The Wedding in Pātāla

Kuṇḍalā said to the prince: It was you who pierced him, without a doubt. Surabhi, the mother of cows, does not lie. Do now, hero, what ought to be done, and do it by the rite.

I am not my own master, the prince said. Such things were for his father to decide. So Kuṇḍalā thought of Tumburu, the teacher of their family, and he came at once, bringing fuel sticks and kuśa grass, out of love for Madālasā and respect for Kuṇḍalā. He kindled the fire, poured the oblations, performed the marriage, and went back to his hermitage and his austerities.

Kuṇḍalā said to Madālasā: I am content now that I have seen you joined to him. Now I will practise austerities beyond compare and wash myself clean in the waters of the holy places. Then she turned to the prince. It is not for a woman to instruct a man like you, she said, but out of love for my friend I will remind you. A husband must always support and protect his wife. Dharma, the right way of living, wealth and love are won only by husband and wife together. Without a wife a man cannot honour the gods, the ancestors, his servants or his guests. Grow with her in wealth and sons, in happiness and long life.

She embraced her friend, bowed to the prince, and went away by the paths of the sky.