This nectarous tale sprang in old time from the mouth of Siva, set in motion by his love for the daughter of the Himálaya, as the nectar of immortality sprang from the sea, when churned by the mountain Mandara. Those who drink eagerly the nectar of this tale, have all impediments removed and gain prosperity, and by the favour of Siva attain, while living upon earth, the high rank of gods. CHAPTER IX. May the water of Siva's sweat, fresh from the embrace of Gaurí, [113] which the god of love when afraid of the fire of Siva's eye, employs as his aqueous weapon, protect you. Listen to the following tale of the Vidyádharas, which the excellent Gana Pushpadanta heard on mount Kailása from the god of the matted locks, and which Kánabhúti heard on the earth from the same Pushpadanta after he had become Vararuchi, and which Gunádhya heard from Kánabhúti, and Sátaváhana heard from Gunádhya. Story of Udayana king of Vatsa. There is a land famous under the name of Vatsa, that appears as if it had been made by the Creator as an earthly rival to dash the pride of heaven. In the centre of it is a great city named Kausámbí, the favourite dwelling-place of the goddess of prosperity; the ear-ornament, so to speak, of the earth. In it dwelt a king named Satáníka, sprung from the Pándava family, he was the son of Janamejaya, and the grandson of king Paríkshit, who was the great-grandson of Abhimanyu. The first progenitor of his race was Arjuna, the might of whose strong arms was tested in a struggle with the mighty arms of Siva; [114] his wife was the earth, and also Vishnumatí his queen; the first produced jewels, but the second did not produce a son. Once on a time, as that king was roaming about in his passion for the chase, he made acquaintance in the forest with the hermit Sándilya. That worthy sage finding out that the king desired a son, came to Kausámbí and administered to his queen an artfully prepared oblation [115] consecrated with mystic verses. Then he had a son born to him called Sahasráníka. And his father was adorned by him as excellence is by modesty. Then in course of time Satáníka made that son crown-prince and though he still enjoyed kingly pleasures, ceased to trouble himself about the cares of government. Then a war arose between the gods and Asuras, and Indra sent Mátali as a messenger to that king begging for aid. Then he committed his son and his kingdom to the care of his principal minister, who was called Yogandhara, and his Commander-in-chief, whose name was Supratíka, and went to Indra with Mátali to slay the Asuras in fight. That king, having slain many Asuras, of whom Yamadanshtra was the chief, under the eyes of Indra, met death in that very battle. The king's body was brought back by Mátali, and the queen burnt herself with it, and the royal dignity descended to his son Sahasráníka. Wonderful to say, when that king ascended his father's throne, the heads of the kings