In a time of hardship, the queen spoke with concern, saying, “We have neither annual income nor even a vessel to sustain ourselves.” Turning to her husband, the king, she beseeched him, “O king of men, tell me what I should do.” The king, weighed down by their plight, replied, “O queen, I do not see anything for you or for our people.” Yet, determined to act within his means, he continued, “Therefore, I will speak according to my ability, if you agree, dear one. Indeed, dearest, let us prepare the field with a wooden spade.” Encouraged by his words, the queen responded thoughtfully, “Of horses and elephants, and likewise of camels, buffaloes, and donkeys—O greatly renowned one, what of them?” The king replied gently, “All tasks are performed by my servants, O lovely-faced one. We have oxen, donkeys, horses, elephants, and camels in great number.” He then spoke of their possessions: “Iron, tin, copper, silver, and likewise gold. Indeed, O goddess, I see something golden, but not iron.” Thus addressed, the illustrious queen received her husband’s counsel and said, “Go, O king, as you wish; I shall follow behind.” Together, the king and queen went in search of the field. Upon finding it, the king said, “This, O beautiful one, is my auspicious field; sit here.” He instructed her, “I will indeed cut, O goddess; you, dear one, clear these away.” The queen, following his guidance, soon noticed something remarkable. “A golden tree is seen here at the side, and likewise a golden bush,” she observed. Yet, troubled, she asked, “How shall we make a field here, which causes heart disease? Even if work is done here, how will it become fruitful?” The king, ever gentle and affectionate toward all beings, spoke auspicious, kind words. “O beautiful one, near the water’s edge, this is a dwelling, O great goddess, and here no one is troubled.” But he also noted, “In the midst of the sky, the fierce Sun always blazes. The intense, harsh heat grows, and the season is exceedingly severe. His feet, smooth and coppery, are scorched by the heat there. At midday, the Sun’s feet, blazing like fire, burn intensely.” The queen, suffering under the relentless heat, said, “I am thirsty, O great king, tormented greatly by the heat.” Overcome by distress and exhaustion, the goddess fell down, overwhelmed by suffering. As she fell, she gazed upon the Sun with anger, and astonishingly, the radiant Sun left his place in the sky and descended to earth. The king, witnessing this marvel, asked, “For what reason, O radiant one, have you left your sphere and come here?” The Sun, conciliatory, replied, “Therefore, O king, I have fallen, following your command. On earth or in heaven, nothing like this is seen here. Ah, your courage and strength—such qualities are indeed praised.” The Sun then spoke of the queen: “She is suitable, pure, and, by her austerity, an excellent woman. She is like you, O greatly fortunate one, just as Śacī is to Indra. And he is suitable, handsome, and well-governed, from whom she was born.” Thus, in the midst of adversity and celestial wonder, the king and queen’s virtues shone forth, praised by the very Sun himself.