As twilight descended, the sages, wise and devoted, recognized the hour and prepared themselves accordingly. They bathed in the sacred Kedara pond, purifying body and mind, and then worshipped Shiva with deep reverence within their hearts. Immersed in meditation, they remained there for a full year, their minds fixed on the divine. During this time, King Vikramaditya ruled the land. When the year had passed, the sages approached Sūta, the learned bard, and spoke with humility: “By your command, let us conduct the horse sacrifice for the king.” Sūta agreed, and together they journeyed—first to the holy place of Kapila, then southward to Setubandha. The sacrificial horse swiftly traveled to these places and finally reached the banks of the Kshipra river. At the horse sacrifice, all the gods assembled, accompanied by their wives, to witness and bless the ceremony. When the sacrifice concluded, King Vikramaditya distributed many gifts, and Vaitāla was present with him. Then, Sūta addressed the king: “O greatly fortunate one, when the dreadful Kali age arrives…” In that moment, nectar-like water was offered, and the Moon vanished once more. Indra, having received the nectar from the king, returned to heaven. During these auspicious times, a renowned Brahmin named Jayanta praised Bhartṛhari, honoring him with a hundred thousand gold coins. Vikramaditya alone maintained his kingdom, free from affliction. The sages led by Śaunaka, knowing the king had attained heaven, listened as the bard once again recited the Purāṇas. Filled with joy, the sages returned to their own hermitages. Thus ends the twenty-third chapter in the section of the Kali Age history, within the cycle of the four ages, and the Pratisarga Parva of the glorious Bhaviṣya Mahāpurāṇa. Afterward, the sages respectfully questioned Sūta, the reciter of the Purāṇas: “O revered one, speak for the welfare of the worlds in all four ages. May humans attain auspiciousness easily, as they desire. For the protection of the world, against the enemy Dhūmraketu, I always praise the god Satyanārāyaṇa. I praise Śrī Rāma, together with Lakṣmaṇa, compassionate and pure, accompanied by Sītā, whose lotus-face attracts the bee-like gaze of Rāma, destroyer of the Paulastya.” Sūta continued: “I praise the destroyer of Kali’s impurity, the fulfiller of desires, shining among the foremost of gods, radiant through the Brahmin. Once, Nārada the yogi, desiring to bestow supreme grace, saw all people afflicted with various sufferings. He wondered, ‘By what means could their suffering surely be destroyed?’ Then, the god Nārāyaṇa appeared before him, white in color, four-armed, with a pleasant and peaceful face, praised by Sanaka and others.” “To the god without beginning, middle, or end, attributeless and great-souled, to the prime origin of all and benefactor of the worlds, Nārada offered praise. Hearing this, Viṣṇu replied to Nārada: ‘Tell me, O highly fortunate one; I will recount everything to you.’ Hearing Nārada’s words, Viṣṇu honored him, saying, ‘Excellent, excellent.’” “In the Kṛta and Tretā ages, Viṣṇu himself is worshipped; in Dvāpara, he assumes many forms. Dharma stands on four legs, and for him, truth is the foundation. Therefore, the vow of Satyanārāyaṇa is remembered as the most excellent. Now, what is the fruit, and what is the procedure, in the worship of Satyanārāyaṇa?