O mighty king, listen attentively to my request. Within your domains, a monkey has appeared, and I wish to speak of him. There is one named Shakuni, O king of kings, renowned for his mastery in the science of weapons. This Shakuni was taught by his own father, a revered ascetic, who imparted to him the secrets of weaponry. Together with the great sage, Shakuni arrived at the place where someone was held captive. There, he saw the sage’s son, Jabali, bound atop a tree. Jabali’s matted hair was tied, and he sat restrained upon a banyan tree. Seeing the sage’s son in such a plight, Shakuni, the protector, acted swiftly—he cut Jabali’s bonds using his arrows. Only after five hundred years had passed was Shakuni able to accomplish this feat with his arrows. When Jabali saw his father, who had at last arrived, he approached him, even though he was still restrained. The sage embraced his son, smelling his head in affection. Shakuni, strong-armed, then quickly set aside his bow and arrows. Yet the best of monkeys could not conceal the incident firmly. At this moment, a bird descended together with the supreme sage. With great speed, Shakuni cut the branch of the tree into three pieces using crescent-shaped arrows. Then, by creating a path with arrows, Jabali descended safely from the tree. Accompanied by Jabali, the bearer of burdens, Shakuni approached the river born of the Sun. When they had gathered to behold Hara, Śrīkaṇṭha, the foremost among yogis, and Ṛtadhvaja had departed, there was much pure and unblemished association among those present. They bathed him according to the prescribed rites and worshipped him day and night. Among those desiring to see Śrīkaṇṭha, the unmanifest, was one named Gālava. Having bathed in the pure waters of the Kālindī, Gālava entered, cleansed and ready. Then, the daughters of Yakṣas and Asuras sang sweet songs, their voices melodious. These were Gandharva maidens—there could be no doubt. Having completed his recitation, Gālava sat in meditation, honored by the two maidens. With devotion, he adorned the family of Bhava. Gālava, best among ascetics, having learned of the circumstances, was born anew in wisdom. Rising in the morning, he duly worshipped Gaurī’s Lord. He invited the maidens, requesting their permission. They asked, “For what purpose does the revered one wish to go to Puṣkara forest with such respect?” Gālava explained that the month of Kārtik brings great merit, especially at its end, at the sacred lakes. The maidens replied, “O Brahmin, without you, we are unable to remain here.” When Gālava departed together with the sage, he entered the Puṣkara forest with reverence. The kings and people of the land, leaving behind only the righteous-bannered one, gathered. The noble kings, associated with Nābhāga and Ikṣvāku, went to bathe at the sacred ford of Puṣkara, which lay in the middle and was shaped like a bow. Gālava was delighted again and again by the many daughters of the fish, yet he could not endure the fierce and terrible slander of the people. The ascetic wandered as he pleased with the maidens. Amidst the waters, he asked, “Why do you, who are in the midst of the water, fear public reproach?” Thus, the tale unfolds, revealing the devotion, trials, and sacred rites of those who sought the divine, their hearts ever yearning for merit and purity.