The seeker, recognizing the divine presence before him, addressed the Lord with humility and wonder. “You are the very embodiment of knowledge, all-knowing and all-seeing. What need is there for me to question you about wisdom? You alone are the source from which all speech and inquiry arise, the very foundation upon which the scriptures rest.” Then, Śrī Mahādeva spoke, revealing a deep mystery: “The Sun was once cursed, and that is the reason for the conflict and contradictions found among the scriptures. Out of grief for his son, and moved by the love only a parent knows, he rose with the intent to destroy the Sun itself.” Turning his attention back to the Lord, the seeker continued, “Those who seek refuge in you—whether through meditation or even by uttering your name—and those who surrender themselves directly to you, what need is there to speak of the blessings they receive? Yet, O Lord, tell me: what will become of your devotee?” Śrī Bhagavān replied with gentle authority, “Go at once from Vaikuṇṭha to the realm of kings; do so in half a ghaṭikā. Know this: the bearer of the bull-banner has perished, struck down by the relentless force of Time, which none can resist. His two sons, Dharmadhvaja and Kuśadhvaja, both radiant with virtue, were deprived of their kingdom and fortune. In their loss, they became ascetics, wholly devoted to the lotus feet of the Lord. Yet, in due course, these two, blessed with prosperity, will rise again as foremost among kings.” Having spoken thus, the Lord, accompanied by Lakshmi, withdrew into the inner chambers, while Śiva departed swiftly, his mind absorbed in ascetic practice. Nārāyaṇa then explained, “Each received the boon they had desired. By the grace of Mahālakṣmī, those two brothers became rulers over the earth. Kuśadhvaja’s wife was Mālāvatī, a virtuous and goddess-like woman. Because of her deep connection to the earth, she became endowed with profound knowledge; at her birth, the sounds of the Vedas rang clear and true.” A wondrous event occurred: the girl, immediately upon her birth, uttered the sacred sounds of the Vedas. She was bathed thoroughly right after she was born, and then, without delay, she set out for the forest to undertake ascetic practices. At Puṣkara, she performed rigorous austerities for an entire manvantara, yet her body remained nourished and radiant with youthful beauty. It was foretold that, in another birth, her husband would be Hari himself. Upon hearing this, the maiden became angry and resolved to undertake austerities once more. She practiced severe penance for a long time, dwelling throughout the universe. Once, when a visitor arrived, she received him with true hospitality, offering water for his feet. The most sinful one, after accepting her offering, lingered near her. Upon seeing the excellent woman, whose beauty was marked by full and prominent breasts, that wretched man was overcome by desire and fell into a swoon. The virtuous woman, angered, fixed him with a fierce glance and rendered him motionless. In his heart, he praised the goddess Padma, the lotus-eyed one. But she pronounced a curse: “For my sake, you and your kin shall perish.” Having uttered this, she, through the power of yoga, relinquished her body. Afterward, the man lamented, “Ah! What wondrous thing have I witnessed, and what have I done?” In the course of time, that virtuous woman was born again as the daughter of King Janaka. Owing to the austerity of her previous birth, she became a great ascetic. Through her penance and worship, she attained the Lord of the universe. She remembered her past birth and the long sequence of austerities she had performed. With steadfast virtue, she continued to practice various forms of penance for a long time. In this way, she and her consort, both virtuous and delightful, peaceful and unsurpassed in beauty, fulfilled the destiny ordained by the Lord.