Sūta said: 'Having thus instructed his disciple, that keeper of noble vows, the great ascetic filled with compassion, sent him to King Parikṣit. Having charged him to convey both a greeting and the substance of the matter, [he sent] the disciple named Gauramukha — of good character and composed mind. He, quickly reaching the lord of men, the increaser of the Kuru [line], entered the king's palace, being first announced by the doorkeepers. Honored by the king, the twice-born Gauramukha, having rested, related to the king everything without omission — Śamīka's grim word, exactly as it had been spoken, in the presence of the counselors: "In your kingdom, O king of kings, there lives a sage named Śamīka — most righteous, self-controlled, peaceful, a great ascetic. By you, O tiger among men, a snake was deprived of life, hung by the tip of a bow upon his shoulder, O best of the Bharatas; that deed of yours he endured, but his son did not endure it. By him you are cursed, O king of kings, now, without the father's knowledge: 'Takṣaka will become your death in seven nights.' Take measures of protection there — so he bade me say again and again. But no one has the power to change this. [The father] cannot restrain his son, seized by anger; therefore I have been sent by him, who wishes you well, O king." Hearing this grim word, the king, descendant of Kuru, was deeply tormented, [realizing] the sin he had committed. And learning that the best of sages was then under a vow of silence, the king burned even more in his heart with grief. Learning of Śamīka's compassionate nature, he was tormented still more, [realizing] that he had wronged the sage; and the god-like king grieved not so much upon hearing of his [own] death as over having done that deed. Then the king sent Gauramukha again: "May the lord [Śamīka] show me further grace." And when Gauramukha had gone, the king, his heart troubled, began to take counsel with his ministers. And having deliberated with his ministers, the one versed in the essence of counsel ordered a palace built upon a single pillar, well guarded. He established a guard there, [stationed] physicians and medicines, and set brahmins with efficacious mantras on every side; and dwelling there, guarded on every side, the righteous [king], together with his ministers, carried out all the affairs of the kingdom.'