In the beginning, hunger and thirst arose, seeking their place, and the vast ocean became their support. Then, a profound event occurred: the heart of the cosmic being was split, and from that heart, the mind emerged. From the mind, the moon was born; from intellect, the lord of speech took form. Out of ego arose Rudra, and from consciousness, the inner witness—the subtle perceiver within—came forth. Yet, though these deities and powers manifested, none could animate the cosmic being. Each, in turn, re-entered their respective places within him, striving to awaken him. Fire entered the mouth as the power of speech, but the cosmic being did not stir. Air entered the nostrils as the sense of smell, but still there was no movement. The sun entered the eyes as sight, yet the cosmic being remained inert. The directions entered the ears as hearing, but he did not rise. Herbs entered the skin, bringing with them hair, but the being did not awaken. Waters entered the genitals with the power of semen, but there was no response. Death entered the anus with the vital air of apāna, but the cosmic being did not rise. Indra entered the hands, bestowing strength, but still, there was no awakening. Viṣṇu entered the feet, granting movement, but the cosmic being did not rise. Rivers entered the veins with the flow of blood, but the being remained unmoved. The ocean entered the abdomen, bringing hunger and thirst, but the cosmic being did not rise. The moon entered the heart with the mind, but there was no awakening. Even Brahmā entered the heart with intellect, but the cosmic being did not stir. Rudra entered the heart with ego, but still, the being did not rise. Finally, when the inner witness—the knower of the field—entered the heart with consciousness itself, then, at last, the cosmic being arose from the waters. Just as in a sleeping person, though the life-airs, senses, mind, and intellect are present, they cannot awaken him without his vital energy, so too, it is the innermost self that brings true awakening. Therefore, with a mind steadied in yoga, one should discern and contemplate within oneself that deepest self, by means of devotion, detachment, and knowledge. In later times, after Krishna had lifted the great mountain to shield the people of Vraja from the devastating downpour, Surabhi, the divine cow, and Indra, the king of the gods, came to Krishna in his celestial abode of Goloka. Indra, humbled and ashamed for his earlier offense, approached Krishna privately. He bowed low, touching Krishna’s feet with his crown, radiant as the sun. Having witnessed Krishna’s boundless power—his own pride as ruler of the three worlds utterly destroyed—Indra, with joined palms, spoke in reverence: “Your abode is of pure existence, peaceful and composed of austerity, untouched by passion or darkness. The flow of qualities born of illusion does not bind you, nor do you have any attachment. How could there be in you causes such as greed, which arise from ignorance? Yet, O Blessed Lord, you wield punishment for the protection of righteousness and the restraint of the wicked. You are the father, teacher, and ruler of all worlds, insurmountable time itself, who has taken up the rod of chastisement. For the welfare of all, you act through your chosen forms, removing the pride of those who think themselves lords of the world. Those like me, who disregard your command and imagine themselves as sovereign, are quickly humbled upon seeing you. Even the wicked are corrected by your instruction. Therefore, O Lord, please forgive my offense, born of ignorance and pride in my power. My mind was deluded; may such unworthy thoughts never arise in me again. Your descent, O Adhokṣaja, is for the removal of the earth’s burden caused by mighty rulers, for the destruction of armies, and for the welfare of those devoted to your feet. Salutations to you, O Supreme Person, Great Soul, Vāsudeva, Krishna, Lord of the Sātvatas. Salutations to you who assume a body at will, whose form is pure knowledge, all-pervading, the seed and soul of all beings. It was I, driven by pride and anger, who sought to destroy this cowherd settlement with storms and winds after the sacrifice was interrupted by arrogance. By your grace, my pride has been destroyed and my futile effort ended. I have taken refuge in you, the Lord, teacher, and self.” Śuka then said: As Indra praised Krishna, the Blessed One, smiling gently, spoke with a voice as deep as thunderclouds: “O Maghavan, I broke your sacrifice to show you favor, so that you would always remember me and not be intoxicated by Indra’s glory. One blinded by pride in wealth and power does not see the true ruler; I take away such prosperity whenever I wish to show mercy. Go now, Śakra; may all be well. Follow my instruction, remain in your duty, free from pride, and properly engaged.” Then Surabhi, thoughtful and full of devotion, approached Krishna, the Lord in the form of a cowherd, accompanied by her offspring. She offered her respects and said: “Krishna, Krishna, great yogi, soul of the universe, origin of all, by you, the Lord of worlds, we are protected, O infallible one. You are our supreme deity, not Indra, O Lord of the world; for the welfare of cows, brahmins, gods, and the virtuous, you exist. Prompted by Brahmā, we shall anoint you as Indra. You have descended, O Soul of the Universe, to remove the burden of the earth.” Śuka continued: Thus, Surabhi invited Krishna and bathed him with her own milk, along with waters brought by Airāvata, Indra’s elephant, from the celestial Gaṅgā. Indra, together with the sages among the gods and at the urging of the mothers of the gods, anointed Krishna, the descendant of Daśārha, and addressed him as Govinda. There arrived Tumburu, Nārada, and others—Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas—who sang the glories of Hari, which cleanse the worlds of impurity, while the celestial women danced with joy. The leaders of the divine hosts praised Krishna and showered wondrous rains of flowers; the three worlds were filled with supreme delight, and the cows gave forth streams of milk. Rivers and trees flowed with honey, grains and herbs grew without cultivation, and the mountains offered precious gems. O descendant of Kuru, when Krishna was anointed, all beings—even those of harsh nature—became free from enmity, and peace prevailed everywhere.