Seen by them, how can I grant thy wish?’

“Thus addressed by her, the ascetic thereupon created a fog (which existed not before and) which enveloped the whole region in darkness.  And the maiden, beholding the fog that was created by the great Rishi wondered much.  And the helpless one became suffused with the blushes of bashfulness.  And she said, ’O holy one, note that I am a maiden under the control of my father.  O sinless one, by accepting your embraces my virginity will be sullied.  O best of Brahmanas, my virginity being sullied, how shall I, O Rishi, be able to return home?  Indeed, I shall not then be able to bear life.  Reflecting upon all this, O illustrious one, do that which should be done.’  That best of Rishis, gratified with all she said, replied, “Thou shall remain a virgin even if thou grantest my wish.  And, O timid one, O beauteous lady, solicit the boon that thou desirest.  O thou of fair smiles, my grace hath never before proved fruitless.’  Thus addressed, the maiden asked for the boon that her body might emit a sweet scent (instead of the fish-odour that it had).  And the illustrious Rishi thereupon granted that wish of her heart.

“Having obtained her boon, she became highly pleased, and her season immediately came.  And she accepted the embraces of that Rishi of wonderful deeds.  And she thenceforth became known among men by the name of Gandhavati (the sweet-scented one).  And men could perceive her scent from the distance of a yojana.  And for this she was known by another name which was Yojanagandha (one who scatters her scent for a yojana all around).  And the illustrious Parasara, after this, went to his own asylum.

“And Satyavati gratified with having obtained the excellent boon in consequence of which she became sweet-scented and her virginity remained unsullied conceived through Parasara’s embraces.  And she brought forth the very day, on an island in the Yamuna, the child begot upon her by Parasara and gifted with great energy.  And the child, with the permission of his mother, set his mind on asceticism.  And he went away saying, ’As soon as thou rememberest me when occasion comes, I shall appear unto thee.’