he dwelt there (engaged in austerities), all kinds of wealth, and all the precious gems came to him of their own accord.  Baladeva having repaired to that tirtha and bathed in its waters duly gave much wealth unto the Brahamanas.  Rama beheld at that spot the excellent woods of Kuvera.  In days of yore, the high-souled Kuvera, the chief of the Yakshas, having practised the severest austerities there, obtained many boons.  There were the lordship of all treasures, the friendship of Rudra possessed of immeasurable energy, the status of a god, the regency over a particular point of the compass (the north), and a son named Nakakuvera.  These the chief of the Yakshas speedily obtained there, O thou of mighty arms!  The Maruts, coming there, installed him duly (in his sovereignty).  He also obtained for a vehicle a well-equipped and celestial car, fleet as thought, as also all the affluence of a god.  Bathing in that tirtha and giving away much wealth, Vala using white unguents thence proceeded quickly to another tirtha.  Populous with all kinds of creatures, that tirtha is known by the name Vadarapachana.  There the fruits of every season are always to be found and flowers and fruits of every kind are always abundant.”

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Vaishampayana said, “Rama (as already said) then proceeded to the tirtha called Vadarapachana where dwelt many ascetics and Siddhas.  There the daughter of Bharadwaja, unrivalled on earth for beauty, named Sruvavati, practised severe austerities.  She was a maiden who led the life of a Brahmacharini.  That beautiful damsel, observing diverse kinds of vows, practised the austerest of penances, moved by the desire of obtaining the Lord of the celestials for her husband.  Many years passed away, O perpetuator of Kuru’s race, during which that damsel continually observed those diverse vows exceedingly difficult of being practised by women.  The adorable chastiser of Paka at last became gratified with her in consequence of that conduct and those penances of hers and that high regard she showed for him.  The puissant Lord of the celestials then came to that hermitage, having assumed the form of the high-souled and regenerate Rishi Vasishtha.  Beholding that foremost of ascetics, Vasishtha, of the austerest penances, she worshipped him, O Bharata according to the rites observed by ascetics.  Conversant with vows, the auspicious and sweet-speeched damsel addressed him, saying, ’O adorable one, O tiger among ascetics, tell me thy commands, O lord!  O thou of excellent vows, I shall serve thee according to the measure of my might!  I will not, however, give thee my hand, in consequence of my regard for Shakra!  I am seeking to please Shakra, the lord of the three worlds, with vows and rigid observances and ascetic penances!’ Thus addressed by her, the illustrious god, smiling as he cast his eyes on her, and knowing her observances, addressed her sweetly, O Bharata, saying, ’Thou practisest penances of the austerest kind!  This is known to me, O