Surya

Alone and curious, the virgin Kunti uses the sage's mantra to summon the sun god. He appears, places an embryo in her womb, and she gives birth to a radiant son clad in golden armour — a child whose divine origin must immediately be concealed.

In response to Arjuna’s question, the Gandharva begins to tell the story of Tapati. He describes her divine beauty, her father Surya’s search for a worthy husband, and the virtuous King Samvarana. The tale builds to their fateful, wordless meeting on a mountainside, which ends not in union, but in sudden disappearance and profound grief.

King Samvarana lies senseless on a mountain, his heart stolen by the celestial maiden Tapati who has vanished into the sky. His old minister revives him, but the king sends everyone away to begin a solitary vigil, worshipping the sun and mentally summoning the one person who can help: the sage Vashishtha.