The king, overflowing with delight, bestowed five hundred women upon the Brahmins—women of full, youthful beauty, dressed in bodices that gracefully covered their chests. Among them were many slender-waisted maidens, their eyes wide and lovely as lotus petals, their necks adorned with graceful gestures and ornaments, their arms jingling with bangles. Each woman was further adorned with anklets and draped in fine silk garments, and the king gave them, one by one, to those he wished to honor in that sacred place. At the grand horse sacrifice, the king provided abundant food and drink, prepared with countless ingredients, to Brahmins and all who sought sustenance. There were many kinds of sweets and confections, both cooked and baked, along with other pure offerings and delicacies overflowing with ghee. Sweet cakes, golden fried pastries, and all manner of delicious, well-cooked foods were generously and repeatedly served for the joy of every being present. So vast was the wealth distributed and the gifts bestowed that there seemed to be no end to the king’s generosity. Witnessing such a magnificent sacrifice, even the gods, demons, and their followers stood in awe. The Gandharvas, Apsaras, Siddhas, sages, and the lords of creatures themselves were filled with supreme wonder at the sight of this auspicious and excellent event. The priests, counselors, and the king were all filled with joy; no one suffered from want, uncleanliness, or hunger. There was no adversity or fatigue, no illness or disease, no untimely death, no bites from creatures, nor any harmful influences. All the people, from ascetics who had attained perfection to the long-lived sages, were nourished and joyous at this royal festival. Never before had there been a sacrifice so abundant in wealth and grain. Thus, with all rites properly observed, the king completed both the great horse sacrifice and the construction of the Vaiṣṇava temple. Now, O Lord of gods, tell us of ancient times: How were those sacred images once made by King Indradyumna? By what means did Mādhava, the Supreme Lord, become pleased with him? We are eager to hear everything. Listen, O tiger among sages, to the ancient account in accord with the Vedas. I will recount what happened before, and how the images came to be. When the great sacrifice commenced and the temple was built, King Indradyumna grew anxious day and night over the making of the images. He wondered, “By whom might I see the Lord of gods, the purifier of all, the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the worlds, the Supreme Person?” So deep was his anxiety that the king could neither sleep by night nor by day. He took no pleasure in any delight—he did not bathe or adorn himself, nor did he enjoy music, fragrance, singing, or the sight of vibrant colors. The company of elephants in rut, the finest horses, dazzling sapphires, blue gems, rubies, gold, silver, and other precious stones, even those adorned with diamonds and crystal—none of these brought him joy. Not even the many objects of desire, nor the wild things of earth and sky, could satisfy his restless mind. He pondered deeply: “Among stones, clay, and wood found on earth, which is most worthy to be fashioned into the form of Viṣṇu, bearing all auspicious marks?” Of these three, the one most beloved and worshipped by the gods, when established, brings joy. Thus the king’s mind became absorbed in this contemplation. Following the Pañcarātra method, the king worshipped the Supreme Person. Immersed in deep thought, he began to offer praises: “O Vāsudeva, I bow 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 Saṃkarṣaṇa! Protect me, bearer of the earth! Salutations to You, whose radiance is like gold! Salutations to You, Makaradhvaja, beloved of Rati! 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 and beloved of the gods! Salutations to You, Nārāyaṇa! Protect me, who has sought refuge. Salutations to You, foremost among the strong, wielder of the plough, four-faced foundation of the world! Protect me, ancestor of all! Salutations to You, whose form is like a dark cloud, worshipped by the gods! Protect me, O Viṣṇu, Lord of the universe, who am submerged in the ocean of worldly existence. Salutations to You, whose form is like the fire of dissolution! Salutations to You, destroyer of demons! O Narasiṃha of great valor, protect me, You with blazing eyes! Just as You once lifted the earth from the netherworld with Your tusk, O Great Boar, protect me from the ocean of suffering! All these forms of Yours, O Kṛṣṇa, bestowers of boons, have been praised by me. These, beginning with Baladeva, exist separately. Your limbs, O Lord of gods, are Garuḍa and others; likewise, the guardians of the directions with their weapons, and those beginning with Keśava, and also Acyuta. And all other forms of Yours, O Lord of gods, spoken of by the wise, they too, O Lord of the universe with gracious eyes, are all present. All have been worshipped and praised by me, and I have offered salutations to all. Grant me a boon that bestows righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation. Those forms of Yours, O Hari, beginning with Saṃkarṣaṇa, have been described; arising for Your worship, they are thus established in You. O Lord of the gods, in ultimate reality there is no division in You; whatever various forms of Yours are spoken of, they are only figurative. How can a human speak of duality in You, who are non-dual? You alone, O Hari, are all-pervading, of the nature of consciousness, and without stain.” Thus, the king poured out his devotion, seeking the presence and grace of the Supreme Lord.