By the fruit of our
ascetic penance, let one arise, fleet as the mind, and fierce withal.' And
the lord of the celestials of a hundred sacrifices, having come to know of
this, became very much alarmed and sought the protection of the vow-
observing Kasyapa. And the Prajapati Kasyapa, hearing everything from
Indra, went to the Valakhilyas and asked them if their sacrifice had been
successful. And those truth-speaking Rishis replied to him, saying, 'Let
it be as thou sayest!' And the Prajapati Kasyapa pacifying them, spake
unto them as follows, 'By the word of Brahman, this one (Indra) hath been
made the Lord of the three worlds. Ye ascetics, ye also are striving to
create another Indra! Ye excellent ones, it behoveth you not to falsify
the word of Brahman. Let not also this purpose, for (accomplishing) which
ye are striving, be rendered futile. Let there spring an Indra (Lord) of
winged creatures, endued with excess of strength! Be gracious unto Indra
who is a suppliant before you.' And the Valakhilyas, thus addressed by
Kasyapa, after offering reverence to that first of the Munis, viz., the
Prajapati Kasyapa, spake unto him:
"The Valakhilyas said, 'O Prajapati, this sacrifice of us all is for an
Indra! Indeed this hath also been meant for a son being born unto thee!
Let this task be now left to thee. And in this matter do whatsoever thou
seest to be good and proper.'
"Sauti continued, 'Meanwhile, moved by the desire of offspring, the good
daughter of Daksha, the vow-observing, amiable, and fortunate Vinata, her
ascetic penances over, having purified herself with a bath in that season
when connubial companionship might prove fruitful, approached her lord.
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