O King, among the Kṣatriyas, marriage is celebrated in many ways, and thus, it is fitting that such unions be marked with the exchange of weapons and ornaments. This tradition is rooted in truth, for both Kṣatriyas and Brāhmaṇas are known for their honesty; therefore, let marriages adorned with weapons and ornaments be accepted and honored. When the wise elder minister spoke these words, Vijaya, the foremost of kings, recognized their truth and, in that moment, regarded the minister as if he were the king himself. Accepting this counsel, Vijaya arranged the marriage of his daughter Bhogavatī with great care and in full accordance with the scriptures. He sent her forth, well-equipped with weapons, as was proper for such an occasion. Filled with immense joy, Vijaya bestowed generous gifts upon his own ministers: cows, gold, horses, and many other treasures. Then, accompanied by these counselors led by the elder minister, Bhogavatī set out. Upon arriving at their destination, they presented her as a daughter-in-law to Śūrasena. The ministers conveyed many messages from Vijaya, speaking at length of his goodwill, and presented splendid ornaments, maidservants, fine garments, and various other gifts. Having fulfilled their mission, they reported all to Śūrasena and felt satisfied with the success of their task. Śūrasena, in turn, received them with great honor and affection for Vijaya, offering them proper hospitality before bidding them farewell. Meanwhile, Bhogavatī, young and graceful, served her new mother-in-law and father-in-law with devotion, always displaying her beauty and gentle nature. In another place, the lord of Bhogavatī—an awe-inspiring and fearsome serpent—dwelt alone in a secluded house adorned with glittering jewels. In this cool and pleasant abode, fragrant with flowers, the serpent often spoke to his mother and father. One day he asked, “My wife is a princess—why does she not approach me?” Hearing her son’s words, the serpent’s mother turned to the nurse and said, “Go quickly, O fortunate one, to Bhogavatī and tell her: ‘Your husband is a serpent.’ Let us see how she responds.” The nurse agreed and went at once to Bhogavatī. Finding her alone, she addressed her respectfully for the first time, saying, “O noble lady, your husband is a divine being, but you must never reveal this to anyone: your husband is indeed a serpent, not a man.” Bhogavatī listened and replied, “Among humans, a husband is usually a man; but to have a husband of divine birth is a blessing attained only by great merit.” She conveyed these words to the serpent, his mother, and to the king. Upon hearing this, the king wept, reflecting on the ways of fate. Bhogavatī again spoke to her friend, “Show me your beloved husband, O noble one; my youth is passing away in vain.” Then, while they were alone, she was shown the exceedingly fearsome serpent, resting upon a bed strewn with fragrant flowers. Seeing her husband, terrifying yet adorned with jewels, Bhogavatī joined her hands in reverence and spoke to him without hesitation: “I am blessed, I am favored, for my husband is my divine lord.” Having spoken thus, she remained on the bed and began to delight the serpent with affectionate gestures, songs, and gentle touches. She pleased her husband with fragrant flowers and drinks, and by her favor, the serpent’s memory—lost until now—returned to him. Remembering all that was divinely ordained, the serpent spoke to his beloved at night. The princess asked, “Beloved, why do I feel no fear upon seeing you?” Bhogavatī replied, “Who can transgress what is ordained by fate? For a woman, the husband is always the path—especially so in this case.” Hearing her words, the serpent was delighted and spoke to her with a smile, “I am pleased with your devotion. What shall I grant you as you desire? By my favor, O beautiful one, you have now attained full remembrance.” He continued, “I was cursed by the god of gods, the wrathful Pinākin. In the hand of Maheśvara, I, the mighty serpent and son of Śeṣa, was born. Thus, I am your husband and you are my wife, named Bhogavatī. Once, at Umā’s words, Śambhu laughed aloud in secret, pleased. I too laughed in the presence of the gods, and then Śambhu, angered, pronounced this curse upon me: ‘You will be born as a serpent in the human world, endowed with knowledge.’” He explained further, “Afterwards, O blessed one, you propitiated Śambhu together with me. Then he said, ‘O blessed one, in Gautamī, worship me.’ While you perform worship in Gautamī in the form of a serpent, I will bestow knowledge upon you; then, by the favor of Bhogavatī, the curse will be lifted.” “Therefore, O auspicious-faced one, this is what has befallen us. Take me to Gautamī, and let us worship together. Then the curse will be lifted for both of us, until we reach Śiva again. For all who are afflicted, Śiva alone is the supreme goal.” Hearing her husband’s words, Bhogavatī accompanied him to Gautamī. There, after bathing in the holy waters, she performed worship of Śiva. Pleased by their devotion, the blessed Lord revealed his divine form. The serpent, having taken leave of his parents, prepared to depart for Śiva’s realm with his wife. Sensing this, his wise father addressed him, “You alone, my eldest son, bear the royal succession. Therefore, rule the kingdom well, beget many sons, and when I depart to the highest abode, then you may go to Śiva’s city.” Thus, the tale unfolds, woven with faith, devotion, and the mysterious workings of fate, ever guided by the supreme grace of Lord Śiva.