Janamejaya said "Why, O Rishi did that maiden practise ascetic penances in day of yore. Why did she practise penances and what was her vow?” Matchless and mysterious is the topic that I have already heard from you. Describe particularly how that maid practised penances."
जनमेजय उवाच कथं कुमारी भगवंस्तपोयुक्ता ह्यभूत् पुरा। किमर्थं च तपस्तेपे को वास्या नियमोऽभवत्॥ सुदुष्करमिदं ब्रह्मंस्त्वत्त: श्रुतमनुत्तमम्। आख्याहि तत्त्वमखिलं यथा तपसि सा स्थिता॥