Having spoken her final words, Lila released her vital breath, gentle and fragrant like a lotus giving forth its perfume. Her life force became a subtle breeze, drifting gracefully toward the king’s nostrils. Swiftly, it entered the cavity of his nose, moving like wind through the hollow of bamboo, carrying with it hundreds of subtle impressions, just as the vast ocean holds countless gems within its depths. As this breath merged with the king, the radiance of life shone forth from his face, appearing as if one lotus had entered another beneath the waters, their reflections blending together. Gradually, all his limbs began to gleam with new beauty, like clusters of fresh flowers blossoming across the earth, or like networks of vines spreading upon a hillside. He appeared now full of splendor, his presence glowing like the moon at its fullest, illuminating the entire dwelling with abundant rays from his moon-like face. His limbs expanded, soft and vibrant with renewed vitality, shining with golden brilliance like the tender shoots of spring. He opened his eyes, sources of pure light, charming and beautiful, resembling the moon and sun that illuminate the world. Rising up, his body radiant, like the mighty Vindhya mountain growing in stature, he spoke: “Who stands here, dwelling in this abode of shining brilliance?” Before him, the duality of play appeared and spoke, “Let it be commanded.” He saw, standing humbly before him, this duality of play—equal in support, form, appearance, speech, effort, joy, and arising. Observing her, the king asked, “Who are you? Who is this? Where has she come from?” Lila replied, “O lord, listen to what I am about to say.” She continued, “O Lila, I am your wife, grown up with you from before; closely united, abiding with you like speech with its meaning. This is your second wife, also named Lila, whom I have lightly acquired for your sake; I shall tell you how this came to be. She who is seated at the head, upon the great golden throne here—she is the goddess Sarasvati, the auspicious mother of the three worlds. By the merit we have accumulated, she has appeared here directly; by her, O king, you have been brought here from another world.” Hearing this, the lotus-eyed king arose, adorned with garlands and garments, and fell at the feet of the goddess of wisdom. He prayed, “O Sarasvati, I bow to you, bestower of benefit to all worlds; O giver of boons, grant me wisdom, long life, and wealth.” As he spoke, the goddess touched him with her hand, blessing him: “May you be endowed with sons and all desired things. May all misfortunes and the sight of every evil deed depart; may endless joys come fully; may the people always be cheerful; may the nation be secure, and may prosperity ever shine forth.” After giving her blessings, Sarasvati vanished there and then. With the morning, all the people awoke together with the lotuses. Lila embraced her beloved in playful joy, and he embraced her in return; again and again, the king, revived from death, experienced great happiness. At that time, the royal palace was filled with people intoxicated by joy and love, resounding with music and song. The deep, reverberating sound of victory, auspiciousness, and blessedness filled the halls, which were crowded with delighted, well-nourished people, surrounded by the royal assembly and its women. The air was cooled by showers of flowers released by Siddhas and Vidyadharas, and the sounds of drums, mridangas, murajas, kahalas, conches, and dundubhis resounded everywhere. Great elephants raised their broad trunks high, thundering fiercely; the halls echoed with the vigorous tandava dances and the clapping of women’s hands. There was the commotion of people meeting, presenting various gifts, and the beauty of garlands and flower-crowns assembled together. The sky, strewn with torn linen by ministers, vassals, and citizens, appeared like a field of lotuses, reddened by dancing groups. The air was filled with the swinging earrings of intoxicated women, their necks arched in playful dance, and the dust of flowers rose from the stamping feet of the dancers. The canopy of clouds, like a tent of woven cloth, was adorned by the faces of noble women, dancing and shining like the moon in the courtyards of palaces. People in distant lands sang ballads of how the king and his very soul, his beloved, had been brought back from the other world. Hearing the account of these wondrous events, King Padma performed a ritual bath with waters brought from the four oceans. The priests and ministers then anointed the king, as the gods once anointed Indra when he regained his fortune. Lila, Lila herself, and the king, now liberated while living and of great wisdom, rejoiced in recalling their past adventures, as lovers delight in their unions. By the grace of Sarasvati and his own effort, King Padma attained the highest good in both worlds. Awakened to knowledge through deep understanding and endowed with the play of nonduality, the king ruled the realm blamelessly for eight thousand years. Liberated while living, his mind conquered, the delusion of the five senses overcome, his mind unattached, silent, and following only what came of itself. Like a drop drawn from the ocean of beauty is the moon; like a particle rising from the fire of his majesty is the sun. Thus, they were liberated while living; after ruling the kingdom for eight thousand years, they attained disembodied liberation, their awareness perfected. This story of Lila has been told to you, O Rama, for the removal of faults in perception. O sinless one, abandon the density you attribute to the world. The existence of appearances is inherently peaceful; suppression is of no use. For what exists, cleansing is painful; for what does not exist, there is never any need.