Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3587

c9.3587

7) *How Agastya and Vasiṣṭha were born to Mitrāvaruṇas because of Urvaśī.* In days of old there was a renowned king named Nimi in the family of Ikṣvāku. He decided to perform a sacrifice of a long duration. He began preparation and invited famous hermits such as Bhṛgu, Aṅgiras, Vāmadeva, Pulastya, Pulaha, Ṛcika and others. Finally he invited Vasiṣṭha. At that time Indra had begun another sacrifice in heaven. So Vasiṣṭha went to heaven for that sacrifice, telling Nimi that he would conduct the sacrifice on his return. The emperor Nimi did not like it. Recognizing the hermit Gautama as the main priest, he began the sacrifice. The sacrifice of Indra lasted for 500 years. When Vasiṣṭha returned after that, the sacrifice of Nimi was over. Vasiṣṭha cursed Nimi. “You will become devoid of body.” Nimi cursed back. “Let Vasiṣṭha also become thus.”