thas_ called Diptoda where thy grandsire Bhrigu, O
Rama, in the celestial age had practised ascetic penances of great
merit." Thus addressed by them, Rama, O son of Kunti, did what the
Pitris bade him, and obtained back at this _tirtha_, O son of Pandu, the
energy he had lost. Even this O child, was what befell Rama of spotless
deeds in days in of yore, after he had, O king, met Vishnu (in the form
of Dasaratha's son)!'"

SECTION C

"Yudhishthira said, 'O best of regenerate ones, I desire again to hear
of the achievements in detail of Agastya--that illustrious Rishi endued
with great intelligence.'

"Lomasa said, 'Listen now, O king, to the excellent and wonderful and
extraordinary history of Agastya, as also, O monarch, about the prowess
of that Rishi of immeasurable energy. There were in the Krita age
certain tribes of fierce Danavas that were invincible in battle. And
they were known by the name of Kalakeyas and were endued with terrible
prowess. Placing themselves under Vritra and arming themselves with
diverse weapons they pursued the celestials with Indra at their head in
all directions. The gods then all resolved upon the destruction of
Vritra, and went with Indra at their head to Brahma. And beholding them
standing before him with joined hands, Parameshthi addressed them all
and said, "Everything is known to me, ye gods, about what ye seek. I
shall indicate now the means by which ye may slay Vritra. There is a
high-souled and great Rishi known by the name of Dadhicha. Go ye all
together unto him and solicit of him a boon. With well-pleased heart,
that Rishi of virtuous soul will even grant you the boon. Desirous as ye
are of victory, go ye all together unto him and tell him, '_For the good
of the three worlds, give us thy bones_.' Renouncing his body, he will
give you his bones. With these bones of his, make ye a fierce and
powerful weapon to be called _Vajra_, endued with six sides and terrible
roar and capable of destroying even the most powerful enemies. With that
weapon will he of a hundred sacrifices slay Vritra. I have now told you
all. See that all this is done speedily." Thus addressed by him, the
gods with the Grandsire's leave (came away), and with Narayana at their
head proceeded to the asylum of Dadhicha. That asylum was on the other
bank of the river Saraswati and covered with diverse trees and creepers.
And it resounded with the hum of bees as if they were reciting _Samans_.
And it also echoed