“In the beginning, ye created the ten points of the universe! Then have ye placed the Sun and the Sky above! The Rishis, according to the course of the same Sun, perform their sacrifices, and the gods and men, according to what hath been appointed for them, perform their sacrifices also enjoying the fruits of those acts! “Mixing the three colours, ye have produced all the objects of sight! It is from these objects that the Universe hath sprung whereon the gods and men are engaged in their respective occupations, and, indeed, all creatures endued with life! “Ye Aswins, I adore you! I also adore the Sky which is your handiwork! Ye are the ordainers of the fruits of all acts from which even the gods are not free! Ye are yourselves free from the fruits of your acts! “Ye are the parents of all! As males and females it is ye that swallow the food which subsequently develops into the life creating fluid and blood! The new-born infant sucks the teat of its mother. Indeed it is ye that take the shape of the infant! Ye Aswins, grant me my sight to protect my life!” The twin Aswins, thus invoked, appeared and said, ‘We are satisfied. Here is a cake for thee. Take and eat it.’ And Upamanyu thus addressed, replied, ‘Your words, O Aswins, have never proved untrue. But without first offering this cake to my preceptor I dare not take it.’ And the Aswins thereupon told him, ‘Formerly, thy preceptor had invoked us. We thereupon gave him a cake like this; and he took it without offering it to his master. Do thou do that which thy preceptor did.’ Thus addressed, Upamanyu again said unto them, ‘O Aswins, I crave your pardon. Without offering it to my preceptor I dare not apply this cake.’ The Aswins then said, ‘O, we are pleased with this devotion of thine to thy preceptor. Thy master’s teeth are of black iron. Thine shall be of gold. Thou shall be restored to sight and shall have good fortune.’ “Thus spoken to by the Aswins he recovered his sight, and having gone to his preceptor’s presence he saluted him and told him all. And his preceptor was well-pleased with him and said unto him, ‘Thou shalt obtain prosperity even as the Aswins have said. All the Vedas shall shine in thee and all the Dharma-sastras.’ And this was the trial of Upamanyu. “Then Veda the other disciple of Ayoda-Dhaumya was called. His preceptor once addressed him, saying, ‘Veda, my child, tarry some time in my house and serve thy preceptor. It shall be to thy profit.’ And Veda having signified his assent tarried long in the family of his preceptor mindful of serving him. Like an ox under the burthens of his master, he bore heat and cold, hunger and thirst, at all times without a murmur. And it was not long before his preceptor was satisfied. And as a consequence of that satisfaction, Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge. And this was the trial of Veda.