of Munis—­Agastya—­bursting out in laughter, said, ’How can he come out?  I have already digested that great Asura.’  And beholding his brother already digested, Ilwala became sad and cheerless and joining his hands, along with his ministers, addressing the Rishi (and his companions), said, ‘What for have ye come hither, and what can I do for you?’ And Agastya smilingly answered Ilwala, saying, ’We know thee, O Asura, to be possessed of great power and also enormous wealth.  These kings are not very wealthy while my need also of wealth is great.  Give us what thou canst, without injuring others.’  Thus addressed Ilwala saluted the Rishi and said, ’If thou say what it is that I mean to give, then will I give you wealth.’  Hearing this Agastya said, ’O great Asura, thou hast even purposed to give unto each of these kings ten thousand kine and as many gold coins.  And unto me thou hast purposed to give twice as much, as also a car of gold and a couple of horses fleet as thought.  If thou enquirest now, thou wilt soon learn that your car is made of gold.’  Thereupon, O son of Kunti, Ilwala made enquiries and learnt that the car he had intended to give away was really a golden one.  And the Daitya then with a sad heart, gave away much wealth and that car, unto which were yoked two steeds called Virava and Surava.  And those steeds, O Bharata, took those kings and Agastya and all that wealth to the asylum of Agastya within the twinkling of an eye.  And those royal sages then obtaining Agastya’s permission, went away to their respective cities.  And Agastya also (with that wealth) did all that his wife Lopamudra had desired.  And Lopamudra then said, ’O illustrious one, thou hast now accomplished all my wishes.  Beget thou a child on me that shall be possessed of great energy.’  And Agastya replied unto her, saying, ’O blessed and beauteous one, I have been much gratified with thy conduct.  Listen thou unto me as regards the proposal I make in respect of thy offspring.  Wouldst thou have a thousand sons, or a century of sons each equal to ten, or ten sons equal each to an hundred, or only one son who may vanquish a thousand?’ Lopamudra answered, ’Let me have one son equal unto a thousand, O thou endued with wealth of asceticism!  One good and learned son is preferable to many evil ones.’”

“Lomasa continued, ’Saying, ‘So be it,’ that pious Muni thereupon knew his devout wife of equal behaviour.  And after she had conceived, he retired into the forest.  And after the Muni had gone away, the foetus began to grow for seven years.  And after the seventh year had expired, there came out of the womb, the highly learned Dridhasyu, blazing, O Bharata, in his own splendour.  And the great Brahmana and illustrious ascetic, endued with mighty energy, took his birth as the Rishi’s son, coming out of the womb, as if repeating the Vedas with the Upanishads and the Angas.  Endued with great energy while yet a child, he used to carry loads of sacrificial fuel into the asylum of his father, and was thence called Idhmavaha (carrier of sacrificial wood).  And the Muni, beholding his son possessed of such virtues, became highly glad.