In days long past, it was taught that the sun itself is the soul of Jina, and within its radiant brilliance, one should offer food. Reflecting on this sacred teaching, a certain king embraced the doctrine of Jina, accepting its wisdom into his heart. Yet, his queen was troubled and distressed by this new path. Seeking solace, she turned to Shiva, taking refuge in the great god. Through the boon granted by Rudra, she was blessed with a most excellent son. This son, named Guṇaśekhara, lived his life, but at death, he descended to hell. However, due to the power of Guṇaśekhara's virtue, his father—the king—attained heaven. In the springtime, the king, accompanied by his queens, ventured into the forest. Fatigued from their journey, the king found joy among his companions. He took a lotus flower in his hand and offered it to one of the queens. But soon, distress fell upon the king, and he tended to that queen with care. She fell down, agitated, and then her foot became pure. As her fainting ceased, another queen fainted in turn. When the beautiful morning dawned, the king returned home with all his queens. Among them, O great king, he wondered: which maiden was the best? It was revealed that one, due to her nature aligned with wind, was overcome by the lotus flower. The second, afflicted by phlegm, fainted because of the coolness of the moon. Smiling, the god addressed the king, who was devoted to existence. He said, “That principal one is the eternal Vedic dharma.” He explained further: the Śūdra, the Vaiśya, the Kṣatriya, and the Brāhmaṇa—all practice celibacy. He who, after uniting with his wife, lives like an ascetic is a true householder. Even in the Jain scripture, the dharma of living as an ascetic within the household is proclaimed. Then, the god spoke to the king a verse, auspicious and filled with questions of dharma. “O king, in the beautiful city of merit, served by people of many kinds, Satyaprakāśa was his minister, and Lakṣmī, the minister’s beloved. Tell me, O noble one: in how many ways does happiness exist in the world?” He continued, “In the stage of celibacy, the supreme happiness is called ‘brahmānanda.’ In the forest-dweller stage, it is ‘dharmānanda,’ though lesser. In renunciation, the bliss of Śiva is the highest of all. But in the householder’s stage, there is no happiness without a wife.” Desiring happiness, the king sought a wife suitable for himself, one devoted to dharma. He said to his minister, “Seek a woman today, O sir.” Hearing this, the minister traveled from land to land, and in his heart praised Sindhu, the auspicious lord of all holy places. He prayed, “I have come to your refuge, O you who cherish those who seek shelter. Grant a jewel among women for the king’s sake—or else, I shall give up my life.” In the water, the minister saw a wondrous tree with a golden trunk and great coral-like leaves. Upon it stood a young girl, delicate and beautiful. Amazed by this vision, he hastened to the king and recounted what he had seen. The king, eager to witness such marvels, journeyed as far as the ocean. Humbly, he addressed the maiden, saying, “I have come here for your sake.” She laughed and replied, “On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight…” Hearing her words, the king became overwhelmed with longing on that very day. Meanwhile, a demon named Bakavāhana appeared, heralding new challenges for the king and his quest.