And by his capital flowed a river
called Suktimati. And that river was once attacked by a life-endued
mountain called Kolahala maddened by lust. And Vasu, beholding the foul
attempt, struck the mountain with his foot. And by the indentation caused
by Vasu's stamp, the river came out (of the embraces of Kolahala). But the
mountain begat on the river two children that were twins. And the river,
grateful to Vasu for his having set her free from Kolahala's embraces,
gave them both to Vasu. And the son was made the generalissimo to his
forces by Vasu, that best of royal sages and giver of wealth and punisher
of enemies. And the daughter called Girika, was wedded by Vasu.
"And Girika, the wife of Vasu, after her menstrual course, purifying
herself by a bath, represented her state unto her lord. But that very day
the Pitris of Vasu came unto that best of monarchs and foremost of wise
men, and asked him to slay deer (for their Sraddha). And the king,
thinking that the command of the Pitris should not be disobeyed, went a-
hunting thinking of Girika alone who was gifted with great beauty and like
unto another Sri herself. And the season being the spring, the woods
within which the king was roaming, had become delightful like unto the
gardens of the king of the Gandharvas himself. There were Asokas and
Champakas and Chutas and Atimuktas in abundance: and there were Punnagas
and Karnikaras and Vakulas and Divya Patalas and Patalas and Narikelas and
Chandanas and Arjunas and similar other beautiful and sacred trees
resplendent with fragrant flowers and sweet fruits.
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