Bhishma said Hearing these sweet words Gautama was filled with wonder. Feeling at the same time a great curiosity, he looked at Rajadharman without being able to with draw his eyes from him.

Rajadharman said O Brahmana, I am the son of Kashyapa by one of the daughters of (the sage) Dhaksha. Highly meritorious as you are, you are my guest to-day! You are welcome, O foremost of Brahmana.

Bhishma said Having offered him hospitality according to the scriptural rites, the crane made an excellent bed of the Shala flowers that lay all around.

He also gave him several large fishes caught from the deep waters of the Bhagirathi.

Indeed, the son of Kashyapa offered for the acceptance of his guest Gautama a burning fire and certain large fishes.

After the Brahmana had eaten and became satisfied, the bird having asceticism for his wealth began to fan him with his wings for removing his fatigue.

Seeing his guest seated at his ease, he asked him about his birth. The man answered, saying, I am a Brahmana by the name of Gautama!-and then became silent.

The bird offered his guest a soft bed made of leaves and perfumed with many sweetscented flowers. Gautama lay on it, and felt great happiness.

When Gautama had laid himself down, the eloquent son of Kashyapa, who was like Yama himself in his knowledge of duties, asked him about the cause of his arrival there.

Gautama answered him, saying, I am, O great one, very poor. For acquiring riches I wish to go to the sea.

The son of Kashyapa cheerfully told him,You should not feel any anxiety. You shall succeed, O foremost of Brahmanas, and shall return home with property.

The sage Brihaspati has mentioned four kinds of expedients for the acquisition of wealth, viz., inheritance, sudden acquisition due to good luck or the favour of the gods, acquisition by labour, and acquisition through the help or kindness of friends.

I have become your friend. I entertain good feelings towards you! I shall, therefore, try in such a way that you may acquire wealth.

The night passed away and morning came. Seeing his guest rise cheerfully from bed, the bird said, Go, O amiable one, along this very path and you are sure to succeed.

At the distance of about three Yojanas from this place, there is a powerful king of the Rakshasas. Highly strong as he is, his name is Virupaksha, and he is a friend of mine.

Go to him, O foremost of Brahmanas! That chief, at my request, will, forsooth, give you as much wealth as you wish to have.

Thus addressed, O king, Gautama cheerfully started from that place, eating on the way, to his best satisfaction, fruits sweet as nectar.

Seeing the sandal and aloe and birch trees that stood along the road, and enjoying their refreshing shade, the Brahmana went on quickly.

He then reached the city of Meruvraja. It had lare porches made of stone, and high stone walls. It was also girted on all sides with a ditch, and large pieces of rock and engines of many kinds were kept in readiness on the ramparts.

He soon became known to the highly intelligent Rakshasa chief O king, as a dear guest sent to him by the chief's friend (the crane). The chief received Gautama very gladly.

The king of the Rakshasas then, O Yudhishthira, ordered his attendants, saying,Bring Gautama soon here from the gate.

At the behest of the king, certain persons, quick as hawks, went out from the splendid palace of their ruler, and proceeding to the gate accosted Gautama.

The royal messengers, O monarch, said to that Brahmana,-Come quickly, the king wishes to see you.

You may have heard of the king of the Rakshasas, Virupaksha by name, endued with great courage. He is impatient of seeing you! Come quickly and delay not.

Thus accosted, the Brahmana, forgetting is exhaustion in his surprise, ran with the messengers. Seeing the great prosperity of the city, he was filled with wonder.

He soon entered the king's palace in the company of the messengers, desirous of seeing the king of the Rakshasas. He soon entered the king's palace in the company of the messengers, desirous of seeing the king of the Rakshasas.