as he was about to re-enter his asylum, he was followed by his daughter-in-law named Adrisyanti. As she neared him, he heard the sound froin behind of a very intelligent recitation of the Vedas with the six graces of elocution. Hearing that sound, the Rishi asked, Who is it that followeth me?-His daughter-in-law then answered.I am Adrisyanti, the wife of Saktri. I am helpless, though devoted to asceticism-Hearing her, Vasistha said, - daughter, whose is this voice that I heard, repeating the Vedas along with the Angas like unto the voice of Saktri reciting the Vedas with the Angas ? --Adrisyanti answered, I bear in my womb a child by thy son Saktri. He hath been here full twelve years. The voice thou hearest is that of the Muni, who is reciting the Vedas_
"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by her the illustrious Vasistha became exceedingly glad. And saying.--O, there is a child (of my race) !-he refrained, O Partha, from self-destruction. The sinless one accompanied by his daughter-in-law, then returned to his asylum. And the Rishi saw one day in the solitary woods (the Rakshasa) Kalmashapada. The king. O Bharata, possessed by fierce Rakshasa, as he saw the Rishi, became filled with wrath and rose up, desiring to devour him. And Adrisyanti. beholding before her that Rakshasa of cruel deeds addressed Vasistha in these words, full of anxiety and fear! -O illustrious one, the cruel Rakshasa, like unto Death himself armed with (his) fierce club, cometh towards us with a wooden club in hand !
There is none else on earth, except thee, O illustrious one, and, O foremost of all that are conversant with the Vedas to restrain him to-day ! Protect me, o illustrious one, from this cruel wretch of terrible mien ! Surely, the Raksbasa cometh hither to devour us! Vasistha, hearing this, said,-Fear not, o daughter, there is no need of any fear from any Rakshasa ! This one is no Rakshasa from whom thou apprehendest such imminent danger. This is king Kalmashapada endued with great energy and celebrated on Earth. That terrible man dwelleth in these woods.
"The Gandharva continued, Beholding him advancing, the illustrious Rishi Vasistha, endued with great energy, restrained him, O Bharata, by uttering the sound Hum. Sprinkling him again with water sanctified with incantations the Rishi freed the monarch from that terrible curse. For twelve years the monarch had been overwhelmed by the energy of Vasistha's son like Suryya seized by the planet (Rahu) during the season of an eclipse. Freed from the Rakshasa the monarch ilumined that large forest by his splendour like the sun illumining the evening clouds. Recovering his power of reason, the king saluted that best of Rishis with joined hands and said, illustrious one, I am the son of
