At the command of the noble king, preparations for the great sacrifice began in earnest. Bulls, cows, and all the herdsmen were summoned, and the desired offerings were gathered to establish the sacred Vaishnava pavilion. The king decreed that everything requested by the Brahmins should be granted: women, heaps of jewels, villages, and even cities. Fertile lands, whole territories, and delightful varieties of wealth were bestowed upon those who sought them. Nothing was denied to anyone who asked; the king insisted that the sacrifice continue until the god himself would appear near the sacred site. Having spoken thus, the lion-like king of mighty arms fulfilled his words. He gifted the Brahmins heaps of gold and ornaments beyond count, numbering in the millions. He gave a hundred thousand female elephants, tens of thousands of horses, and a staggering hundred million bulls, along with cows whose horns were made of gold. Beautiful, fragrant cows, whose milk filled bronze vessels, were joyfully given to the Brahmins, the knowers of the Vedas. Costly garments, blankets of pure white and shining brilliance, and the finest coral and gems were distributed. Various kinds of jewels adorned the great sacrifice: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, and other radiant gems. Maidens with lotus-like eyes, adorned and beautiful, were also given. In his delight, the king presented five hundred women to the Brahmins—women with full breasts, clad in bodices covering their chests, slender-waisted with lotus-petal wide eyes, graceful necks adorned with expressive gestures, and decorated with bangles. Each woman, adorned with anklets and dressed in fine silk garments, was given individually in that place. To Brahmins and others, at the horse sacrifice, he provided abundant food and drink, prepared with a variety of ingredients. Many kinds of sweets and confections, cooked and baked, along with pure offerings and ghee-filled delicacies, were served. Sweet cakes, fried pastries, and well-cooked, delicious food were repeatedly offered for the pleasure of all beings. Such generosity knew no bounds; the wealth given and distributed seemed endless. Witnessing this magnificent sacrifice, gods, demons, and their followers were astonished. Gandharvas, Apsaras, Siddhas, sages, and the lords of creatures experienced supreme wonder at the auspicious and excellent event. The priests, counselors, and the king himself rejoiced; no one was dirty, distressed, or afflicted by hunger. There was no adversity, fatigue, ailment, or disease; no untimely death, no bites, nor any harmful influences. All the people were joyful and nourished at this royal festival, including ascetics who had attained perfection and long-lived sages. Never before had such a sacrifice, endowed with wealth and grain, been seen. Thus, the king, following proper rites, completed the horse sacrifice and the construction of the Vaiṣṇava temple. Then, the sages asked, "O Lord of gods, tell us what we seek from ancient times: how those images were formerly made by Indradyumna. By what means was Mādhava pleased with him? Tell us everything, for our curiosity is great." The reply came: "Listen, O tiger among sages, to the ancient account in accord with the Vedas. I will narrate what happened before and the origin of the images. When the great sacrifice began and the temple was constructed, King Indradyumna became anxious day and night about the images. He wondered, 'I do not know by whom I might see the Lord of gods, purifier of all, creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the worlds—the Supreme Person.' Absorbed in anxiety, the king neither slept by night nor by day. He took no pleasure in the various delights, nor did he bathe or adorn himself. Music, fragrance, singing, colors, elephants intoxicated with rut, and many horses—all these brought him no joy. Nor did he find satisfaction in great sapphires, blue gems, rubies, gold, silver, or other precious stones adorned with diamonds and crystal. Neither objects of passion and desire nor wild things or those dwelling in the sky could soothe his mind. He pondered among stones, clay, and wood found on earth: which is praised as suitable for a form of Viṣṇu, bearing all auspicious marks? Of these three, the one beloved and worshipped by the gods, when established, brings joy. He became absorbed in this thought. Following the Pañcarātra method, having worshipped the Supreme Person, the king, immersed in contemplation, began to praise Him: 'O Vāsudeva, salutations to You! Salutations to You, cause of liberation. Protect me, Lord of all worlds, from the ocean of birth and worldly existence. Salutations to You, O Supreme Person, whose appearance is like pure garments. Salutations to You, Saṃkarṣaṇa. Protect me, bearer of the earth. Salutations to You, whose radiance is like gold. Salutations to You, Makaradhvaja, beloved of Rati. Salutations to You; protect me, destroyer of obstacles. Salutations to You, whose hue is like collyrium. Salutations to You, who cherish devotees. Salutations to You, Aniruddha. Protect me, bestower of boons. Salutations to You, abode of the gods. Salutations to You, beloved of the gods. Salutations to You, Nārāyaṇa. Protect me, who has sought refuge. Salutations to You, foremost among the strong. Salutations to You, wielder of the plough. Four-faced, foundation of the world, protect me, ancestor of all.' Thus, with devotion and longing, the king praised the Supreme Lord, seeking guidance and the divine presence for the sacred images.