File:King Ashtapada and queen Supriya.PNG

King Ashtapada and Queen Supriya
Dakshayani had a close look at Mesha King Astapada a "he-goat", who is bastamukha, with a goat head over human body. His body is bulky-looking and covered by a long dense coat ranging from yellowish to grayish that shines like gold in the Sun Rays. A strong-smelling substance secreted over his whole body. His is looking cow–goat-like animal with musk-ox-style horns with large head and large eyes, and pointed ears and red Mandalas on its cheeks. His hooves have a flexible, rubbery core that allows it to grip smooth rocks, while the hard, sharp rim can lodge into small footholds.

Dakshayani also saw the queen Mesha Surapriya is a "she-goat", who is of goat faced over human body. She is sitting besides Mesha King Astapada. She is looking very cute with horizontal, slit-shaped pupils with long neck and two horns and is very hairy with peculiar white and black marks on the lower part of her body.

Nandiswara explained that the Mesha or Goats are extremely curious and intelligent. They will explore anything new or unfamiliar in their surroundings. They easily trained to pull carts and walk on leads. Goats are very coordinated and can climb and hold their balance in the most precarious places. They will generally turn and face an intruder and bucks are more likely to charge or butt at humans than are rams. Life expectancy for goats is between fifteen and eighteen years. Most goats can give birth without human help. Most goats want to leave alone during their labor this time. The goat starts pushing until the first kid delivered. A gentle, steady pull on the hind legs in a breech birth will help to ensure that the kid's head comes out promptly. The mother goats become nannies and teach their kids all they need to know to live in the Mountain habitat. The kids will learn from each other, as well. The milk derived from goats is especially excellent and rich. Goats will feed during all the day without the heat of summer affecting them. The goats offered for sacrifices. The she-goats seldom killed because they needed to increase the flock. The hair of the goat considered to be of great value. Goatskins used largely for the making of bottles for carrying water or other liquids. Except for the neck, legs, and tail, the goatskins a stripped off whole. The holes where the legs and tail were located sewn up, and the end where the neck was, becomes the mouth of the bottle. These goatskins when laid out in rows for the sun to cure them.

Both Mesha King Astapada and the queen Mesha Surapriya saw Dakshayani along with Nandiswara, touched their feet in all reverence, and said, “Oh Divine Dakshayani! Indeed we are fortunate to have your unusual sight and welcome to the world of Goats!”

They led them to a Bilva tree and made them to sit comfortable and Mesha King Astapada very respectably asked, “Oh Divine Dakshayani! Please let me know on the purpose of your visit.”

Dakshayani is in surprise, wanted to know, and asked, “Oh Mesha Raja! You have excellent ability of speech that is unusual to any Goat! Please enlighten me on how you are able to speak.”

Mesha King Astapada said, “This is ability of speech was possible only with the Divine grace of Lord Shiva. Let me give you a brief about me. I am one of the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva, who was pleased with my penance and granted me a Divine Aircraft, celestial vehicle. One day I happened to travel by the celestial vehicle with my queen Surapriya into the outer space. We have chanced to see that the Lord Shiva was sitting in an assembly of great saintly persons and in embracing the great Goddess Adi Shakti. I have involuntarily laughed loudly and expressed my wonder at Lord Shiva’s action. I have addressed Lord Siva as Mahavrata Dhirah that indicates the celibacy, who had never fallen from his position. When the great Adi Shakti heard this, she became extremely angry and cursed me and my queen Surapriya to become as Goat headed. The great Goddess Adi Shakti was surprised at the silence of Lord Shiva on my remarks made remained unaffected in the exalted position and asked, “Oh Deva! What made you to be silent at the uncalled for criticization of King Astapada in the open assembly?”

Lord Shiva replied, “Oh Devi! There is a purpose, and therefore I am not angry as I understand his purity who glorified in the process of devotional service”

Lord Shiva explained, “Oh Devi! In fact, I am pleased at the remarks made by the King Astapada. Please note on what he said '“Svargapavarga-narakesv! Api tulyartha-darsinah! Mahavrata Dhirah”'

Lord Shiva continued that the King Astapada is solely engaged in the devotional service and never feared any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord. This material world is a place of duality! How devotees have learned to tolerate these dualities become transcendental to them. Persons engaged in devotional service to Lord have naturally perfect knowledge and detachment from this material world. Therefore such devotees are least affected by the so-called happiness and distress of this world. There is purpose in your curse to King Astapada to become a Mesha Thou shall be born as Dakshayani to Daksha Prajaipathi and Prasuti. Daksha Prajaipathi will resist our marriage and continuously insults me that lead to your Oblation in the Yagna Kund. This will call for his beheading. But pleading from all Devas and his beloved father Lord Brahma and Prasuti, I be will compelled to bring him back to life by transplanting the severed and burnt head with the head of King Mesha Astapada.” .