O best of sages, behold a wondrous and fertile land, delightful in every way, where joyful and prosperous people dwell. The men and women there are adorned in fine garments and glittering ornaments, their faces radiant with happiness. Among them, the four varnas—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—are each devoted to their own duties, living in harmony, marked by peace and auspicious signs. The Brahmins are especially resplendent: their mouths stained red from chewing betel, their bodies decked with garlands, but above all, their lips overflow with the sacred Vedas. They are learned in the six limbs of Vedic knowledge and the intricacies of pada-krama recitation. Some are deeply engaged in the Agnihotra and other sacred fires; others practice upasana and meditation, all skilled in the meanings of the scriptures. They are sacrificers, generous in giving, and steadfast in their religious duties. Throughout this land, whether at the four royal crossroads, within forests and groves, bustling assembly halls, grand palace mansions, or temples of the gods, the air is alive with the recitation of histories and ancient tales, the Vedas and their branches, auspicious treatises, and spirited discussions of poetry and science. The women of this land are proud of their beauty and youth, endowed with every auspicious mark. Their hips are broad and shapely, their faces radiant like lotuses, their complexions dark and lustrous, their countenances glowing like the autumn moon. Their breasts are full and high, their prosperity shining forth, and they are truly lovely to behold. Adorned with golden bangles and divine garments, they resemble the delicate interior of a banana blossom, shining with the brilliance of lotus filaments. Charming in every way, their lips are like ripe bimba fruit, their eyes long and graceful, reaching to their ears, their faces beautiful, their hair lustrous, and their movements and expressions graceful. Some women have eyes like lotus petals, others like blue lilies; some possess teeth as dazzling as lightning and slender, graceful bodies. Their curling locks are adorned at the parting, and they wear necklaces and garlands as ornaments. Their ears are decorated with jewel-studded earrings and enchanting ornaments, making them appear as celestial women, marked by auspicious signs. These blessed women of excellent form spend their days in play, accompanied by divine songs and the music of vīṇā, flutes, drums, paṇava, and gomukha. The air resounds with the conches and drums, and a variety of delightful instruments, as these ever-joyful, playful women sport together. Skilled in many kinds of song and music, these excellent women, intoxicated by youthful desire, gather in festivity day and night. This land is also served by ascetics, forest-dwellers, perfected beings, graduates, celibates, and those accomplished in mantras, austerities, and sacrifices. It is a place where spiritual practice flourishes alongside worldly prosperity. When the king beheld this supremely beautiful field, he thought to himself, “Here I will worship the eternal Lord—the teacher of the world, the supreme god, the highest shore, the supreme abode, the lord of all lords—Viṣṇu, infinite and unconquered.” He recognized this as that supreme tīrtha of the mind, known as Puruṣottama, where the great wish-fulfilling banyan tree stands. There, too, is an image called Indranīla, protected by the Lord himself, and no other auspicious Vaiṣṇava image is found in this place. Thus resolved, the king declared, “I shall make every effort so that the Lord of the world, Viṣṇu of unfailing valor, may appear before me. Through sacrifices, gifts, austerities, oblations, meditations, worship, and proper fasting, I shall observe this supreme vow. With an undistracted mind, intent solely on this purpose and with no other thought, I will begin the establishment of the temple of Viṣṇu.” Having reflected in this way, O best of the twice-born, the king commenced the construction of a temple for Hari at that sacred spot. He summoned all the calculators and learned teachers versed in the scriptures, and with great joy, carefully purified the ground. Together with learned brāhmaṇas skilled in the Vedas and śāstras, and with ministers and counselors expert in the science of architecture, the king consulted on every detail. On an auspicious day and at a favorable hour, with the moon and stars well aligned and the planets propitious, they began the work. The commencement was marked by sounds of victory and blessing, the music of delightful instruments, the resonant chanting of the Vedas, and melodious songs. Flowers, grains, rice, fragrances, and full pots with lamps were brought forth, and the king, with faith and concentration, offered arghya according to the sacred rite. After offering arghya, the king summoned the valiant lord of Kaliṅga, the lord of Utkala, and the lord of Kośala, and addressed them: “Go forth together, all of you, with full attention to the task of procuring stones. Take along the chief artisans skilled in stonework. Survey the wide Vindhya mountain, adorned with many caves, examine all its slopes, cut out auspicious stones, and have them transported by carts and boats without delay.” Having thus instructed those kings, the lord of the earth then spoke to his ministers and priests: “Let messengers go everywhere and announce my command wherever kings dwell on earth, and let them go swiftly. Go forth together, all of you, with elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, along with ministers and priests, by the order of Indradyumna.” The messengers, thus instructed by that great-souled king, set out and conveyed the ruler’s command to all the other kings. Hearing these words, the kings from every direction—those in the south, those established in the west, those settled in the north, those on the frontiers, those nearby, those from the mountains and the islands—each surrounded by their own armies, all quickly arrived to join in this sacred endeavor.