Vāsudeva, pleased with the king’s devotion, addressed him warmly, “O best of kings, choose a boon, O virtuous one. Whatever you desire, whatever is established in your heart, I shall grant it.” He continued, “My vision does not arise even in dreams for the unworthy; but you, through firm devotion, have seen me directly.” Hearing these words, the king was overwhelmed with joy, his body bristling with delight. He began to sing a hymn to the Lord: “O beloved of Śrī, obeisance to you! Lord of Śrī, clad in yellow garments, giver of prosperity, lord of fortune, abode of Śrī, I bow to you, dwelling place of Śrī. I bow to the primordial person, the ruler, the lord of all, facing everywhere, without division, the supreme god, eternal. Beyond sound, beyond qualities, free from existence and non-existence, unstained, without attributes, subtle, all-knowing, the source of all things. Resembling a rain cloud, devoted to the welfare of cows and Brahmins, protector of all, pervading everything, the creator of all beings. I salute the god who holds the conch and discus, who bears the mace and club, the giver of boons, whose hue is like a blue lotus petal. I bow to Hari, who reclines on the serpent couch, who rests in the ocean of milk, Hṛṣīkeśa, remover of all sins. Again I salute you, lord of gods, giver of boons, all-pervading, Viṣṇu, ruler of all worlds, cause of liberation, imperishable.” Having thus praised the Lord, the king bowed deeply with joined palms and prostrated himself upon the earth. He then spoke, “If you are pleased with me, O lord, I choose the highest boon. Gods, demons, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, great serpents, Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Sādhyas, Kinnaras, Guhyakas, and those great sages, experts in various scriptures—renunciants engaged in yoga, those contemplating the essence of the Vedas, those knowing the path of liberation, and others who meditate on the supreme state—that attribute-less, pure, peaceful state which the wise perceive—I wish to reach that state by your grace, though it is very difficult to attain.” Vāsudeva replied, “May all auspiciousness be yours; obtain everything as you desire. By my grace, all will happen as you wish, without doubt. For ten thousand years, and also nine hundred more, enjoy uninterrupted great sovereignty, O best of kings. You will attain the divine state, rare for gods and demons, fulfilled in all wishes, peaceful, secret, unmanifest, imperishable. Transcending even the highest, subtle, unstained, indivisible, eternal, free from anxiety and sorrow, devoid of action and cause. I will show you that supreme state called ‘to be known,’ by attaining which you will gain supreme bliss and the highest goal. Your fame, O king, will endure on this earth as long as clouds remain in the sky, as long as the moon, sun, and stars exist. As long as the seven oceans and mountains like Meru stand, as long as gods dwell in heaven, so long will your glory be everywhere, undiminished.” He continued, “There is a sacred place called Indradyumna Lake, born from the limbs of sacrifice; whoever bathes there even once attains the world of Indra. Whoever offers ancestral oblations on the beautiful bank of this lake, uplifting twenty-one generations of his lineage, will go to the world of Indra. Honored by celestial nymphs and with the songs of Gandharvas resounding, he will dwell there in a celestial chariot for as long as fourteen Indras reign. On the southern side of the lake, in the direction of the southwest, stands a banyan tree; near it there is a pavilion. Covered by a grove of ketaki and crowded with various trees, it is adorned with countless coconut palms, champaka, and bakula trees. There are ashoka, karnikara, punnaga, nagakesara, patala, amra, atisara, sandalwood, and deodar trees. There are banyan, sacred fig, khadira, parijata, arjuna, hintala, various palms, shimshapa, and jujube trees as well. It is beautified and adorned with karanja, lakucha, plaksha, jackfruit, bael, dhataki, and many other kinds of trees. On the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, under the constellation sacred to the ancestors, they will take us there and keep us for seven days. In the pavilion, they will seat us with beautiful courtesans, amidst abundant amusements, with enchanting dance and song. With fly-whisks of golden handles and fans adorned with jewels, they will fan us, and auspicious women will attend us. Celibates, ascetics, learned twice-borns, forest-dwellers, householders, perfected beings, and other Brahmins will also be present. With hymns of various meters and words, with the sounds of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas, they will offer praise again to Rama and Keshava, O King. Then, having praised, seen, and bowed with devotion, a man will dwell in the splendid city of Hari for ten thousand divine years. Honored by celestial nymphs and with the songs of Gandharvas resounding, he plays there as a companion of Hari, indeed with Keshava. In a celestial chariot shining like the sun, adorned with jeweled garlands, he abides in the highest world, enjoying all pleasures and great enjoyments. When his merit is exhausted and he comes here, he is born as a Brahmin, surely becoming a lord of wealth by the millions, prosperous, and a knower of the four Vedas.” Thus, having granted the boon and made an agreement, Hari departed from sight, together with Vishvakarma, leaving the king and the assembly of Brahmins in awe and reverence.