“And it was thus, O Bharata, that Agastya begat an excellent son in consequence of which his ancestors, O king, obtained the regions they desired.  And it is from that time that this spot hath become known on the earth as the asylum of Agastya.  Indeed, O king, this is the asylum graced with numerous beauties, of that Agastya who had slain Vatapi of Prahrada’s race.  The sacred Bhagirathi, adored by gods and Gandharvas gently runneth by, like a breeze-shaken pennon in the welkin.  Yonder also she floweth over craggy crests descending lower and lower, and looketh like an affrighted she-snake lying along the hilly slopes.  Issuing out of the matted locks of Mahadeva, she passeth along, flooding the southern country and benefiting it like a mother, and ultimately mingleth with the ocean as if she were his favourite bride.  Bathe ye as ye like in this sacred river, ye son of Pandu!  And behold there, O Yudhisthira, the tirtha of Bhrigu that is celebrated over the three worlds and adored, O king, by great Rishis.  Bathing here, Rama (of Bhrigu’s race) regained his might, which had been taken away from him (by Dasaratha’s son).  Bathing here, O son of Pandu, with thy brothers and Krishna, thou wilt certainly regain that energy of thine that hath been taken away by Duryodhana, even as Rama regained his that had been taken away by Dasaratha’s son in hostile encounter.”

Vaisampayana continued, “At these words of Lomasa, Yudhishthira bathed there with his brothers and Krishna, and offered oblations of water, O Bharata, to the gods and the Pitris.  And, O bull among men, after Yudhishthira had bathed in that tirtha, his body blazed forth in brighter effulgence, and he became invisible in respect of all foes.  The son of Pandu then, O king, asked Lomasa, saying, ’O illustrious one, why had Rama’s energy and might been taken away?  And how also did he regain it?  O exalted one, I ask thee, tell me everything.’”

“Lomasa said, ’Listen, O king, to the history of Rama (the son of Dasaratha) and Rama of Bhrigu’s line gifted with intelligence.  For the destruction of Ravana, O king, Vishnu, in his own body, took his birth as the son of illustrious Dasaratha.  We saw in Ayodhya that son of Dasaratha after he had been born.  It was then that Rama of Bhrigu’s line, the son of Richika by Renuka, hearing of Rama the son of Dasaratha—­of spotless deeds—­went to Ayodhya, impelled by curiosity, and taking with him that celestial bow so fatal to the Kshatriyas, for ascertaining the prowess of Dasaratha’s son.  And Dasaratha, hearing that Rama of Bhrigu’s race had arrived on the confines of his domains, set his own son Rama to receive the hero with respect.  And beholding Dasaratha’s son approach and stand before him with ready weapons, Rama of Bhrigu’s line smilingly addressed him, O son of Kunti, saying, ’O king, O exalted one, string, if thou canst, with all thy mighty, this bow which in my hands was made the instrument of destroying the Kshatriya race.’  Thus addressed, Dasaratha’s