Also in the Mahabharata:
«O descendant of Bharata! The poor, the sick, the fool, the exile, and the lifelong servant—these five, though living, are considered dead.»
Also:
«In this world, any rich man, though a stranger, becomes a brother-in-law. And a brother-in-law, if he becomes poor, instantly becomes a stranger.»
So this ruined merchant began hauling hay, brushwood, and other goods to the city to sell. One day, he was unable to gather any hay, brushwood, or anything else in the forest. He only came across Vighna-vinayaka, the Obstacle-Remover Ganesha, made of hardwood. He thought, «What use is this to me?!» It is said:
«What sin will a hungry man not commit? Those who starve are merciless.» They are concerned with their own lives. They lack the reasoning of the virtuous.»
But when the poor man was about to smash this Vinayaka, he said kindly:
«I will give you five sweet buttered cakes every day. Come to my home tomorrow. But don’t tell anyone about this secret. If you do, my promise will become void.»

He agreed and began delivering five cakes to his wife. His wife, receiving these five delicious cakes, flavored with butter and sugar, delighted her family. She took the cakes daily to her relatives’ house. And she always treated her friend Mandodari. One day, this friend began questioning her. But Padmini didn’t know where the cakes came from. Then her friend said to her slyly:
«Friend, if you won’t reveal this secret to me, then how can there be any friendship?!»