In the course of their discourse, the sage spoke solemnly of the dangers and consequences of sin. He explained that if one were to eat food among certain women—a menstruating woman, a courtesan, a barren woman, or an old procuress—such an act would bring upon oneself the grievous sin equivalent to killing a Brahmin. Sin, he said, is ever accompanied by disease; their association is constant and inevitable. From sin arises disease, and from sin arises old age. Thus, sin is the greatest enemy, the seed of faults, and the source of all inauspiciousness. Yet, the sage offered hope. He described that one who is devoted to their own duty and conduct, who has received initiation and serves Hari, who observes vows and fasting, and who frequently visits holy places, such a person is not afflicted by old age nor by the formidable host of diseases. Turning to the nature of disease, the sage explained that fever is the origin of all ailments. Diseases move about and enter embodied beings, just as hunger blazes when there is an absence of food. He described remedies: after eating the fruit of palmyra or bael and immediately drinking water, or pouring hot water on the head—especially in the month of Bhādra—or consuming anything bitter, or eating ground coriander with sugar and cold water, or eating ripe bael or palmyra fruit and all things made from sugarcane, these actions immediately reduce bile, providing strength and nourishment. He cautioned against certain behaviors: bathing immediately after eating, drinking water without thirst, consuming stale food, buttermilk, ripe plantain fruit, curd, coconut water, bathing with cold water, and water that has become stale. Bathing after eating during the rainy season, and consuming radish, all produce phlegm. He warned of food that is reheated, spoiled, or prepared with a special kind of cooked oil, uncooked rice-balls, unripe plantain fruit, powder of rocanā mixed with ghee, and dried sugar with ghee. Yet, he told Gandharvi, these last substances immediately remove phlegm. He further explained that immediately after eating, walking or running, union with an old woman, mental distress, harsh words, fear, and sorrow—all these are causes of wind (vāyu). Remedies for wind include ripe plantain fruit, water with sugar and seeds, buffalo curd (sweetened or with sugar alone), a special kind of cooked oil, pure sesame oil, bathing in cold or hot water, and well-anointed sandalwood paste. “This, O child,” he said, “I have told you as that which immediately destroys wind.” The sage continued, saying that he had described the group of diseases and various methods for their treatment, as well as the causes of disease and destruction. “O virtuous one,” he admitted, “it is not possible to describe them all accurately even in a year.” Then, with compassion, he asked, “By what disease did your beloved die? Tell me, O beautiful one.” The bard replied, saying Gandharvi was delighted and began to tell her tale. Mālavati spoke: “O Brahmin, listen—my beloved was ashamed in the assembly. All this has been heard—an auspicious and delightful tale, never told before. Now, O wise one, grant me my beloved, the very breath of my life—grant him, grant him to me!