When the king of great splendor had finished speaking, his ministers, delighted and respectful, joined their palms and addressed him. “Your son,” they said, “excels in every virtue, and your fame resounds everywhere. What counsel or concern could there be regarding your son’s marriage?” Though the ministers spoke thus, the wise king kept his secret—he did not reveal that his son was a serpent, nor did the ministers suspect it. The king spoke again, “Which maiden possesses the highest qualities? Who is born of a noble lineage, who is wealthy, and which king is a storehouse of virtues? Who is fit for alliance, heroic, and whose connection is praised?” Hearing their king’s words, the wisest minister among them—noble, exceedingly virtuous, devoted to the king’s welfare, and understanding his mind and gestures—spoke up. “O great king, in the eastern region there rules a king named Vijaya, who possesses countless horses, elephants, and jewels. This wise king has eight sons, all mighty archers, and a daughter, Bhogavatī, who is like another Lakṣmī herself. She would be a suitable wife for your son, O king, as I have said.” Hearing the advice of his aged minister, the king replied, “How might his daughter become the wife of my son? Tell me how this can be done.” The minister replied, “O great king, you are wise in all matters. Whatever needs to be accomplished in Śūrasena, permit me to do it.” Honoring the minister with ornaments and garments, the king sent him forth with a great army. The minister journeyed eastward, met King Vijaya, and honored him with words and actions drawn from the science of polity. He announced that the son of Śūrasena, the king named Nāga, sought the hand of Bhogavatī. For the marriage alliance, the minister used both truthful and expedient words, and honored King Vijaya with ornaments, garments, and many gifts. Receiving such honor, King Vijaya said, “I shall give,” and the wise elder minister returned to his own king, reporting the marriage agreement. After some time, adorned with splendid garments and ornaments, and accompanied by all the other ministers, the elder minister set out again with a great company. Arriving in the east, the wise elder minister, surrounded by counselors, explained everything to King Vijaya. “The son of Śūrasena, renowned Nāga, wise and a sea of virtues, will not come in person. Among Kṣatriyas, marriages take many forms; therefore, let the marriage be performed with weapons and ornaments, as is proper.” He continued, “Kṣatriyas and Brāhmaṇas always speak the truth; thus, let the marriage with weapons and ornaments be approved.” Hearing these words, Vijaya, the best of kings, considered them true and accepted the minister as the king’s representative. He performed the marriage of Bhogavatī in detail, according to the scriptures, and sent her forth with weapons as befitted her station. Overjoyed, King Vijaya gave his own ministers, cows, gold, horses, and much else as gifts. Then, taking Bhogavatī, the counselors led by the elder minister set out and, upon arrival, presented her as a daughter-in-law to Śūrasena. They reported all that had occurred, recounted many words of Vijaya, and presented splendid ornaments, maidservants, garments, and other gifts. Having reported to Śūrasena, the ministers of Vijaya who had accompanied Bhogavatī were satisfied with their accomplished task. Śūrasena honored them greatly, showing affection for Vijaya, and after proper hospitality, dismissed them. Vijaya’s young daughter, beautiful and youthful, served her mother-in-law and father-in-law with devotion, always graceful in form. Meanwhile, the lord of Bhogavatī—her husband, a great and exceedingly fearsome serpent—dwelt alone in a secluded, jewel-studded house. In that cool and pleasant abode, strewn with fragrant flowers, the serpent son spoke repeatedly to his mother and father, “My wife is a princess—why does she not approach me?” Hearing her son’s words, the serpent’s mother instructed, “Nurse, go quickly to Bhogavatī and tell her: ‘Your husband is a serpent.’ Then let us see what she will say.” The nurse agreed and went at once to Bhogavatī. Finding her alone, the nurse addressed her gently, “O fortunate and noble lady, I know your husband is a divine being. But you must never reveal this to anyone: your husband is certainly a serpent, not a man.” Hearing this, Bhogavatī replied, “Among humans, a husband is generally a man; but a husband of divine birth is attained only through great merit.” Bhogavatī then conveyed all these words in order to the serpent, to his mother, and to the king. When the king heard these words, he wept, recalling the workings of fate. Bhogavatī, as before, spoke again to her friend, expressing her thoughts.