In the midst of auspicious trees and diverse gardens, where birds and animals thrive both on land and in water, there stood a magnificent city. This city was adorned with divine temples dedicated to the gods, and within it resided the blessed deity—the enemy of Tripura, the three-eyed Mahakala, renowned as Shiva, the bestower of all desires. Those who came to this sacred place would bathe properly in the Shiva-kunda, the holy pond, which cleanses away all sins. After honoring the gods, ancestors, and sages, the wise would proceed to Shiva’s temple. Circumambulating it three times with reverence, they would enter self-controlled, dressed in clean garments, with subdued senses. There, they would worship Shiva with baths, flowers, fragrant offerings, incense, lamps, and heartfelt devotion. They would offer food, gifts, sing songs, play music, circumambulate, prostrate, dance, and recite hymns to Shankara. Even a single sincere worship of Mahakala, Shiva, performed with proper rites and devotion, would yield the merit of a thousand horse sacrifices. Freed from all sins, the devotee would ascend celestial vehicles that fulfill every desire, journeying to the third heaven—the abode of Shambhu. There, in a divine form adorned with celestial ornaments, he would enjoy exquisite pleasures until the end of the cosmic cycle. In Shiva’s world, free from old age and death, when his merit is spent, he would be reborn on earth in the highest family of Brahmanas. There, he would become learned in all four Vedas and scriptures, attain the Pashupata yoga, and ultimately reach liberation. Within this city flows the sacred river Shipra. Whoever bathes there according to proper rites and satisfies the ancestors and deities is freed from all sins and ascends an excellent celestial vehicle, enjoying pleasures among the gods. In this city also dwells the blessed Lord Janardana, the god of gods, called Govinda, Hari, the master, who grants both enjoyment and liberation. To see him, together with one’s twenty-one generations, is to attain liberation—ascending a radiant celestial vehicle adorned with tinkling bells. Riding this wish-yielding, unfailing vehicle, praised by Gandharvas, the devotee is honored in the world of Vishnu. There, he enjoys pleasures free from distress and suffering, handsome, fortunate, and happy, until the end of the cosmic cycle. When the time comes, he is reborn as a wise Brahmana, in the house of the best yogins, knowing the true meaning of the Vedas and scriptures. Taking up Vaishnava yoga, he then attains liberation. There too is Vishnu, named Vikramasvamin. Whether man or woman, seeing him grants the same fruits as described before. Other gods reside there as well, led by Indra, along with the Mothers, bestowers of all desired fruits. Seeing them, worshipping them with devotion, and bowing down, one is freed from all sins and ascends to heaven. Thus, the delightful city ruled by the lion among kings is ever joyful, with constant festivals, like Indra’s Amaravati. It is joined with eighteen city gates and broad fourfold roads. The city resounds with the twang of bowstrings, is adorned by gatherings of accomplished beings, filled with assemblies of learned men, and echoes with the chants of the Vedas. Epics, ancient tales, treatises, and poetic stories are heard day and night. Such is the land endowed with virtues, where, in former times, the great-minded king Indradyumna was born. In that land, the wise king ruled an unrivaled kingdom, protecting his subjects as his own sons. Truthful, greatly wise, heroic, a repository of all virtues, intelligent, righteous, and foremost among warriors, he was noble in speech and character, self-controlled, illustrious, conqueror of enemy cities, radiant as the sun, and handsome as the Ashvins. His wondrous deeds ever increased, and in valor he was equal to Indra. He shone with auspicious marks like the autumn moon. He performed all sacrifices, including the horse-sacrifice, and none could equal him in gifts, sacrifices, or austerities. At every sacrifice, he gave abundant gold, jewels, pearls, elephants, and horses to the foremost Brahmins. Within his realm, there was no limit to elephants, horses, chariots, fine woolens, skins, garments, jewels, wealth, and grain. Endowed with all riches, adorned with every virtue, fulfilled in all desires, he ruled his kingdom without affliction. Yet a thought arose within him: “How shall I worship Hari, Lord of all Yogis, who grants both enjoyment and liberation?” He considered all treatises, tantras, Agamas, epics, ancient tales, and all the limbs of the Veda. He examined all treatises on dharma, disciplines spoken by sages, and sources of knowledge. By diligently serving his teacher and the foremost Brahmins learned in the Veda, he attained the highest goal and fulfilled his purpose. Having realized the supreme, imperishable truth known as Vasudeva, freed from delusion and ignorance, he became a seeker of liberation, with restrained senses. He pondered: “How shall I worship the eternal God of gods, clad in yellow garments, four-armed, bearing the conch, discus, and mace?