To the departing sages Visvamitra said that in the southern region great hindrances had occurred to his penance and so he would now travel west. There in the beautiful place by name Pushkara he would practice austerities in undisturbed peace.

At this period of time, a well-known king of Ayodhya, Ambarisha was performing a sacrifice.While it was in progress, Indra stole the sacrificial animal and when the search for it proved futile the priests said that the king who failed to protect his animal would perish!They urged him to find a human substitute if that animal was not available, for the completion of the yagna without further hindrances or delays.

The search took Ambarisha through many countries, cities, forests and sacred retreats. Finally came upon the hermitage where lived sage Richika with his wife and sons. Telling him the purpose of his visit he asked if Richika could give one of his sons in exchange for a hundred thousand cows.But the seer refused to part with his first -born and his wife would not part with her youngest! 'Take me', said Sunasepha the middle born. Ambarisha returned home in triumph happy to be taking Sunasepha with him.