Sūta continued, saying: “Thus I have recounted the entire great story of Urvaśī. Though its details are elaborated in the Vedas, I have told you the essence in brief. Now, listen further. Once, Vyāsa beheld the celestial maiden Ghṛtācī, whose dark, intoxicating eyes drew his gaze. Seeing her, the sage was filled with conflicting thoughts: ‘What should I do? This divine apsaras is not meant for me.’ As Vyāsa pondered thus, Ghṛtācī herself, perceiving his attention, became anxious and fearful, worried that he might utter a curse upon her. In her fear, the apsaras swiftly transformed herself into the form of a female parrot and, trembling, flew away. Even Kṛṣṇa was astonished to witness her sudden change into a bird. Yet, merely from beholding her, desire stirred within Vyāsa’s body; his mind was overtaken by amazement and wonder at every limb. Though Vyāsa was a master of self-control, he struggled to restrain his mind, which now ran unbridled. Again and again he tried to subdue his thoughts, deluded as he was by the influence of Ghṛtācī, but destiny itself seemed to oppose him, and even Vyāsa’s vast energy could not prevail. At that time, as the sage was producing fire by friction, wishing to kindle the sacred fire in the forest, his semen was suddenly released upon the earth. Without dwelling on this, Vyāsa continued to churn the fire-sticks. From that very spot, a wondrous son was born, possessing Vyāsa’s captivating form. This child, born from the fire-sticks, was a marvel to behold—just as a sacrificial fire blazes forth when fed with offerings. Vyāsa, seeing his son, was filled with great astonishment and, pondering the event, recalled the boon he had received from Lord Śiva. The boy, though born from fire-sticks, shone with the very brilliance of fire itself, blazing with his own radiance. Vyāsa gazed upon his joyful, divine son, who gleamed like a second household fire. Then, descending from the mountain, Vyāsa bathed the child in the sacred waters of the Gaṅgā. As he did so, a shower of flowers rained down from the heavens, and ascetics gathered to witness the marvel. Vyāsa performed all the birth rites for this great-souled child. Divine drums resounded, and the hosts of apsarases danced in celebration. The lords of the Gandharvas—Viśvāvasu, Nārada, and Tumburu—sang joyfully, eager to see the birth of Śuka. All the gods and Vidyādharas, delighted, offered their praises upon seeing Vyāsa’s divine son, born from the womb of a fire-stick. From the sky descended a staff, a beautiful black antelope skin, and a divine water pot—gifts for Śuka, O best of the twice-born. The radiant boy, though just born, immediately grew in stature. Vyāsa, well-versed in sacred rites, performed his son’s initiation into learning. As soon as he was born, the Vedas in their entirety, with all their secrets and collections, approached Śuka just as they had his father. Because the form of a parrot had been seen at his birth—from Ghṛtācī—the best of sages named his son Śuka. Śuka then took Bṛhaspati as his teacher and, following all the prescribed vows, observed the life of a devoted student. He studied all the Vedas, their secrets and collections, and all the treatises on dharma, completing his education while residing in his teacher’s house. After giving the proper fee to his teacher, Śuka graduated and returned to his father, Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana Vyāsa. When Vyāsa saw his son arrive, he rose with love and excitement, embraced him repeatedly, and affectionately smelled his head. He inquired about Śuka’s well-being and studies, and, comforting him, settled him in the auspicious hermitage. Then Vyāsa began to consider Śuka’s marriage and swiftly sought a beautiful sage’s daughter as a bride for him. He said to his son, ‘You have studied the Veda, O sinless one, and all the treatises on dharma. Now, O wise one, take a wife. Enter household life, worship the gods and ancestors, and free me from my debts by taking a lovely wife. For one without a son, there is no destiny, no heaven, none at all. Therefore, O greatly fortunate one, today enter the householder’s stage. By becoming a householder, make me happy, Śuka, my son; fulfill my great hope, O wise one. Having performed great austerities, you were born without a mother, O wise one with a divine form; protect me, your father, Śuka.’ As Vyāsa was speaking thus, Śuka, though deeply detached, was also devoted to his father, who was like his very self. Śuka replied, ‘Why do you say this, O knower of dharma, O Vedavyāsa, O wise one? Instruct me truly, your disciple; I am ready to carry out your command.’ Vyāsa answered, ‘For your sake, my son, I performed austerities for a hundred years; you were obtained with great hardship and by propitiating Śiva. I will give you wealth, having requested it from the king; enjoy happiness, O most wise one, having attained the prime of youth.’ But Śuka replied, ‘What happiness in the human world is truly free from affliction? Tell me, father. The wise do not call that happiness which is touched by suffering. If I take a wife, O most fortunate one, I will become subject to her will; what happiness is there for one who is dependent, especially one conquered by a woman? One bound by iron or wooden restraints may sometimes be freed; but one bound by children and wife is never released. This body is born of filth and urine, and so too is a woman's body; O best of Brāhmaṇas, what wise person would wish to take delight in that?