Once on a time the celestials were engaged in celebrating a sacrifice on the shores of the lake Vaikhanasa. Knowing his power, the sacrificing gods thought of Vasishtha and made him their priest in imagination.
आदित्याः सत्रमासन्त सरो वै मानसं प्रति। वसिष्ठं मनसा गत्वा ज्ञात्वा तत् तस्य गौरवम्॥