In ancient times, to test Vishvamitra, who was then engaged in ascetic austerities, Dharma himself came to him, assuming the form of the sage Vasishtha. Thus, taking on, O Bharata, the form of one of the seven Rishis, and feigning hunger and a craving for food, he came, O king, to the hermitage of Kaushika. Thereupon Vishvamitra, overcome with reverent haste, began to prepare charu (a dish of rice and milk). And because he prepared this excellent food with such care, he was unable to attend to his guest in time. Only after the guest had dined on food offered by other ascetics did Vishvamitra manage to approach him with the charu he had prepared, still steaming. 'I have already dined; wait here,' were the words the sage spoke. And having said this, the sage departed. And thereafter the illustrious Vishvamitra stood there waiting, O king. And, carrying that food upon his head and holding it in his hands, this ascetic of rigid vows stood in his hermitage, motionless as a post, subsisting on air alone.