The portion of Krishna, upon beholding the auspicious woman before him, was struck with wonder. He marveled, unsure whether she had descended from heaven or was herself a serpent maiden. As he pondered, the daughter of the garland-maker spoke, her voice clear and confident. She declared, “With this flower, O king, the daughter of the king is equaled.” She went on to describe the maiden, sought by the gods, radiant with beauty and youth. “Listen, O king,” she continued, “and I will tell you the reason for this, and how Makaraṇḍa came to be.” She explained that, on earth, none could defeat him except for Krishna’s portion. This mighty one had established a kingdom, a cloud of righteousness dear to Hari. From the sacred fire, he begot a pair, one of whom possessed a beautiful face. When Makaraṇḍa, endowed with great strength, reached the age of five, and later, when he attained twelve years, a formidable force arose—stone-formed, swift and mighty—destroying enemy armies. The divine forest he created was so beautiful that even the gods worshipped it. Hearing these words, Krishna’s portion, afflicted by love, was deeply moved. Devasiṃha, who understood the workings of time, recognized that a delusion had taken hold. Together, Krishna’s portion and Devasiṃha became absorbed in this state. At the end of the month, Krishna’s portion returned home and reported everything to the king, confessing that he had fallen under the spell of delusion and praising the Mother of the Universe. He prayed fervently: “Protect me, O Mother, tormented by Kāma; awaken Puṣpavatī. O slayer of Mahiṣāsura, who bewildered Madhu and Kaiṭabha, destroyer of Caṇḍa and Muṇḍa, who burned Dhūmralocana, you who drank the blood of Raktabīja, ever terrifying to all demons, destroyer of Niśuṃbha and Śuṃbha—grant me your protection.” Thus, having praised her, the hero rested upon the supreme seat, and each day he worshipped the goddess, granter of boons and remover of fear. Four months of the rainy season passed in this way. When the dark fortnight of Kārtika arrived, Krishna’s portion departed, accompanied by the gods, and went to the flower-house, taking up residence there. One day, Pushpa, adorned with a beautiful necklace entwined with a portion of Krishna, went to the house of Puṣpavatī. When Puṣpavatī saw the necklace, exquisite and crafted as if by Tvashtar himself, she asked, “O friend, O great enchantress, tell me the truth before me.” Hearing these words, Makaraṇḍa was seized with fear and replied, “Give me a promise of life, then I will tell you.” She revealed, “There is a most beautiful woman named Krishna, who enchants all the worlds; by her, this excellent necklace was made.” Upon hearing this, the goddess Puṣpavatī herself, as well as the gods and men on earth, were filled with fear of Makaraṇḍa. Pushpa, too, was overcome with fear upon hearing these dreadful words. Puṣpavatī asked gently, “What fear has come upon you?” Pushpa explained, “Some man, deluded, will forcibly enjoy her.” Puṣpavatī, righteous and wise, replied, “Those who do what is improper will go to the abode of Yama. Therefore, quickly bring that swing to me.” Thinking, “So be it,” the radiant Shudra woman returned home. Hearing these pleasant words, the powerful portion of Krishna mounted the swing together with Pushpa, their hearts stirred by the events that had unfolded.