Vyasa said, “Then Dhritarashtra betook himself to that monarch’s court and delivered this message to him from Vasava.”

Dhritarashtra said, “O lord of men, know that I am Dhritarashtra the Gandharva, come here with the object [of] delivering to thee the message of Indra.  Do thou, O lion among kings, listen to the words which the high-souled lord of all the worlds meant for thee,—­That one of incomprehensible achievements (Indra) only said this much, ’Do thou accept Vrihaspati as thy officiating priest for the sacrifice, or if thou do not comply with my request, I shall strike thee with my terrific thunderbolt.’”

Marutta said, “Thou, O Purandara, the Viswadevas, the Vasus and the Aswins ye all know, that in this world there is no escape from the consequences of playing false to a friend; it is a great sin like unto that of murdering a Brahman.  Let Vrihaspati (therefore) officiate as priest to that Mahendra the supreme Deva (god), the highest one wielding the thunderbolt, and O prince, Samvarta will act as my priest, as neither his (Indra’s) words, nor thine commend themselves to me.”

The Gandharva said, “Do thou, O lion among princes, listen to the terrible war-cry of Vasava roaring, in the heavens.  Assuredly, and openly will Mahendra hurl his thunderbolt at thee.  Do thou therefore be-think thyself of thy good, for this is the time to do it.”

Vyasa said, “Thus accosted by Dhritarashtra, and hearing the roar of howling Vasava, the king communicated this intelligence to Samvarta steadfast in devotion and the highest of all virtuous men.”

Marutta said, “Verily this rain-cloud floating in the air indicates that Indra must be near at present, therefore, O prince of Brahmanas, I seek shelter from thee.  Do thou, O best of Brahmanas, remove this fear of Indra from my mind.  The Wielder of the thunderbolt is coming encompassing the ten directions of space with his terrible and superhuman refulgence and my assistants at this sacrificial assembly have been overcome with fright.

Samvarta said, “O lion among kings, thy fear of Sakra will soon be dispelled, and I shall soon remove this terrible pain by means of my magic lore (incantation); be calm and have no fear of being overpowered by India.  Thou hast nothing to fear from the god of a hundred sacrifices.  I shall use my staying charms, O king, and the weapons of all the gods will avail them not.  Let the lightening flash in all the directions of space, and the winds entering into the clouds pour down the showers amid the forests and the waters deluge the heavens and the flashes of lightning that are seen will avail not.  Thou hast nothing to fear, let Vasava pour down the rains and plast his terrific thunderbolt where he will, floating among the watery masses (clouds) for thy destruction, for the god Vahnni (Agni) will protect thee in every way, and make thee attain all the objects of thy desire.”

Marutta said, “This appalling crash of the thunderbolt together with the howling of the winds, seem terrible to my ears and my heart is afflicted again and again, O Brahmana, and my peace of mind is gone at present.”