On the sacred banks of the Ganges, King Dhanvantari was immersed in deep austerity, his mind steadfast in recitation, offerings, and the pursuit of Brahman’s knowledge. During this time, a powerful demon named Tama sought refuge there, drawn to the king’s presence. Dhanvantari, ever vigilant and devoted, resolved to destroy this enemy. Tama, sensing the king’s determination, departed from the ocean, yet the king reflected, “I, this powerful king, have destroyed him many times,” and Tama left, again wary of Dhanvantari’s resolve. But Tama was cunning; employing his magic, he assumed the enchanting form of a woman. She approached the king, her beautiful brows arched, dancing and singing with laughter, radiant and alluring. Dhanvantari beheld her, every limb graceful and serene, her presence calm, devoted, and faithful. Moved by compassion, the king spoke gently: “Who are you? Why do you dwell in this dense forest? Whom have you seen that brings you such delight? Tell me, O auspicious one, for I am eager to know.” The woman listened and replied, “What other cause for my joy could there be while you are present? I am the fortune of Indra; seeing you, I am filled with desire. Out of joy, I move before you again and again, O King, but due to the absence of countless merits, I am difficult for all to attain.” Hearing these words, Dhanvantari’s mind turned from his arduous austerity. He abandoned his difficult penance, meditating only on her, devoted and intent upon her presence. He took refuge in her alone, and as he entered into darkness, he vanished, having destroyed his great austerity. At that moment, I arrived to grant boons, but found the king bewildered, fallen from his austerity, as if lifeless. I consoled him with many reasons and named his enemy ‘Darkness,’ causing his fall from austerity. With the purpose fulfilled, I assured him, “O King, do not grieve. Women bring both joy and suffering to men; all do so, especially those made of illusion.” The king, his confusion dispelled, joined his hands and addressed me, “What shall I do, O Brahman? How may I reach the end of austerity?” I answered, “Praise Janardana, the god of gods, with all your effort; then you will attain success. He is the creator of all worlds, ancient, to be known through the Vedas, the giver of all attainments to men; there is no other in the three worlds.” Inspired, that noble king journeyed to the foremost mountain, Himavat. With palms joined and heart full of devotion, he praised Vishnu: “Victory to you, O Vishnu! Victory, O inconceivable one! Victory, O conqueror! Victory, O unchanging one! Victory, O cowherd, lord of Lakshmi! Victory, O Krishna, who is the universe! Victory to you, lord of beings! Victory to you, who recline on the serpent! Victory to you, all-pervading Govinda! Victory to you, creator of the universe! Salutations! Victory to you, O god who supports and sustains the universe! Salutations to you, lord of victory, who are both existence and nonexistence! Victory to you, righteous Mādhava! Victory to you, fulfiller of desires, who are desire itself! Victory to you, Rama, ocean of virtues! Victory to you, giver of nourishment, lord of prosperity! Victory to you, bestower of auspiciousness! Victory to you, lord of beings, lord of all creatures! Victory to you, creator of men! Victory to you, giver of action, who are action itself! Victory to you, clad in yellow garments! Victory to you, lord of all, who are everything! Victory to you, embodiment of auspiciousness! Victory to you, lord of sattva! Salutations to you, knower of the Vedas! Victory to you, source of birth, abiding in birth, supreme self! Salutations to you! Victory to you, giver of liberation, who are liberation itself! Victory to you, giver of enjoyment, O Keśava! Victory to you, Lord of the worlds, destroyer of sin, affectionate to devotees, bearer of the discus—salutations! Victory to you, bestower of honor, who are the mind itself! Victory to you, worshipped by the worlds! Victory to you, giver of righteousness, who are righteousness itself! Victory to you, who lead beyond worldly existence! Victory to you, giver of food, who are food itself! Victory to you, Lord of speech—salutations! Victory to you, giver of power, who are power itself! Victory to you, granter of supreme victory and boons! Victory to you, giver of sacrifice, who are sacrifice itself! Victory to you, lotus-eyed one! Victory to you, giver of gifts, who are the gift itself! Victory to you, slayer of Kaitabha! Victory to you, giver of fame, who are fame itself! Victory to you, giver of form, who bear all forms! Victory to you, giver of happiness, who are the very essence of happiness! Victory to you, purifier of the pure! Victory to you, giver of peace, who are peace itself! Victory to you, born of Shankara! Victory to you, giver of drink, who are the drink itself! Victory to you, whose form is light! Victory to you, Vamana, Lord of wealth! Victory to you, bearer of the smoky banner! Victory to you, who are the giver to all the world—obeisance to your form as the giver! You alone are the soul that moves through the three worlds, skilled in destroying the afflictions of beings, O lotus-eyed Lord, ocean of compassion! Place your hand upon my head, O Vishnu!” As Dhanvantari praised with such devotion, the Blessed Lord, bearing conch, discus, and mace, appeared before him and offered a boon, granting fulfillment of all desires. Dhanvantari, his heart uplifted by the boon from Govinda, Lord of the gods, bowed low and said, “I desire the sovereignty of the gods.” Vishnu granted this wish, and the king’s purpose was fulfilled. Having been praised and worshipped, Vishnu disappeared. In due course, Dhanvantari attained lordship over the gods. Yet, owing to the fruition of many past actions, Indra, the thousand-eyed, lost his position three times—from Nahusha, from the slaying of Vritra, from the killing of Sindhusena, from his union with Ahalya, and for various other reasons.