When a devoted soul, blessed with a wish-yielding aerial chariot, journeys to Vishnu’s celestial city, he dwells there, delighting in divine play like a god, remaining until the very dissolution of the cosmos. Upon returning to earthly existence and attaining human birth, such a soul is born as a Brahmin, a knower of the Vedas; and, having united with Hari, he is assured of liberation. Thus, whoever beholds Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra with reverence and bows before them, surely attains the four great aims of life: righteousness, prosperity, pleasure, and liberation. When departing from the temple after such a vision, a person becomes one who has fulfilled his purpose; after bowing to the shrine, he should leave with a focused mind. There, concealed beneath sand, abides Vishnu—his form radiant like sapphire. Bowing before this hidden deity, one is destined to reach Vishnu’s city. Know, O Brahmins, that the Lord who is the embodiment of all the gods and who vanquished the foremost of demons, resides there in a wondrous form: half-man, half-lion—Narasimha. By beholding this divine manifestation with devotion, and by bowing to Narasimha, a mortal is freed from every sin—there is no doubt about this. Those on earth who are devotees of Narasimha find that none of their misdeeds bear fruit, and whatever they desire is granted. Therefore, with all one’s effort, one should seek refuge in Narasimha, for he bestows the fruits of righteousness, prosperity, pleasure, and liberation. The greatness of Narasimha, which brings rare happiness in this world, fills the listeners with wonder as it is recounted. Eager and curious, the sages beseech, “Tell us in detail, O Lord of the world, about the power of that mighty god Narasimha. Please reveal how he may be pleased, for the benefit of devotees. O great-grandfather, what blessings arise from his grace? Grant us your favor.” The Lord responds, “Hear, O Brahmins, as I speak of the power of the unconquered and immeasurable Narasimha, who bestows both enjoyment and liberation. Who could ever recount all the qualities of him whose form is half-lion? Yet, I shall declare them in brief. Whatever attainments, whether divine or human, are known in this world—all are achieved through his grace, without doubt. In heaven, on earth, in the netherworld, in every direction, in water, in cities, on mountains—by the grace of this god, one’s progress is never hindered. There is nothing unattainable for Narasimha, in all that moves and does not move; he is ever compassionate to his devotees. Now, I will describe the procedure that benefits devotees, by which the lion-bodied Lord may be pleased. Listen, O best of sages, to the eternal king of rituals and the true nature of Narasimha, which even gods and demons do not know. The foremost practitioner should subsist on barley, wheat, roots, fruits, cakes, gruel, or milk. Clad in bark and a loincloth, absorbed in meditation, with controlled senses, he should reside in a forest, on a solitary mountain, or at the confluence of sacred rivers. On barren ground, in a holy place, or in a hermitage dedicated to Narasimha, having established the deity or himself, he should perform worship as prescribed. On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight, after fasting, one should recite the mantra two hundred thousand times, with mind and senses restrained. Even one afflicted by great or minor sins is freed thereby; of this there is no doubt for the sincere practitioner. After circumambulating, one should worship Narasimha with auspicious fragrances and incense, bowing the head to the Lord. Jasmine flowers, anointed with camphor and sandalwood, should be placed upon Narasimha’s head; then, surely, success is attained. The Blessed Lord faces no obstacle in any undertaking; not even Brahma, Rudra, or the other gods can withstand his radiance. What then of demons, siddhas, gandharvas, humans, vidyādharas, yakṣas, kinnaras, or great serpents? Those other practitioners who recite mantras to destroy asuras—all are vanquished upon encountering the brilliance of Narasimha, like the sun and fire dispelling darkness. If the divine armor is recited once, it protects against all calamities; recited twice, it guards even against gods and demons. Gandharvas, kinnaras, yakṣas, vidyādharas, great serpents, spirits, piśācas, rākṣasas, and all adversaries are powerless. If the armor is recited three times, it becomes impenetrable by any being; within twelve yojanas, it offers complete protection. The mighty Narasimha himself protects the devotee. Then, after reaching the entrance of a cave and fasting for three nights, one should kindle a fire with palāśa wood and offer palāśa sticks soaked in three kinds of honey into the sacred fire. O noble Brahmin, the practitioner should make two hundred offerings with the vaṣaṭ formula; then, the cave’s entrance is revealed at once. Wearing the divine armor, the wise one should enter the opening without fear; as he proceeds, all distress and delusion are dispelled. Within, a broad royal road adorned with bees becomes visible; remembering Narasimha, the twice-born enter Pātāla. There, upon arrival, one should recite the immutable essence named Narasimha. Then, thousands of women, playing the vīṇā, come forth before the Brahmins, greet them, and take the master of practitioners by the hand, leading him further within.