"I offer myself, dear child, as a sacrifice for your sake; it was through the goodwill of the sage ViÜvŒmitra alone that God kept away a number of calamities from you. Even while you and your brother (Lakƒma˜a) guarded the sacrifice, you were initiated into all the secret lore. At the mere touch of the dust from your feet the hermit’s wife (AhalyŒ) attained salvation and your glory filled the whole universe. In the assembly of princes you broke Ýiva’s bow, hard though it was as a tortoise-shell or adamant or rock. You gained the glory of having triumphed over the world and won the hand of Janaka’s daughter, and then returned home after marrying all your brothers. All your actions have been superhuman and were accomplished only by the grace of the sage KauÜika. Our birth into the world has borne fruit today as we now behold, dear child, your moon-like face. Our prayer is that the number of days that have been spent without seeing you, may not be reckoned by the Creator at all." (1—4)