From the depths of night arose a formidable being, her neck thick and dark as a mass of thunderclouds, her presence like swirling flames of fire leaping from an ocean of darkness. Her face, fierce and terrible in battle, echoed with the cries of slain night-dwellers, so that even the sky before her seemed alive with pillars of black collyrium, deep and impenetrable. Her hair bristled upright, her limbs were veined and powerful, and her tawny eyes blazed from a form composed of utter darkness. Such was her aspect that even yakṣas, rākṣasas, and piśācas trembled in fear at her approach. Her mouth, wide as a mountain cave, roared with the fury of the wind, while her forehead bore the marks of a pestle and mortar. Upon her head she wore a crown fashioned from a plough and winnowing basket, symbols of the earth’s labor and harvest. She shimmered with a strange radiance, like the peak of a beryl mountain at the end of an age, and her laughter shook the very lords of the universe, as though the Night of Time itself had arisen in her form. It was as if the dense, cloud-filled forest of the sky had taken on flesh and come forth—a night so massive and corporeal that darkness itself seemed to have assumed a body, rising from a seat of mud to wage war against the moon and sun. Her two breasts, dark as sapphire mountain slopes and like hanging rainclouds, were adorned with pestle and plough. Her great, naked body glowed faintly with the touch of embers, and her limbs swayed like the branches of a tree stirred by the wind. Yet, when she appeared, the two mighty heroes who faced her remained unmoved. Their minds, detached and serene, could not be shaken by any illusion or terror. One of them addressed her, saying, “O great rakshasi, is this anger of yours merely laughter? Women are often light-hearted, or in their lightness, excessively agitated. Abandon this anger; such agitation does not suit you. The wise act in this world only to accomplish their own purpose. “Thousands like you, O powerless one, are to us as insignificant as flies, swept away by our strong tendencies like grass and leaves in the wind. Casting off the fever of anger, with calm mind and practical reasoning, the wise accomplish their aim. Let your task be accomplished by your own action, O Mathava; for under the rule of great destiny, when is there room for confusion? “Speak what you desire; what do you seek, O petitioner? Even in dreams, we never pursue what is unattainable.” Hearing these words, the demoness paused and thought to herself, “Ah! Truly, how pure is the conduct and character of these lion-like men. They are not ordinary; this wonder is truly remarkable. Their words, voices, and glances alone reveal their inner resolve. Through the gateways of words, speech, and glances, the intentions of the wise become united, just as the waters of rivers merge through their channels. “By these two, my own disposition has been mostly discerned; and by me, theirs. These two are not to be destroyed by me, nor am I by them, for we are all inherently indestructible. I think these two possess self-knowledge; without self-knowledge, there is no true understanding. When the sense of existence and non-existence is cleansed, fear of death ceases. “Therefore, I shall ask these two about a certain doubt that has arisen. Those who, having attained the opportunity, do not inquire about anything, are the lowest of men.” Having thus reflected, she composed herself, restraining her untimely, cloud-like laughter, and spoke at an appropriate moment. “Who are you two, O sinless and heroic men? Please tell me. For, upon seeing those with pure hearts, friendship arises at once.” The men replied, “This king is the ruler of the Kiratas, and I have attained the position of his minister; we are engaged in night patrols to restrain people like you. The king’s duty, day and night, is to subdue wicked beings; but those who abandon their own duty become fuel for the fire of destruction. “You are a misguided minister to the king, and because of your poor counsel, this Arada has come; a good minister belongs to a virtuous king, and a king becomes noble through wise ministers. At first, the king should be guided with discernment by a wise minister; through this, he attains nobility—just as is the king, so are his subjects. “The highest knowledge of the Self is the collection of all virtues; likewise, a king should be a true king, and a minister should be one who knows counsel. Authority and impartial vision arise from royal wisdom; whoever does not know this is neither a minister nor a ruler. If you both possess that knowledge, you are virtuous and will attain the highest good; otherwise, you bring harm, and I do not accept you as belonging to my nature. “By a single means, you two boys will cross over from my side, if you thoughtfully examine the essence of my cage of questions.” The king replied, “O king, tell me your questions; I am eager to fulfill your wishes. Who in this world, having accepted a request, does not grant it, unless hindered by some fault that brings decline?” Having spoken thus, the demoness began to ask her questions. When the king said, “Speak,” she proceeded: “In the one, in the countless, in the minute, as in the ocean—within, countless universes dissolve like bubbles. What is space, what is non-space, what is nothing, and what is something? Who am I, truly fulfilled, and who are you, and who am I that stands here? “Who moves yet does not move, who stands yet remains standing? Who is conscious yet like a stone, and who creates wonders in the sky? Who is fire that does not abandon its fiery nature, and who is fire that does not burn? From the non-fire, how does fire arise, O king, continually? “Who is the imperishable illuminator, even without moon, sun, fire, or stars? And from what, though not perceived by the eyes, does light manifest? For creepers, bushes, sprouts, and those born blind, and likewise for others without eyes, what is the highest source of light?” Thus, with her doubts laid bare, she awaited their answers, seeking wisdom from those she now recognized as men of profound self-knowledge.