ihaspati at their head, having succeeded in finding out the god,
became very glad with Vasava amongst them. They then returned to the
places they had come from. Agni also, from Bhrigu's curse, became an
eater of everything, as Bhrigu, that utterer of Brahma, had said. The
intelligent Balarama, having bathed there, then proceeded to Brahmayoni
where the adorable Grandsire of all the worlds had exercised his
functions of creations. In days of yore, the Lord Brahman, along with all
the gods, bathed in that tirtha, according to due rites for the
celestials. Bathing there and giving away diverse kinds of gifts,
Valadeva then proceeded to the tirtha called Kauvera where the puissant
Ailavila, having practised severe austerities, obtained, O king, the
Lordship over all treasures. While he dwelt there (engaged in
austerities), all kinds of wealth, and all the precious gems came to him
of their own accord. Baladeva having repaired to that tirtha and bathed
in its waters duly gave much wealth unto the Brahamanas. Rama beheld at
that spot the excellent woods of Kuvera. In days of yore, the high-souled
Kuvera, the chief of the Yakshas, having practised the severest
austerities there, obtained many boons. There were the lordship of all
treasures, the friendship of Rudra possessed of immeasurable energy, the
status of a god, the regency over a particular point of the compass (the
north), and a son named Nakakuvera. These the chief of the Yakshas
speedily obtained there, O thou of mighty arms! The Maruts, coming there,
installed him duly (in his sovereignty). He also obtained for a vehicle a
well-equipped and celestial car, fleet as thought, as also all the
affluence of a god. Bathing in that tirtha and giving away much wealth,
Vala using white unguents thence proceeded quickly to another tirtha.
Populous with all kinds of creatures, that tirtha is known by the name
Vadarapachana. There the fruits of every season are always to be found
and flowers and fruits of every kind are always abundant."

48

Vaishampayana said, "Rama (as already said) then proceeded to the tirtha
called Vadarapachana where dwelt many ascetics and Siddhas. There the
daughter of Bharadwaja, unrivalled on earth for beauty, named Sruvavati,
practised severe austerities. She was a maiden who led the life of a
Brahmacharini. That beautiful damsel, observing diverse kinds of vows,
practised the austerest of penances, moved by the desire of obtaining the
Lord of t