As the prince journeyed through the netherworld, his eyes widened in wonder at the sight before him. He beheld two radiant serpents, their hoods gleaming with jewel-crests, each clearly marked with the svastika. Their handsome forms captivated him, and he gazed at them in astonishment. With warm affection and a smile, he addressed them, “Well done, O best of Brahmins!” The two serpents, pleased by his words, began to speak to him about their father, the mighty lord of serpents. Guided by them, the prince soon came upon the esteemed Ashvatara, honored among the gods. There, he beheld the wondrous beauty of the netherworld—a realm adorned with youthful and aged serpent youths, and naga maidens who played joyfully throughout the land. These maidens wore lovely earrings and garlands that shone like stars in the night sky. The air was alive with song, the music of vinas and flutes mingling with the laughter. The houses of the serpents resounded with the rhythms of drums and lutes, and as the son of Shatrujit traveled deeper, he marveled at this enchanting world. Accompanied by the two beloved serpents, the prince—subduer of enemies—entered the magnificent palace of the serpent king. There, they beheld the lord of serpents himself, a being of great soul, adorned with divine garlands, splendid garments, and jeweled earrings. He shone with necklaces of pure pearl creepers and armlets, seated upon a golden throne, his form resplendent with nets of jewels, coral, and cat’s-eye gems. The two serpents respectfully presented him, saying, “This is our father.” Introducing the hero Kuvalayashva to the serpent king, Ritadhvaja bowed low at the king’s feet. The serpent king, filled with joy, raised him up and embraced him with force, affectionately smelling his head and blessing him, “May you live long.” He continued, “Having vanquished your enemies, serve your parents, dear child! Even when you are absent, the virtues of the blessed are spoken of. The uncommon qualities revealed by you and my sons are praiseworthy—may you alone grow further in them, through your thoughts, words, and actions.” He spoke further, “The life of a virtuous person is truly praiseworthy; one lacking virtue is as if dead, though still living. The virtuous bring joy to their parents and pain to their enemies. By acting for his own good and earning the trust of the people, a man pleases the gods, ancestors, Brahmins, friends, those seeking help, and the afflicted. Relatives too desire the long life of the virtuous. Those who refrain from slander, who are compassionate to the unfortunate—such a virtuous one’s birth is fruitful for those who seek refuge in times of distress.” Jaḍa, the narrator, explained that after these words to the heroic son, the serpent king wished to honor Kuvalayashva with worship. Following the proper sequence of bathing and sacred rites, they enjoyed honey-drinking and other pleasures, as well as food to their liking. For a short while, Kuvalayashva remained among them, his heart rejoicing in festive conversation, his spirit uplifted. With the silent approval of his father, the son of Shatrujit did just as the noble serpent king requested. Gathered with his sons and the princes, the truthful lord of the great serpents, filled with joy and self-control, partook of food and honey, enjoying the pleasures as was fitting. Later, Alarka asked, “What is the duty of those who follow the householder’s path? What bondage arises from neglecting action, and what elevation comes from performing it? What brings benefit to people, and what should be avoided by one living in a household? Please tell me, as I ask, how these things are to be done.” Madālasā replied gently, “My child, by embracing the householder’s life, a man sustains this entire world; through it, he conquers the realms and attains his desired aims. Ancestors, sages, gods, all beings—humans, worms, insects, flying creatures, birds, animals, and demons—all live upon the householder, and thus they are satisfied. They look to him, wondering, ‘Will he give to us or not?’ “This, my child, is the cow of threefold form, the very foundation of all. In her the universe is established, and she is regarded as the cause of all. Her back is the Ṛgveda, her middle the Yajurveda, her mouth and head the Sāmaveda; her horns are sacrifice and charity, and her body is composed of the hymns of the good. Her dung and urine are peace and nourishment, her limbs are the castes and orders; as long as she is sustained, the worlds endure and do not diminish. “O child, the utterances ‘svāhā’, ‘svadhā’, ‘vaṣaṭ’, and ‘hanta’ are each represented by one of her four breasts. The gods drink the breast of ‘svāhā’, the ancestors drink the breast of ‘svadhā’, and the sages, along with gods, spirits, and demons, drink the breast of ‘vaṣaṭ’. Humans continually drink the breast of ‘hanta’; thus, O calf, this cow, composed of the three Vedas, nourishes all. “The person who destroys these, who commits extreme evil, sinks into the deepest darkness and gloom. But the man who, together with his own calves and the gods and others, lets this cow drink at the proper time, attains heaven. Therefore, O son, a human must daily nourish the gods, sages, ancestors, humans, and beings, just as he nourishes his own body. “Purified and protected, one should attentively perform offerings to the gods, sages, ancestors, and to Prajapati and the others, at the proper times. After worshipping the gods with fragrant flowers, a man should then make offerings to fire, and also give the prescribed portions. Within the house, he should offer to Brahma and the Visvedevas; for Dhanvantari, he should place the offering in the northeast. In the east, he should offer to Indra; in the south, to Yama; in the west, to Varuna; and in the north, to Soma.” Thus did Madālasā teach the sacred duties and the path of virtue, which sustain the worlds and bring fulfillment to all beings.