When the asura Vṛkāsura, driven by his own destructive desire, attempted to test the terrifying boon he had received, the great and compassionate Lord Shiva—Dhurjati—intervened. Just as one might snatch a burning brand from a flame, Shiva seized Vṛkāsura in his arms, restraining him from his reckless act and restoring his form, now shining with even greater brilliance. Shiva then spoke kindly to the demon, saying, “Enough, Angala! Ask of me any boon you desire; I am pleased even by the simplest offering from those who surrender, but you have tormented yourself excessively and without cause.” Yet, the asura, blinded by his own sinful intent, asked for a dreadful boon: “Let whomever’s head I touch with my hand die instantly.” Hearing this, Lord Rudra, though displeased, laughed and granted the request with a resounding “Om”—just as nectar might be given to a serpent, knowing it would only increase its venom. Immediately, Vṛkāsura sought to test his power by placing his own hand on Shiva’s head. Shiva, realizing the danger, recoiled in fear from his own act. The demon pursued him relentlessly, and Shiva, trembling, fled across the heavens and earth, to the farthest reaches of the quarters, even into the waters, seeking escape. The gods, witnessing this, were at a loss. Unable to find any solution, they sat in silence. At last, Shiva made his way to Vaikuṇṭha, the radiant realm beyond darkness, where Nārāyaṇa himself abides—the supreme goal of renunciants and the peaceful, from whom none return. Seeing Shiva so afflicted, the Lord, destroyer of evil, approached from afar, taking the form of a radiant young Brahmachari by his yogic power. Wearing a belt, deerskin, and staff, holding kusa grass, and shining like fire, he greeted Vṛkāsura with humility and respect. “O son of Shakuni,” the Lord said, “you appear exhausted—have you come from afar? Rest here a moment; the self fulfills all desires. If your purpose is not too secret, tell me, for generally men seek to achieve their aims through others.” The Lord’s words, sweet as nectar, soothed the demon, who then recounted everything that had happened. The Lord replied, “If this is so, then we will not believe the words of one who, by Daksha’s curse, has become demonic and is lord of ghosts and spirits. If you truly have faith in the Teacher of the Universe, then place your hand on your own head and prove it. If Śambhu’s words are untrue, O best of Dānavas, abandon him, for one who speaks falsehood should not be followed.” Confused by the Lord’s clever speech, Vṛkāsura, forgetting himself, placed his hand on his own head. Instantly, his head split and he fell like a felled ox. The heavens resounded with cries of “Victory!”, “Homage!”, and “Well done!” Showers of flowers rained down as the wicked Vṛkāsura was slain; the gods, sages, ancestors, and gandharvas rejoiced, and Shiva was freed from his distress. The Supreme Person then addressed the liberated Lord of the Mountain: “O great god, this wicked one has been destroyed by his own evil. O Lord, who among the great can survive after committing sin? What to say, if one offends the Teacher of the World?” Whoever recounts or hears this deliverance of Shiva by the Supreme Self, Hari, whose power is unfathomable, is freed from the cycles of birth and death, as are their enemies. Some time after, on the bank of the Sarasvatī, a group of sages were performing a great sacrifice. A debate arose among them: “Of the three Lords—Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara—who is the greatest?” Eager to know the truth, they sent Bhṛgu, son of Brahmā, to determine it. First, Bhṛgu entered the assembly of Brahmā but did not offer obeisance or praise, testing his father’s nature. Brahmā, angered, blazed with his own brilliance, but as master of himself, restrained his wrath, just as a progenitor might hold back fire with water from his own source. Next, Bhṛgu journeyed to Mount Kailāsa, where Maheśvara, joyful, rose to embrace his brother. But Bhṛgu did not return the embrace, appearing disrespectful. The god’s eyes blazed with anger, and he raised his trident to strike Bhṛgu down. Only by the gentle words and supplications of the goddess did Shiva’s anger abate. Finally, Bhṛgu went to Vaikuṇṭha, where Lord Janārdana resides. There, Bhṛgu struck the Lord, who was reclining with Śrī on his chest, with his foot. The Lord, refuge of the virtuous, immediately rose with Lakṣmī, descended from his bed, bowed his head to the sage, and said, “Welcome, O Brāhmaṇa, please be seated. Forgive us, for we did not know of your arrival. Purify me, the world, and its guardians, with the water that has washed your feet, O maker of holy places. Today, I have become the exclusive recipient of Lakṣmī’s favor; prosperity, freed from sin by the touch of your feet, will dwell upon my chest.” Hearing these gentle words, Bhṛgu was deeply moved—fulfilled, silent, overwhelmed with devotion, and tears filled his eyes. Returning to the assembly of sages, Bhṛgu recounted all that he had seen and experienced. Hearing his account, the sages, astonished and now free from doubt, placed even greater faith in Viṣṇu, source of peace and fearlessness. From Him arise dharma, knowledge, renunciation, sovereignty, and fame that purifies the self. He is the supreme goal of peaceful sages who have laid down their rods, who are equal-minded, possessing nothing, and virtuous. His beloved form is sattva, the brāhmaṇas are his chosen deities, and the peaceful, desireless, and wise worship him without seeking reward. By his māyā, endowed with the guṇas, are created the threefold classes—rākṣasas, asuras, and suras—and it is through sattva that one attains that holy place.