The sun was high in the sky as King Dushmanta, accompanied by a large force, ventured into the forest. Hundreds of horses and elephants followed in his train, with foot soldiers, car-warriors, cavalry, and elephants making up the four branches of his mighty army. The warriors, armed with swords, darts, maces, and clubs, were a testament to the king’s prowess in battle. As they marched, the sound of conchs, drums, and clashing weapons filled the air, mingling with the neighing of horses and the trumpeting of elephants.
The ladies of the kingdom, watching from the terraces of their mansions, gazed upon the king with admiration. He was like Sakra, the slayer of his enemies, capable of repulsing the elephants of foes. They believed him to be the wielder of the thunderbolt himself. As the king passed by, they showered him with flowers, their hearts filled with affection and reverence.
With the blessings of the Brahmanas, the king continued his journey, eager to slay the deer that roamed the forest. The citizens and subjects of the kingdom followed him for a distance, until he commanded them to stop, allowing him to proceed with his noble pursuit.
As the king rode his chariot, the earth shook beneath its wheels. He traversed the uneven terrain, dotted with Vilwa, Arka, Khadira, and Kapittha trees. The air was filled with the cries of deer and the roars of lions, while the soil was scarred with the tracks of predators. The king, with his unparalleled energy, began to disturb the forest, killing numerous animals with his arrows and sword.
The lions, realizing the king’s unmatched prowess, began to desert the forest in droves. Herds of animals, deprived of their leaders, fled in all directions, their cries echoing through the trees. Many fell prey to the king’s warriors, who roamed the forest, feasting on the spoils of the hunt. The king, with his boundless energy, wandered through the wilderness, killing all manner of beasts with his sword, mace, and club.
As the sun began to set, the king, still unsatisfied, led his followers into another forest, seeking new game to conquer. With only a single attendant by his side, he traversed a vast, barren plain, his hunger and thirst momentarily forgotten.
As they crossed the desolate landscape, the king spotted a beautiful forest in the distance, its trees adorned with blossoms, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air. The forest echoed with the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the gentle hum of bees. The king’s eyes widened with wonder as he beheld the forest’s untamed beauty.
The trees, with their vibrant flowers, seemed to welcome the king, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming creepers, and the soft chirping of birds created a melody that enchanted the king’s heart. Even the bees, drunk with delight, added their buzzing to the chorus of sounds.
As the king entered the forest, the trees, with their outstretched branches, seemed to form a shaded canopy above him. The king’s fatigue vanished, replaced by a sense of wonder and awe. He beheld the forest, teeming with life, as a resort of Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, and Apsaras, where monkeys and Kinnaras reveled in joy.
The king’s eyes wandered to a charming retreat of ascetics, situated in a delta of the river. The sacred fire burned within it, surrounded by numerous Yotis, Valakhilyas, and Munis. The air was filled with the chanting of Rik hymns, while the scent of flowers wafted through the air.
The king, still accompanied by his minister and priest, approached the retreat, resolving to meet the illustrious Kasyapa, a Rishi of unbridled ascetic merit. As he entered the sacred asylum, he forgot his hunger and thirst, his senses captivated by the beauty of the surroundings.
The king’s eyes fell upon Brahmanas, skilled in the art of making sacrificial platforms, familiar with the rules of Krama in sacrifices, and conversant with logic and mental sciences. He saw others, well-versed in the meanings of expressions, and those who were adept at establishing propositions, rejecting superfluous causes, and drawing right conclusions.
The king, wonder-struck, heard the voices of the Brahmanas, chanting hymns, and repeating mantras of various kinds. He saw those skilled in astrology, learned in the properties of matter, and knowledgeable about the fruits of sacrificial rites. The king’s heart swelled with reverence as he beheld the sacred rites, and the worship of the gods and great Rishis.
As he wandered through the retreat, the king felt as though he had entered the region of Brahman itself. He was not satisfied with his short survey, and desired to see more of the asylum, protected by Kasyapa’s ascetic virtues, and possessed of all the requisites of a holy retreat
