hee! This palace, the kingdom, this seat of
justice, await thy pleasure. Thou art the lord of all these! Do thou rule
the earth! As regards myself, I am completely dependent upon thee.'
Addressed in these words by the king, Chyavana of Bhrigu's race, filled
with great delight, said unto Kusika these words in reply.

"'"Chyavana said, 'I do not, O king, covet thy kingdom, nor thy wealth, nor
the damsels thou hast, nor thy kine, nor thy provinces, nor articles
needed for sacrifice. Do thou listen to me. If it pleases thee and thy
wife, I shall commence to observe a certain vow. I desire thee and thy
wife to serve me during that period without any scruples.' Thus addressed
by the Rishi, the king and the queen became filled with joy, O Bharata,
and answered him, saving, 'Be it so, O Rishi!' Delighted with the Rishi's
words, the king led him into an apartment of the palace. It was an
excellent one, agreeable to see. The king showed him everything in that
room. And the king said. 'This, O holy one, is thy bed. Do thou live here
as thou pleasest! O thou that art endued with wealth of asceticism,
myself and my queen shall strive our best to give thee every comfort and
every pleasure.' While they were thus conversing with each other, the sun
passed the meridian. The Rishi commanded the king to bring him food and
drink. King Kusika, bowing unto the Rishi, asked him, saying, 'What kind
of food is agreeable to thee? What food, indeed, shall be brought for
thee?' Filled with delight, the Rishi answered that ruler of men, O
Bharata, saying, 'Let food that is proper be given to me.' Receiving
these words with respect, the king said, 'So be it!' and then offered
unto the Rishi food of the proper kind. Having finished his meals, the
holy Chyavana, conversant with every duty, addressed the king and the
queen, saying, 'I desire to slumber. O puissant one, sleep hinders me
now.' Proceeding thence to a chamber that had been prepared for him, that
best of Rishis then laid himself down upon a bed. The king and the queen
sat themselves down. The Rishi said to them, 'Do not, while I sleep,
awake me. Do ye keep yourselves awake and continually press my feet as
long as I sleep.' Without the least scruple, Kusika, conversant with
every duty, said, 'So be it!' Indeed, the king and the queen kept
themselves awake all night, duly engaged in tending and serving the Rishi
in the manner directed. The royal couple, O monarch accomplished the
Rishi's biddi