Within the celestial realms, the renowned Apsarases—Urvaśī, Menakā, Rambhā, Ghṛtācī, Puñjikasthalā, Viśvācī, Sahajanyā, Pūrvacitti, and Tilottamā—were gathered. Alongside them were Alambuṣā, Miśrakeśī, Śaśilekhā, Vāmanā, and many other heavenly maidens, radiant with youth and beauty, each proud of her charm and allure. These slender-waisted, lovely-faced women, graced with full and prominent breasts and skilled in the arts of desire, were present, ready to serve wherever they might be needed. At this moment, Śacī, the queen of the gods, spoke, and the lord of the heavens, Śakra, replied to her: “Let the others remain here, but you, most auspicious one, are especially skilled for this task.” To aid her, he granted the company of Kāma—the god of love—Vasanta—the spirit of spring—and Vāyu—the wind god. “Go with them, O fair-hipped one, to the dwelling of that great sage,” he commanded. Obedient to Śakra’s words, the beautiful-eyed Apsaras descended by the path of the sky, accompanied by Kāma, Vasanta, and Vāyu, until they reached the sage’s hermitage. Upon arrival, she beheld a splendid and sacred forest, where the sage, resplendent with the fire of his austerities and free from all impurity, made his home. The forest was a marvel, rivaling the heavenly Nandana gardens. It was lush with flowers of every season, alive with herds of deer leaping among the branches. The air was sweet with birdsong, and the trees were heavy with fruit and blooms at all times of the year. Mangoes and wild mangoes, coconuts, tindukas, bilvas, jīvas, pomegranates, and many seed-filled fruits thrived there. Jackfruits, lakucas, nīpas, sirīṣas, pigeons, kolas, arimedas, and sour vetasas abounded. Bhallātakas, āmalakas, śataparṇas, kiṃśukas, iṅgudas, karavīras, harītakis, and vibhītakas filled the groves, alongside aśoka, puṃnāga, ketakī, bakula, pārijāta, kovidāra, mandāra, indīvara, pāṭala, and devadāru trees. She saw śāla, tāla, tamāla, nicula, lomaka, and many other glorious trees, all laden with fruit and blossoms. The forest teemed with life: chakora birds, lotuses, swarms of bees, parrots, cuckoos, kalavingkas, green birds, jivajivakas, and their beloved young. Chataka birds and many other species filled the air with melodious, pleasing sounds. Within this paradise were enchanting lakes with crystal-clear waters, adorned with kumuda, lotuses, and blue water-lilies. The banks were ringed with kahlara flowers, kadamba trees, chakravaka birds, and waterfowl. There were karandava ducks, cranes, swans, tortoises, madgu birds, and many other water-dwellers all around. Step by step, the Apsaras wandered through this wondrous, delightful forest, marveling at its beauty. Her eyes wide with astonishment, the excellent Apsaras turned to her companions—Vāyu, Kāma, and Vasanta—and said, “Each of you, separately, render me your assistance.” They replied, “So be it.” The Apsaras then declared, “Today I will go to where the sage abides. Today I will make him, who restrains his senses as one controls horses, whose body is emaciated from penance, radiant with the missile of love, the charioteer of desire. Whether he be Brahma, Janardana, or even Nilalohita, today I will pierce him with the arrows of love.” With these words, she approached the sage’s hermitage, which, by the power of his austerity, was free from wild beasts. Standing upon the riverbank, sweet as a male cuckoo, she paused for a moment, then began to sing with enchanting melody. At that instant, Vasanta unleashed his power, making the cuckoos’ calls sweet and alluring, though it was not their season. The fragrant wind from Mount Malaya began to blow, gently scattering pure blossoms both high and low. Kāma, the bearer of flower-arrows, drew near and disturbed the sage’s mind. Hearing the singing, the sage, his mind astonished and agitated by love’s arrows, went to where the beautiful-browed Apsaras stood. Seeing her, his eyes widened in wonder; his upper garment slipped from his shoulders, his body bristled with hairs of excitement, and he spoke: “Who are you, O lovely-hipped and fortunate one, with your charming smile? You steal my mind, beautiful-browed lady. Speak truly, slender-waisted one.” She replied, “I am your servant, come here for flowers. Tell me your command—what shall I do at your bidding?” Hearing her words, the sage, abandoning his self-control and bewildered, took the young woman by the hand and led her into his hermitage. With their purpose accomplished, Kāma, Vāyu, and Vasanta departed, returning to heaven as they had come. They went to Hari and reported all that had transpired between the sage and the Apsaras. Śakra and the gods, hearing this, were pleased and joyful. Kaṇḍu, the sage, entering his hermitage with the Apsaras, assumed his highest form, resplendent and radiant, resembling the god of love himself.