At that time, in the city of Kashi, there lived a princess named Shashikala, also called Shyama, the daughter of the king. She was endowed with all auspicious marks, radiant and divine in her beauty and bearing. It happened that Shashikala heard from the lips of wandering bards the tale of Prince Sudarshana, who, though exiled to the forest, was renowned for his handsomeness, his noble marks, and his valor—like another god of love himself. As she listened to the praises of this remarkable prince, her heart was drawn to him. She longed to choose Sudarshana as her husband, her mind filled with thoughts of him. That very night, as she slept, Jagadamba—the Mother of the Universe—appeared to Shashikala in a dream. The Goddess comforted her, saying, “Choose your boon, O lovely-hipped one! Sudarshana, my devotee, will fulfill all your desires by my word, O beautiful lady.” Shashikala beheld the enchanting form of the Mother in her dream, and upon awakening, she remembered the divine words and was filled with great joy. Her mother noticed her happiness and questioned her repeatedly, but out of modesty, Shashikala did not reveal the cause of her delight. She only laughed softly to herself, recalling the dream again and again, until at last she confided in a close friend, recounting every detail of her wondrous vision. One day, for amusement, Shashikala went to a beautiful grove adorned with champaka flowers, accompanied by her friends. As they wandered, gathering blossoms, Shashikala, standing beneath a champaka tree, saw a Brahmin hastening along the path. She respectfully bowed to the twice-born one and greeted him sweetly: “O blessed one, from which land have you come?” The Brahmin replied, “O maiden, I come from the āśrama of Bhāradvāja. I have come here for a purpose. Why do you ask? Tell me.” Shashikala, her curiosity piqued, asked, “O fortunate one, is there anything remarkable in that āśrama? Is there something especially extraordinary, most worthy of being seen?” The Brahmin answered, “There dwells Sudarshana, the illustrious son of King Dhruvasandhi, O lovely-hipped one—a prince whose name truly matches his nature. For me, it seems my eyes are fruitless, for with them, Prince Sudarshana has not yet seen you. The Creator brought together all virtues in him, wishing to fashion a supreme man. I visited him out of curiosity, to see this very mine of virtues. That prince is worthy to be your husband; your union would be as fitting as a jewel set in gold.” Hearing these words, Shashikala was filled with love for Sudarshana. The Brahmin, having delivered his message, departed with a focused mind. But Shashikala, already enamored, was now restless, as if pierced by the arrows of Kāma, the god of love. Tormented by longing, she confided in her dearest friend, “Since hearing of him, a change has come over me. Though I know nothing of his tastes or knowledge, love torments me for this noble prince. What shall I do? Where shall I go? Whether I see him in dreams or not, he is like the god of love himself. My mind, soft and distressed by separation, burns intensely.” She continued, “O friend, even sandal paste feels like poison on my body; garlands seem like snakes, and moonbeams burn like fire. Nowhere do I find peace—not in the palace, not in the forest, not by the pool, nor on the mountain, neither by day nor by night, nor with any comfort. Neither the bed, nor betel, nor song, nor music pleases me—nothing satisfies my eyes. Today I will go to the forest where that deceitful one dwells, though I fear the shame of my family and am bound by my father’s will. If my father does not arrange a svayamvara today, what shall I do? I will give myself to Prince Sudarshana, as my heart desires. There are countless wealthy kings on earth, yet none please me—he alone, though without a kingdom, is esteemed by me.” Meanwhile, Sudarshana, though poor, alone, and living in the forest on fruits, held Shashikala firmly in his heart. Through recitation of the seed-mantra of speech, he attained success in his practices, devoting himself fully to meditation and the supreme mantra. In a dream, he too beheld the Goddess—Vishnumaya, the undivided, the Mother of the Universe, Ambika who bestows all prosperity. Soon after, the chief of the Nishadas from the city of Sringavera approached Sudarshana and presented him with a splendid chariot, complete with all accessories, yoked with four fine horses and adorned with excellent banners. Recognizing Sudarshana as a prince, the Nishada chief gave this gift in honor. Sudarshana accepted it gladly, regarding the chief as a true friend, and honored him with wild roots and fruits. When the Nishada chief departed, the ascetics of the forest, filled with affection, spoke among themselves to Sudarshana: “Prince, you will certainly obtain the kingdom very soon. Be free from anxiety and confident in your prowess—there is no doubt about this. Ambika, the Goddess, is pleased with you and grants boons, enchanting the world. Your ally is well-endowed; do not worry.” The ascetics also comforted Manorama, Sudarshana’s mother, saying, “Today your son, O bright-smiling one, will become lord of the earth.” Manorama replied, “May your words bear fruit. I am your servant, O Brahmins—what wonder comes from true devotion? Yet, there is no army, no ministers, no treasury, nor any ally—by what means can my son be worthy to obtain the kingdom here?” Thus, the hearts of Shashikala and Sudarshana, though separated by distance and circumstance, were drawn together by destiny and the blessings of the Divine Mother.