Desiring a son, King Śūrasena and his beloved wife undertook many efforts, and after a long time, their wish was fulfilled: a son was born to them. But to their astonishment and fear, the child was a serpent of terrifying form. Overwhelmed by this, the king kept his son hidden from the world; none among his people knew that the prince was a serpent. No one—neither insiders nor outsiders—was aware of the truth, except for the boy’s mother and father. Not even the nurse, the ministers, or the royal priest suspected anything. Each day, the king and his queen looked upon their dreadful serpent son and were filled with sorrow. So deep was their distress that they often thought it would have been better to remain childless than to have a serpent for a son. Yet, despite his fearsome appearance, the great serpent spoke with the voice and wisdom of a human. One day, he addressed his father: “Father, perform for me the cūḍā ceremony as well.” He insisted that the proper rites of initiation and Vedic study should be performed for him, declaring that until one studies the Veda, a twice-born is no different from a Śūdra. Hearing these words from his serpent son, Śūrasena was deeply troubled, but he complied. He summoned a brāhmaṇa and performed all the necessary ceremonies. The serpent then studied the Veda diligently, and afterwards, he spoke to his father again: “Arrange a marriage for me, O King; I desire a wife. Otherwise, your duties as a father will remain unfulfilled—this is my conviction. If, after begetting sons and performing all the sacraments according to Vedic rule, a father does not arrange their marriage, there is no atonement for his fall into hell.” Astonished, the king replied to his son, “Even the brave are terrified by your very sound—who would give their daughter to you? Tell me, my son, what should I do?” The wise serpent answered, “There are many kinds of marriages among kings: by forceful abduction, by weapons, and by mutual agreement. If my marriage is accomplished, O King, you will have fulfilled your duty as a father; if not, I will die here in the Gaṅgā—of this there is no doubt.” Realizing the gravity of his son’s determination, Śūrasena, though feeling as if he were sonless, summoned his ministers to discuss the matter of marriage. He spoke to them, “Nāgeśvara is my son, the crown prince, a repository of virtues; he is virtuous, intelligent, heroic, unconquerable, and a tormentor of enemies. On a chariot, Nāge, with bow in hand, is unmatched upon the earth. His marriage must be arranged, for I am aged, as is fitting. Entrusting the kingdom to my son will free me from care. Until he finds a wife, my son remains dear to me. He does not abandon his childish nature; therefore, I ask all of you, devoted to my welfare, to make efforts for his marriage. Once my son is married, I will have no concern; when the burden is placed upon the son, accomplished men depart to the forest for ascetic practice.” Hearing the king’s words, the ministers, filled with joy and respect, replied with joined palms, “Your son excels in virtues, and your fame is widespread; what counsel or concern can there be regarding your son’s marriage?” Though the ministers spoke thus, the wise king did not reveal to them that his son was a serpent; nor did they suspect it. The king then asked them, “Which maiden possesses superior qualities? Who is born of a great lineage, is wealthy, and which king is a repository of virtues? Who is fit for alliance, heroic, and whose connection is praised?” At this, the wisest among the ministers, noble and exceedingly virtuous, devoted to the king’s welfare and understanding his mind, spoke: “In the eastern region, O great king, there is a ruler named Vijaya, whose horses, elephants, and jewels are countless. That wise king has eight sons, all mighty archers; their sister, Bhogavatī, is like another Lakṣmī herself, and she is suitable as wife for your son.” The king listened to the minister’s words and asked, “How might his daughter become the wife of my son? Tell me that.” The minister, discerning the king’s mind, replied, “Whatever task is to be done in Śūrasena, permit me to accomplish it.” Pleased, the king honored the minister with ornaments and garments, and sent him forth with a great army. The minister journeyed to the eastern region, met King Vijaya, and honored him with words and diplomatic skill. He spoke of the wise son of Śūrasena, Nāga, seeking the hand of Bhogavatī. For the marriage alliance, he used both true and artful words, and presented Vijaya with ornaments, garments, and other gifts. King Vijaya, honored thus, agreed and said, “I shall give my daughter.” The wise elder minister then returned and reported the success to Śūrasena. After some time, again adorned in splendid garments and accompanied by other ministers, he set out swiftly and with great force to finalize the marriage. Surrounded by counselors, the wise minister spoke with King Vijaya about all matters regarding the marriage. Yet, even as these arrangements were made, he explained, “Here, the son of Śūrasena, the renowned Nāga, wise and a sea of virtues, will not come in person.” Thus, the preparations for the marriage continued, still concealing from all the true form of the prince.