Once, a noble king, filled with enthusiasm for the sport of hunting, set out into the wilderness. Yet, on the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Caitra, he refrained from harming any living creature, honoring the sanctity of that day. That night, in the humble hermitage of sage Vālmīki, a vigil was kept, and, through the power of the king’s accumulated merit, a melodious song recounting the glories of Rāma was heard, filling the air with sacredness. Moved by devotion, the king performed worship of the wish-fulfilling tree, that great and revered being. In response, the magnificent tree spoke to him, saying, “My auspicious city—” and as the words flowed forth, the city itself became united with the king. By the grace of the wish-fulfilling tree, all those present were elevated, each becoming equal to a king in their own right. Together, they journeyed to the splendid Malayā mountain, where they engaged in intense austerities, seeking higher spiritual merit. There, within a temple dedicated to Śiva, dwelled a maiden of great renown named Kamalākṣī. Jīmūtavāhana, too, came to the temple to offer his worship. The moment he beheld Kamalākṣī, he was pierced by the arrows of desire, love overwhelming his heart. In his longing, Jīmūtavāhana offered salutations to Madana, the god of love, and to Pradyumna, the son of Kṛṣṇa, repeatedly bowing to Kāma, the five-arrowed one. So sincere was his devotion that the blessed deity Makaradhvaja was pleased. Meanwhile, Viśvāvasu, a renowned son of the king, approached, having first bowed to the divine sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa. He arrived riding upon Garuḍa, the mighty celestial bird. Where Jīmūtavāhana was, Viśvāvasu wept bitterly in many ways, pouring out his grief. After consoling an old woman present, he asked, “By whom has this sorrow come upon you?” She, afflicted by separation from her dear one and of noble lineage, lamented her suffering. Garuḍa, ever compassionate, took Viśvāvasu and soared along the path of the sky. Kamalākṣī, looking upward, saw Jīmūtavāhana being carried away by Garuḍa, as if devoured, standing aloft in the heavens. Suddenly, Garuḍa, frightened, returned swiftly and addressed the Lord with humility: “O wise one, please hear my words. I have come before you for the protection of her son. Afflicted by the sorrow of the serpent, he has gained an enemy. O wise one, forsake human food and partake of divine nourishment—for the sake of Jīmūtavāhana and the daughter of the Vidyādharas.” He continued, “You have now attained the most excellent kingdom in the city of the Vidyādharas.” Having spoken thus, the god disappeared from sight, and Jīmūtavāhana received the kingdom from his father. At this point, the Vetāla, the spirit, humbly addressed the king, remarking that the king’s very nature to help others was decreed by destiny. By the power of a devoted wife and the gift of life bestowed by the king, Śaṃkhacūḍa, now fearless, approached his enemy. To the south of the city ruled by King Candraśekhara, there lived a merchant named Ratnadatta, renowned for his righteousness and for his abundance of wealth and grain. Seeing an excellent form, the merchant approached the king and said, “Take her, O ocean of compassion; she is fit for you, shaped by fate itself.” The king then spoke to his minister, Vidura, instructing him, “You also go, O wise one.” Having given these instructions, King Candraśekhara returned home, where his wife Śyāmalā, aware of her husband’s arrival, prepared to greet him.