The five-arrowed Kamadeva, god of love, released his five arrows at her, and their power swept through her entire being. Instantly, her body was covered in goosebumps, she trembled, and her eyes flushed red with emotion. Waves of feeling washed over her: for a moment she was anxious, then a pleasant drowsiness overtook her; consciousness flickered—sometimes she regained clarity, sometimes she was despondent. Restless, she wandered in distress, departing from herself briefly, only to return again. Her surroundings, once comforting, changed with her inner turmoil. The bed of flowers and sandalwood felt suddenly full of thorns. The dwelling seemed formless, and her fine garments burned like fire against her skin. In a haze of drowsiness, Sati glimpsed a well-adorned man. His entire body was smeared with sandalwood and decorated with jeweled ornaments. He spoke sweetly of love’s pleasures and repeatedly kissed her lips. Again and again, she saw Vasantaka, the harbinger of spring, coming and going. Regaining her own consciousness, she lamented, her heart aching again and again. Meanwhile, Shankhachuda, the great yogi, beloved by the Jaigishavyas, was ever devoted to reciting the protective hymn, the most auspicious of all. By Brahma’s command, Shankhachuda too arrived at Badari. He was endowed with youthful vigor, radiant like Kamadeva himself, shining with the hue of white champaka flowers and adorned with jeweled ornaments. Charming and noble, he was seated in a celestial chariot fashioned from great gems. He wore garlands rich with parijata blossoms and smiled beautifully. Seeing Shankhachuda nearby, she covered her face with her garment, bashful and her face lowered, embarrassed by the new union. Yet, she could not help but continually drink in the lotus of his face with her eyes. Reclining upon a bed of flowers and sandalwood, clothed in fine garments, she was a vision of beauty: her hips full and firm, her breasts plump and prominently raised. Her lips were like ripe bimba fruit, her nose beautiful, and she was exquisite in every way. Surrounded by her own radiance, she was delightful to behold and charming, with a vermilion mark ever shining below the parting of her hair. Her palms were red like lotus petals, adorned with crescent-shaped nails, and her hue was rosy, radiant as delicate red lac. Her nails gleamed like a cluster of moons, surpassing even the autumn moon in beauty. She wore anklets set with foremost jewels, their tinkling sound coloring her presence, and her hair was decorated with a garland of jasmine flowers. Her beauty was enhanced by a pair of ornate earrings and exquisite ornaments. She was adorned with bracelets, armlets, and conch ornaments made of jewels. Seeing her—graceful, lovely, virtuous, with beautiful teeth and pure—Shankhachuda spoke: “Who are you, O beautiful and auspicious lady, giver of all blessings? You who delight in heavenly pleasures and rivers, and whose form is adorned with necklaces.” Hearing these words, the desirous woman with lovely eyes replied. Tulasi spoke: “I am an ascetic, staying here; who are you? Go as you please. A woman, born in a noble family, alone in a secluded place, and virtuous.