In that sacred land, there stood an image known as Indranīla, guarded by the god himself, and nowhere else could one find such an auspicious Vaiṣṇava image. Moved by deep devotion, the king resolved: “I shall do all in my power so that Lord Viṣṇu, the unfailing and valorous lord of the world, may graciously appear before me.” With this aim, he committed himself to a supreme vow, determined to observe it through sacrifices, generous gifts, austerities, ritual oblations, meditation, worship, and proper fasting. Focusing his mind without distraction, intent solely on this purpose and with no other thought, the king began the great endeavor of establishing a temple for Viṣṇu. Having reflected thus, O best of the twice-born, the king set about the construction of a temple for Hari at that very place. To ensure the work was done in perfect accordance with scriptural injunctions, the king summoned all the calculators and teachers accomplished in the sacred texts. With great joy, he oversaw the careful purification of the ground. Learned brāhmaṇas, skilled in the meanings of the Vedas and śāstras, gathered with ministers and counselors expert in the science of architecture. After consulting with these wise men, the king selected an auspicious day and favorable hour, when the moon, stars, and planets were all propitious. The air resounded with the sounds of victory and blessing: delightful instruments played, the Vedas were chanted, and sweet songs filled the atmosphere. Offerings of flowers, grains, rice, fragrant substances, and full pots with lamps were made, and the king, with faith and full concentration, offered arghya as prescribed by the rite. Having completed the offering, the king called upon the valiant lords of Kaliṅga, Utkala, and Kośala, and addressed them: “Go forth together, all of you, with utmost attention to the task of gathering stones. Take with you the chief artisans skilled in stonework. Survey the wide Vindhya mountains, adorned with many caves, examine all the slopes, select auspicious stones, and have them transported swiftly by carts and boats.” With these instructions given, the lord of the earth then addressed his ministers and priests: “Let messengers be sent throughout the land to announce my command wherever kings dwell, and let them go quickly. Gather together, all of you, with elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, along with ministers and priests, as ordered by Indradyumna.” The messengers, thus instructed by the great-souled king, went forth and conveyed his words to the other rulers. Hearing the king’s command, all the kings hastened to the site, each accompanied by their own armies. They came from every direction: from the south, the west, the north, from the frontiers, from nearby lands, from the mountains, and from distant islands—kings from all realms assembled. Many learned Brahmins also arrived, having heard Indradyumna’s summons, bringing with them chariots, elephants, infantry, horses, and abundant wealth. Seeing the assembly of kings, ministers, and priests, the king’s heart was gladdened. With deep respect, he addressed them to explain his purpose: “Hear me, O best of kings, as I briefly describe this most excellent and holy field, which bestows both enjoyment and liberation. My mind is troubled as I ponder how I might accomplish the great horse-sacrifice—the supreme yajña—and the construction of a Vaiṣṇava temple. With your noble assistance, O foremost of kings, I can achieve these great tasks, if you will be my helpers.” As the wise king of kings spoke, all the assembled rulers, delighted and joyful, responded to his request. They showered him with wealth and jewels: gold, gems, pearls, fine blankets, deerskins, precious rugs, splendid carpets, diamonds, cat’s-eye gems, rubies, lotus gems, sapphires, elephants, horses, chariots, female elephants, and other riches. They brought countless goods, both of great and lesser value; rice, barley, wheat, beans, sesame seeds, siddhartha, chickpeas, lentils, wild millet, honey, nivara rice, kulattha beans, and other diverse grains, both cultivated and wild, by the thousands—heaps upon heaps of different kinds of rice. Hundreds and thousands of jars of cow’s ghee for offerings were brought, along with other goods, foods, cooked dishes, and fragrant ointments. Whatever was needed for the sacrifice, the kings provided in abundance, filling all requirements and bringing prosperity to the endeavor. The king beheld Brahmins skilled in sacrificial rites, accomplished in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, experts in the scriptures, and adept in all rituals. He saw sages, great sages, divine sages, ascetics, celibates, householders, forest-dwellers, and renunciants. There were graduates and other Brahmins, always engaged in fire-offerings, distinguished teachers and preceptors devoted to study and austerity. Members of the assembly, skilled in the scriptures, and many other pure souls were present. Seeing this noble gathering, the illustrious king spoke to his own priest: “Let the learned Brahmins, accomplished in the Vedas, now proceed to the sacrificial ground to ensure the success of the horse-sacrifice.” The royal priest, delighted and accompanied by the ministers, acted as directed. He departed with the architects, placing skilled Brahmins in sacrificial rites at the forefront, thus setting the great work in motion.