Madapāla, the son of Devayājī, had squandered all his wealth through reckless living. Destitute, he made his way to the beautiful city of Candrapura, where the noble Hemapati resided. Presenting himself, Madapāla declared, “I am the son of Devayājī; I have brought only a little wealth. A great wind caused me to lose my property in the water.” Hearing these words, Hemapati spoke to his wife, Kāmamañjarī, and said, “By your command, I will give our daughter Candrakānti to this suitor.” Thus, Hemapati welcomed Madapāla into his home and made him the husband of his daughter, allowing him to reside there. Soon after, Madapāla requested, “Give the order, O Lord of Wealth, and I will return to my own house without delay.” Hemapati consented and sent his daughter Candrakānti, along with a maid, to Madapāla. However, Madapāla, showing his true nature, killed the maid and abandoned his wife, leaving her destitute. Within a year, he had squandered all the gold he had received in wicked ways. Once again, this unrighteous man returned to his father-in-law’s house. This time, he claimed that thieves had plundered his wealth. Hemapati, resigned, allowed him to stay for a few days. But Madapāla’s wickedness knew no bounds: he killed his wife, took many ornaments, and returned home. Hearing of these tragic events, the sage Śuka spoke to the king, who was renowned for his compassion. Śuka then told the king about Menaka, a woman of low character, dark-skinned and unattractive, and urged him to listen to the excellent reason for these happenings, which he himself had witnessed. Menaka’s son was Sindhugupta, a man of intelligence, virtue, and wealth. Sindhugupta’s marriage was celebrated in the auspicious city of Jayashri. Meanwhile, Śrīdatta traveled to Kurusthala for trade, leaving his wife Jayalakshmi behind in her father’s house, where she grew restless with desire. A female messenger, meeting Śrīdatta on the way, spent much of his wealth. After three months, Śrīdatta returned to his father-in-law’s house. At midnight, Jayalakshmi’s mother sent her to her husband. Jayalakshmi, full of respect, showed affection to her husband and then returned home. But tragedy struck: in an empty house, Homadatta was bitten by a serpent. Jayalakshmi, in her confusion and desire, delighted that adulterer, who was already intoxicated by poison. When she encountered the corpse, she continued her enjoyment with the lifeless body. At that time, a thief named Kaphalla witnessed the cause of these strange events. Meanwhile, Jayalakshmi, unfortunate and distressed, eventually found her own husband. Somadatta, a man of great wealth, saw that the daughter had lost her nose—a mark of her disgrace. By the king’s command, royal messengers took him into custody. Believing his words to be true, they judged Jayalakshmi to be terribly wicked and banished her from the city, sending her into a forest frequented by tigers. Having recounted these events, the Vetala, with a humble mind, addressed King Vikrama: “Know, O King, that darkness is not masculine; it is of three genders and is immutable. The unchanging abode of Brahman is Māyā, whose nature is marked by gender. The neuter and the woman are always superior; among women, the man likewise. The excess of ignorance in the neuter has been described by ancient sages.