Within the house, the great mantra was recited, joined with the potent seed-syllable of Cāmuṇḍā, filling the space with sacred energy. In that household, there was a single, beautiful maiden—auspicious and twelve years of age—her presence radiant and pure. Accompanied by another, the maiden went to the royal palace. Together, they offered worship to the king, bestowing blessings upon him. Meanwhile, the son and his wife, having fled from their previous place, arrived together and began searching for them. Before departing, the twice-born entrusted the maiden to a woman, saying, “Until I return to my own house, protect her righteously.” With this charge given, he returned home. Then, in the deep stillness of midnight, Sudeva spoke without fear to the woman who was now his charge. She replied with sincerity, “Sudeva, best of Brahmins, is always in my heart.” Hearing these words, Sudeva responded, “O Subhū, if you desire the best of Brahmins, I shall always be your servant, O twice-born lady.” Moved by her affection, Sudeva gently removed the device that had silenced her mouth. O king, after four months had passed, the woman became pregnant. At the same time, the minister’s son was deceived by the enchanting form of the Brahmin woman. Out of love for his son, the minister, after much deliberation with the learned, sought the best course of action. The minister’s son spent three months in the region of holy places, reflecting in humility and languishing with love. Driven by desire, he embraced the king’s beloved, who herself was overcome by passion. Meanwhile, Sudeva, now in human form, journeyed to the house of Mūladeva. Mūladeva, whose heart was pleased, had a dear friend named Śaśin. After confiding everything to the king, Śaśin requested, “O king, give me the bride.” The minister, named Rājakara, had a son called Madanālasa. Because of separation from his son, the minister was in a state of deep distress. The king, seeing the situation, was pleased and said, “Act as you see fit. O king, give your daughter for the pleasure of that son.” According to Vedic injunction, the king gave his daughter, bestowing many gifts and wealth with her. Śaśin then took the king’s daughter and returned to his own house, claiming, “This princess is mine, a most excellent wife for enjoyment.” At this point, the Vaitāla, servant of Rudra, addressed the king: “By the command of her father and mother, the daughter stood before the gods. It is stated in the scriptures, O god, that a woman is always a precious jewel. The field belongs to the cultivator, not to the one who gives the seed. The son of Sudeva will indeed attain worthiness. Thus, O god, it has been told to you as spoken in the scriptures.” Having heard this, Madanālasa, the minister’s son, spoke. On the sacred day of Bahulā aṣṭamī, he bathed, gaining that merit. With Govinda in his heart, he praised the Lord with gentle words, saying, “O god of gods, for the sake of play, you have kept this secret together with your beloved. At the end of the world, you dissolve all as Time itself; I bow, I bow.” By the power of this hymn, the god of gods liberated him. The joyful king, embracing his beloved, rejoiced and summoned Sudeva, gladly giving him his own sister. Sudeva, with passion in his heart, took his sister away from the Kṣatriya. Thus, O king, the conduct of that wise one has been told to you.