King Marutta of the Ikshwaku dynasty made great penance and obtained from the Lord of Kailasa a great gold mine in the Himalayas and, with his resources thus augmented, he decided to perform a great Yajna.

Marutta requested Brihaspati to conduct the yajna for him. But Brihaspati feared that Marutta would, as a result of the yajna, overshadow the gods who were his charge.

He refused to comply with the king's invitation, despite his pressing entreaties. Thereupon, king Marutta, who had come to know about Samvarta found his where abouts and approached him with the invita- tion to conduct his yajna.

He at first refused and tried to avoid the honour, but finally yielded. This further increased Brihaspati's envy of his unfortunate brother.