One who is unrighteous, it is said, is not fit to receive the reward of heaven. Thus, deluded by the play of Hari, a certain man first laughed, but this delusion led him to speak harsh words. By this turn of events, however, the pure one was spared and remained alive. O King, in those days there was a delightful city named Puṣpāvatī, where a noble king resided. His queen was Candraprabhā, radiant with youth and beauty. One day, she went with her friends to a grove blooming with flowers. There, the queen became enchanted by the surroundings, and a Brāhmaṇa who was present fell to the ground. After the queen returned home, two Brāhmaṇas arrived at the palace. They saw the Brāhmaṇa who had come, himself youthful and handsome. Upon hearing what had happened, one of them wept and recounted everything to his companion. In the house, he recited a great mantra, one joined with the seed-syllable of Cāmuṇḍā. There was also a maiden—beautiful, auspicious, and twelve years old. The two Brāhmaṇas went to the royal palace and offered blessings to the king. Meanwhile, the king’s son and wife, having fled, joined together in search of them. Entrusting the maiden to a woman for her protection, the twice-born Brāhmaṇa said, "Guard her righteously until I return to my own house," and then he departed. Later, in the middle of the night, Sudeva spoke to the woman without fear. She replied, "Sudeva, best of Brahmins, is always in my heart." Sudeva answered, "O Subhū, if you desire the best of Brahmins, I shall always be your servant, O twice-born lady." Hearing this, Sudeva removed the device from her mouth. O King, after four months, the woman became pregnant. The minister's son, deceived by the appearance of the Brahmin woman, became involved. Out of affection, the minister deliberated much with the learned. That minister's son then stayed for three months in the region of holy places. His mind was humble and languid from love, and, driven by desire, he embraced the king's beloved, who was herself overcome by passion. Sudeva, now in human form, went to the house of Mūladeva. Mūladeva, pleased at heart, had a friend named Śaśin. After reporting everything to the king, Mūladeva said, "Give me the bride, O king." The minister, named Rājakara, had a son called Madanālasa. Because of separation from his son, the minister was deeply troubled. Mūladeva said, "As you are pleased, act accordingly. O king, give me your daughter for the pleasure of that son." The king, following Vedic injunctions, gave his daughter with many gifts and wealth. Śaśin then took the king’s daughter and returned to his own house, declaring, "This princess is mine, a most excellent wife for enjoyment." After this, the Vaitāla, the servant of Rudra, addressed the king. The king replied, "By the command of her father and mother, the daughter stood before the gods." And it is stated in the scriptures, O god, that a woman is always a precious jewel. The field, it is said, belongs to the cultivator, not to the one who gives the seed. Thus, the son of Sudeva will indeed attain worthiness.