All those souls, having performed their respective deeds, ascended to heaven. Yet a question arose: whose merit among them is truly greater? Is it right that only a servant should lay down his life for the sake of the king? Once, even a beautiful woman was offered by a servant for the king’s sake. But, indeed, the wise say that one should conquer desire and uphold dharma, for dharma stands above even the king. Now, O greatly fortunate king, listen to a delightful tale meant for you. In the renowned city of Ujjayinī, there was a king named Mahāsena. His son was Guṇākara, who had become deeply attached to wine and meat. Because of his indulgent ways, his relatives abandoned him, and so Guṇākara wandered alone upon the earth. During his wanderings, a yogi named Kapardī honored him with offerings made from skulls. Out of hospitality for Guṇākara, Kapardī summoned a yakṣiṇī, a mystical female spirit. At dawn, the yakṣiṇī departed for Kailāsa, the sacred mountain. Before she left, Kapardī bestowed upon Guṇākara the secret knowledge to attract yakṣiṇīs. Guṇākara faithfully recited the auspicious mantra, but the wish-fulfilling yakṣiṇī did not appear. Bowing to his parents, Guṇākara then returned and spent the night in his own house. Later, he journeyed to the forest of Pratibodhivana and became a disciple there. Yet, the yoginī goddess did not manifest before him, and he was troubled with anxiety. Once more, he inquired, “O goddess, why did the beloved yakṣiṇī not appear?” A brāhmaṇa explained: “There are three kinds of actions necessary for success. One must understand the actions performed by a beautiful body, as well as those that arise from speech and from the body itself. In the world beyond, in the realm of the ancestors, it is the actions performed with the gross body that are remembered. But here, in this birth, accomplishment is granted by actions born of mind, speech, and body. Therefore, practitioners should perform these threefold actions; otherwise, in another birth, one may become a yaksha. Thus, the twice-born are devoted to this path.” Having spoken thus, the Vetala’s face brightened with cheerfulness. He said, “Excellent, excellent!” and honored the seeker with noble words. Now, hear further of another tale. In the city of Vasankaṃbalaka, there was a just and righteous king named Sudaksha, brave, generous, and devoted to Lord Shiva. His beautiful daughter was named Dhanavati, a woman of auspicious fortune and prosperity. In the course of time, another daughter was born to him, named Mohini. Tragedy struck when Dhanavati became a widow, and her father, King Sudaksha, passed away nearby. In those days, there was a certain Brahmin named Nyayasharma, who had stolen sacred wealth. Suddenly, a woman of the Vaishya caste approached him; she reached out and touched his hand. In distress, she cried out repeatedly, “O Rama, Krishna, Pradyumna, Aniruddha!” The Brahmin said, “I am a Vipra; for three days I have been placed upon a stake.” Hearing his plight, Dhanavati gave her daughter Mohini in marriage to him. The Brahmin said to Mohini, “Listen, O beautiful one, whenever you feel a longing in your heart—” But before he could finish, the Brahmin met his death and went to the realm of Yama. Mohini, now a youthful woman, remained in her mother’s house. Questions arose: what pleasures exist, what wonders are to be found, who keeps vigil, and who sleeps? Thus the twice-born spoke a verse, but the Brahmins present did not provide an answer. To Mohini, the one with a serene mind spoke: “Listen, O enchanting and beautiful one; bed, ornament, and enjoyment are to be known as eightfold by the wise.