For over ten thousand years, Indra, the king of the gods, was lost in deep contemplation. His senses and mind agitated, the Lord finally spoke gentle and sweet words, acknowledging, “As I pondered, it is you alone who are the supreme path for me.” Hearing Indra’s admission, the winds, charged with desire, responded—confident in their power to disturb even the most self-controlled minds. They reassured him, “With your permission, we shall act swiftly and bring you happiness.” At that moment, Indra’s anxiety melted away upon beholding their readiness. Meanwhile, the sage, devoted to Hṛṣīkeśa, dwelled in serene austerity upon the beautiful snowy mountain. Indra, suspecting that the sage’s asceticism threatened his own position, thought, “Surely, wishing to seize my throne, you should turn back from this austerity.” With this concern, Indra and the winds, guided by Kāma, resolved to act. Indra, also called Śakra, summoned the celestial nymph Pramlocā. “Go, auspicious lady,” he commanded, “and bring victory on earth over the sage. Enchant him with your graceful and playful delights, and bring him under your sway. Do this, and may all be well for you, near Hṛṣīkeśa.” Pramlocā entered a nearby grove, a place of delight thick with varied trees and creepers, fragrant with blossoming mango clusters and the scent of nectar, alive with the songs of Gandharvas and cooled by the gentle Malaya breeze. By the sage’s power, even the pools and streams within the grove were free from all cruelty. Within this enchanted setting, the beautiful-hipped Pramlocā began to sing a song of exquisite sweetness. The Gandharvas, honored by the gods, joined her in a melodious Gandharva song. She took up a flowery bow and fitted its arrows, preparing for her task. The sage, hearing the sweet song with its fivefold melody, found himself captivated. Kāma, tireless, repeatedly drew his bow, filling the hermitage with the subtle force of desire. As he wandered about, satisfied by the beauty around him, the sage’s eyes fell upon Pramlocā. Struck by her lovely limbs, he was pierced by the arrow of desire. Pramlocā, her eyes soft as a doe’s, gazed at Devadatta, the sage, and found herself growing attached to him. She played with a ball, her restless, charming eyes enhancing her beauty. With graceful, playful gestures, she thoroughly captivated the sage’s mind. She wore a fine lower garment, adorned with a golden girdle, adding to her allure. Enchanted, the sage approached her and spoke: “Why do you seek beings like me? Do you hunt deer with the noose of your arms?” Pramlocā replied, “In every way, we are under your control; whatever you wish, let it be done.” Taking her, laughing, by the right hand, the sage enjoyed delightful pleasures with her. For many days, as chance allowed, they remained together in enjoyment. But suddenly, weariness overtook him. Greatly afflicted, he spoke, realizing that, though he knew better, he had fallen from his austerity, overpowered by fate. He reflected, “Such is the talk of fools; only with true reflection does one see the difference. A man, merely by seeing a woman, melts away, bewildered.” Having spoken thus, his mind now withdrawn, the sage dismissed the celestial maiden, Pramlocā.