Saubhari was engaged in austerity in the water of the River Yamunā, when he saw the pleasure of a big fish engaged in sexual affairs. When desire appeared in him, he went to King Māndhātā and begged for one of the King's daughters. In response to this request, the King said, "O brāhmaṇa, any of my daughters may accept any husband according to her personal selection." ‘Why did the sage Saubhari performing great austerities, marry these daughters and why did the daughters accept an old withered sage as their husband?” After seeing the fish, he came out of the water, went to Mathurā and requested King Māndhātā.