Feeling deeply ashamed, the passionate woman, having revealed her story, spoke to the king. She confessed, “After reaching the god for a long time, blinded by desire, I came to you; the lord of gods cursed me to become one who enjoys men.” Upon hearing this, the king—righteous and exemplary in conduct—responded with compassion. He said, “Ciramdeva, the Kshatriya, behaves like my own son.” The goddess, still feeling the weight of her shame, began to act as a daughter-in-law would, honoring the king’s words. Then the vetala, servant of Rudra, addressed the king. The king listened intently, upholding truth and righteousness, eager to hear the auspicious reason behind these events. The vetala explained, “The highest duty of kings is remembered as benefiting all.” He continued, “Hear the deed performed by the servant, which I will tell you; all service and livelihood were carried out, as by others, not by men.” Later, the king became aware of a great crisis that had arisen. At this point, one highly skilled in knowledge spoke to the king. He narrated, “O king, in the delightful city of Kamapura, there was a great king named Virasimha. In that city lived a merchant named Hiraṇyadatta, proud of his wealth. He always dwelled in comfort, reveling in the spring’s flowers. One day, as she was going about, the strong son of Dharmadatta saw her. She, endowed with modesty, spoke to him in a secluded place, saying, ‘If marriage takes place, I will come to you on the tenth day.’ Accepting her words, he returned to his own house. There were others: Madapāla the merchant, and Maṇigrīva’s daughter. On the ninth day, her master forcefully took the woman. Distressed by her friend’s words, the wife wept. Her friend asked, ‘Why do you weep, O one filled with pride? Tell the truth, O beautiful one.’ She replied, ‘If I do not come to your side, O Somadatta, best of the wealthy, by these words I am bound; today I will go to him.’ Overcome by desire, she slept well at his side. The greedy one questioned her, ‘Where are you going, O beautiful one?’ Languid with desire, her mind disturbed by passion, she replied to the thief. The thief said, ‘O lovely-browed one, give me your ornament, O gentle lady.’ She promised, ‘Embracing your lover, your friend, I will give you the ornament.’ When the merchant saw her, he asked, ‘How have you come, weary from love?’ Kamalasa, having heard that, recounted everything exactly as it happened. Considering her devoted to her husband, he circled her and released her, allowing her to enter the house where her husband stayed. There, he enjoyed the divine pleasures prompted by the god. Among all involved, whose truth is greatest? Tell me. The answer was revealed: the thief’s truthfulness is supreme—listen to how it happened. Out of fear of widowhood, the lady approached her own friend. The thief, out of fear of truth, abandoned her and found joy. The storyteller continued, “In the land of Gauda, O king, there is a city called Vardhana. There, the righteous king Gunasekhara was renowned. Once, this king went to the temple of the lord of Girija.