Once on a time when that foremost of Rishis, viz., Vashishtha, effulgent like the Sun, was seated at his ease, king Janaka asked him about that highest knowledge which is for our supreme behoof.
वसिष्ठं श्रेष्ठमासीनमृषीणां भास्करद्युतिम्। पप्रच्छ जनको राजा ज्ञानं नैःश्रेयसं परम्॥