Formerly the Rishis, living in the Naimisha forest, had celebrated a sacrifice extending over twelve years. In the course of that sacrifice, after a particular one called Vishvajit had been completed, the Rishis started for the country of the Panchalas.
क्रोधेन महताऽऽविष्टो धर्मात्मा वै प्रतापवान्। पुरा हि नैमिषीयाणां सत्रे द्वादशवार्षिके॥ वृत्ते विश्वाजितोऽन्ते वै पञ्चालानृषयोऽगमन्।