SAUNAKA ASKS, “GENTLE SUTA, YOU SPOKE OF A LONG BATTLE NARAYANA fought against the Asuras Madhu & Kaitabha. Tell us about that war.” Suta says, “Once, after a pralaya, the universe lay dissolved in the single, primordial sea: Ekarnava. Vishnu lay asleep on his serpent-bed, upon the interminable coils of Anantasesha of a thousand hoods. My master, Rishi Vyasa, says that two Asuras were born from the wax in the sleeping Vishnu’s ears, and they were dreadful to behold. Madhu & Kaitabha grew to manhood in the plumbless Ekarnava, which are the waters of infinity, containing all places, all ages and all souls. They grew swiftly, and were soon as immense as they powerful and hideous. They spoke to each other, wonderingly, “What is this marvelous sea, upon what foundation does it rest? Who made this ocean, and who made us? Who are our father & mother?” But they could find no answers to these questions. “VYASA STOOD TREMBLING BEFORE THE APSARA, STILL RUBBING HIS ARANI sticks together in a daze. She mistook his for anger. Growing afraid that he might curse her, Ghritachi become a suka bird and flew away. Vyasa gave a moan of anguish, but with his tapasvin’s powerful imagination he still saw her before him, half-naked and ravishing, and unable to help himself, he began to fondle her in his fantasy. Indeed, so strong was that Rishi’s desire that possessed Ghritachi the Apsara in his mind as assuredly as if he actually had her in the flesh. He could feel her satin skin against his hands, he could smell the delicate musk of her body. He could feel her moistness on his fingers, while he rubbed the arani sticks together dreamily. Then, an ineffable surge of rapture swept over the Muni, and his seed spurted from him on to the arani sticks. The innocent Vyasa hardly noticed his ejaculation, but went on rubbing the aranis together. The next moment, instead of fire, a flame-like boy sprang up from the tinder-sticks! That child was radiant and he resembled Vyasa in every feature. Dwaipayana was amazed. Without laying hands on a woman, he had a son who shone like agni. This must be Siva’s grace, he thought. His boy stood before him like a glowing treasure. “WONDERING AT THE MARVELLOUS WORLD THAT UNFOLDED BEFORE HIM as he went along, Suka made for Mithila which was a long way from his father’s asrama. It was another practical for the brilliant Muni. He passed over white mountains and came into jade plains. He forded great blue rivers, and crossed many and kingdoms. He encountered all manners of men on his way every occupation and every walk of life. He passed through deep jungles, where he saw only Rishis who lived in tapasya. Among these, he saw men that worshipped Siva and Shakti, Ganapathy and Surya, Indra and Vishnu, and many other Gods as well. After a year Suka arrived at the gates of Janaka’s Mithila. He saw how magnificent was the city before him and how contented its people seemed. But a huge stoppedhim at the gates, and asked rudely, “Who are you, stranger? What brings you to Mithila?’ Suka was astonished and made no made no reply, but he smiled to himself. The guard said sternly, ‘By king Janaka’s command no one may enter his city without declaring himself properly. You may not pass.’