Vaishampayana said : O descendant of Kuru, Mandapala became anxious for his sons. Although he had spoken of them to the deity of fearful rays (Agni), his mind was not in peace.

Being very much anxious for his sons, he spoke thus to Lapita, my children are not now in possession of the power of moving, how are they (now)? When the fire will grow in strength and when the wind will begin to blow run with violence, my children will be incapable of saving themselves.

How shall their ascetic mother be able to save them? She will be afflicted with great sorrow when she will find herself unable to save them.

She will about uttering various laminations; for my sons are incapable of flying or rising up in the air.

Alas, how is Jaritari, my son! How is Sarisrikka, how is Stamvamitra and how id Drona! Alas, how is also the ascetic lady (their helpless mother)!"

O descendant of Bharata, when the Rishi Mandapala was thus lamenting in the forest, Lapita, out of jealousy, thus replied to him,

"You need have no anxiety for your children who, as you have assured me, are all greatly effulgent and powerful Rishis. They can have no fear from the fire.

Did you not yourself in my presence speak to Agni on their behalf? Did not the illustrious deity promise to save them?

Being the protector of creatures, he (Agni) will never falsify his words. You have no anxiety in your mind, your heart is never inclined towards your friends.

It is only by thinking of her, my enemy (Jarita), that you are so very much in anxiety. It is certain that the love you bear for her is not cqual to that you bear for me.

He who has two parties to divide his attention can easily see one of them suffer all sorts of pangs. But he can never disregard the party next to his heart.

Go to Jarita for whom your heart is so very sorrowful. As for myself, I shall roam alone, it would be a fit regard for me for having attached myself to a wicked man.

Mandapala said : I do not roam over the world with such intentions as you believe. It is only for begetting offspring that I am here. But even those that I have is now in danger.

He who casts off that which he has for the sake of what he may acquire(in future) is a wicked man. The world disregards and insults him. As for myself, you are at liberty to do what you choose.

This blazing fire that licks up the trees produces sorrow in my anxious heart; it create in my mind anticipations of fear.

Vaishampayana said : After Agni has left the place where the Sharangakas lives, Jarita, very much attached to her sons, came with all speed to see how they all were.

She found that all of them had escaped from the conflagration and they were all well. Seeing their mother, they too began to weep, although they were safe and well.

Seeing them (well), she too shed tears again and again. She embraced one by one all her weeping children.

O descendant of Bharata, just at that very time, Mandapala suddenly arrived there, but none of his sons expressed any joy on seeing him.

But he spoke to them one after the other and he spoke also to Jarita, but none of them said ill or well to him in reply.

Mandapala said : Who amongst these (my sons) is your first born and who is born next to him? And who is the third and who is the youngest?

I am speaking to you in sorrow; why do you not reply to me? It is true I left you, but I did not get peace where I was.

Jarita said: What business have you with the eldest of these (sons) and with him also who is the next and with him also who is the third and with him who is the youngest?

Go to Lapita of sweet smiles who is endued with beauty and youth and to whom you had gone on seeing me difficult in every thing.

Mandapala said : As regards woman, there is nothing that destroys their happiness more in this or the next world than a co-wife and a clandestine lover.

They inflame the fire of hostility and cause great anxiety. Even the auspiciously blessed and well behaved Arundhati, ever renowned among all creatures felt jealousy against the illustrious and pure minded Vasishtha, ever devoted to the greatly good of his wife. She insulted even that Rishi, one of the seven (great Rishis, the mind born sons of Brahma). On account of her that insulting thought, she has become a little star and looks like fire covered with smoke, sometimes visible and sometimes invisible, as if she is an evil omen.

I had connection with you for offspring. I have never wronged you as did not the Rishi (Vasishtha) of old, but you have become jealous as Arundhati (once was).

Men should never trust women, even if they be wedded wives. When women become mothers, they do not much care to serve their husbands.

Vaishampayana said: Thereupon all his sons came to worship him. And he too giving them all assurance spoke kindly towards them.