The [=A]pri verses[71] are said, and the fire is carried around the boy.
He is about to be slain.

Then Dogstail prays to 'the first of gods,' the Father-god, for protection.

But the Father-god tells him to pray to Agni, 'the nearest of the gods.' Agni sends him to another, and he to another, till at last, when the boy has prayed to all the gods, including the All-gods, his fetters drop off; Hariccandra's dropsy ceases, and all ends well.[72] Only, when the avaricious father demands his son back, he is refused, and Vicv[=a]mitra adopts the boy, even dispossessing his own protesting sons.

For fifty of the latter agree to the exaltation of Dogstail; but fifty revolt, and are cursed by Vicv[=a]mitra, that their sons' sons should become barbarians, the Andhras, Pundras, Cabaras, Pulindas, and M[=u]tibas, savage races (of this time), one of which can be located on the southeast coast.

The conclusion, and the matter that follows close on this tale, is significant of the time, and of the priest's authority.