Sri Vasista

1. O Rāma, from that time onwards, Dāsura performed very intense penance and came to known as  ‘Kadamba Dāsura’.
2. -3. After taking a overall look around, he started concentrating on the work to do.  Being a brahmin who was conditioned by the idea of performing sacrifices, he started performing the sacrifices mentally.  He had no real understanding the Truth.  His purpose was to achieve heaven and such small fruits from his penance.

4. -5. He performed mentally all the sacrifices from raising the fires, keeping them upto Aswamedha sacrifices.  The entire mental activity took him around ten years.

6. In course of time, his mind became pure and he gained knowledge of self.  His ignorance vanished and his ‘vāsanas’ were shattered.
7. -8. At that time Dāsura saw a wide-eyed, flower-bedecked sylvan deity perched on the top of the top.  She was lascivious in looks.

9. She was sending out fragrance of a blue lotus and was bewitching in her appearance.  Looking at her in a humble posture the muni asked of her:
10. -11.‘O graceful lady, you can charm even cupid.  Who are you?  Why are you sitting here on the edge of this creeper?

12. -18. When the muni asked of her the information, the charming lady replied in sweet tones and words thus:  ‘whatever is impossible to get on this earth, can be obtained by the grace of noble people of achievement, I am the presiding deity of this forest.  This creeper is my residence.  On the thirteenth day of the white half of ‘chaitra’ month, all the sylvan deities have gathered in the ‘Nandana’ garden to celebrate the festival of cupid.  I also went there to participate in that.  Many of my friends came there with their sons.  I felt bad and sorry for my of being without a son.  Why should I worry when you are there fore me, who can give what I want O noble sage, give me a son.  If you decline, I shall deliver myself into the fire to dissolve all my sorrows.

19. When the deity begged of him thus, Dāsura smiled and out of compassion gave the flower in his hand to her and said.
20. -22. ‘O lady of fair and delicate body, you can go now.  In a month you shall have a lotus-eyed son who will be adored by the whole world.  Since you were willing to give up your body for the sake of a son, the one who will be born will be a wise man of knowledge’.  He then sent away the goddess.

23. -24 She then proceeded to her own place and spent seasons and years.  After twelve years she went to the muni, taking her twelve year old son along with her.

25. -28. She prostrated before the sage, shining like a moon and said thus in sweet tones ‘O Lord, this boy is our son.  I have taught all the secular sciences except the knowledge of self which relieves man of all worldly bondages you are the one give him that knowledge.  Which father will leave his son ignorant?

29. -34. To that the sage replied ‘O lady, leave this boy here who shall become a great disciple?  And sent her away.  After the month left, the son stayed with the father serving him like a good student.  It was like Aruna, the brother of Garuda, staying with Surya.  Sage Dāsura taught the scriptures to his son for a long time.  He taught him with the help of many stories, illustrations and scriptures.